The Beatles or The Rolling Stones

I've always heard that you are either a Beatles person or an Elvis person which always seemed odd to me because the musical style and time seem to different to make much of a comparison. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones comparison seems a little more natural. Both of them becoming big at around the same time and both with similar sounds, especially early on before it evolved.

Personally I feel like music is not a zero sum game. I've gone through phases where I've liked the Beatles more than the Stones than vice versa. But, because it is fun to choose I'd say I'm definitely a larger Beatles fan. The Rubber Soul, Revolver albums are some of my favorite of all time, and while the Stones have Exile on Main St. which is also one of my favorites.

They are both undeniably great bands and one can easily argue which one is better but why bother.

Bob Dylan

I liked Bob Dylan's answer to the last question in the partial interview in the textbook "Pop, Rock, and Soul Reader." He was saying how music is always apart of life unlike paintings or sculptures. Art should be where people can see it, otherwise it will not get seen most times. The greatest paintings should be in shops and restaurants and bathrooms. He said that art is dead when it goes into a museum because not as many people go to museums. Music is played everywhere; On the radio, in the car, in stores, almost everywhere. His answers to the other questions doesn't give away much meaning to any of his songs. He wrote them in his own perspective, but want other people to have his songs mean to them what they want them to mean. He doesn't want to tell people what they mean because interpreting music should be a liberty. He changes names of people in the songs for a reason. It's a puzzle. He is a brilliant artist.

Wale

Today at UB, interscope recording artist Wale will be performing for the universities charity concert. Although many of you probably do not know who Wale is. Well don’t feel guilty because he a relatively new artist. He was part of XXL magazine’s top 10 freshmen of 2009. He released his debut album titled Attention Deflict late last year. I absolutely loved this alblum because out its versatility. He collaborated with artist such as Lady Gaga, Gucci Mane, Rihanna & Chrisette Michele. My favorite song off of his album was Beautiful Bliss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcmpJX_FSFw). I love Wale’s ability to collaborate with different genres and not confined himself to one lane. Also, the metaphors and word play in his lyrics is very creativity. I have nothing but high praises for him. I have never seen him live but I encourage everyone to go and check him out because im sure he will put on a great show.

Hendrix

Not only was Jimi Hendrix one of the most innovative and original musicians of the past century, he was a huge symbol of the power of music in crossing over racial boundaries. In a time dominated by white, British Invasion rock bands, Hendrix proved that he could compete and surpass the bands who made their fame by ripping songs off of black blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll artists. Though he did draw extensively from blues in previous decades, Hendrix developed an exciting, creative, and unique sound that introduced essential modern rock elements (heavy use of effect pedals, amp feedback, etc) with a captivating live performance that can never quite be replicated. Thanks to Jimi Hendrix, the tradition of white performers in mainstream modern rock was broken. His influence remains stronger today even than it did at the time of his tragic young death.

James Brown: His love for his country and his folks.

James Brown as we know, is the most successful artist of all time. He's known for his stages shows, dancing, hollering, and interacting with his audiences. Brown states in the article "The Godfather of Soul and the Beginnings of Funk", that he "believed in human rights of all people" and that he loves his country and would definitely speak out for his people. He thought Black people needed economic power and pride. Therefore, he started buying radio stations. I believed that was a smart move to be able to present the Black folks a station of their own. This way they can be able to learn and start their own advertising, programming shows. Brown had a very valid point, in order for the Blacks to speak out and be able to represent, they needed education. That was the one factor that could bring them to a new level.

Brown also disapproved disco as it slowly seemed to take his fame away. He stated disco didn't "really need artists to make disco" and that the disco people copied off [him] and tried to throw [him] away."

The Beach Boys :Brian Wilson

I first heard of Beach Boys during the movie Cadillac Records. First impression of them wasn't that great since they stole part of Chuck Berry's riffs and became largely famous without giving Berry any credit. However, after reading Brian Wilson's personal stories of his songs, I realized this band has potential.

Being in a band takes so much effort, and cooperation to make it big and successful. Since Wilson was the lead of the band, the record company put all the weight on his shoulders. Carrying this burden was not easy for Wilson, that almost led him to have a nervous breakdown because he thought he was gradually losing his touch in composing a great song. He had his own distinct style compared to the rest of the band members. When his first single was published, majority of the people didn't seem to like it and that was so disappointing because he poured his soul, heart, and emotions into "Caroline, No."

What's Beef?

So lately i have been running out of things to blog about and today i had the hardest time thinking about a topic so i was like going to just say forget but then i looked down and seen the book for the class and just decided to open it. and when i opened it seen the name Notorious BIG and his quote about the record label Death Row. i instantly thought about the movie that was made in remembering "Biggie" and how in the movie that showed how the "beef" between him in Tupac began a whole "beef" betweent the east coast and the west coast. i am a fan of many of their songs and as i think about what they say happened between the two that caused both of their deaths i cant help but you feel some type of way.

i think that it is crazy how someone's life can end over rap lyrics and over music. during the movie you could see that the two engaged in what they did because it entertained their fans and boosted their ratings...i think it just sucks the way things ended for the both of them...well for one cause they still say Tupac is alive...idk.