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Pop Rock Nation

Category: People

all-about-musicians-and-the-people-who-help-them-make-music

  • “Jockin’ Jay-Z”: Mmm…Not So Much

    I love Jay-Z. There’s a lot to be said for the guy’s business acumen. From releasing his debut in 1996 on an independent label to serving as the president of Def Jam and owning everything from vodka brands to clothing lines, the man has definitely parlayed the little he was given into a hell of a lot.

    Plus, the guy’s talented as shit. Unfortunately, a problem that’s plagued him since the beginning of his career is that he’s like the smart kid in class who is going to get “A”s and “B”s regardless, but doesn’t really apply himself. He doesn’t really challenge himself and the end result is that you end up with a talented kid turning in mediocre work. That’s Jay in a nutshell. For every “99 Problems” or “Kingdom Come” (the song, not the album), there’s something like “Blue Magic” or…well, half of “The Blueprint 2”.

    …and the first leaked track from the upcoming “Blueprint 3” (Jay’s last before he departs Def Jam for Live Nation and a shitload of greeenbacks) is a shining example of a great rapper making shitty records. First off, considering Jay is pushing 40 and sitting in executive suites, it’s time to stop thinking that his art has any sort of resonance with young kids in urban communities. He’s out of touch. It’s time to grow his sound and his lyrics up a little, something that he showed a glimmer of on both “The Black Album” and “Kingdom Come”. I think “Kingdom”‘s relative failure rattled Jay a bit, because he seems to have regressed lyrically. The braggadocio and hustling talk needs to be put to a stop. Period.

    Thankfully, there’s a delightfully minimalist Kanye West beat to keep the song from being completely unlistenable. However, this song does not bode well for Jay’s Def Jam swan song.

  • Kanye West’s “Champion” Video: Kanye The Muppet?

    Yes, Kanye West can be obnoxious. Yes, he can be annoying. But you are in serious denial if you don’t admit that he is one of the most talented, creative and fearless artists in current hip-hop. You know how most artists taste a little success and water their down sound to achieve more of it? Kanye’s done the opposite, as his sound has developed significantly from the familiar sped-up soul samples that created the sound behind 2004’s “The College Dropout”.

    So of course, his latest single, “Champion” uses a sped-up sample, right? Taking a fair chunk of Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne” (and crediting Donald Fagen & Walter Becker as the sole composers of “Champion”), the song works the familiar inspirational vibe that you’re already familiar with from songs like “Touch the Sky”. It’s actually one of the more average songs on the fairly excellent “Graduation” LP.

    However, this video is a riot. Featuring a puppet version of Kanye racing in the Olympics, it’s topically current and inventive enough that it would be enjoyable even if we weren’t right in the middle of the 2008 ceremonies. As obnoxious and self-righteous as many folks take Kanye for, you’ve gotta give the guy props for at least being able to laugh at himself, something you don’t see too much of in modern-day hip hop. This is one of those videos that makes me enjoy the song even more.

  • Music To Synchronize Swim To: Music for Team USA

    So, if you’re like me and you’re completely bored with just about everything on TV, you’re probably watching at least some of the Olympics. While ordinarily things like gymnastics and diving wouldn’t turn my crank, I guess I can take it once every four years. Plus, it’s always nice to see a team like the U.S. Men’s Basketball team either annihilate everyone in their presence or get upset by some ragtag team (take THAT, spoiled Yankee athletes!!)

    Anyway, the folks at AT&T have joined forces with some of today’s hottest musical artists to put together a soundtrack for Team USA. Much like Olympic-related albums in the past, these songs are largely inspirational anthems. Unlike most Olympic-related albums in the past, these songs are only available through AT&T wireless phones OR this site:

    www.att.net/TEAMUSA

    Among the artists featured are Colbie Caillat, Queen Latifah, 3 Doors Down, Nelly, Chris Brown, Lady Antebellum and the Goo Goo Dolls. Here’s a little teaser/sampler of some of the music you can get.