For once, Viacom did not let me down.
Maybe a little over a month ago, I started to notice ads for "The Return of Hip-Hop Honors." No biggie (no pun intended...GAH!!! SEE WHAT I DID THERE?!), right? THEN, a couple of weeks later, they added the tag, "ALL HAIL THE QUEENS."
My heart dropped, "IS VH1 ABOUT TO HONOR FEMALE RAPPERS??!?!?!?!?!? PLEASE SAY YES!!!"
I google-searched my heart out and couldn't find any information about who was being honored at that time. They saved the announcement for a couple of weeks ago. Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Salt-n-Pepa, and Lil Kim!
via GIPHY
Fast forward to last week's just... SORROW and all I could do and just wish the show was happening IMMEDIATELY.
July 11th shows up and the FIRST thing I do is pull up VH1 to set my DVR for the night. I noticed that the show was only set for an HOUR and 20 minutes....excuse me?! No no no...I sent a tweet right quick to VH1 that said, "See what you're not going to do is cut my ladies short. We don't need to see a repeat of 'Love & Hip-Hop' that bad."
I watched the show live and had SOOOOOOOOOO MANY FEELS. I won't do a blow by blow of the show. Instead, let's just talk about what made this night so special: UNITY.
When you think of female rappers from the late 80s and 90s, you remember them always being in each others' videos, on each others' tracks, and there was a literal sisterhood. Remember "Ladies Night (Remix)" from Lil Kim?! All of these beautiful women were in it, not for men, but for themselves! Even people not on the track! Check it out:
You don't see that anywhere anymore. All women in the industry (rap, R&B, and pop) are against each other, like there's not room for EVERYONE. But, back then, they were like, "come on! There's room for all of us." It's a sad reality because I don't think it's ENTIRELY the individual artists' faults. However, it HAS to change. Why is our history going to be left to a bunch of dudes? Can we tell our stories? Can we battle the dudes? Can we be sisters?
Remy Ma did an interview about how she didn't realize there were so many women in hip-hop until she was at the rehearsals. She said, "we're an army and we need to fight back!" YES. YES. DO THAT. Not that being a male rapper makes you superior to female rappers, but all those women...all that greatness that was on stage, could topple the wack ass male rappers of today. ANY. DAY. OF. THE. WEEK. So, come on...Let's do this thing.
There were plenty complaining about who they chose, and that they should have chose more. Of course, we could argue that all day. However, these four nominees were chosen for a reason. Not only were they successful, they CHANGED the game in the mainstream/commercial world. AND for different reasons.
These women changed my life and I could not imagine growing up now and not having such STRONG, SMART women as role models. They all affected me in different ways. If you've been following me, "Very Necessary" and "Black Reign" are both in my Top 10 Most Influential albums.
If you don't know:
Two albums that I had in my possession that later got taken away because of the bad words! Ooops! It's cool though, I completely understand.
I'm going to try and make this QUICK, but I'm so hyped. The show was done very well. LOVED all the guest spots from DA BRAT, TRINA, RAH DIGGA, THE LADY OF RAGE, MONIE LOVE, EVE (who hosted), ETC ETC ETC.
The Missy TRIBUTES were phenomenal. QUEEN LATIFAH's tributes were PHENOMENAL. SALT N PEPA'S tribute was good, but could have been more. KIM'S tribute was FIRE!!! I literally said, "GO OFF, TEYANA!!!" I loved seeing all of these women COME TOGETHER...ESPECIALLY during "U.N.I.T.Y." Seriously. I cried. I loved seeing the male artists BOW DOWN. I want there to be that NOW, but some are so ....
WAIT....
Let's continue on that UNITY and talk about GROWTH. Talk about MATURITY. Talk about JESUS:
FAITH EVANS INTRODUCING LIL KIM'S SET?!?!??
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There were tweets dissing Faith for saluting "side chicks," but those were from children. Won't He do it? At some point, you become a grown ass woman and realize that you need to let things go. You both grow up and have children...or she whooped her butt and got it out of her system. Idontknow....
The show was great, I pissed off my neighbors because..surround sound, dancing, rapping...etc etc...
I will say that SOME of the men, kinda slowed the show down, but I won't say names.
It was very enjoyable. Now, if we can get an HONORS for R&B of the 90s, I'll be set.
What an overdue program for these AMAZING women.
These women changed music. Period. They taught us girls that we weren't hoes. We weren't resigned to just be at the feet of men. They taught us how to love OURSELVES and DO US. So empowering.
I remember listening to Salt-N-Pepa ALL OF THE TIME. I learned about sex and the IMPORTANCE of doing it safely from their music. They had SO MUCH AWARENESS for everyone. I'm sure it was taboo then, but it was...VERY necessary... *cough*
They taught us that it was okay to be sexual beings, but on our own terms. To make sure we didn't fall for the okie doke from trifling people. I'm sure they were one of the first to be super supportive of the queer community as well. Look how they grew up! They have always been so beautiful. Whenever I looked at how sexy Pepa was, I was amazed. She looked like me and she was one of the sexiest women out there!
THE QUEEN. MAN. What can be said that's never been said? She has always been a role model to me. She's ALWAYS carried herself with such grace, but in a different way that had been presented before. She has always been so regal. And to accomplish everything she has, she has ALWAYS brought people WITH her. She's knocked down doors for herself and to let us all in. I just wish CoverGirl would put the Queen Collection in stores EVERYWHERE. She taught us how to get respect from the opposite sex: TAKE IT. It's one thing to listen to the bullshit they feed us, it's a whole other thing to let you know UPFRONT, "let me tell you what you're NOT going to call me. Let me also tell you the consequences you suffer if you approach me in a negative manner." AND HOW TO DO IT ALL WITH A SMILE!!!!!! All of these queens represent happiness with a side of "don't eff with me."
LIL KIM. I will start by saying that her sexiness back in the day was SUPER INTIMIDATING. I didn't OWN "Hardcore," but my cousins did and it was a LITTLE MUCH for me. Which is fine...I was a child. Haha! I LOVED hearing her rap though. She was SO beautiful and little, but she had the edge of YoYo plus more! It was mind-boggling at times. I loved the bright colors and the styles she pulled off. In all of that, she was all about getting all the girls together and doing the damn thing. Though I was intimidated by the sexuality as a child, I respected it. I respect it more now as an adult. She wasn't sexy for dudes, she was sexy for herself. She described sex acts because that's what she wrote and loved. Fine. She taught us that we could have those multiple sides and it's okay! AND...don't judge a book by its cover.
I don't think Kim gets a lot of respect for what she's done because of her plastic surgery, which isn't fair at all. She's entitled to do what she wants with her body, just like everyone else. Unfortunately, I think it's a lack of self-esteem and people telling her she was never good enough. That happens. So, instead of us DOGGING her, let's uplift her and uplift our girls and let them know they're beautiful as they are. She deserved all the accolades last night and I'm proud of her for overcoming. And certain rappers of today STILL refuse to give KIM their respect and it's sad. There would be NO you without her. We can recognize your different styles, but there's no denying the influence.
MISSY ELLIOTT. THE Mother Effin' INNOVATOR. Before she was in our faces, she was your fav's secret to success. Not everyone can do that. Not everyone can take their style and mold artists the way she did. And not just hip hop, but R&B and POP as well. This woman then decided to become a performer and just DESTROYED ...it's hard to put into words, she's so good. She was a big girl, doing big things and was just happy to be there! Honestly, I'm not sure Missy ever realizes who she is. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that she was the one that reignited music videos. Creative music videos. And we are always so STOKED to see what she and Dave Myers have in mind. Her skills were top notch.
Missy is the embodiment of empowerment. She took control and did her thing. AND SHE HAD FUN DOING IT. It's okay to talk about life, especially the bad parts, and still have fun. She is the leader in a lot of the sisterhood of music and a fellow fan of all these women. Missy will always be a favorite because I TOTALLY relate to her.
My words to Live Nation, AEG Live, etc:
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MAKE A TOUR. Make a tour of these INCREDIBLE rappers and you can have every. last. penny. I kid you not. I will pay for a ticket upfront, a VIP Upgrade, and go ALL BY MYSELF.
I'm so grateful for these women and all the others that were RIGHTFULLY on PEDESTALS at the end of the show. Grateful to have those role models to teach me how to kick ass and take names with style and grace. Those women who truly taught me that we can accomplish so much even with men telling us we're good for one thing.
Seriously, I'm in tears again. I hope that last night inspired some of these new rappers to step their games up. Or inspired them to do it...form a sisterhood or that army that Remy Ma spoke of. If not, Bow Down and move out of the way of the QUEENS!
In conclusion: What is a Rich Homie Quan and why was he messing up a lyric we all know??????? lol
- Randi
- I like "stuff and things." I talk about "stuff and things" for a living. So, I will chat about some of those things here...unfiltered! Woot!
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
It's been 3 Years, 2 Months, and 26 Days...
It's really ridiculous how it's been so long since the last time I sat down and was inspired to write. I was thinking about this over the weekend and realized I didn't need to be inspired. I just needed to write. I constantly have these thoughts in my head and go through the struggle of how to share them.
For the last three years, I just haven't.
When I write, it's never just a blurb. When I write, there's a purpose and a complete thought. I don't want to write about the kardashians or taylor or whomever else. I want to write about something I'm passionate about. I want to write about something you're passionate about. None of us are passionate about celebrities. We see them as entertainment. The only people passionate about entertainment are those making money from it.
After I stopped writing, I thought and planned for a blog. I knew that I wanted to do what I had been doing in entertainment and I wanted to get paid for it. Over the years, I've paid for domains and over-studied HTML and nothing has really transpired. The reason? I wasn't passionate about it. I didn't see a purpose. I couldn't connect what I was doing to a greater good. So, I kinda dropped it. I say, "kinda" because I still had ... HAVE plans. They're up on my office wall. In the meantime, I did jobs that have provided a decent life, but I haven't had much passion for.
Recently, it came to me that I was going about this all wrong. Maybe monetizing my passion isn't necessary. Maybe I know what the greater good is, I know how to connect to it, but my method is wrong. There's not really a "maybe" to it. It just "is."
To fix this problem, I'm writing everyday for an hour until I'm satisfied. Whatever is in my brain will be in black and white. Or purple. This is my lesson in focus. My lesson in life.
I'm not really sure how many of these I will share the link to and how many will just be my workshop project. But I am sure I'm going to do this and do it well.
For the last three years, I just haven't.
When I write, it's never just a blurb. When I write, there's a purpose and a complete thought. I don't want to write about the kardashians or taylor or whomever else. I want to write about something I'm passionate about. I want to write about something you're passionate about. None of us are passionate about celebrities. We see them as entertainment. The only people passionate about entertainment are those making money from it.
After I stopped writing, I thought and planned for a blog. I knew that I wanted to do what I had been doing in entertainment and I wanted to get paid for it. Over the years, I've paid for domains and over-studied HTML and nothing has really transpired. The reason? I wasn't passionate about it. I didn't see a purpose. I couldn't connect what I was doing to a greater good. So, I kinda dropped it. I say, "kinda" because I still had ... HAVE plans. They're up on my office wall. In the meantime, I did jobs that have provided a decent life, but I haven't had much passion for.
Recently, it came to me that I was going about this all wrong. Maybe monetizing my passion isn't necessary. Maybe I know what the greater good is, I know how to connect to it, but my method is wrong. There's not really a "maybe" to it. It just "is."
To fix this problem, I'm writing everyday for an hour until I'm satisfied. Whatever is in my brain will be in black and white. Or purple. This is my lesson in focus. My lesson in life.
I'm not really sure how many of these I will share the link to and how many will just be my workshop project. But I am sure I'm going to do this and do it well.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
When Hip-Hop & Country Get Married: The Story of How America Loses
Before you get up-in-arms about the title, I invite you to READ everything below. Modern day, Social-Media-Obsessed America doesn't like to actually read, listen, or do anything intelligent. No, this America wants headlines only AND from there, they will make their opinions. I want you to be an intelligent American (or non-American, I don't care) and read this. I want you to take in what I write, analyze it, and then respond. Okay?! Good.
Here we go.
This week, America was shocked and appalled that a hip-hop artist and a country artist did a duet. Not just ONE, but TWO. PEOPLE!!! We've been through this several times. I read articles from at least five "news" agencies that kept describing the pairing of LL Cool J and Brad Paisley as, "the unlikely pairing." Either everyone is plagirizing one source, or people are stuck in the dark ages where genres don't mix. I have to put a name to 3 articles on Global Grind. Brittany Lewis. This woman was FURIOUS and repeated the same thing over and over again. For a music journalist, she had a closed mind about the pairing before even reviewing the song. Let's be honest, most of the blogging done is far from journalism. (She says while writing on her blog.) That's another story for another day.
Yes, Brad Paisley and LL Cool J have collaborated on two tracks. The first, "Accidental Racist," on Brad's ninth album, "Wheelhouse," released this week. The second, "Live For You," on LL's fourteenth album, "Authentic," due in stores April 30th. I have REAL, AUTHENTIC reviews on both tracks and the UPROAR it has caused.
We begin with "Accidental Racist" (Paisley featuring LL). Just looking at the title makes me think this song was made to start a CONVERSATION, not a controversy. The song has gotten people talking; A LOT. I am very happy that people are talking. What makes me sad is that I don't think folks are having the right conversations. The song is below from Youtube.
I think some of the lyrics could be different, especially from LL; however, I'm okay with it overall.
The problem in our country is that NO ONE wants to talk about racism. Everyone wants to tell each other it doesn't exist anymore and someone is being too sensitive when they mention it. Here's a note from a black woman (*GASP* she's black?!): it is alive and well. Trust me, I've never been more aware of the color of my skin than living in Virginia.
If we never first admit a problem, how do we fix it?!
The first verse and chorus starts with Brad mentioning something very common in the South. That confederate flag. He mentions how he's just wearing it because it was a symbol of where he's from. He's representing where he's from by wearing the fashion. He mentions how using that flag is the elephant in America and he walked it in the room. He genuinely doesn't understand why people don't like it, in the song, and he wants to know why. Not an accusing, "why," but he's saying, "hey, I'm a white man and I don't know what it's like not being that. Forgive me, but help me understand."
That statement, though paraphrased, is so prolific. No one likes mentioning it, but if you're a straight, Christian, white male in America; you have it MADE. Economic level be damned; you built this country. If you fit in those categories above and you wonder why women and other minorities look at you funny when you talk about civil rights in America being cool; THAT's why. Pay attention to what I'm saying, so you don't get it misconstrued. You're great and you can't help that you're all those things. It's just tough for a double-minority like me to hear, "there's no racism. That wasn't racist. That was sexist. You're being sensitive," when you haven't been the one treated like shiz for something you have zero control over. Mine happens to be the color of my skin and the fact that I have a vagina.
Brad is the first, in a long time, to fall in those categories and admit to the ignorance attached with being a straight, Christian, white male. (For those of you who need a lesson; ignorance isn't a bad word. Stupidity is. Ignorance is "not-knowing" and doing something wrong, while Stupidity is knowing something's wrong and doing it anyway). I applaud him on that.
We'll go back to the beginning of that whole verse and the subject of that confederate flag. Whew. What a subject. Coming from the area of the Mason-Dixon line in Maryland (a state that housed the underground railroad and was neutral), coming to VA was eye-opening. I saw very few confederate flags flown in my area. Why would I? Even if people did, it didn't make much sense to me. Going to Northwest Virginia, I saw it everywhere. I cried. "I knew I should have gone to school in Garden City, NY. My goodness, don't these people REALIZE THE WAR IS OVER. STOP IT," were my thoughts. The more I got to know those people, the more I saw they were just rocking the flags for fashion and pride, but not for what it REALLY meant. I was given plenty of reasons for why the confederate flag "didn't stand for supporting slavery," I heard those and just moved along. It's very easy for others to look at me and tell me to stop being so sensitive. If you're asking myself or others to understand where you're coming from; you have to try and understand where we're coming from.
Hearing chants and seeing bumper stickers that cry, "THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN," aren't very assuring to the health of our nation. That wouldn't be a good thing; coming from where I'm from. Telling me you want ALL the ideals of the past to come back isn't the yummiest thing to hear in my mind. You must understand that.
I became friends with people who had small symbols of that flag and got to see that, of course, they didn't want slavery to return and they didn't like the ideals of the flag; BUT it did represent where they were from. I get that, you're proud of being from the South, and the symbol to represent that is the confederate flag. I'd recommend your state flag, but I get it. I will never allow that flag in my own home, but I get it. Just like people who have origins in different countries, like Puerto Rico or Brazil flaunt their heritage; the Southerners do it. It's a lesson on learning different cultures and truly understanding the things you flaunt for fashion or "pride" BEFORE wearing them. It happens a lot in hip-hop culture.
What has killed hip-hop culture is the flaunting and the flashiness in the lyrics. Lyrics by the artists who spill that you must have the finest things they have in order to be awesome. BLECH. Remember when Cristal was ALLL the rappers, especially Jay Z, talked about in lyrics. It was all over the videos, people started naming their children after it, and all sorts of shenanigans. All that ended once a statement was released by the makers of the champagne.
"What kind of foolishness?? Racists. We're not supporting them anymore," artists yelled. Learn your products. OF COURSE this happened. You did all this glamorizing of fame, money, hoes, and Cristal on tracks that won't die AND those people don't want YOU PEOPLE buying it. I laughed, "that's what you get."
These examples just continue to build up with so much product placement and desires to becoming famous happening. I gave the example because people listening to this record can't begin to conceive how a person could rock that flag and NOT know what it means to others.
The song continues with Brad singing about how we're spending all our time walking on eggshells and expecting that to pick up the pieces. He goes on about racial tension still happening and how he wants to learn what it's like. He mentions that the desire to walk in someone's shoes is a good place to start, but he'll never know what it's like to walk a mile in their skin. How no one has picked up that lyric is beyond me. First, musically, it's great because it carries the theme of , "hey I don't know what it's like to be a minority, but I want to so I can understand." Second, I think that wanting to know and understanding that you'll never FULLY get it is EXACTLY what everyone needs to feel and accept.
The problems of the racial tension didn't end with the end of slavery. There were much more battles that had to be fought in the century after. It's one thing to be "free," it's a different creature to be equal. I don't need to go all history teacher on you, but I would say pieces are still trying to be fixed from the civil rights era. Things are MUCH better, but there's major work to do.
Paisley's lyrics are profound and I understand why people are uncomfortable with it. I'm glad they are uncomfortable. Nothing will change with comfort; things always stay the same. Kudos to him for starting this conversation. I can see where some have a problem with his lyric mentioning how it wasn't our generation's doing (re: slavery). Passing the buck is a trait I dislike, but keep listening. He says it wasn't his doing, but it's his responsibility to make things better.
I love responsibility and accountability. They are amazing tools for people to own. Brad asks that he not be judged as well by where he's from and what his ancestor's did. Fair enough, right?
LL's lyrics kick of with a letter of response to Brad. He mentions he wasn't around either, but he knows the impact all the bad stuff had. He brings it back to reality with the fact he IS judged by the way he looks and would love to have an open conversation about it. Then, his own prejudices/stereotypes, prevent him from talking to a guy with a cowboy hat and the flag on his shirt. Simple enough. LL's lyrics take a turn to odd with his adlibs, "if you won't judge my durag, I won't judge your flag. If you won't judge my gold chains, I'll forget the iron chains."
As you can imagine, this is where the ess hits the proverbial fan. The messages he's trying to relay are "don't judge me and I won't judge you" and "if you can treat me as your equal, I won't bring up the past." LL doesn't make it as clear as I'm making it, so that's why people aren't knowing what to do with that "I'll forget the iron chains" line. He's not saying he'll forget slavery ever happened. To all you "journalists," WHY didn't you LISTEN and not just HEAR what he said?
Of course, no one is going to forget slavery. He's just saying that we have to stop throwing THAT in the face of people and WE need to MEND the relationships of all races, like yesterday. They both mention "we can't rewrite history, but we need to fix it." Brad ends the song asking for you to understand what this is about, he's "a son of the NEW South. I just want to make it right so all that's left is Southern pride." The whole song he mentions how he's stuck between Southern pride and Southern blame. He doesn't want to be ashamed of where he's from and he doesn't want to be blamed. He just wants to make it right.
Kudos for this song. Yes, it's VERY easy to take this song out of context. The song CAN be VERY uncomfortable, just from the title. Take the time to LISTEN a few times. Take the time to read these words and understand what this song is about. This song is a conversation with oneself on the racial tension in this country, why it's there, and how we can fix it. If you take anything else from that, you're not listening to this song. Take this moment to not be a modern day, social media-obsessed American and THINK. All the negative responses I have read have been from those who won't open their minds, who won't think about what's going on. Those responses are from those who just want something to holler about. This is where America loses. We have this claim to be the greatest country in the world. That's all fine and good, but when we can't get along; should we stick by this claim? Not SHOULD, CAN we stick by this claim?
The answer is no.
So, think about it. Think about your daily life and the things you do and say. Think about the tensions you have felt. Think about how you can make it better and do it.
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The second duet from LL Cool J and Brad Paisley is "Live For You," a hip-hop love song. LL raps and Brad sings the hook. The song is pretty amazing. The beats, actual instrumentation, and pretty great vocals make this song a hit in my eyes. The reason it won't be a hit: because LL isn't Justin Bieber, it's not fake folk, fake edm, and radio. Top 40 radio will completely discount it because it won't go out of the box and most Urban stations will discount it because there's a country artist on it. If I ran an urban station, I'd play the track without mentioning Brad and gauge the response.
This song isn't as serious as the first, but it is very delightful.
It makes sense that LL's album is "Authentic." This song sounds like LL. The album, in stores April 30th, doesn't try to be youthful. This album doesn't try to take who's hot NOW and be a commercial success. Nope, this album is about good music; the stuff from "back in the day." Some of the guests featured on this album are Paisley, Bootsy Collins, Chuck D, Charlie Wilson, Eddie Van Halen, Earth Wind & Fire, Monica, Seal, Snoop Dogg, Tom Morello, and Travis Barker. With a line up like that, it's all about the music. This album will appeal to everyone born before 1990, though everyone born after should listen to it.
After all of this, I want you to do one thing; open your mind. When that is done, you'll see our world differently. I promise.
Here we go.
This week, America was shocked and appalled that a hip-hop artist and a country artist did a duet. Not just ONE, but TWO. PEOPLE!!! We've been through this several times. I read articles from at least five "news" agencies that kept describing the pairing of LL Cool J and Brad Paisley as, "the unlikely pairing." Either everyone is plagirizing one source, or people are stuck in the dark ages where genres don't mix. I have to put a name to 3 articles on Global Grind. Brittany Lewis. This woman was FURIOUS and repeated the same thing over and over again. For a music journalist, she had a closed mind about the pairing before even reviewing the song. Let's be honest, most of the blogging done is far from journalism. (She says while writing on her blog.) That's another story for another day.
Yes, Brad Paisley and LL Cool J have collaborated on two tracks. The first, "Accidental Racist," on Brad's ninth album, "Wheelhouse," released this week. The second, "Live For You," on LL's fourteenth album, "Authentic," due in stores April 30th. I have REAL, AUTHENTIC reviews on both tracks and the UPROAR it has caused.
We begin with "Accidental Racist" (Paisley featuring LL). Just looking at the title makes me think this song was made to start a CONVERSATION, not a controversy. The song has gotten people talking; A LOT. I am very happy that people are talking. What makes me sad is that I don't think folks are having the right conversations. The song is below from Youtube.
I think some of the lyrics could be different, especially from LL; however, I'm okay with it overall.
The problem in our country is that NO ONE wants to talk about racism. Everyone wants to tell each other it doesn't exist anymore and someone is being too sensitive when they mention it. Here's a note from a black woman (*GASP* she's black?!): it is alive and well. Trust me, I've never been more aware of the color of my skin than living in Virginia.
If we never first admit a problem, how do we fix it?!
The first verse and chorus starts with Brad mentioning something very common in the South. That confederate flag. He mentions how he's just wearing it because it was a symbol of where he's from. He's representing where he's from by wearing the fashion. He mentions how using that flag is the elephant in America and he walked it in the room. He genuinely doesn't understand why people don't like it, in the song, and he wants to know why. Not an accusing, "why," but he's saying, "hey, I'm a white man and I don't know what it's like not being that. Forgive me, but help me understand."
That statement, though paraphrased, is so prolific. No one likes mentioning it, but if you're a straight, Christian, white male in America; you have it MADE. Economic level be damned; you built this country. If you fit in those categories above and you wonder why women and other minorities look at you funny when you talk about civil rights in America being cool; THAT's why. Pay attention to what I'm saying, so you don't get it misconstrued. You're great and you can't help that you're all those things. It's just tough for a double-minority like me to hear, "there's no racism. That wasn't racist. That was sexist. You're being sensitive," when you haven't been the one treated like shiz for something you have zero control over. Mine happens to be the color of my skin and the fact that I have a vagina.
Brad is the first, in a long time, to fall in those categories and admit to the ignorance attached with being a straight, Christian, white male. (For those of you who need a lesson; ignorance isn't a bad word. Stupidity is. Ignorance is "not-knowing" and doing something wrong, while Stupidity is knowing something's wrong and doing it anyway). I applaud him on that.
We'll go back to the beginning of that whole verse and the subject of that confederate flag. Whew. What a subject. Coming from the area of the Mason-Dixon line in Maryland (a state that housed the underground railroad and was neutral), coming to VA was eye-opening. I saw very few confederate flags flown in my area. Why would I? Even if people did, it didn't make much sense to me. Going to Northwest Virginia, I saw it everywhere. I cried. "I knew I should have gone to school in Garden City, NY. My goodness, don't these people REALIZE THE WAR IS OVER. STOP IT," were my thoughts. The more I got to know those people, the more I saw they were just rocking the flags for fashion and pride, but not for what it REALLY meant. I was given plenty of reasons for why the confederate flag "didn't stand for supporting slavery," I heard those and just moved along. It's very easy for others to look at me and tell me to stop being so sensitive. If you're asking myself or others to understand where you're coming from; you have to try and understand where we're coming from.
Hearing chants and seeing bumper stickers that cry, "THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN," aren't very assuring to the health of our nation. That wouldn't be a good thing; coming from where I'm from. Telling me you want ALL the ideals of the past to come back isn't the yummiest thing to hear in my mind. You must understand that.
I became friends with people who had small symbols of that flag and got to see that, of course, they didn't want slavery to return and they didn't like the ideals of the flag; BUT it did represent where they were from. I get that, you're proud of being from the South, and the symbol to represent that is the confederate flag. I'd recommend your state flag, but I get it. I will never allow that flag in my own home, but I get it. Just like people who have origins in different countries, like Puerto Rico or Brazil flaunt their heritage; the Southerners do it. It's a lesson on learning different cultures and truly understanding the things you flaunt for fashion or "pride" BEFORE wearing them. It happens a lot in hip-hop culture.
What has killed hip-hop culture is the flaunting and the flashiness in the lyrics. Lyrics by the artists who spill that you must have the finest things they have in order to be awesome. BLECH. Remember when Cristal was ALLL the rappers, especially Jay Z, talked about in lyrics. It was all over the videos, people started naming their children after it, and all sorts of shenanigans. All that ended once a statement was released by the makers of the champagne.
"We didn't make it for them. We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business."
"What kind of foolishness?? Racists. We're not supporting them anymore," artists yelled. Learn your products. OF COURSE this happened. You did all this glamorizing of fame, money, hoes, and Cristal on tracks that won't die AND those people don't want YOU PEOPLE buying it. I laughed, "that's what you get."
These examples just continue to build up with so much product placement and desires to becoming famous happening. I gave the example because people listening to this record can't begin to conceive how a person could rock that flag and NOT know what it means to others.
The song continues with Brad singing about how we're spending all our time walking on eggshells and expecting that to pick up the pieces. He goes on about racial tension still happening and how he wants to learn what it's like. He mentions that the desire to walk in someone's shoes is a good place to start, but he'll never know what it's like to walk a mile in their skin. How no one has picked up that lyric is beyond me. First, musically, it's great because it carries the theme of , "hey I don't know what it's like to be a minority, but I want to so I can understand." Second, I think that wanting to know and understanding that you'll never FULLY get it is EXACTLY what everyone needs to feel and accept.
The problems of the racial tension didn't end with the end of slavery. There were much more battles that had to be fought in the century after. It's one thing to be "free," it's a different creature to be equal. I don't need to go all history teacher on you, but I would say pieces are still trying to be fixed from the civil rights era. Things are MUCH better, but there's major work to do.
Paisley's lyrics are profound and I understand why people are uncomfortable with it. I'm glad they are uncomfortable. Nothing will change with comfort; things always stay the same. Kudos to him for starting this conversation. I can see where some have a problem with his lyric mentioning how it wasn't our generation's doing (re: slavery). Passing the buck is a trait I dislike, but keep listening. He says it wasn't his doing, but it's his responsibility to make things better.
I love responsibility and accountability. They are amazing tools for people to own. Brad asks that he not be judged as well by where he's from and what his ancestor's did. Fair enough, right?
LL's lyrics kick of with a letter of response to Brad. He mentions he wasn't around either, but he knows the impact all the bad stuff had. He brings it back to reality with the fact he IS judged by the way he looks and would love to have an open conversation about it. Then, his own prejudices/stereotypes, prevent him from talking to a guy with a cowboy hat and the flag on his shirt. Simple enough. LL's lyrics take a turn to odd with his adlibs, "if you won't judge my durag, I won't judge your flag. If you won't judge my gold chains, I'll forget the iron chains."
As you can imagine, this is where the ess hits the proverbial fan. The messages he's trying to relay are "don't judge me and I won't judge you" and "if you can treat me as your equal, I won't bring up the past." LL doesn't make it as clear as I'm making it, so that's why people aren't knowing what to do with that "I'll forget the iron chains" line. He's not saying he'll forget slavery ever happened. To all you "journalists," WHY didn't you LISTEN and not just HEAR what he said?
Of course, no one is going to forget slavery. He's just saying that we have to stop throwing THAT in the face of people and WE need to MEND the relationships of all races, like yesterday. They both mention "we can't rewrite history, but we need to fix it." Brad ends the song asking for you to understand what this is about, he's "a son of the NEW South. I just want to make it right so all that's left is Southern pride." The whole song he mentions how he's stuck between Southern pride and Southern blame. He doesn't want to be ashamed of where he's from and he doesn't want to be blamed. He just wants to make it right.
Kudos for this song. Yes, it's VERY easy to take this song out of context. The song CAN be VERY uncomfortable, just from the title. Take the time to LISTEN a few times. Take the time to read these words and understand what this song is about. This song is a conversation with oneself on the racial tension in this country, why it's there, and how we can fix it. If you take anything else from that, you're not listening to this song. Take this moment to not be a modern day, social media-obsessed American and THINK. All the negative responses I have read have been from those who won't open their minds, who won't think about what's going on. Those responses are from those who just want something to holler about. This is where America loses. We have this claim to be the greatest country in the world. That's all fine and good, but when we can't get along; should we stick by this claim? Not SHOULD, CAN we stick by this claim?
The answer is no.
So, think about it. Think about your daily life and the things you do and say. Think about the tensions you have felt. Think about how you can make it better and do it.
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The second duet from LL Cool J and Brad Paisley is "Live For You," a hip-hop love song. LL raps and Brad sings the hook. The song is pretty amazing. The beats, actual instrumentation, and pretty great vocals make this song a hit in my eyes. The reason it won't be a hit: because LL isn't Justin Bieber, it's not fake folk, fake edm, and radio. Top 40 radio will completely discount it because it won't go out of the box and most Urban stations will discount it because there's a country artist on it. If I ran an urban station, I'd play the track without mentioning Brad and gauge the response.
This song isn't as serious as the first, but it is very delightful.
It makes sense that LL's album is "Authentic." This song sounds like LL. The album, in stores April 30th, doesn't try to be youthful. This album doesn't try to take who's hot NOW and be a commercial success. Nope, this album is about good music; the stuff from "back in the day." Some of the guests featured on this album are Paisley, Bootsy Collins, Chuck D, Charlie Wilson, Eddie Van Halen, Earth Wind & Fire, Monica, Seal, Snoop Dogg, Tom Morello, and Travis Barker. With a line up like that, it's all about the music. This album will appeal to everyone born before 1990, though everyone born after should listen to it.
After all of this, I want you to do one thing; open your mind. When that is done, you'll see our world differently. I promise.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Open Letter to Taylor Swift
Dear Taylor - Hi. Sit down, let's talk.
Hey girl. So, in the past, I may not have been fully fair to you. While I can't deal with YOU and your music at your age, I can appreciate your drive and success. Hey, if you have the right people and they get America eating from the palm of your hands; run with it. I get it. Kudos to you.
Today, I have to say, I'm worried about your mental state.
You realize why people crack jokes on you, right? You give people material all the time. You're not an open book; you're an open DIARY. You tell everything and you show it to everyone all the time. I was really upset to read, "I don't know where they all assume the song was about John" in a magazine. Darlin', YOU SAID IT.
*grabs your hands* Listen, T-Swizzle, Take a look at yourself. You're a 23-year-old multi-millionaire. You travel the world. You could do WHATEVER you want to do in life. You have the best job that's not really a job in the world. I understand the pressures and the sacrifices, but come on. You get to do a hobby as a job. WOOT, right?
You should be reveling in your independence. Tay, if you want to date the hottest men in Hollywood and do them; AWESOME. Do that. It's okay, but OWN it. You shouldn't be sniffing around all these little boys. Why are you dating teenaged boys anyway? Why are you buying homes near their parents? Hon, that's psychotic. Calm down. You don't NEED a man.
While you think Tina Fey was picking on you, she was entirely right. "Be by yourself for a while. Figure out who you are and what you want in life." Do that, Swifty, do that. You'll find out stuff...you'll find you're so strong. THEN you'll get why you're too old to sing what you're singing about. Dating stinks, but it's a part of growing up. You're not going to be in love with everyone. You HAVE to be okay with that.
I know I've been tough on you in the past, but this is my open letter to you. I just wanted to give you some advice on life. It's cool, Taylor.
My wish for you is that you find peace. My wish is that you get a chance to grow up without handlers blocking you from seeing criticism. I hope you learn how to take each criticism with a grain of salt. My wish is that you learn to be genuine. Good luck to you, Taylor Swift.
Randi.
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