I have always loved music. If you know me well, you know I love to dance, and I can usually pick out the song you're trying to think of -- although there are periods of time where I devote myself solely to one CD.
It's hard for me to place what attracts me to a song. If I had to guess, it's probably the song's rhythm or some creative lyrics--perhaps a melody that triggers an emotion--I have always been attracted to the music that makes me feel something, whether it be happy, sad, or ... ahem.
Most of my lifetime memories begin in South Korea, where I lived for two years. We had these cool tapes made especially for the South Korean market--I remember Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston tapes (hey, I have an older sister). All I knew then at age 6 was that I liked music, my brother and sister loved it, and it was unclear exactly what Billie Jean's relationship was with Michael. Apparently, she's just a girl who think that he's the one, but he claims the kid is not his son. I was a little young to understand the scenario, so I took Michael's word for it.
Arriving back in the U.S. wasn't too much of a shellshock for me, and I soon overheard U2, New Order, and LL Cool J from my brother's room--three groups I still appreciate today. From age 7-13, it's a little fuzzy, but I know old-school rap quickly emerged into my tape collection. Who sticks out? ABC (Another Bad Company), Boyz II Men, Arrested Development (who just thought 'T-Tennessee..' in their head?), Onyx, Wrecx n Effect (sp.?), Sir Mixalot, Kriss Kross, House Of Pain all come to mind. My friend and I even rapped to Nice N Smooth's ("Sometimes I Rhyme Slow.")
Certainly, at 13, my high-quality music taste had to evolve into something, right? That something was grunge, a style of music I was introduced to somewhere you wouldn't expect...camping with the Boy Scouts. Tomorrow: Part Two of my musical biography.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Product Placement
Read an interesting article yesterday about a marketing firm that helps connect hip-hop artists with advertisers. Sure enough, Seagram's Gin was in the mix (literally) -- and I immediately thought of Petey Pablo's Freek-a-Leek-- a la -- "Let me get a shout out to Seagram's Gin , 'cuz I'm drinkin' it, and they payin' me for it." Maybe it's not always as blatant.
I'll be the first to say that this kind of thing actually doesn't bother me. In fact, props to everyone making money with this concept. Modern rap is mostly about the bling, and this is just a natural extension of that. If someone tries to pass off a song with Big Mac all over it and they go down in flames, that's the risk they took, and they'll pay the consequences. As harbingers of cool, you'd sort of expect them to know right from wack (wrong). Louis Vuitton certainly benefitted from the help of Kanye West and Ludacris, so hopefully they at least got some decent handbags out of the deal.
Granted, we're unlikely to hear rappers praise carrots, abstinence, or milk anytime soon...but this is hardly music for children.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Katrina.
Tomorrow: an exploration through my personal music history, the songs and artists that had an impact on me.
I'll be the first to say that this kind of thing actually doesn't bother me. In fact, props to everyone making money with this concept. Modern rap is mostly about the bling, and this is just a natural extension of that. If someone tries to pass off a song with Big Mac all over it and they go down in flames, that's the risk they took, and they'll pay the consequences. As harbingers of cool, you'd sort of expect them to know right from wack (wrong). Louis Vuitton certainly benefitted from the help of Kanye West and Ludacris, so hopefully they at least got some decent handbags out of the deal.
Granted, we're unlikely to hear rappers praise carrots, abstinence, or milk anytime soon...but this is hardly music for children.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Katrina.
Tomorrow: an exploration through my personal music history, the songs and artists that had an impact on me.
Monday, August 29, 2005
VMAs
Did anyone catch the VMA's last night? Quick warning: I am a HUGE music fan whose interests span across all genres. Depending on my mood, I may either choose to praise or dismiss Mariah Carey. If you can sympathize with that, you'll probably enjoy my blog.
I loved a lot of things: the water scenes, the remote performances (especially The Killers), the arrivals by car, the donations by Diddy to charity (can't argue with a man who puts his money where his mouth is).
I wasn't too crazy about: Green Day winning pretty much everything (sorry, I'm one of those fans who will ALWAYS prefer Dookie to American Idiot), flagrant lip synching (at least practice or pick an easy song), and the fact that Kelly Clarkson was invited (bring it on, pre-teens...I hear her every single morning on the radio when I wake up. Does anyone second me on the overplayed aspect?)
Mariah watch: How un-diva like of you to end your song in the pool! Not that you have shied away from water in the past...
Oddest moment: R. Kelly's performance of "Trapped in the Closet." The song is great and the movie was an awesome idea, but I don't think a live performance was necessary.
Most satisfying moment: The Killers winning "Best New Artist." They deserved it, they got it. That's how it should work every time. But I'm not a voter...yet.
I loved a lot of things: the water scenes, the remote performances (especially The Killers), the arrivals by car, the donations by Diddy to charity (can't argue with a man who puts his money where his mouth is).
I wasn't too crazy about: Green Day winning pretty much everything (sorry, I'm one of those fans who will ALWAYS prefer Dookie to American Idiot), flagrant lip synching (at least practice or pick an easy song), and the fact that Kelly Clarkson was invited (bring it on, pre-teens...I hear her every single morning on the radio when I wake up. Does anyone second me on the overplayed aspect?)
Mariah watch: How un-diva like of you to end your song in the pool! Not that you have shied away from water in the past...
Oddest moment: R. Kelly's performance of "Trapped in the Closet." The song is great and the movie was an awesome idea, but I don't think a live performance was necessary.
Most satisfying moment: The Killers winning "Best New Artist." They deserved it, they got it. That's how it should work every time. But I'm not a voter...yet.
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