Why we need to stop glorifying celebrities

BY DREW DANIELS

     All over the entertainment world, from films, to music and to sports, celebrities are displayed as the epitome of beauty, class and elegance. People look up to these celebrities and view them as role models. 

     Everything about them is viewed as being in a state perfection. They have the best clothes, the best cars and the best friends. However, many celebrities that our society puts on a grand pedestal are poor influences and not people who members of society should be looking up to.

     Granted, many celebrities use their fame to better the world and are fantastic human beings. They contribute to society and are positive role models. People such as Bono and Ellen DeGeneres fight to make the world a better place. They give to others and use their influence to inspire hope.

     However, there are some stars that people, especially young adults, look up to and probably shouldn’t. Many stars today are “famous for being famous,” and contribute nothing to society. Often these celebrities have been arrested or have been involved in scandals.

     People such as Kim Kardashian and Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi continue to receive media coverage boosting their popularity. By feeding celebrities’ egos when they get into trouble furthers the problem. It is as if the more a celebrity fails as a human being, the more famous he or she becomes.

     The stars are not entirely at fault however. The public continues to admire these people. Did everyone just forget that Chris Brown beat up Rihanna? It is appalling to see that his album sales are still at the top of the charts, and he is still performing sold out shows.

     We live in a materialistic society that bases success on how many nice things someone owns. We look up to stars because they’re rich and pretty, and it is further corrupting the way we think. Instead of vilifying convicted felons, we give them attention and welcome them into our popular culture.

     As a whole, we need to completely redefine the way we view celebrities, and stars need to understand their influence. I believe it is a duty of those who possess fame to contribute positively to society. The media and the public need to change how they think. Everyone, including me, needs to shift the way celebrities are viewed if we want to continue to be a productive society.

The Art of Sampling (and the right ways to use it)

BY DREW DANIELS

         Taking previously recorded music and using it in another piece is hardly a new idea. Sampling tracks, instruments or parts or recordings has been around since disk jockeying and electronic music became popular in the 1970s and ‘80s.

         Even though legal issues and arguments about artistic integrity have arisen due to the increasing popularity of sampling, I believe that, when used properly, sampling adds to the originality of the song.

         When does a sampled track cease to be original music? Is sampling a song in another track still considered an original work of art? Many old-school musicians view sampling as a form of cheating and a lack of creativity. Instead of creating an original beat or rhythm, artists use someone else's.

         Others view sampling as innovative and revolutionary. Most hip-hop and electronic tracks use samples and producers such as Kanye West and 9th Wonder use samples to boost their artistic expression, either by taking their own spin on a popular beat or using only small parts of a track to give their song an influential flair.

         While using samples does take other artists’ recorded tracks, I have seen it used in imaginative ways that give the music a signature and memorable sound.

           Kanye West’s song “Power” is completely based around the King Crimson song “21^st Century Schizoid Man” as well as many other minor samples that West makes work together. The result is an original, creative piece that helped West realize the emotion of his song.

         Many artists misuse sampling and it has caused serious criticism. In the late ‘90s, parody newspaper The Onion published an article titled, “New rap song samples ‘Billy Jean’ in its entirety, adds nothing.”

         Producer and Grammy winner 9th Wonder discussed the “art of sampling,” in a video interview on YouTube and how he uses sampling to enhance his music. He describes the talent and creativity needed to properly use samples creatively, and I agree. Taking samples from a song and completely reimagining it into an original work of art is a talent that very few people possess.

            Rapper Mac Miller is currently being sued by legendary rapper Lord Finesse over Miller’s song “Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza.”

According to Rolling Stone the lawsuit reads: "This is a case about a teenage rapper – Mac Miller – copying the music from a song written, produced and performed by Lord Finesse, a hip-hop legend, changing the title and then distributing it under his own name in order to launch his music career."

         Sampling is not about cheating or stealing other artist’s music. It’s about reimagining it into something creative and completely new. Unfortunately, many artists miss this purpose.

         The legality of sampling is another issue throughout the music industry. Even with today’s regulations, new copyright laws and intellectual property laws, the argument on the legality of sampling and the proper ways to gain clearance are highly debated.

          Since clearing a sample generally involves paying a large sum of money to the rights holders, many artists simply bypass clearance. Though today most professionals clear samples, many lawsuits have been filed in recent years.

         Artists such as Biggie Smalls, Danger Mouse and the Beastie Boys have been sued over the use of samples in their music. Though the courts have ruled that the use of some samples that haven’t been cleared is legal, a large dispute still exists on both sides.

         Finding a fair balance between using sampling and creating original material is imperative when keeping musical integrity. It is very easy to overuse sampling and lose the originality in a song; however, the use and increasing popularity of sampling is an original form of musical expression and inspiration.

Album Review: Lightning

BY DREW DANIELS
     Sometimes music is created just for the purpose of partying to it, and that is exactly what alternative dance/ indie rock duo Matt and Kim have created in their most recent album, Lightning. Fun and upbeat throughout, Matt and Kim have moved into a more dance genre without compromising their classic sound.

     The biggest difference in the sound of Lightning is the apparent use of computerized sounds rather than more acoustic piano sounds. Songs such as “Now” and “Overexposed” are pure dance songs (with a recognizable Matt and Kim flair.) Matt and Kim’s mix of old and new sounds is what makes Lightning such a memorable album.

     Many songs such as “Let’s Go” and “It’s Alright” have sing-a-long choruses, that sound like anthems. With these new songs, Matt and Kim’s concerts are sure to be even more of a party than before.

     Not everything takes influence of Matt and Kim’s new sound. Many tracks like “Not That Bad” and “Ten Dollars I Found” go back to the roots of Matt and Kim’s music, pulling influences from “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” and “Lessons Learned.”  

While recording Lightning, Matt and Kim went back to their home studio. This DYI approach to their music is what Matt and Kim is known for, and it shows off in their music. Lighting is real, and created exactly how the artists intended.  

     Lighting is just an album about having a party. The use of swells and electronic sounds mix well Matt and Kim’s classic sounds creating a fun, memorable album expected of the duo.   

Opinion: Frank Ocean breaks down homophobic barriers in the music community

BY DREW DANIELS

          A radical culture shift on the topic of gay tolerance is taking place throughout the country and the hip-hop community is, unexpectedly, supporting this change in the status quo. The hip-hop community has generally been a homophobic one, but recently the rap game has become more accepting.

         On July 4, R&B artist Frank Ocean posted a letter on his Tumblr publicly stating his homosexuality. Ocean is the first artist to come out in the modern hip-hop scene, and the support among his peers has been overwhelmingly positive. Russell Simmons, a business magnate in hip-hop even wrote an article in Global Grind, an entertainment publication, praising Ocean.

         "Today is a big day for hip-hop. It is a day that will define who we really are,” Simmons said in the article. “Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear.”

         Ten years ago, careers were ruined if an artist in the hip-hop community was discovered, or rumored, to be gay. Support has been coming from inside the community and out. Artists such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Tyler, The Creator have posted their support of Ocean publicly.

         The results of how this will affect Ocean’s career will not be known until he has gained more popularity from his debut album, Channel Orange, which was released July 10, just days after his announcement. However, the positive uproar his post has sparked is definitely a strong step forward for the gay community to find acceptance in hip-hop, and the music industry as a whole.

         Unfortunately, not everyone has been accepting of Ocean. According to The New York Times, Ocean has received death threats over social networks, and artists including Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne have remained silent on the topic. Stevie Wonder, during an interview, stated a seemingly homophobic comment. However, he quickly apologized in support of Ocean. Most spiteful comments are being drowned out by the support of a majority of hip-hop artists and fans.

         The issue of gay marriage and gay acceptance has been a growing controversy, especially with President Obama’s support of gay marriage and Chick-Fil-A’s activism against it. I praise Ocean for helping the effort of the gay community, and I believe that his announcement will help move this issue in the direction of acceptance.

         Hopefully, this will encourage other artists, in every genre, to be accepting of others’ sexuality, and continue to support quality music regardless of the artist’s sexual preference. Tolerance can easily be reached through the power of music and support of artists from every background and orientation. 

Top News Stories From Around The Web- 8/14

All the top news stories for today, compiled into one place.

What's in store for No Doubts first album release in 11 years?
http://www.billboard.com/features/no-doubt-the-billboard-cover-story-1007816552.story#/features/no-doubt-the-billboard-cover-story-1007816552.story

The best and worst of San Fransico's music festival, Outside Lands
http://www.spin.com/#gallery/outside-lands-2012s-bests-busts?image=1

Surfer Blood frontman arrested
http://pitchfork.com/news/47420-surfer-bloods-john-paul-pitts-arrested-for-battery/

Taylor Swift's new single is based off, you guessed it, another ex
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1691750/taylor-swift-we-are-never-ever-about-her-ex.jhtml

A first look at Dispatch's new album, Circles Around the Sun
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-premiere-dispatch-re-energizes-for-circles-around-the-sun-20120814

Album Review: Perfectly Imperfect

BY DREW DANIELS-ROSENBERG

Allow us to go back, to a time before auto-tune and tone-deaf singers. A time where a voice was a powerful instrument and lyrics had meaning. Elle Varner brings back the best of those times, while adding a new flare with her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect. Varner’s powerful, and beautiful, raspy voice, combines the best of R&B/Hip-hop with singer/songwriter soul.

The two singles released for Perfectly Imperfect, “Only Wanna Give It To You” (featuring J. Cole) and “Refill” are sure to be large radio successes, but are nothing compared to the strong, sometimes breathtaking performances displayed as the album continues.

“I Don’t Care” is one of those awe-inspiring tracks. The verses begin soft and simple, which makes way for the brilliant and powerful chorus. As the song continues, the vocals only become more intense and the production builds into a crescendo that can make a grown man melt.

Along with songs that showcase Varner’s original and commanding voice, are more upbeat, fun songs such as “So Fly” and “Oh What A Night.” These songs add a pop flare to the album, blending old influences with new ones.

The production of Perfectly Imperfect is also reminiscent of classic R&B. The use of violins, brass instruments and complimenting background vocals all add to the large production that boosts Varner’s talent and songwriting abilities.

Elle Varner has entered the mainstream music scene with a bang. Her classic vocal style brings a new feel to hip-hop, one that mixes both intense soulful vocals with upbeat, modern sounds. Perfectly Imperfect is a near perfect way too start off a career, and Elle Varner is sure to be staying in the spotlight. 

Album Review: Gossamer

   
BY DREW DANIELS-ROSENBERG  

     

     Following their commercially successful debut album, Passion Pit returns with Gossamer. Continuing with their unique electro/rock sound, Passion Pit takes what they have already succeeded with, while further mastering their sound.

     Gossamer begins fun and upbeat with “Take A Walk” and “I’ll Be Alright.” Their catchy hooks and creative synth sounds-which are comparable to those used in their “Manners” single, “Sleepyhead”- perfectly blend with live drums and guitar.

     Tracks such as “Cry Like A Ghost,” “Mirrored Sea,” and “On My Way” hold a more epic feel with vibes that create sing-a-long anthems.

     As Gossamer progresses, the songs slow down and become more intense. Though many songs still remain upbeat and optimistic, the lyrics become the main focus of the songs, showing Passion Pit’s true artistic ability.

     With the release of Gossamer, Passion Pit holds on to their recognizable and original sound, while improving themselves as musicians. Gossamer is a brilliant, fun and artistic album, and Passion Pit succeeds in making their sophomore album as powerful and iconic as their first.