Snapshot · The Moth
Audrey Pleasant was just 13 years old when she was pulled onstage at the Apollo Theater to perform alongside the Coasters, launching a career that took her to Harlem's legendary venues.
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At 30:10 · chapter starts 27:50
Walking down 125th Street near the Apollo, Audrey heard James Brown blasting from the Record Shack — and her body took over. A crowd gathered. A man stepped out and handed her a paper with a time, a date, and a stage. She showed up, paid admission like any audience member, and watched the Coasters perform, their lead singer Speedo working the crowd with a microphone and a 'Whoa!' — to which she replied 'Wow!' so powerfully he grabbed her hand and pulled her onstage. [1] — Audrey Pleasant "Walking down 125th Street near the Apollo, Audrey Pleasant heard James Brown blast from the Record Shack and couldn't help herself. A crowd…" 27:50 She demonstrated her posterior in rhythmic motion; Speedo took off his shirt and reached for his pants; she screamed and ran. The manager tracked her down with a flashlight and offered her a paid week of performances. She was 13 and said yes. When James Brown himself later appeared, he watched her execute a figure-8 slide and said: 'Wow, Lil Mama.' The stage name stuck. From there, Audrey moved through Harlem's legendary venues — the Carver Ballroom, the Renaissance Ballroom, the Audubon Ballroom, Small's Paradise — having left the side-shuffle behind forever.
Walking down 125th Street near the Apollo, Audrey Pleasant heard James Brown blast from the Record Shack and couldn't help herself. A crowd gathered. A man stepped forward and handed her a piece of paper with a time and a stage. At 13, she performed with the Coasters — and then James Brown himself walked out and called her 'Lil Mama.'
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