I have followed Will Smith since he was rapping back in the day. Back then he seem to stand out, especially when he landed the lead role in The Fresh Prince Of Bell-Air. I often thought his standing out was like that of Salt N Pepa due their looks and that seemed unfair to DJ Spinderella and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Jazzy and Spinderella seem be the backbone and Will and Salt N Pepa were the camera friendly faces. But, I had to learn that it was their schtick. Since then, Smith has become one of the most powerfuliest men in show business. But here is an interesting factoid about Will. According to an episode on the E Channel, his worth is around 3.5 billion dollars, and even though Smith's accomplishments have earned him tons and tons of cash and many awards and an Oscar accolades, he has stated that he wants to do more rapping.
But what I found profound was that Will Smith turned down the lead role of Neo in the Matrix, which was offered to Keanu Reeves, for a role in the movie Wild, Wild West. Making $10-20 million. Keanu Reeves earned, from all 3 movies of the Matrix, $250 million.Still not too shabby even though turning down one of the most memorable roles in Hollywood but we don't hear either one of these guys complaining.
Billboard is always one of those sites I keep close tabs on and if you go to their site you will see 5 pictures of music artists uncontested thus far in the business.
Now, in my opinion, when watching artists struggle to make it in the business one of two things always, ALWAYS happen. Let's start with Chris Brown. A person whom I think is really smarter than most give him credit for and is secretly following in the footsteps of Kayne. Kayne??? You ask. Well, most all of Kayne's CD and album promotions have been due his "rudeness:, i.e...The Grammys with Taylor Swift and all of his tantrums. Getting a clearer picture why I compared Chris Brown to him. I think Chris Brown has wised up and risks his career, not really much of a risk since his fans will follow him ANYwhere, with tantrums. And I think these tantrums are scheduled and on purpose. The latest NBC debacle was planned and nobody can tell otherwise, and I do not hold Chris Brown solely responsible for the Rihanna thing. My reason? He just released a new cd and it cost thousands of dollars to promote such an adventure when you could DO some things to bring attention to yourself, negative or positive for free. My favorite, hands down, is "Beautiful People". At times this can backfire but since many of us are so high-strung with all of the wars the United States has involved themselves in, plus the political and racial climate can do a number on the masses. He looks better blond, or gold as some have stated. Call me an optimistic.
P!nk, I know for a fact is one of the hardest working female artists in the business. I have been following P!nk since she distributed through LaFace Records. LA Reid watched like a hawk, some would say. Others said he had her best interest at heart. Either way P!nk has become the person she wants the world to see and know. Although, I think she can sing R&B just as good as those predicted to, P!nk is like James Brown.
Until I saw the E Hollywood True Story about Katy Perry, I would have always disliked her. Mainly because I thought she sold out. I thought she sold out because her career wasn't going as she had wanted it to by selling sex instead of music. Although this IS the business, Katy Perry is an artist many underestimated and have mostly always overlooked. That is the story of many artists trying to make it. Very few musician get the recognition I think all should receive. The song that sent Katy Perry's music career into orbit was "I Kissed A Girl". There is a saying that every guy secretly loves the idea of their girlfriend or wife in a one-on-one or menage a tois. Katy was bold enough to put into song what many voiced. The song was undeniably forceful at its debut, true of many of her listeners and fans and a great sounding tune that many play in secret.
Speaking of artist underrated and overlooked, Adele is that sweet British chick. She's probably gonna kill me for saying such a thing about her. But I love Adele. I remember when I saw perform on a late night TV show, probably Craig Kilborn and I knew that eventually people would get her. "Chasing Pavement" was my introduction to her, but that wasn't what sold me on her. Back in the 80's there were 2 singers that stood out to me and were extremely underrated in their time: Allison Moyet and Helen Terry. I like Adele. I get Adele. She is fun, which is what is missing from the business.
What can I say when it comes to Lady GaGa? This is a woman who can get the eye of the world on her, play the music demanded and deliver what she promises to her distributors. As always, when another force as strong as the current surfaces war ensues amoung those following. Lady GaGa is one of those artist that you cannot deny, even if you hate her, even if you lie to yourself about her. She is a musician's musician, said Clive Davis, Whitney Houston mentor and one to sign her to Arista Records. Many compare her effectiveness to that of Madonna, and everyone knows how much Madonna was hated at the budding of her career. When Lady GaGa sat across from Elton John at the Grammy's was what convinced me that she was no fly-by-night act. She can play. She can sing. She can dance. if I were her agent I would get up each day with a smile.
I spend an incredibly amount of time on SoundCloud searching for new and different music. I found some stuff by this cool duo Space Life. Click here to sample more of their work. These guys are incredible and have given one of my favorite jams, "Rock With You" a new sound. A funny thing happened while listening to this remix (originally written by Rod Temperton) The images of Martin (Lawrence) Payne out on the dance floor at an awards party where Gina was nominated. Right after Martin had injured his back playing basketball and after a guru quack doctor fixes Martin's back pain, it took only a slap on the back, from Gina's boss that caused waves of excruciating back pains to start up again for old Marty. Everyone at the party thought Martin was a smooth dancer, with his leg extended and his toe pointed to the ground, but it was the Charlie Horses in leg and stabbing Muscle Spasms in his back that caused him to dance new moves that all of those out on the dance floor to copy him. Kind of an homage to the movie Airplane when the man pointing at the knife in the back but everyone thought he was dancing. Enjoy.
There are literally so many musicians out there and so, so many songs bouncing around in the music sector that you would have to make it a career to keep abreast with it all. So, when I come across an artist whose songs knock my socks off and leave me wondering why haven't I been listening to them, I have to remind myself of the aforementioned.
Sara Bareilles is one of those artists. If you don't know her, you should. In this video a host of other famous musicians are featured in it, and some weird little guy. i can't tell if he is a midget or has some severe defect. But I think I have seen him before but I cannot remember why. I know it ahs to do something with Youtube. Keep discovering new music and artists. It's well worth your time. Enjoy.
The song "Character" by Van Hunt is one I used to listen to heavily when it was released. The USA Network begun airing a brand new show this month called Character Approved. Van Hunt's song came back to mind as I watched this program. The show is a documentary honoring 12 people from various backgrounds and charting the success in their lives and how that success has affected others. Now, I didn't write this to promote a cable show (too late, indirectly), I wrote this blog because back in the day this song struck me to my core. The experiences of an epiphanies resurfaced that the true content of a man and woman is key to doing almost anything and being the best you can be. And, how character really makes the person or the lack of it can a person and leave them void signs of life came flooding back. It was as if I was listening to this song for the first time. Further speaking of that show, a musician I admire allot is being honored: Janelle Monae. And below is a synopses and a question that is asked of each person honored.
WHY JANELLE MONÁE IS CHARACTER APPROVED
Singer, songwriter, dancer, futuristic funkstress—and now, Character Approved honoree—Janelle Monáe and her music transcend genre and definition. With a unique and soulful voice, the Kansas City native first burst onto the music scene in 2007 with her EP Metropolis. Her songs—and her distinctive style—have garnered a Grammy nomination. In 2010, Monáe released the brilliant and imaginative The ArchAndroid (Suites II & III), which was lauded as one of the best albums of the year by the industry and fans alike. It broke into the Billboard Top 20 and earned her two more Grammy nods. It won't be long before this character's music is on everyone's playlist. When finishing up this blog I thought it appropriate to post a song that best explains why I think Janelle Monae is more than character approved but that this song is the sole reason and first exposure to her and the reason why I started buying her music.
One of the Kings of House music turns almost every song he remixes to gold. As long as I can remember, my love for music often trades orbit with the remix of a song. I remember remixes by James D-Train, Curtis Blow and Whodini which dates my notice of the remix all the way back to the 70's. Back then, the remix was not as big as it is today, almost a trillion dollar industry within the business.
Since Nicole Scherzinger won the Popstar finals, she hasn't let me down. Quickly forming a tandem with The Pussycat Dolls and currently involved in a solo project, with a brand new release "Don't Hold Your Breath" (Kaskade Mix). I'm really excited about this new solo album because I think we will see the person that we should have seen right after her win at Popstar. This tune is a smoker. However, this particular cut from Kaskade's Youtube does not have funky intro that found on the internet. Check it on my blog's playlist in the righthand colomn (What I'm Currently Replaying)
I had forgotten that Oprah Winfrey would have a special featuring young musical geniuses in the music business. When I realized it, it was already 4 o'clock. Turned on the TV and Willow was singing this song. I barely missed its debut. Well now iTunes and other venues have the finished version of Willow Smith's "21st Century Girl". Such fire and passion reflects from within herself coming from the woman in her foreground, her role model, her icon, her mother, Jada Pinkett Smith.
I have followed Will Smith since he was rapping back in the day. Back then he seem to stand out, especially when he landed the lead role in The Fresh Prince Of Bell-Air. I often thought his standing out was like that of Salt N Pepa due their looks and that seemed unfair to DJ Spinderella and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Jazzy and Spinderella seem be the backbone and Will and Salt N Pepa were the camera friendly faces. But, I had to learn that it was their schtick. Since then, Smith has become one of the most powerfuliest men in show business. But here is an interesting factoid about Will. According to an episode on the E Channel, his worth is around 3.5 billion dollars, and even though Smith's accomplishments have earned him tons and tons of cash and many awards and an Oscar accolades, he has stated that he wants to do more rapping.
