Final Essay: Response to "The History of Women in Hip Hop: Post Feminism or Sell Out

I feel that every presenter this semester had made an interesting point during their presentations.  However, one presentation that really caught my eye was Mia Washington’s topic on the “The History of Women in Hip Hop: Post Feminism or Sell Out.”  I feel that one of the star moments was when she played the entire class an interview of rapper Nicki Minaj.  In my opinion, many classmates were not very well pleased with Nicki Minaj’s communication skills.  She couldn’t say a sentence without cursing.  However, we did enjoy listening to the interview, because we found it to be very funny in a weird sort of way.  My other favorite moment was when Mia compared Queen Latifah’s lyrics to Lil Kim’s lyrics.  She actually asked us “What two female rappers are the owners of these verses?”  People were automatically able to distinguish between the two verses.  Pretty much everyone was aware that the first verse belonged to Queen Latifah.  There are not too many female rap artists who are willing to stand up for their sex.  This particular artist demanded respect from the opposite sex.  Lil Kim on the other hand didn’t mind being called out of her name or promoting her sex life.  This showed us how the movement of female rappers has changed over the years.  In the early 90’s, female rappers were more likely to be considered either conscious or hardcore artists.  They used their talents and voices as a tool to inspire and lift up the spirits of other young women.  Nowadays, female rappers are more likely to talk about sex and money than speak about the struggle or empowerment of both men and women. I believe someone asked Mia who her favorite female rap artist was, but she appears to be a fan of legendary female rappers such as Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Lauryn Hill.  Some people miss the days when music wasn’t all about creating a hit for the radio or simply used a tool to place money in their pockets.  Hip Hop was viewed as an art form.  I don’t believe that there is anything that I would have changed to this presentation.  I would have liked to hear more of her own opinion on the state of women and hip hop, but I still feel that she had done a tremendous job.  I don’t remember seeing many people surfing the net during her presentation.  She did a great job at capturing our attention. 

Final Written Paper

During the beginning of my presentation, my intention was to pay respect to the deejays that helped pave the way for what we call hip hop today.  This tribute was very important, because there was a point in time when deejays received more respect and accolades than the rappers.  That explains why DJ Jazzy Jeff’s name was mentioned before Will Smith’s on their first album.  All of these deejays may not be multi-millionaires, but they are hugely responsible for a music industry that is deeply influenced and dominated by hip hop today.  It’s difficult to locate any genre of music that has not been positively affected by hip hop.  Nowadays, it’s very common to hear Gospel and Rock music that shares similarities with rap music. 

Although I am a huge fan of music, I was unaware of the sudden change to digital turntables.  I noticed DJ Jazzy Jeff and Kid Capri using laptops during their showcases and performances, but I had no idea that these new turntables made it a lot easier for the modern day Deejay.  They no longer had to carry around crates of records anymore.  However, many well-known deejays still carry around a few records to wow or impress the crowd.  This informs their audience that they are still capable of doing a phenomenal job on the turntables.  No respectful deejay or artist would like for their fans to notice that they’ve lost a step or two.  The real pioneers would like to show their fans that they’ve still got it, and that their competitive edge has not disappeared.

The average record company that was making millions of dollars during the 90’s and early 2000 era may be struggling to make that same amount of income today, because not as many records are being sold as they were in the past.  Fans are more likely to purchase a song online than buy a physical copy in the store.  It’s not very common to find someone walking with a CD player in public anymore.  This situation has forced the record companies to recoup their money in other areas.  One of them includes the 360 deal, the music industry company provides financial support to the artist, including direct advances and funds for things like marketing, touring and merchandising.  However, in return the artist must agree to give the company a percentage of everything they are involved with, including revenue from album/ track sales, ticket sales, merchandising.  After I had given my audience a definition and a video of an artist explaining the 360 deal, I realized, a few of them were still unclear of what term meant to artists and musicians.  The reason why I had shown them an artist giving them his take on the 360 deal was so that they would have the chance to listen to someone who they found to be of importance in the music industry.  I didn’t want to show them a video of someone who was both unknown and boring.  This was a win/lose situation because I struggled to gain the amount of the attention that I expected.

Next, I spoke on the importance of a mixtape, a collection of songs that an artist uses to generate a buzz in hopes of acquiring a record deal or a release date for their upcoming album.  Many successful artists have used the mixtape to garner the overdue attention they needed to improve their situation.  Not every artist is blessed to be able to send their demo to a record label or A&R. and then receive an offer for a record deal.  The average artist today has to create a buzz in his/her own hometown in order to be noticed and discovered by a well respected record company.  The purpose of the mixtape is gain a following that is hopefully going to support you when it’s time for your album to come out.  Although artists and record labels aren’t selling many records today, there are still fans out there that are buying CD’s and purchasing tickets to their favorite singer or rapper’s shows.

There has always been a connection between communication and music.  Many artists and songwriters are creating songs that are relatable to individuals that are dealing with simialr issues in their daily lives.  A lot of Tupac’s music consisted of songs that were not based on his own life.  He told the stories of his friends and associates who were going through those exact situations at that time.  He had never been in jail or even arrested when he created the song “Holler If You Hear Me” which gave his take on law enforcement and police harassment.  He felt that it was necessary to release a song out to the public that the average person could connect with.  One of the main reasons for becoming an artist is to find a voice in hopes of locating the audience that you can reach and inspire.  Your voice is what’s going to separate you from every other artist that exists out there.

            One question that came up during my presentation was “How do artists make money when they’re giving away their music for free?  That is a question that has many answers depending on the popularity or status of the artist.  The average rapper is also a songwriter for your favorite hip hop artist or R&B singer.  I’m not sayng that they are making hundreds of thousands of dollars for their services, but this is making them enough income to keep their lights on when they do not have an official album out yet.  Every artist must become business minded, but not all of them have the luxury of co-owning restaurants or investing in real estate.  They must work with the skills that they currently have.  There are some musicians that produce records while they’re working on their upcoming albums.  Every artist is given an advance from their label unless it’s a newly formed independent label that may not be able to give advances to their artists.  Not all artists are blessed with a million dollar record deal much like a Drake or 50 Cent.  So there’s no easy way to answer that question.  They just have to find a way to make money.

            Every audience member in the classroom had a different opinion concerning my presentation, but all of their comments were positive.  I should have focused more on my classmates than the projector while i was speaking to them.  It’s always best to make eye contact with the individuals who you are trying to make a point with.  There’s no use of doing a presentation if you not able to successfully gain their attention.  I preferred for the computers to be on, because I enjoyed the thought of a challenge.  I came up playing sports so I always bring that competitive nature with me no matter what I’m doing at that time.  I wouldn’t ever want to force anyone to listen to anything that they have no interest in.  I’m just glad that I did not bore anyone.  That was one of the reasons for me playing those videos.  Sometimes it can become boring when someone is just talking the whole time without allowing their audience to share their own point of views.  In my case, everyone’s opinion is important as long as they can prove their case and make it believable or respectable to everyone else.  Although I was nervous during the course of the presentation, I have no regrets. I’m just glad that I was able to do research on a topic that I am still passionate about.            

Thoughts on Michael J. Fox’s Determination through Parkinson’s Disease

Always Looking Up              ‘

The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist

By Michael J. Fox                                                

262 pages.  Sony Publishing.  $25.99  

          Thoughts on Michael J. Fox’s Determination through Parkinson’s Disease

          By Jeffrey Taylor

First and foremost, I must admit that I’ve been a fan of Michael J. Fox’s work ever since I first learned how to walk.  I’m still a fan of television shows and films that he starred in such as: “Family Ties, Spin City, The Secret of My Success, Back to the Future, Teen Wolf etc.  There have not been too many actors who possess both dramatic intensity and great comedic talent when they are performing.  So in other words, it was an honor to be able to read “Always Looking Up”, which touches on Michael J. Fox’s earlier career, later career, life as well as his battles with Parkinson’s disease.  There aren’t too many authors who are gifted at giving their readers a great and entertaining peak into their personal lives.  Michael J. Fox does a tremendous job in keeping his readers involved in his story and using his disease as more of a motivational device than a handicap.

On many different occasions in certain people’s lives, they take for granted the gifts that they are blessed with.  It’s not like they cherish every moment that they are able to walk, use their hands or speak on command.  They’re more likely to view these gifts as being normal, because they’ve grown accustomed to moving their legs, feet or hands whenever they needed to.  Michael J Fox’s situation is rather different from every else’s.  His Parkinson’s disease has limited his movement and speech which has forced him to end his full-time professional acting career.  He once said “In addition, something as simple as turning my head over my shoulder to convey a greeting can be an actual physical impossibility.  Once I have any degree of momentum while walking, the expenditure of energy to stop and start again can be ten times as taxing as it is for a normal-brained person.”  So mainly, his disease has forced him to only perform one action at a time on some occasions.

Many individuals happen to be fans of Michael J Fox whether it comes from his past acting career or his promotion for upgraded research for Parkinson’s disease.  People respect both his talent as well as his advocacy for Parkinson’s research to benefit patients throughout the country who are victims of this illness.  Patrick McNamara OF Boston University applauds Michael J. Fox for his impressive writing and sense of humor displayed throughout the reading of the book.  One of his favorite lines that stood our to him was when Mr. Fox referred to raising a two year old by saying “It boils down to being on a constant suicide watch…the toddler is busy trying to destroy himself by pissing in electric sockets, downing anything and everything that comes near the mouth and attempting to fling himself down stairwells and out windows. Anyone who has had kids will nod their heads in agreement with this assessment.”  Throughout the reading, Michael J. Fox informs his readers that he has the ability to make the most serious situations both amusing and truthful to others.  He’s able to make comparisons of two entirely different topics and then prove to viewers how similar the two topics actually are.

Mr. Fox wasn’t afraid to display to his readers on how difficult it was for him and his fellow cast members when it came to finishing the fourth season of “Spin City.”  It got to a point where it was obvious that he was not capable of always hiding his symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.  He would lean up against wall as cast mates to help him prevent from trembling.  Mr. Fox would ask to sit down in a scene in an effort to not show his legs shaking on film.  Although Michael J. Fox was a Parkinson’s patient, he didn’t want his audience to view his character “Mike Flaterty” in the same way.  His whole career, he was so use to doing physical comedy, his sickness prevented him from doing that.  Michael J Fox notes that his sickness not only affected his body, but his speech as well.  He no longer had the ability of saying lines on command.  That caused him to hesitate which in turn limited his comedic timing.  He had to discover other ways to amuse and entertain his audience.  This showed you that he was no longer capable of being the same actor that television viewers and moviegoers fell in love with.  He was forced to work with what he had left in the tank.

Many times, Michael’s cast members were not aware of the physical and emotional toll that his disease had taken on him.  They weren’t aware why it had taken him so long to return from his dressing room during rehearsals, failure to learn lines or why he failed to greet them at times.  They weren’t knowledgeable of the limitations that came with Parkinson’s disease.  It was already hard for him, because he was leaving the one job that he loved.  Unlike other teenagers and young adults, Michael J Fox had no college or prior work experience.  He’s been living off of commercial and television gigs ever since he was sixteen years old.  He doesn’t know what it feels like to work anywhere else.  Acting is what he loves doing, and now he no longer has the physical and mental strength to do that.  So it’s almost as if he‘s losing a piece of himself.

Last, but no least, Michael J. Fox did a great job at describing to readers what it was like to live and work with Parkinson’s disease.  It was great that he reminded us that he actually had it easier when it came to his health during the filming of “Spin City.”  He believed that he could have done it up to a seventh season, but he still strongly feels that he made the right decision at that time.  It’s not everyday that you get to read about someone who’s going through a hard or difficult time.  The only difference with Michael J Fox is that we have the luxury of being both educated and tickled his by comedic personality which often shows up in his writing.
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Always-Looking-Up-Adventures-Incurable/dp/1401303382
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2009-04-26/hardcover-nonfiction/list.html

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Field Trip Assignment

I: During my visit to the Smithsonian American Arts Museum, there were three portraits that caught my eye.  Christina and Gram on Thanksgiving in New Hampshire represented a woman taking care of her mother while she is ill and possibly dying.  The Easter dress by Margaret Strickland showed viewers what it was like for a young woman in the suburbs who struggled to live up to the academic expectations of her successful family.  “Dad on Bed” displays an aged man and executive who has recently been laid off from his job.  He decides to just sit on his parent’s bed and kind of think and reflect on old times.     

            II: Christina and Gram on Thanksgiving in New Hampshire makes the best point, because I feel that all children should take care of their parents when they’ve reached a certain age where they’re unable to take care of themselves.  It takes an entire village to raise a child and that has been proven to not be an easy task.  Most parents dream of their children having a better child and adulthood than they had.  They chose to supply us with an unconditional love that we couldn’t possibly buy with all of the money in the world.  No matter how many times we choose to disappoint them, they still found ways to support us.  Our parents stayed up late nights when we were sick as children.  They lost and sacrificed their sleep for our well being.  Why shouldn’t we return the favor for all that they have done for us? 

            Christmas and Gram on Thanksgiving in New Hampshire kind of reminded of a scene in the film “Brothers” where DL Hugley decides to move his mother who was suffering from Alzheimer’s into his so that they could take care of her himself.  His wife didn’t completely agree with that idea, but he had to do what he felt was best for both him and his mother.   The portrait “Easter Dress” reminds me of the “The Cosby Show” where the Huxtable children find it hard to live up to the success of both their mother and father who happen to be a lawyer and doctor.  Their children are often scrutinized and made front of at school by their friends and fellow classmates, because their parents are perceived as being “rich.”

            I don’t feel that their portraits allowed me to think differently, but they did remind me of what life is like for a human being.  It’s obviously not easy.  When I think of art, I think of creativity and normality.  I say that because when we create art, we’re just reminding people what else is occurring on a daily basis in society today.  I don’t think that too many people would go to a museum to view portraits of “Spiderman” or “Transformers.”  We want to see the truth, and the truth makes an appearance in our lives every single day.

            III: When I visited the bookstore, there were books on the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Benjamin Franklin etc.  Visitors also had the opportunity of purchasing chess boards, Elvis Bobble heads, hand bags, T-shirts etc.  There was pretty much everything, but food in there.  I felt that there should have been more games in the bookstore.  There shouldn’t be a limit on board games when there is an exhibit titled “Close to Home: Photographers and Their Families.”  These are activities that families should participate in when then they are bored or willing to have fun with their loved ones.  I feel that when they choose to include these type of items in the gift store, they’re more interested in educating children and adults on their history.  It’s probably very important for individuals to be aware of the history of the United States as well as Americans as a whole.  We’ve accomplished too much in society for our history to not be recognized or remembered.  Life isn’t perfect, and I’m pretty sure that it would be rather boring if didn’t have problems or challenges that we encountered on the way to success or happiness.  Sometimes our issues make us stronger as people, and it would be nice that to be shown in a portrait and included in the exhibit.

            I wish there were more happy and celebratory pictures included in the exhibit,  I chose to mention that because there were a number of pictures that I found to be kind of depressing.  I do realize that life is not all about smiles and happy faces, but I would fine it nice to view a painting or portrait of a family that actually having fun.  Even in hard times, we discover ways to smile and feel better about ourselves and situations. 

            Reproductions of artworks are worth less than the original, because any flat artwork has the potential to be reprinted.  Reproductions are usually worthless, because the originals were actually hand made or designed by just that one specific artist.  Originals are usually limited editions that carry the edition number which proves when the artwork was created.  Pretty much any work can be duplicated, but the originals are the one’s that are going share a more special significance or meaning to either the buyer or museum.   

Treatment Assignment- Good Music

All my life, I’ve been a fan of all genres of music regardless of when it was created or who created it.  My interest in music ranges from Gospel, Pop, Rock n Roll, Rap, R&B etc.  In my opinion, the most popular artists have been the individuals who discovered ways to incorporate their own life experiences within their music.  I find it easier to make a connection with music when I’m able to relate to certain songs.  We as human beings have all experienced loss, rejection, emotional pain etc.  At times, some of us may listen to music as a way of escape, relaxation or motivation.  I feel that many people may not be aware of the power, influence and affect that music has on each one of us.  One song has the ability to lift up a person’s spirit for the day.  Although record sales have been at an all time low recently because of downloading, there are certain artists who are still able to make a major impact on the billboard charts as well as on the Soundscan.  If fans have a large amount of respect or love for certain artists and musicians, they are going to find ways to support them.

            In my spare time, I enjoy reading and listening to interviews about artists discussing the creation of their upcoming albums.  It appears that a large number of artists choose to create personal songs as way of therapy.  On many occasions, different artists did not expect for these songs to skyrocket the way they did.  They didn’t intend for their more personal and intimate songs to transform into hit songs.  The fact is that their intention was to get certain things or issues off of their chest.  Music is art, and we use art as a means of expressing ourselves. Relieving stress and finally using our talents as a way of being either discovered or heard.

Telling Stories: Lies Never Survive

Lies Never Survive

(Three knocks are heard at the door.  Mrs. Stewart answers.)

Mrs. Steward: Hello Stan.

Stan: (responds in a respectful manner) Hi Mrs. Stewart.

Mrs. Stewart: How’s your Mom?

Stan: She’s actually doing fine. She just got off of work an hour ago.

Mrs. Stewart:  That’s great.  Well don’t you forget to tell her I said hi.

Stan: I won’t forget.  I’ll let her know as soon as I get home.  I promise. 

Mrs. Stewart- (smiles) If you’re looking for Rick he’s upstairs in his room.

Stan: (takes off) Thanks Mrs. Stewart.

Mrs. Stewart: And try not to make too much noise up there!  Rick’s father up there sleeping.  He has to work an extra shift tonight.

Stan: (cheerfully) We wont!!!!!

(Stan knocks on Rick’s door.  Ricks opens the door)

Rick: What’s up Stan?

Stan:  Not much.  When are you going to clean up your room?  It’s a mess in here.  Damn.

(Stan begins to sit down)

Rick: Don’t sit there!  Let me get this up first.

Stan: What was that?

Rick: My underwear.

Stan:  (Shakes his heard.) That’s nasty.  Anyways, why did you call me over here?

Rick: Oh, You wouldn’t guess who I saw today?

Stan: Who?

Rick: Adam Steinfield.

Stan: Wasn’t he in our algebra class last year? (Rick nods his head to symbol “yes”) What about him?

Rick: Well he works at FYE, and he told me that Jay’z is going to be there tomorrow doing autograph signings for his new album.  I also heard that he’s looking to sign a local rap group to Roc Nation.  I was thinking that maybe we could go down there and slip him our demo CD.

Stan: Sure. (Doesn’t believe him) Just like the last time you lied telling that Snoop Dogg was playing ball in Greg’s backyard.

Rick: Come on Stan.  Would I set you up like that?  This is me here, your friend.  And how often do we get the chance to meet Jay-z in person?  This is our shot.

Stan: Aight, that’s what’s up.  What time are we going up there tomorrow?

Rick:  Well, we should probably meet up there early before everyone else gels gets there.  I was thinking we should probably be up there at about 5 am.

Stan: That’s early.  We gotta do what we gotta do.  No grind no shine.

Rick: Right.  But don’t be late, our music career depends on it.  We’ll be celebratin  and poppin bottles in no time.

Stan:  I feel you.  I gotta go pick up my little sister from violin practice, but I’ll see you in morning alright.  Peace.

Next day

(Phone rings.  Rick answers the phone)

Rick: Hello

Andre: What’s good Rick?

Rick:  (Yarning) Shit.  I’m chillin, watching TV, and listening to music.  Not much is going on around here.

Andre:  Well, today is your big day.  The both of yall been grinding and waiting on that big break.  This is it.

Rick: What do you mean?

Andre: Rick Ross is putting on a car wash for charity this afternoon on Georgia Ave.  You two should go down there and spit a sixteen for him.  And take some songs with you.

Rick:  That’s great.  I’ll let Stan know the good news as soon as he gets here.  Peace.

Andre: Aight, make me proud.  (hangs up)

Stan (walks invisibly angry) Why did you tell me that Jay’z was going to be at the record store today?  I was asking employees about his scheduled autograph signing, and nobody knew what the hell I was talking about?  You had me up there looking like a damn fool.

Rick: (laughing). Aww man.  You actually believed me.  Haven’t you checked his touring schedule.  He’s performing in Berlin today.

Stan:  What?  You think this is a joke or something?  You had me wake up at 4 this morning knowing that he wasn’t going to be there.

Rick: (in an amusing manner/ laughing) Did he throw up the Roc sign?

Stan: You actually find this funny?

Rick:  Yeah, I didn’t think that you believed me.  It was just joke.  Anyways, Rick Ross is going to be sponsoring a Car Wash on Georgia Ave today.  Real talk.  I just got word from Andre this afternoon.  This is our chance.

Stan:  You actually think that I’m going to fall for the same trick twice?  You must be out your damn mind.

Rick:  No, I’m serious.  We’ve been working so hard on this music for the past two years.  I’m telling you.  This our ticket.  Chances like this don’t come around often.

Stan:  I’m out.  Don’t call me no more.  (exits)

RIck:  Stan,  now I apologize for what happened earlier, but you have to believe me!  I wouldn’t lie about this!

            “Lies never Survive” takes place in Northwest Washington D.C.  The play mainly focuses on two close friends who dream of someday becoming famous rap stars in the music industry.  However, one friend (Rick) gives his friend Stan false information by informing him that Jayz would be signing autographs as well scouting local talent for his record company.  Their friendship takes a turn for the worse after Stan discovers that Rick was lying about the whole situation.  Because of his dishonesty, Stan chooses not to believe Rick in the future about other music opportunities.   

            This play was actually inspired by the story “The boy who cried wolf also know as the Shepherd Boy.”  The original short story was written by Aesop.  However I was unable to locate a specific date in which it was created.  Although, I’m positive that the “Shepherd boy was written during the BC era.  The story was first written in Greek before it was translated into English.

            The play “Lies never Survive” pretty much teaches readers that you would must treat others how you would like to be treated.  There’s a time to play as well as a time to be serious.  It’s also best to be honest to the people around you.  If you’re known for always telling lies, then they will probably not believe you when you’re actually telling the truth.  I’m not saying that people should not tell lies at all, because that is not always possible.  However, you can lose the trust of the people who support you if you’re constantly being dishonest to them.  It’s becomes difficult to place your trust in someone who is known for constantly telling lies and not thinking or considering the well-being of others.   

       

My Observations of Modern Day Technology

As I was reading our first handout, there were two terms that caught my eye.  The first term was “text”, a coherent set of symbols that transmits some kind of informative message   I noticed that many times when people send text messages, they are more comfortable using abbreviations or symbols in place of larger words.  The other term was intertextuality, the theory that a literary work is not simply the product of a single author, but of its relationship to other texts and to the structures of language itself.  When I’m on Facebook, I’ve observed some of my friends post quotes of famous poets or rappers in an effort to encourage and lift the spirits of the people around them.  I’m guessing that their other friends enjoy the posts, because they would often either click “like” or simply just post a comment.

news.bbc.co.uk

To be honest, I’m actually embracing a lot of the technology that is being used by society today   However, I’m afraid to say that I do not own an iPod or MP3 player.  It still hurts for me to see others listening to whatever music they choose while they’re walking or riding on the Metro.  Nonetheless, it does surprise me to discover that my mother is even taking full advantage of the many modern day technologies that are available to us today.  It’s almost as if she is addicted to text messaging at times.  These days, I hardly get the chance to hear her voice over the phone during the day, because she would much rather send me or my sister a text message to give us new information.  I find text messaging more useful today, because I feel like I am no longer forced to have a live and verbal conversation with someone who I do not like.  I can ignore their calls and just send them a text message when I’m ready.  So in other words, this technology has worked in my favor as well as the people around me.

blog.nielsen.com

I feel like I’ve been addicted to the internet since I first discovered it at age 12.  Although, I have noticed that the internet has become more advanced than it was in the mid 90’s.  Nowadays, I’m able to watch movies, purchase books, do research, and listen to music while I’m surfing the net.  It was nothing like this in 1996.  At that time, the internet seemed to be more of a search engine than an entertainment system.  I never in a million years would have though that the internet would have become this fun and helpful.

http://valerie6.myweb.uga.edu/intertextuality.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_(literary_theory)

http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0278.html