Let it be know that on a hot, sunny afternoon in Houston, TX, I took a trip to Wakanda and didn't want to leave. Yes, I got to see Black Panther in theaters, and I will go see it again. Why? Let me jump into it.
First and foremost, BP is packed with a lot. Various themes and nuances that kept audiences captivated. What gripped me the most was the family dynamic. There's quite a few things going on between parents, siblings and cousins, much more than I've ever seen in a superhero movie. And all for the love of country.
Secondly, this may be the first time ever that a black people group is dwelling ahead of the rest of the world instead of behind. We may be seeing this in 2018, but the country of Wakanda was designed decades ago, which is refreshing to know. Preconceived notions are blasted away, and present dreams of the diaspora today are fully realized.
Third, current colloquialisms are a thing of the past to Wakandans, which gave us moments of comic relief when so much imagery and symbolism was displayed within a two-hour period.
Lastly, there is a call to action from within. Unlike many African countries today, the leader of Wakanda now has a choice of what to do with their most prized resource: vibrainium. Instead of being plundered by colonizers, they strategized and concealed themselves before being found out. It makes me wonder if other nations had a chance, would they have done the same.
Those are the main themes I picked up from the BP. I do plan on seeing it again so I can further unpack and share with the world. If you didn't get a chance to see it this past weekend, GO! You will not regret it.
Monday, February 19, 2018
Monday, January 29, 2018
The Ultimate Denial
So.
The Grammy's have come and gone, and once again, the hip hop world is disappointed by its own peers. In a sad surprise, Bruno Mars swept every single big award last night, with Album of the Year sealing the nail in the coffin. Even in his acceptance speech, the music from the music industry was clear.
They are denying the power of hip hop.
Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love 24K Magic. That album has great hits from beginning to end, and it was a drastic stray away from Bruno's typical pop sound. However, two more albums came out that revolutionized the very sound of hip hop: Jay-Z's 4:44 and Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. Both albums received critic acclaim, successful tours, and many people talking beyond the music.
Personally, I believe DAMN. should have gotten the top honor, and so it makes me really wonder about the movers and shakers of the music industry. In the almost 40 year history since the release of "Rappers Delight", there has been a slow acceptance of hip hop and rap into the mainstream world. Sure, there are listeners of all colors, backgrounds, and countries, but the recognition of such reach has been severely delayed. The rap category was not introduced until 1995, leaving the founders and pioneers of hip hop completely left in the dark. However, there has been progress.
In a very rare occasion, two rap albums were nominated for Album of the Year, which speaks volumes, but when will the music industry accept that hip hop and rap is here to stay? Evolving rappers are basically banging on the front door, and yet they are still denied access. Bruno's sound, which sounds heavily like the r&b of the early 90's, was accepted before the raw, honest, quintessential rap of today. What kind of message is that?
If I could, I would apply to be a member of the Recording Academy, but I only write about music as opposed to making it. I can only hope that the group of voters increase, and as the newer generations of recording artists and professionals make their voices known, that hip hop and rap can no longer be denied as a powerful musical force in this world.
The Grammy's have come and gone, and once again, the hip hop world is disappointed by its own peers. In a sad surprise, Bruno Mars swept every single big award last night, with Album of the Year sealing the nail in the coffin. Even in his acceptance speech, the music from the music industry was clear.
They are denying the power of hip hop.
Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love 24K Magic. That album has great hits from beginning to end, and it was a drastic stray away from Bruno's typical pop sound. However, two more albums came out that revolutionized the very sound of hip hop: Jay-Z's 4:44 and Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. Both albums received critic acclaim, successful tours, and many people talking beyond the music.
Personally, I believe DAMN. should have gotten the top honor, and so it makes me really wonder about the movers and shakers of the music industry. In the almost 40 year history since the release of "Rappers Delight", there has been a slow acceptance of hip hop and rap into the mainstream world. Sure, there are listeners of all colors, backgrounds, and countries, but the recognition of such reach has been severely delayed. The rap category was not introduced until 1995, leaving the founders and pioneers of hip hop completely left in the dark. However, there has been progress.
In a very rare occasion, two rap albums were nominated for Album of the Year, which speaks volumes, but when will the music industry accept that hip hop and rap is here to stay? Evolving rappers are basically banging on the front door, and yet they are still denied access. Bruno's sound, which sounds heavily like the r&b of the early 90's, was accepted before the raw, honest, quintessential rap of today. What kind of message is that?
If I could, I would apply to be a member of the Recording Academy, but I only write about music as opposed to making it. I can only hope that the group of voters increase, and as the newer generations of recording artists and professionals make their voices known, that hip hop and rap can no longer be denied as a powerful musical force in this world.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
My 2018 Grammy Hopefuls
The Grammy's are tomorrow!
I gotta be honest. 2017 was a really good year in music. I say this as a music lover a whole different era: the late 80's-early 90's R&B and Hip Hop. But, oh, the music of 2017 had me listening to new music and the radio every chance I could get. Here's who I hope gets those little gramophones tomorrow night.
Record of the Year - this category is actually very hard this year. For once, I have listened to all of the nominations and enjoyed them all for different reasons. "24K Magic" is my jam, and "Redbone" sometimes has me in my feelings, but "HUMBLE" should take it all. Beat is sickening, lyrics are flame emojis, and everyone knows this part: "My left stroke just went viral!"
Album of the Year - There aren't too many albums that I can listen to from beginning to end, and honestly that's what I did to 24K Magic. However, DAMN. was so damn good. You have to really listen and let his words digest in your soul. Also, I don't have Tidal. How you gonna do me like that, Jay-Z?
Song of the Year - I'm going to be a little simpler here. My 2 year-old cousin loves "That's What I Like." Nuff said.
Best New Artist - Hands down, SZA came through with her smooth, challenging sound made her more of a sensation than I thought. I thought all of the quirky girls loved her, but oh no. Everyone does. She has this in the bag.
Best R&B Performance - this is a hard category for me because I love R&B more than anything else. "Get You" became a new wedding song for Millennials, but "The Weekend"? Simply put, it's relate-able. SZA explores the myriad of thoughts and emotions that people have when in that type of situation. No matter where the universal moral compass is steered, her experience was made into art.
Best R&B Song - Another hard category because all of the songs are great, but "Supermodel" kinda hits you in the gut. I love a powerful female voice, and she fearlessly expresses all of those girly emotions that we feel sometimes. Raw, uncut, and strong.
Best Rap Performance - Several of these songs I can easily bump to, but the top dog? "HUMBLE." Also, see Record of the Year. Side note: the music video is bananas.
Best Rap/Sung Performance - I know people are more than likely fawning over Family Feud by the Carters, but two other songs grabbed my attention: "LOYALTY" and "Love Galore." Both heavy-hitting songs. "LOYALTY" I think should get it. If nothing else, Rihanna was done dirty last year after putting out such a good album, ANTI.
Best Rap Song - For a good while, I really didn't know who Cardi B was, and that was during her reality TV days. "Bodak Yellow" was her official introduction. She's one of the songwriters, and some of her lyrics are her life. She really doesn't dance anymore. Them two mixtapes released in six months? You can find them on Spotify. The mixing and mastering of this song does not follow the normal flow of a song, and she only has two verses. This woman earned the Grammy for this one.
Best Rap Album - Look, I don't have Tidal, and I haven't been convinced to really so otherwise, I would possibly listened to 4:44 if given the chance. Besides all that, I hope Kendrick wins for DAMN. It was easier to digest for the average music listener, and he came even harder in his lyricism and overall theme.
Those are all of my hopefuls. Only five or so will be televised live tomorrow night, but the big categories are saturated with urban music selections, so we're in for a very good show. Do you have any hopefuls? Let me know in the comments!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)