Let's Get Big - New Music Monday

I know, I know, this New Music Monday is coming a tad later than usual, but no worries, I have your new music!

This week's song comes from a British band was first known as Fear of Flying. In October 2007 they posted on their MySpace (Remember MySpace, that thing that everyone used to use before Facebook came along? Yeah, that MySpace) page, "Fear of Flying is DEAD... White Lies is alive!" That's when their sound got a lot darker and (supposedly) a lot more mature. They seem to have a split music-ality (your music personality); one is very indie-pop and is compared to bands like Franz Ferdinand and The Killers, while the other is a darker sound, like Arcade Fire and Interpol. There's even a bit of 80s sound, like Tears For Fears.



I myself hear a little Duran Duran in the guys voice, but maybe that's just me. The song is "Bigger Than Us" by White Lies. I love the video; it's odd, layered with pieces of a puzzle I haven't yet put together. Watch and decide for yourself. And be careful- it makes you want chocolate!

-Whitni

The Comeback Kid

Have you ever heard of miracles? Maybe you've had one happen to you or someone you love. Well, in 2000, a young rapper by the name of 50 Cent was shot nine times outside his grandmother's home in Queens. Not only did he survive, he continued to make records. You gotta give him respect for that.

Now, a lot of people love 50. And a lot of people don't ('I'd give him a dollar to shut up' is a popular slogan). Personally, I had only heard his singles on the radio, but I had never ventured out to listen to his albums before now. His album Get Rich Or Die Trying, the first album after the shooting, and his debut album, was listed by Allmusic as "probably the most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade". So, the real question is, did 50 Cent actually have enough talent and skills to change the game?

Well, yes, and no. I know, we say that for a lot of reviews. That's because music isn't black and white, its usually a gray area for most musicians. For 50, there are definite bright spots in his music, but there's a black hole that could easily suck him up if he doesn't change his ways.

When you listen to the album, there is no denying the fact that the man is creative. He can rap and he can definitely spin some words. For example:

D's come we dump the diesel and battery acid This flow's been mastered, the ice I flash it Chokes me, I'll have your mama picking out your casket, bastard I'm on the next level, Breitling Baguette Bezel Benz pedal to the metal, hotter than a tea kettle, blood

I wouldn't get in a battle with this cat. And the album isn't bad. I like how it's pure 50, even when he raps with other people like Eminem and Nate Dogg. He speaks his mind, but doesn't droll during a song. I enjoyed the first couple of songs, the middle of the album, and the end. Of course, though, I have a problem with this album...

I understand how, sadly, 50 Cent's shooting kind of fueled his career. However, that doesn't mean that that's all he has to rap about. We got it 50, you got shot. And I understand how you have to call out the haters and everything, but please don't base your whole album on that fact. Well, I guess you can (he did), but I have to admit, I got bored after a while. Like, oh, another die haters! I'm still alive song. I can even understand the 'ho's' and stuff like that, maybe because I'm used to that in rap, but, at this point in time, I would have told 50 to expand after this album, cause you can't ride on a shooting for the rest if your career. Well, I guess you can, but you really shouldn't want to. All musicians should strive to get better with each album, not stay the status quo.


Anyways, off Get Rich Or Die Trying, there were a couple of singles I'm sure you all would be able to sing at any given time. 'In da Club', '21 Questions', 'Many Men (Wish Death)' 'P.I.M.P'. If you don't know, you can look them up on YouTube. My favoirte of this album was the second track, 'What Up Gangsta'. I can't speak too much for Whitni, because you know how she feels about rap (if you don't, look up her post 'The Slow And Sad Degeneration Of Rap Music'). However, I like she would like 'Wanksta', which was featured in the 8 Mile album.

50 Cent has gone on to release other albums (this one was released in 2003), so I can't say much about how he is now musically. Otherwise, he looks as if he's doing okay, although seems to be having a lot of legal troubles. I also couldn't help but notice the fact that he has a large number of feuds going on, as well as a son. I just gotta say to 50, regardless of the music, stay safe man. These streets ain't as safe as they used to be, and I'm sure you know this better than anybody. And, if you have something you have to say, something worthwhile, then keep rapping.

I guess 50 Cent will always be rap's little miracle.

-Raivynn

A Song For The Holiday

Here's a song to remind us of why we celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving. And yes, we can go into everything that happened to the Native Americans and how its all very material, but at the end of the day, you have your family, and you have your friends. And that's why I put this song up. Hopefully these next weeks have you feeling kind and generous.



-Raivynn

(Bang!) New Music Monday

Happy Monday, my musical friends! Today is looking to be a good day (I don't know about you guys, but it's a beautiful 70 degrees here in Cincinnati)!

Today's New Music Monday pick is one of international proportion! The young man who made this song is originally from Somalia. He's a rising rapper in the music world and you probably know him from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His song, "Wavin' Flag" was remixed and chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the football (as soccer's called in the rest of the world) championship.



This song is off his new album Troubadour; the song is "Bang Bang" by K'naan feat. Adam Levine. Yeah, you read that right- Adam Levine. As in lead singer of Maroon 5, hits songs like "This Love", "Wake Up Call" and "Misery" Adam Levine. This duo makes making music look easy, and I wouldn't be surprised if this song took off early 2011. In fact, I'd put money on it.

Oh, and, just so you know, the video's a little risque, but nothing to bad. It's the times, you know, the times. What can you do?

Whitni

Thanks and Giving

What is the longest word in the English language?

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Running at 45 letters, and meaning 'a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very silica dust, causing inflammation in the lungs,' this is a really long word (no kidding). So, the question is, what can you do with a word like this?

You can upgrade your bio research paper from a B to a A. Or, you can impress your friends and/or crush with your sophisticated language. Or...you could donate 10 grains of rice to feed a hungry person.

I personally think the last one sounds like the best choice. At the bottom of the blog, you will now find a banner for FreeRice, which is a website through the World Food Programme that, through the support of donors and people who play, feeds hungry people rice every day. I have signed this blog up as a Blog Against Hunger, and support FreeRice by encouraging you all to play. FreeRice will not only make you smarter, but it feeds little kids too. You can do everything from English to Geo to Spanish to Chem(I used it for Chem!).

Now, don't worry, I don't, at this moment, plan to start having a bunch of a annoying, moving ads around here. But this one, its different. I'm not getting any money. I'm not even getting rice.

But...please, help a five-year old in Haiti have some dinner. Trust me, learning has never been this fun.

Raivynn

P.S- Read all about it- http://www.freerice.com/about

A Proud Innie

There are three words that define a lot about me and my personality.

I'm an introvert.

In case you don't know what an introvert is, an introvert is a person who draws in energy by being alone for a while. The opposite is an extrovert, who draws in energy by being around people. Most people are a good mix of the two. As for myself, I am, according to the Meyer's Brigg Personality Test, 89% introverted. That's pretty significant.

You may wonder how this is at all related to music or you or life in general. I mean, who cares, right? WRONG!
Haha, just kidding. But seriously, it does matter. I'm pretty sure most of my friends are extroverts, which makes being a introvert that much harder. They don't understand why I sometimes have a hard times making friends, going up to/speaking to people, and, most importantly, why I don't go to parties. I'm pretty sure my roommate thinks I'm socially deficient because I was homeschooled. Homeschooling has nothing to do with this.

So, I tried to be more outgoing, I tried to go to parties. And then, I just couldn't do it. It drained me so much, I felt like I was falling out of myself. Today was a prime example of that. When I don't talk, my friends continuously ask if 'I'm okay.' I appreciate their concern, but I don't have to be talking to be okay.
Another example is when I was talking to my roommate a few weeks ago. I was trying to ask for some help on how to talk to guys, but I think I told her/she took it as I needed help communicating my feelings.

Well, I don't. I tell my friends how I'm feeling sometimes, and sometimes I don't, but they don't always respond to what I'm saying. Scratch that, they don't listen (when someone tells you they have been depressed for five days, you follow up!) I DO listen (most of the time), and I pride myself on this.

See, I love being an innie. Even though I was trying to be more outgoing (I didn't want to lose my friends), I like that I am more reflective and thoughtful than the usually loud and impulsive exies. I couldn't even imagine being like this. And even though Psych Today reports that there are 50% innies and exies, it doesn't seem like it.But anyways, back to my conversation with my roommate. I told her I was introvert, and the way she was talking to me was if that was a bad thing. Like a bad habit I needed to drop. I have issues with some exies. Stuff like this.

Guess what exies? We like the way we are, just like you do. I'm not trying to be mean, I just think exies think they have it best. They don't. Things like this are relative, it depends on the person. I observe things you will never see, I have time to myself, I have the ability to process info in an entirely new light, AND... I think before I speak. And even though this is an extroverted world, I will be fine.

For some reason, people seem uncomfortable when I say this. Like its this horrible thing, an ailment, or its shyness (ITS NOT). I told my friend the other day, and she gave me a look that said, 'Why should it matter?'
Well, it does. It does to me. Not a whole bunch of things matter to me (Activism, Music, Education, Human Rights, Family, Introversion), but this is one of them. Plus, don't you think knowing this will help you and me be able to communicate more effectively? Understand each other better?

Yes, I am an introvert. I have the communication skills needed to succeed. I don't make snap decisions, but consider the possible outcomes. I take time to just be alone. And, no, I'm not the life of the party. But I can be the life of your conversation. And (not saying all exies believe these) if you can't deal with the fact that there are some people in this world who don't overpower others in a conversation, actually listen, or don't go to clubs on a Tuesday, oh well.

And guess what?

Innies rule.

Raivynn
P.S- Here's a cool article I read yesterday. Psych rocks!! http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201008/revenge-the-introvert
P.S- As you will read in the article, mental illness is at some all time highs for people who are introverted. A lot of it has to do with not feeling accepted in our own society. Society seems geared towards exies, which definition hurts innies, especially kids. If you are an introverted kid, or you know a introverted kid, let them know its okay, and definitely great, to be the way you are. I'm (kinda) an introverted adult, and I wouldn't change it for the world. You are awesome!

P.P.S.S- The kids are so cute!!!