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And Poof! Kanye Reappears

31 Jul

After a considerable hiatus Kanye West has once again leaked into in music scene. His newest single “Power” has received considerable airplay, even before the formal release of his newest album.

West made waves in the beginning of the week after spontaneously debuting some of his newest material a capella style at Facebook headquartors. Kanye and Facebook? Can you say pop-culture aneurysm?

He also appeared by Rolling Stone magazine, presenting a nearly two hour Town Hall like talk. He spoke on a rage of topics, from dieting to resposibility in the music industry. Kanye promises his upcoming album will reflect a newly adopted, more positive outlook in life. “I feel like [now] I can be a vessel for good will and energy”,  he states.

Eminem/ Rihanna Collaboration

29 Jul

Hey there all!

I’m sure you’ve all heard the number one Billboard hit “Love the Way You Lie” off of Eminem’s newest CD, “Recovery”. Rihanna sings the chorus and will be starring in the track’s upcoming video too.

Obviously, Ri was not a random choice of artists for the single. Her unfortunate past with Chris Brown and experience with relationship violence definitely makes her an appropriate choice for the collaboration.

Em has clearly benefited off of Rhianna’s presence in the song. The single’s success has officially relaunched him back into musical relevance. Personally I’m floored by the guy’s longevity, due to the fact I remember chanting “Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?” at virtually every 8th grade Bar-Mitzva.

“Recovery” is a standout album for Eminem. He has distanced himself from silly accents and dumb comedic gimmicks and discusses real, true to life subject manner with honest and precision. “Love the Way You Lie” is the first time, at least that I can recall, in which he discusses an actual relationship (as opposed to just fantasizing about shoving his ex-wife into the trunk of his car).

But the lyrics to the latest song have been received with some controversy. The verses are very raw and graphic, as Em even states in the end “If she ever tries to leave again…I’ma tie her to the bed and set the house on fire”.  Do you think this may be close to home for Rihanna, a real life victim of relationship violence? Do you think the lyrics might be to easy on the abuser in a relationship? Personally, I think the lyrics portray this kind of situation realistically, highlighting cycles of guilt, shame and hostility.

Let me know what ya’ll think!

Nicki Minaj Massive Attack?

23 Jun

Hey there all,

I’m sure that if you are even slightly familiar with the hip-hop scene you have heard of Nicki Minaj. The Queens native has collaborated with the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher and Diddy, often featured alongside staple counterparts Drake and Lil’ Wayne.

Nicki "Barbie" Minaj

She’s been the focus of attention as of late, partially because of the summer release of a solo album and a hyped-semi feud with rapper Lil’ Kim (Kim maintains that Minaj has not paid enough respect and “homage” to her position as an artist).

Currently Minaj, a self declared modern day Barbie, is thought by many to have taken the place of Lil’ Kim in the rap scene. Fresh blood and new perspective has lent the up and coming artist waves of attention. With her ultra decadent music video Massive Attack, Minaj seems to affirm a permanent position in the music biz.

But with the supposed beef between Minaj and Kim, one must wonder is there only one spot for a female in hip-hop? What is the source of competition and animosity?

Rap music has such a reputation as hard edged, fueled by the tough grit of masculine energy. I think that Minaj’s flair of aggressive confidence and feminine eccentricity is a perfect complement to the scene. I don’t, however, believe that only one woman should merit the spotlight. Minaj is a fascinating artist, but should not be the only “token” girl rapper on a track.

Minaj and Drake

Yes, there has been others (Eve, Remy Ma, and as aforementioned, Lil’ Kim, to name a few) to make there names known. But as of now, Minaj seems to be taking the lead. But, before asking Barbie to contribute to another song, maybe a few artists should look into other female talent out there.

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Lady Gaga and Joplin:High School Days

18 Jun

This week Lady Gaga caused quite the stir, showing up at a graduation at her former  high school  in a characteristically eccentric get up. Complete in beekeeper hat and see-through lace pants, many cried foul that Gaga was trying to once again upstage the rest of attendees.

But Gaga would be the first to refute accusations of cheap attention ploys. Formerly  Stefani Germanotta, Gaga maintains that fashion is an expression of identity, and a full embrace of her true inner freak. The odd style of dress is a protest of conformity, as well as the standards and conventions regularly impressed upon free thinking in school days.

Lady Gaga in Highschool

When coming across these eye-popping images of Gaga, I couldn’t help but draw comparison to Janis Joplin, who pulled a similar stunt some 40 years ago.

Though she did not attend a ritzy private school for Manhattan elite, like Gaga, Joplin’s adolescence was very much defined by an outsider status. Her feeling of pain, rejection, alienation and damning heartbreak would come to define her music. Joplin reflected on her high school days as some of the darkest in her life, exclaiming that she had been “laughed out of class, out of school, out of town, out of the state”.

And indeed, Joplin would leave her small Texas town and seek liberation in the colorful Haight-Ashbury of San Francisco. In 1963, at the age of 20, the Joplin’s lost soul would encounter vibrant waves of Hippism and Blues. Unfettered in an atmosphere of freedom and love, Joplin would channel her sensitivity and torment into song.

Joplin in High School

Eventually gaining both critical and commercial success in the incredibly competitive record industry, Joplin re-visited the Texan town of Port Author for her ten year high school reunion. Like Gaga, Joplin was a spectacle, dressed in flamboyant garb and followed by cameras. Yet despite her popular following, Joplin was received coldly by her former classmates. Her own family rejected her, refusing to even acknowledge the advent of her visit. Rather than an opportunity to boast at former bullies, Joplin’s visit to her former high school was yet another display of her outsider status. Joplin’s chronic history of emotional pain and isolation eventually lead to her demise, as she would die, alone, through drug overdose.

There is no mistake that Gaga and Joplin are two very different characters in music. Gaga may have felt freakish in her adolescent years, but it is safe to say that it was Joplin who suffered severe internal devastation, coming from family and peers alike.

Nevertheless, at their former high schools both Gaga and Joplin took the opportunity to live out a popular fantasy. Being able to gloat at former naysayers is a victorious moment that one may often hope to experience, with some of us even eagerly practicing potential scenarios in daily life.

While some of us may never get to enjoy this kind of glory, or feel it as we would have imagined, it is no question that adversity powers great music.  The woe of the freak will continue to fuel our most cherished art, regardless of what popular views may govern.

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“Alejandro” and Miranda Lambert

2 Jun

Hey guys,

Just got back from an amazing trip halfway around the world and I’m ready to re-enter the gates of Blogland!

So Lady Gaga just released a teaser for her newest single Alejandro…judging from the 20 second clip the vid looks just as over-the-top and dramatic as the rest.

The black and white is certainly an interesting departure from the usual vivid pop Gaga fantasy. The single is perfectly timed for summer too-there’s no question that the tropical sound was geared for a summertime release date.

Gaga is also performing on ABC’s Good Morning America summer concert series on July 9th at 7 am. If you are a diehard fan and are lucky enough to be in the NYC area at that time, you should join the madness. If you are like the rest of us, you can fish for the performance on YouTube when you are awake.

Currently Gaga is on a worldwide tour and in the process of creating a new album.

Additionally, country singer Miranda Lambert (26) recently announced her engagement. I’m not one for country, but I’ve been listening to Lambert and I really dig her stuff. Probably because a lot of her music deals with burning or shooting at conniving ex-boyfriends.

If you are ever super p/o-ed, I suggest singles Kerosene and Gunpowder and Lead. I really like the angry woman vibe she puts forward in her songs. Whether she talks of hard liquor, loaded pistols, or pure rage, Lambert injects her personality into every lyric. Hopefully an engagement and wedding will fail to pacify Lambert’s musical fury. In spite of her recent happiness, I doubt that she will turn into a Stepford Wife anytime soon.

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