This song itself is about how J Cole is not perfect and he doesn't wish he was. However the video is about the death of a Detroit girl during a drug raid. I found it interesting because J Cole uses his platform to tell a story that wasn't told nationally. I liked that because rappers don't usually use their platform for others benefit they only use it to tell people about themselves, so it was refreshing to see this from J Cole
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
Snoop Dogg Video
In the video below, Snoop Dogg mocks the sound of current popular rappers. Snoop Dogg has been known to impersonate present day rappers as he believes they all sound the same and do not have a lot to contribute to the culture of hip hop. The video is also funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0OdmRtuQew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0OdmRtuQew
2Pac Article
Below is the link to an article listening the top then hip hop songs that have been sampled from 2Pac's work. As I was reading the article I thought it was really interesting how many mainstream rap songs have sampled 2Pac. This sampling shows have 2Pac made his mark on the hip hop culture.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7632436/hip-hip-songs-tupac-samples-listen
http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7632436/hip-hip-songs-tupac-samples-listen
Atmosphere Little Man Sampling
Dear Levi,
You know I’m kinda shy,
And it’s been a long time since I reached out and ya know why.
I hope your doing swell, but I think that we should dwell
On the things not said at our last farewell
Well Levi,
Let’s talk about Belle,
It’s like she's got you trapped under her little spell,
Whipped as hell,
Locked in a prison cell,
And bro,
Your roommate told me ‘bout Michelle
But Levi,
Don’t you think its kinda cray,
How you work all night all day for the pay,
Wish you could go back to the day
When none of this stuff ever got in the way
Yet Levi,
You know what I would bet,
Because its looks like you're not even breaking a sweat
Not in debt
Nothing but net,
You even got yourself your own private jet
Shakespearian Sonnet
I am sitting here writing poetry
Still need thirteen lines and I’m inpatient
But seriously I’m in no hurry
Eleven lines and feeling complacent
Ten is when I get on my grind again
Nine more just wanna go down to the shore
Eight breathe in breathe out feeling super zen
But then now I only have seven more D
Six and I’m experiencing some writing conflicts
Five golden rings
Four years is the length of a presidential term in US Politics
Man how knew I could be good at these types of things
Two more as I’m pumping out lines quicker than Donald Trump’s tweets
One and now I am complete
10 Ways of Questioning the Rain
10 Ways of Questioning to the Rain
I
Among sun-beaming through cloudless sky,
Like feathers dropping,
Rain falls from up high.
II
Starting from top,
Millions all in unison
begin their drop.
III
Racing through the air,
Changing colors from the brightest of yellows to the darkest of blues,
The lights have been turned off.
IV
The pitter patter of the first drops,
Hitting roofs providing a soothing white noise.
the sound could send you to sleep.
V
I prefer this rain,
the pitter patter.
But like a curse, the swooshing begins.
VI
Wind carries droplets through the air,
Rain is like a cry coming from above.
VIII
Tears shedding.
But why?
From God?
IX
Starting destruction on the road
Accidents between cars,
Death.
X
Maybe blessings,
For the farmers?
For those living in drought?
XI
Rain is like God’s tears,
Crying in pain,
Crying in joy
Unfinished Perspective Slam Poetry
Perspective
And to the man in the street who looks at me and thinks everything is great,
I just want you to remember,
There are horrors to both of our different fates
So open up your gates,
White picket fenced or barred cell
And understand that regardless,
Things might not be going so well
Like selling drugs,
It happens here too
We just don’t have the police against us like you
Perspective is objective
Perspective is putting on someone else glasses,
Seeing different perspectives should be something practiced by the masses
And to the man in the street I understand why you feel like an inmate,
With little to nothing on your dinner plate and the increased ghetto birthrate
Where I'm From
Where I'm From
I am from the preps,
and the stoners.
I am from Southern comfort food,
from Yiddish latkes with sour cream and applesauce.
I come from privilege,
from shirt and tie private schooling since the first grade.
I come from world travelers,
trying to live, eat, and act as the locals do.
I come from unconditional love,
from few family and many friends,
friends that have become family.
I come from addiction,
abandonment to create something better,
something that has now been achieved.
I come from smiles through the day,
and cries through the night.
I come from what others cannot see.
JTerm Mixtape
- 2Pac, Keep Ya Head Up. I chose Tupac Shakur's song Keep Ya Head Up because of the fundamental message within the lyrics: Keep Ya Head Up. The first verse of the song concerns keeping optimistic even when feeling alone with the odds against you. The first and second verses of the song touch upon the role of women, or specifically mothers. The lyrics praise of the role of women and demand for their respect. The third verse reiterates more ideas of resilience and positivity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V0cfqqRYSs
- Post Malone, Go Flex. Although Post Malone’s Go Flex is braggadocious, it is unconventionally braggadocious. Instead of boasting about various designers and luxury sport cars, Post Malone just expresses his interest in going and showing off. The lyrics imply Post Malone’s addiction on to cigarettes to fight anxiety. The line in the hook, “And I’m stone cold with the flex,” refers to wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, as Post Malone’s birthname is Austin Post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQjsAJhsSw8
- J.Cole and Missy Elliott, Nobody’s Perfect. This song falls into the love song category of hip-hop. The chorus of the song expresses that this girl, with all of her flaws, is the dream girl for Cole. The song goes in depth about the relations between Cole and this woman. I think what sells the song for me is the the featuring of Missy Elliot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pt0RHz_tno
- The Notorious B.I.G, Suicidal Thoughts. This song stands out so unique because there are virtually no other songs that are formatted the same way. Suicidal Thoughts, although somewhat encouraging or at least justifying a negative message, begins with a call from Biggie to a friend. The rest of the song, until the suicide, is like a regular conversion over the phone. The two talk over each other. Aside from the stylistically unique format of the piece, the lyrics are also well thought out and powerful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GygEAcFFMVs
- Ludacris and Nicki Minaj, My Chick Bad. This is an overall fun and (at least for me) is an original song. Although the lyrics have no significant meaning they are incredibly quick and clever. I also felt the need to add a song with a Nicki Minaj featuring because I think she is greatly underrated. Nicki Minaj in My Chick Bad, as in other songs, writes lyrics with sharp rhymes and delivers them with a strong persona. The beat of My Chick Bad isn’t very intricate but gives an almost fighting feel to the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqHliQijgvA
- 50 Cent & LoveRance, UP!. Another song with unmeaningful lyrics, yet incredibly quick, clever and catchy. Even though I had heard the song prior, I really developed a liking for this song after watching Mac and Devin Go To High School with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. The song is part of the movie’s soundtrack. It is hard to believe that someone can disagree with the objectifying lyrics of a song so strongly, but still suggest it to others and love it as I do with UP!. The deliverance of the third verse is the most impressive throughout the entire song.
- Chance The Rapper, Same Drugs. Contrary to popular belief, Same Drugs is not about drugs. Chance The Rapper clarified this in one of his tweets. Same Drugs reflects on a young Chance The Rapper and a love interest of his in which have grown apart. The song talks about how as they mature into adults they develop different interests. Chance The Rapper allegorizes Peter Pan in his lyrics in one of the verses during the doing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxc_egMgY80
- Drake, Marvins Room. Like many of Drake’s songs do, Marvins Room falls into a category of love hip hop songs. I really like the intro to the song as well as Drake calls one of his exes. In the song, it is implied that Drake is drunk and is making a conventional drunk call to an ex; however, his lyrics would suggest that he thinks about this woman much more than just when drinking. Drake encourages his love interest to leave the man she is with because he can tell that she is unhappy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwyjxsOYnys
- Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Poetic Justice. I thought Poetic Justice was a suitable song for the mixtape for a course centering around hip hop and poetry. Strangely for Kendrick Lamar, the lyrics to Poetic Justice directly concern poetry rather than satirize or comment on social issues. The lyrics draw a sensual meaning as, if you listening directly to the lyrics, a girl explains how her legs are like poems. Like many of his lyrics, Kendrick Lamar impressively allegorizes many different things in each of his lines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyr2gEouEMM
- Nas and Lauryn Hill, If I Ruled the World (Imagine That). This song is a great way to go out on the mixtape. Nas and Lauryn Hill rap about the social issues of impoverished blacks. The two express how they believe and have seen that in trying to escape the hardships of “the hood,” people have turned to negative resources, becoming gangsters and drug dealers. Lauryn Hill sings the majority of the chorus, exclaiming that if she ruled the world this would be one of the problems she fixed immediately. Like other hip hop artists, Nas and Lauryn Hill are trying to draw attention to an issue they have has not been addressed or fixed adequately. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW55FRXlPEs
Fences blues analysis
The thing I was assigned to follow in the movie Fences was the blues. Having recently read another play which prominently features blues music, this was a major change for me (just kidding, Mr. Herman). While I expected the blues to materialize in the movie as a soundtrack in the background or as music the characters were listening to, I was surprised to realize that the majority of the music in the movie came from the characters themselves. For example, Troy constantly sings the song his father wrote, Old Blue, and Cory and Raynell later sing it at the end of the movie before going to his funeral. This symbolizes the piece of Troy that is in both of them, just as the piece of Troy's father is in him. Additionally, oftentimes in the movie when a character is singing, a member of their family will come talk to them, and as such music is used as a force to bring people together. Finally, Troy's older son Lyons constantly brings up the music he plays in clubs, which he desperately wants Troy to come listen to, and he says is the reason he can get up in the morning and make it through life. In this way, music also represents a sustaining force and aspirations. Because of this, the fact that Troy never came to listen to his son perform, and the audience never hears him play, is even more significant as Lyons' music remains an abstract concept we never really see.
J cole
J cole is the greatest rapper alive because of his meaningful lyrics and the way he outlets his message through rap. In this article it discusses who the greatest rapper alive is Kendrick or J Cole, they both work together but in this scenario they are put up against each other.
https://spinditty.com/artists-bands/Kendrick-Lamar-vs-J-Cole-The-Best-Rapper-Alive-BlackLivesMatter-and-the-The-Politics-of-Rap
https://spinditty.com/artists-bands/Kendrick-Lamar-vs-J-Cole-The-Best-Rapper-Alive-BlackLivesMatter-and-the-The-Politics-of-Rap
Boxing
http://pagesix.com/2017/01/12/why-chris-brown-soulja-boy-boxing-match-is-unlikely-to-happen/
Recently there has been a lot of talk about a boxing match between rappers Chris Brown and Soulja boy, it started as a social media feud which started the talk of the boxing match. In this article it was said that the match is very unlikely to happen, and that this was a rumor.
Recently there has been a lot of talk about a boxing match between rappers Chris Brown and Soulja boy, it started as a social media feud which started the talk of the boxing match. In this article it was said that the match is very unlikely to happen, and that this was a rumor.
An Example of Fashion in Hip-Hop
Chance the Rapper has become really big this past year and so has his fashion. From his overalls to his "3" hat.
Here is an article about his signature hats.
Here is an article about his signature hats.
Atmosphere Verse
Dear Nile,
I hope you have enough time
I know you’re at college now, but
I miss you all the time
But thank you
for the smiles and laughs and
never forgetting to come back to the house
Three years apart, from then to now
Mom and dad say do your best
But you show me how
We will both be away from home next year
following our dreams while conquering our fears
I remember when you use to play on the rock while
always trying to make sure that you were my rock
I worry about you and you worry about me
That’s what brothers and sisters are for, that’s what they mean
This Years XXL Freshman Cypher
Watching this after learning about hip-hop makes me realize how different it is now.
Lauryn Hill Reflection
It covered different aspects of her personal life. Her love life, being a woman, and her fame. She puts meaningful allusions in her lyrics. In Lost ones she references shaman, which is the islamic name for satan. She uses the hinduism belief of Karma. I thought Superstar was cool because it was talking about how stars get caught up in the fame and money and lose the art form. I can honestly say that she has become one of my favorite artists.
Where I'm From poem
I am from a snowstorm and the Super Bowl
Singing in a circle and sweet potatoes turning orange
I am from inflatable baby pools in the backyard
Garden hoses rinsing dirt and hot sun off skinny legs
Splashing friends
Dogs with wet fur
And summers sticky, without sunburn
I am from the Nutcracker ballet
And sticky Shirley Temples spilling
Matching the color of my favorite dress, it’s okay
I am from snow candy and s’mores
Snow delays and summer camp friends
I am from sound
The French news
The Carnival of the Animals
The Planets
And classic rock
I am from sandy showers on the boardwalk
Will-you-be-here-tomorrow?
And neatly folded pajamas returned in a cardboard box
I am from they’re-basically-my-cousins
I am from the family you choose
Show and Tell Video Reflection
Hip-hop is political again. Here's why.
Above is the video I shared for show and tell, about how hip-hop moved away from its political message in the 2000's but in the 2010's has begun to move back towards political commentary. The timeline of hip-hop that the video focuses on is divided into three categories: the mid-90's, the 2000's, and after 2015. In the mid-90's, the video says that hip-hop was political, citing groups such as Public Enemy, and individuals like Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, and Tupac. Then the video asserts that political hip-hop went underground in the 2000's, and party-oriented and gangster hip-hop became mainstream. Finally, it says that hip-hop became political again in 2015 with Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly and other artists like J Cole and Janelle Monae. However, the one part of the video I disagree with is the assertion that mainstream hip-hop was not political or socially conscious from the early 2000's until 2015. In my opinion, artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, and M.I.A. all made political statements with their music in the 2000's while still being popular in mainstream hip-hop.
Above is the video I shared for show and tell, about how hip-hop moved away from its political message in the 2000's but in the 2010's has begun to move back towards political commentary. The timeline of hip-hop that the video focuses on is divided into three categories: the mid-90's, the 2000's, and after 2015. In the mid-90's, the video says that hip-hop was political, citing groups such as Public Enemy, and individuals like Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, and Tupac. Then the video asserts that political hip-hop went underground in the 2000's, and party-oriented and gangster hip-hop became mainstream. Finally, it says that hip-hop became political again in 2015 with Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly and other artists like J Cole and Janelle Monae. However, the one part of the video I disagree with is the assertion that mainstream hip-hop was not political or socially conscious from the early 2000's until 2015. In my opinion, artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, and M.I.A. all made political statements with their music in the 2000's while still being popular in mainstream hip-hop.
Mixtape
1. Migos - Cast calling
I like this song because of it’s head bumping beat. One of the main reason I like Migos is because of the chemistry they have when they rap together, you can tell they work well together because they each do ad libs after pretty much every line of this and most of their songs.
2. Chance the Rapper- I should have left you
I picked this song because I like the way that they released it around Christmas time and that it has like holiday bells and sounds included in the song. One of the main reason I like Chance the Rapper is because of the sound effects that he makes for himself, I find it very catchy.
https://soundcloud.com/chancetherapper/i-shoulda-left-you
3. Travis Scott ,Young Thug, and Quavo- Pick up the Phone
I’ve always liked Travis Scott because the beats he usually includes in his songs. Quavo (the most popular of the Migos) has a great feature as the last verse of the song, his auto tune along with the high base makes this song great to me. Usually Travis scott and Quavo are not known for their lyrics but more for their loud great sounding beats and that’s exactly what this song delivers.
4. Gucci Mane- St. Bricks intro
The reason that I picked this song was because of it’s great Christmas like beat, and it’s comical lyrics. The chorus is a spin off of Jingle Bells where Gucci says,
Instead of the original which says,
“Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way”
Gucci’
I find this song very catchy and comical because of the time of release and content.
5. J Cole- ‘03 Adolescence
This song wasn't picked because of it’s catchy beat or party like lyrics, but instead I chose to include this song in the mixtape because of the meaning of his lyrics. Throughout the whole song he talks about how things are changing and how he reacts to these changes. In one of his verses he talks about when he was younger and wanted to make money so he asked if he could start selling drugs, but the dealer which was his friend laughed and said “how you lookin up to me when I’m looking up to you” which hit J Cole hard and made him feel ashamed for asking about selling drugs instead of focusing on school where he was very smart.
6. J Cole- Crooked smile
This song was picked for it’s beat, catchy chorus, and meaning behind lyrics. Throughout the song Cole raps about his biggest imperfections and how other people should embrace their own imperfections. He talks about how beauty is on the inside and not based on looks. I think the meaning behind this song is saying how he is embracing his imperfection (which is his messed up teeth) and recommends for everyone to stop worrying about everything bad and focus on the good.
7. Lil Dicky- Save dat money
I find that this song is just the polar opposite of every rap song ever. Instead of talking about how much money he has, and the different things he’s able to buy because of it, he talks about how cheap he is and how much he still tries to save every penny. Even the rapper himself is the opposite of most Lil Dicky is a short white Jewish rapper raised from wealth in the suburbs, but he still chose rap as his outlet to speak about the more comical moments of his life. The music video for this song was completely free to make for them and is very humorous and would recommend you watch it.
8. Lil Uzi Vert-Sideline watching
Lil Uzi is known for loud bass, and catchy choruses this song is exactly that. There is no deep meaning, most of the lyrics just boast his cash, and all the women he’s able to get with. I like this song because of it’s chorus and great beat, the beat is kind of like a xylophone and gives it a unique sound. I would recommend listening to this song if you like Lil Uzi Vert, but it would be understandable if you didn't like the song if you are into deep lyrics and only very meaningful songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIwU-nOueWw
9. Dj Khaled (feat. J Cole)- Jermaine’s interlude
J cole is known for his meaningful lyrics while maintaining a great flow and beat, and this song was exactly this. Usually he discusses serious issues in the world that he believes should be changed, in this song he actually talks about how he battled with a mental illness earlier in his life, and how he just kept working and eventually the work took it’s toll. He mentions that he was thinking of retiring which got a lot of his fans worried, since it took him nearly 3 years to release his next album called 4 your eyes only.
10. Lil Yachty- All in
Lil Yachty is known for his positive music and lyrics. He really emerged on the scene this year where he released his mixtape Lil Boat, and first album Summer Songs 2, both of these were very successful, but with all the success he never left behind the people he started his career with. In this song he brings most of his friends in to sing a verse or two. It ended up being one of the most popular songs on his album, I liked it because the variety of voices and new idea was cool to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrdQiGotAoo
Hot Ones - Complex
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAzrgbu8gEMIIK3r4Se1dOZWSZzUSadfZ
I highly recommend the youtube channel First We Feast, specifically the show Hot Ones. The channel is run by the magazine/media outlet Complex. On the show Hot Ones, the host, Steve Evans interviews rappers (and other famous people) while eating hot wings. I find it really creative and more entertaining than watching a regular interview. He has had Ja Rule, Joe Budden, YG, Coolio, RZA, and more. The link above is a playlist of the episodes.
I highly recommend the youtube channel First We Feast, specifically the show Hot Ones. The channel is run by the magazine/media outlet Complex. On the show Hot Ones, the host, Steve Evans interviews rappers (and other famous people) while eating hot wings. I find it really creative and more entertaining than watching a regular interview. He has had Ja Rule, Joe Budden, YG, Coolio, RZA, and more. The link above is a playlist of the episodes.
Bay Area Rapping and Music
http://www.complex.com/music/2011/01/the-50-greatest-bay-area-rap-songs/
I learned about Bay Area music when I first listened to G-Eazy and Marc E. Bassy. Then I discovered the corny (I think he is kind of corny) E-40. I read this article and it the area and the music started to make sense. The rappers are different but that is why people love them so much, it is a different sub- genre of rap. The area and artist started some terms that are heavily used today in rap music. "Hella", "tryna", "wavy" "yee", "yadadamean" (you know what I mean), and "hyphy". The article above gives you the 50 greatest Bay area Songs.
I learned about Bay Area music when I first listened to G-Eazy and Marc E. Bassy. Then I discovered the corny (I think he is kind of corny) E-40. I read this article and it the area and the music started to make sense. The rappers are different but that is why people love them so much, it is a different sub- genre of rap. The area and artist started some terms that are heavily used today in rap music. "Hella", "tryna", "wavy" "yee", "yadadamean" (you know what I mean), and "hyphy". The article above gives you the 50 greatest Bay area Songs.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)