History of Hip-Hop

 I was really excited this morning to hear that there's an actual hip-hop sociology class at the prestigious Georgetown University focused on the one and only Jay-Z. This makes me wish I could pay another semester's worth of tuition just to take a class like that. When I was in college there was a course on hip-hop history as well as DJ history but since I happened to not receive the best registration time, it was an unfulfilled dream.
 However as much as I'd like to revisit the days of yore, I'm glad this class is being offered. Now of course some of you reading may have a disdain for hip-hop but let's face it, it's not going anywhere. And for all the criticism it endures, the same could be applied to other genres. Hip-hop is targeted mainly because it was a genre that broke the unwritten rules of music, but didn't rock and roll? Either way, how hip-hop has influenced our culture is very important.
 I will be honest and say, I'm not the biggest hip-hop head but I respect and appreciate it's finer points. There are so many things about it that give commentary to society and race that are fascinating. It also serves as a great way to have a good time. I mean who doesn't get happy to hear "Rapper's Delight?"
 Anyways, Professor Michael Eric Dyson used Jay-Z since he is considerably the greatest living rapper and a multi-media mogul who has transitioned into the mainstream due to his business savvy and his commitment to helping others in music and in life. I think Jay-Z is the best ambassador of new school hip-hop with old school ideas. I read Decoded over the summer and it is one of the most fascinating books you can read. Jay-Z talks about his rhymes as I would imagine Shakespeare mentioned his works.
 Word play, cultural references, and analogies frame his work and more importantly he says his rhymes are not all fact. Will this soothe the parents in middle America? I doubt it, but if you don't understand something, the best way to learn about it is to immerse yourself in it.
 The clip from "Today" shows kids at Georgetown doing just that, immersing themselves in issues they may not have experienced. While there are students who understand Jay-Z's raps from a personal standpoint, the class seems to open all of the students' eyes to the complexities of everyday life and how we're more alike than different. Now that's what I call higher learning.

Jay-Z Class

Dumb and Dumber

 If you've heard in the past couple of days Vinnie of Jersey Shore fame recorded a rap song (ear curdling scream #1) and in one verse talks about having sex with some poor drunk guidette "like he's raping it" (ear curdling scream #2). It was bad enough he insulted our musical intelligence by releasing music, it's even worse that he's mentioned something as horrible and sensitive as rape.
 Whoever gave him this opportunity needs to be slapped and so does Vinnie. When has rape ever been a popular subject? And if it has, is it ever appropriate to mention it in the same breath as consensual sex? Okay then, you see my point. Rape is a horrible experience that should never be compared to pleasure in any way.
 And furthermore, it is in bad taste to actually think you can change the public opinion in the confines of a rap song. No matter if you are a publicity hound like these cray-crays from Seaside Heights or Slim Shady himself, it's never going to work.
 My thing is this, it's bad enough we have to deal with these fools in reality television, but how about for once not letting them impose their stupidity in other mediums. There's enough stupidity from career musicians to solve that problem.

JB Aims for a JT

 Justin Bieber just released his Christmas album which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Now, he's readying his next release for early 2012. However, in place of "Baby", the vibe he's looking to attract is one of "Lady."
 Is it possible? Well, that depends on the appetite of the Belieber community and the quality Bieber is looking to give his fans. In a recent interview with MTV, he stated that he's inspired by fellow teen star turned adult megastar Justin Timberlake and his FutureSex/LoveSounds album. Not necessarily by the content, but the idea of a new sound.
 Unfortunately, I think it may not work unless he really focuses on being a pure expression of his life at the moment. What made Justin Timberlake's effort succeed was the fact that he was older and people saw him in such a way.
 When we (or maybe I) look at Justin Bieber, I think of the annoying kid I went to school with. However, to be fair that can be said for a lot of people in show business but I digress. Justin Bieber is part of another generation and to me, his image has been so managed and staged, that it's hard to know what he really wants to do.
 Now of course, I'm not talking about his charity efforts, I applaud the fact that he aims to give back and cherish his fans. But in terms of his musical persona, I can't see any real maturity.
 But then again, it might work to his advantage. He could surprise us or not. Either way, it'll be a water-cooler moment.

Bieber Wants to Grow Up