Chris Brown’s violent tat goes viral

Seriously, what the hell was he even thinking?

If you haven’t seen Chris Brown’s new tattoo, you can get a glimpse of it here. For those of us who either A. are from Hispanic heritage, B. know what the heck the Day of the Dead is, or C. find sugar skulls trendy and hot and, like, so cool as so many people are meaninglessly doing these days, we get what it is for a moment. And it makes us wonder what Brown might be doing this Halloween, or if he’s going to leave out an offering for his dead family members.

For those who don’t, it might be reminiscent of Brown’s attack of his ex-girlfriend Rhianna and subsequent adoration by the public when, not long afterward, he was awarded a Grammy. Since, you know, our culture could care less about beating women.

Even if it’s supposed to be a Day of the Dead skull, it’s not a great one, is it? It could be much more beautiful, or at least less violent; this one features beaten human characteristics, such as a black eye, a beaten face, and a mouth that is half tied-shut. Yeah, you show this image to a woman who’s experienced relationship violence and she’s not going to think, “Ah, he’s respecting his ancestors!” but instead, “Ah, he made a trophy to display after popping Rhianna in the face.”

And that’s just what this seems to be to many people, despite several fans (perhaps the same ones who claimed he could beat them any day) defending his new body art. Brown must know this. If he really wanted this kind of art on his body, could he not have at least placed it in a more inconspicuous space? Or did his Grammy and performance at the awards ceremony—and all of the support that followed—prove to him that his actions truly had no consequences, and that beating a woman is not something to be remorseful for, but to be proud of doing?

I’ve already written about how idolizing people who are violent only furthers the culture that accepts it (see link above), but I really think that this action by Brown only serves to further prove my point. Had he felt any remorse—had he even felt that what he did was wrong—I really doubt he would have felt compelled to tattoo the face of a beaten dead woman on his neck where the world could see it and identify him with his despicable actions.

Cover it up, Chris.

Katy Perry’s “ET” is a huge disappointment

The song is spacey! And fun! And it teaches women to welcome attackers!

Is anyone else reminded of the singsong ball game refrain, “We need a pitcher, not a belly itcher!” every time Katy Perry’s “ET” comes on the radio? If not, I bet you will now!

The song is catchy, for sure, and though I am admittedly a Katy Perry fan (as well as a sci-fi fan), I am NOT a fan of rape. Or of rape culture. Or of teaching kids to want to be abducted, as this song does. I just watched this entertaining video commentary on the song, and while I’m not convinced that it’s satanic, I am pretty alarmed at realizing what the lyrics do say—I must confess that I hadn’t paid much attention to them until today—and that little girls are repeating them just like they’re repeating the mumbled acquiescences of Bella Swan and her were-vamp victimhood.

Katy Perry invites little girls in on her adventure, and I didn’t mind up until now—not that “Teenage Dream” (a song I happen to adore, by the way) is appropriate for little girls, but “Firework” certainly is a timely, appropriate, and uplifting song that my daughter loves. When you see previews to her movie (which are shown during the previews to Brave, also intended for children), she’s surrounded by children quite a bit. This is celebrated.

One thing I am not celebrating, however, is her use of lyrics like “Take me/ wanna be your victim” and “ready for abduction.” The lyric “fill me with your poison” isn’t something I’m quite fond of, either, but it’s the other two (as well as some of the lyrics that Kanye West sings in the song) that really bother me. Did Perry really not think about what these words mean? I get that she’s talking about alien abduction (and her surreal video illustrates that, which is kind of fun) but she’s also talking about a love relationship, something in which abduction and being a victim do. Not. Belong.

Knowing that girls are singing these lyrics makes me sob just as badly as knowing that they read literature about being victims and think it’s romantic. It’s not. Our culture teaches girls that they are valued by their bodies and that rape is their own damn fault (“Carry a whistle! Travel in groups! Watch your drink!”) when we need to be teaching them to value themselves from the inside out and that rape is the fault of a rapist, period! We certainly don’t need to teach them to romanticize it; our culture has done that far enough.

Ms. Perry, I would really love to hear more songs like “Firework,” especially since so many girls look up to you and repeat the lyrics you sing. Could you please keep that in mind the next time you think about such lyrics? In the meantime, I’m singing over you during that refrain that I abhor so much.

“We need a batter, not a broken ladder…”

Madonna’s 41st Chart Topping Number One Hit

Madonna has been lighting up the Billboard music charts all over again with her Dance/Club Play song called, “Give Me All Your Luvin”, that will jump from number two to number one in the coming music chart set release March 31st and this will be posted on the website Billboard.com this coming Thursday March 22nd.  The personal achievement of Madonna has given her a number one chart topping hit for four consecutive decades such as the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s, and ‘10s. Madonna has managed to beat out Janet Jackson who has 19 chart topping hits.  “Luvin” (featuring Nicki Minaj, M.I.A.) is the first song off of Madonna’s album, “MDNA”.  Other popular artists featured on her album are LMFAO, Laidback Luke and Nicky Romero.  Additional chart topping singles off of her MDNA album,”Girl Gone Wild,” on the Dance/Club Play chart, and it will jump from number 46 all the way up to 20 in the coming week. 

Madonna has been in action for more than thirty years ago.  In chronological order here are Madonna’s 41 number one hits within the Dance/Club Play chart topper songs.

“1983, "Holiday/Lucky Star" (five weeks; double-sided chart single) 
1984, "Like a Virgin" (three weeks) 
1985, "Material Girl" 
1985, "Angel/Into the Groove" (double-sided chart single) 
1987, "Open Your Heart" 

1987, "Causing a Commotion (Remix)" 
1988, "You Can Dance (LP Cuts)" 
1989, "Like a Prayer" (two weeks) 
1989, "Express Yourself" (three weeks) 
1990, "Keep It Together" 

1990, "Vogue" (two weeks) 
1991, "Justify My Love" (two weeks) 
1992, "Erotica" 
1993, "Deeper and Deeper" 
1993, "Fever" 

1994, "Secret" (two weeks) 
1995, "Bedtime Story" 
1997, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" 
1998, "Frozen" (two weeks) 
1998, "Ray of Light" (four weeks) 

1999, "Nothing Really Matters" (two weeks) 
1999, "Beautiful Stranger" (two weeks) 
2000, "American Pie" 
2000, "Music" (five weeks) 
2001, "Don't Tell Me" 

2001, "What It Feels Like for a Girl" 
2001, "Impressive Instant" (two weeks) 
2002, "Die Another Day" (two weeks) 
2003, "American Life" 
2003, "Hollywood" 

2003, "Me Against the Music," Britney Spears featuring Madonna (two weeks) 
2004, "Nothing Fails" 
2004, "Love Profusion" 
2005, "Hung Up" (four weeks) 
2006, "Sorry" (two weeks) 

2006, "Get Together" 
2006, "Jump" (two weeks) 
2008, "4 Minutes," Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland (two weeks) 
2008, "Give It 2 Me" 
2009, "Celebration" 

2012, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," Madonna featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.”  Billboard.com. Madonna to Score 41st No. 1 on Dance/Club Play Songs. 

 

 

Reference:  http://www.billboard.com/news/adele-s-21-longest-running-no-1-album-since-1006310752.story#/news/madonna-to-score-41st-no-1-on-dance-club-1006488352.story

 

What is Pop Music?

Pop music is the medium of a pop stars. A genre of popular music which is recognized by everyone not just on the people who works in a music industry, but as well as to people who are just a fan of a pop icon. Pop music is very eclectic. Generally the length of the songs is from short to medium which is written in a basic format where the structure is verse-chorus. It makes the usage of repeated choruses. Have a melodic sound which is very catchy.  Pure pop music such as power pop features the elements of urban, dance, rock, Latin and country. It uses the electric guitars, drums and a bass as an instrument. Pop music should be pleasurable and very appealing to the audience. Just like the music of Madonna, Cindy Lauper in late 1980’s or 1990’s. But in today’s generation, the music of Adele and Justine Bieber are the hottest pop music which always hit the billboard music chart. Their albums always reach millions. In today’s music, Adele’s “21” albums spend 22nd week atop the billboard 200 chart; it is now the longest-running no.1 album. If Adele’s album become number one. The late Whitney Houston’s “Whitney: the Greatest hits” holds the no.2 spot on the billboard music chart. While her singles “I will always love you” which became everybody’s favorite and a master piece in a singing contest slides 2-13 on the Digital song chart. Next to Whitney is the fun’s second album “some Nights” holds the no.3 spot on the music chart. Tyga’s debut album “Careless world: Rise of the last king “now amazingly starts at the no.4 spot.

 

 

Reference:

http://www.billboard.com/news/adele-s-21-longest-running-no-1-album-since-1006310752.story#/news/adele-s-21-longest-running-no-1-album-since-1006310752.story

Rihanna’s New Song Brings Controversy

The new pop song of Rihanna entitled, “Birthday Cake” featuring her former boyfriend, Chris Brown hasn’t drawn favorable votes from music listeners.  Some have even deleted it from their song selection because of Rihanna and Chris Brown teaming up together. The song does not convey a positive message from a woman who was abused almost three years ago and the lyrics do not speak of true reconciliation, but instead is about sexual play.

Rihanna’s song, “Birthday Cake,” creates a negative stir from the people who admired her and even considered her as a role model when she came out and talked about her violent altercation that lead to domestic violence with her former boyfriend, Chris Brown.  People thought that Rihanna was the perfect spokeswoman against domestic violence, who would stand for women who are victims of domestic abuse, but instead she snatched the respect from the people who admired her. What is worst is she teamed up with her violent ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown by making the “Birthday Cake” song.

It has also shown that Rihanna cannot handle her part as a role model when she released her video, “Rockstar 101,” where she labeled herself as a bad girl, not a girl next door.  Instead of making herself as a role model, she told her fans and the people that she is a rock star, not a role model.  Rihanna cannot handle herself when it comes to relationships and cannot even advocate the cries of those women especially teenage girls like her who are victims of abuse,  despite her bad experience three years ago.

 

Reference:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-glanton-rihanna-20120228,0,6575567.story

 

Remembering Whitney is Natural

So save us the self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude.

After the death of Whitney Houston, all over Facebook there was a rallying cry to stop celebrating the beloved singer and start celebrating some man in the military who died, or some firefighter, or someone who lost a limb, and so on. While I will wholeheartedly acknowledge that these people definitely deserve recognition for their achievements and sacrifices—as well as the fact that they opted to make these sacrifices and recognized the possible consequences—you cannot blame the average Joe for not knowing who these people are. How are we supposed to know that someone committed an act of heroism when all we are fed day in and day out is the various exploits of pop stars, and occasionally politicians?

Don’t be self-righteous and say you’re not going to wax and wane about Whitney Houston because she was no hero. When your favorite singer dies, I am sure that you will be beside yourself; what a lucky position to have, and how privileged and fortunate you must be in order to sniff that one celebrity’s death makes no difference whatsoever.

For all you know, Houston could have saved someone. There are performers who served our country. There are also performers who served in USO shows, or who even simply inspired people with their lives. I wonder if anyone ever heard “One Moment in Time” and decided not to kill him or herself? I wonder if anyone ever saw Whitney’s abuse at the hands of her husband and said, “That’s it. I am going to stop. And I hope that he stops, too,” or maybe even left an abusive partner because of it. We have no way of knowing.

But the overall response here is natural anyway. When someone dies, they are gone forever—and when it’s this young, it hurts even worse. It’s only natural to grieve someone that you feel like you know through her music, movies, and public life. I’ve also seen the same people who grieved over Heath Ledger claim that they won’t be doing so when it comes to Houston. Seriously? Why pick and choose? Any death is a time to mourn, whether it is soldier or teacher, celebrity or homeless person without a name. So stop being so flippant about loss and let people grieve. And by the way, that means to not judge people on how they grieve, either, so if it means listening to her music, dancing to her songs, or even blogging about her, it’s all valid.

Bruce Springsteen in Back in Business

Do you still remember the American singer-songwriter and guitarist who achieved an iconic status in American popular music? Well, the member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Bruce Springsteen who is known for his down-to-earth image is back. Yes! The 15 Grammys, an Oscar award winner is back! Springsteen will be premiering a new song under the “Wrecking Ball”. This is a collection of 11 new songs which will be release on March 6th. “We Take Care of Our Own” will be the lead-off track and the first single from the album. They said that the lyrics of the song tell us a story that cannot be heard anywhere else.

Long-time fans and new fans to the music of Bruce Springsteen are expected to find much to love on “Wrecking Ball”. Springsteen is going to have a tour together with the E Street Band which will be open on May 13th in Seville, Spain. There will be also an announcement of 31 shows in 26 European cites. There are still to be detailed on more dates including the U.S. This will be Bruce Springsteen’s first recordings and tours after the death of saxophonist Clarence “Big Man” Clemons who died last year due to complications from a massive stroke. The “Wrecking Ball” is the forthcoming album of Bruce Springsteen will be busy promoting ahead of the new album and concerts for the next 10 days. The lead-off track is said to a tightrope walking songs about the America. The lyrics are just nebulous enough to of course avoid the political side of the United States.   Aside from recordings and tours, Bruce Springsteen will also be the keynote speaker for the Southwest Music Conference.

 

Reference:  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/02/snap-judgment-bruce-springsteen-easy-money.html

2012 Grammy Awards Recap

The Grammy award was a night full of suspense and surprises where great artists and wonderful music was awarded and given honor. This is the night where all stars dress-up and gather to witness the most awaited event of the year. Several artists were given a chance to showcase their talent during their production numbers. On the 2012 Grammy award Adele was the big winner of the night. She walked away with six Grammy awards which included Record of the Year for 21` and Song the Year for “Rolling in the Deep”.

Truly Adele was the shiniest star of the night. Although Adele was the big winner, there was a moving tribute for the fallen songbird Whitney Houston. Host LL Cool J opens the solemn note. He lead the audience in a prayer to the late Whitney Houston. Everybody was shock regarding with the unexpected news of her passing. Whitney Houston was about to make a major comeback to the music industry.

In fact she was present during the pre-Grammy awards hosted by Clive Davis. During the Grammy Awards Whitney’s music was played to give honor to her contribution to the industry. Jennifer Hudson choked back tears as she paid tribute to the late artist. She was emotional as she sang “I Will Always Love You” she changed the last line to “Whitney, we will always loves you”. Whitney was a legend and an icon. The night also featured the performance of Lil Wayne, David Guetta and Bruno Mars.  Rihanna’s ex boyfriend Chris Brown, who won Best R&B Album for F, A, M, E returned to Grammy stage to after their very infamous fight.

 

Reference:  http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/stars-mourn-whitney-houston-at-grammy-awards/story-e6frf9hf-1226269588189

RIP, Whitney

One of America’s most talented vocalists and tragic artists is dead at age 48.

While Whitney Houston’s death may not be a total shock to everyone—particularly flippant youth who can only regurgitate jokes they’ve heard about her from SNL or Mad TV—to many of her fans, it does mark the loss of a great talent. I can remember back when I first fell in love with Whitney Houston. I was about eight years old, which would have made it 1990. My aunt, who always shared her amazing music collection of records and cassette tapes with me when I visited, let me listen to her Whitney Houston tape. I fell in love instantly.

With songs like “How Will I Know?” and “I Want to Dance with Somebody,” how could I not? I remember singing these songs with my best friend, both of us using hairbrushes—and later Nickelodeon microphones that probably came with happy meals or something—as we skidded around in the basement in our socks, the space heater blasting our legs as we crooned about boys we’d never even met yet.

When The Bodyguard was released, you can bet we were obsessed with her rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” both of us attempting to get the vocalizations right and failing miserably. Who could ever do Whitney justice? Divas like Celine Dion and Christina Aguilera have since followed, surely becoming big sensations—but nobody’s voice has ever come close to Houston’s, in my eyes (and ears). Remember when she remade Chaka Khan’s amazing “I’m Every Woman” song? I have goose bumps thinking about it. We all are every woman, and no matter how many men sing about it, it takes a woman to really feel and recognize it. That song could be used to exemplify any rights movement, any case against worldwide genital mutilation or systematic rape or trafficking while simultaneously being our anthem to simply be ourselves, without the media’s influence.

Whitney Houston had plenty of problems, and I won’t say that her life itself was a good example for young girls to follow. But I have yet to see a similar talent that my daughter could dance to in the kitchen with big sunglasses on in another couple of years, feeling empowered and smitten at the same time as she uses whatever eight-inch device is available as a microphone. As I’ve felt with many stars who’ve passed on before their time, her death is tragic, as was much of her life. I send out my heartfelt condolences to her friends and family who really knew her, as well as other fans who were touched by her gorgeous music.

 

54th Grammy Awards Showdown!

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards are coming to town at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  The award show will be featuring the first dance music segment.  The Grammy show producer Ken Ehrlich decided to go all out this year by putting the spotlight featuring several of the Grammy nominees Deadmau5, Chris Brown, the Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, and David Guetta.  They will be performing in a tent area among 1000 screaming fans. 

Dance music didn’t receive its own category until the year 2003 with the best dance field/recording however the music hasn’t been featured with its own part in the show.

The focus is that they want is to try to put the audience at home right in the middle so that it will mean more than sitting down and watching the Grammy Award Show. The dance segment will have four cameras from the audience area as the Foo Fighters performs Deadmau5’s his remixed adaptation of the band’s song called, “Rope.”  Deadmau5 earned his first Grammy nomination for his song, “Rope”.  Chris Brown and Lil’ Wayne will perform together with David Guetta. 

Ken Ehrlich said that this special dance segment performance reflects the overall popularity of the dance music period over the last several years.  There are many other performers in the Grammy show such as my personal favorite Adele who sings beautifully.  Other Grammy performers are Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Diana Krall, Joe Walash, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Pul McCartney, Taylor Swift, duet from Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood.  A moving tribute of the late amazing singer Etta James done by Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt.  The Beach Boys including Brian Wilson will reunite after over 20 years. 

Reference:  http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/02/07/54th-annual-grammy-awards-to-feature-first-dance-music-segment/

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