4 May 2011

Last.Fm

We really begin to appreciate the beauty of the internet these days when all we need to do is type in a website, login and automatically receive an entire site dedicated to our own music taste. Last.Fm allows a link to be formed from the music player we use on our computer, to the site. This link then gives the site permission to post the songs/artists we listen to, on the site itself. It really is a social networking site that has a focus on music.

Members of Last.fm can score the similarity of their music tastes with other users as well as comment on each other’s music profiles. The site provides recommendations based on the music we listen to, gives us full profiles on bands and artists including their most listened to song and shows us events that feature our favourite artists.

All you need is the “Scrobbling” application, downloaded form the site itself, so when you play a song on say, ITunes or WinAmp, the song is scrobbled onto the site. After your music is scrobbled, you can see the sites recommendations based on what you listened to. I really like the fact you can see who else is listening to the same song you are listening to, at that exact time.

Just like Facebook, you can add other Last.fm users as friends, join certain groups and leave people comments in the form of “shouts.”

Check it out and see for yourself!!! :D

Young Money Cash Money Billionaires

Young Money Cash Money Billionaires - The combination of the notorious Young Money Entertainment crew and Cash Money Records. This brings the best of both worlds, Hip-Hop and RnB, together.
Young Money Entertainment was established in 2003 by self proclaimed "Best Rapper Alive" Lil' Wayne, while Cash Money Records was established back in 1990 by rapper Birdman.
As these two entities combined, they brought together some huge names and are set to take over the Hip-Hop scene.
Lil' Wayne, Drake, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Lil Chuckee, Lil Twist, Mack Maine, Nicki Minaj, Shanell, Short Dawg, T-Streets and Tyga are the MC's representing Young Money.
While from Cash Money Birdman, Kevin Rudolf, 2 Pistols, All Star Cashville Prince, Bow Wow, Brisco, Freeway, Glasses Malone, Jay Sean, Kevin Rudolf, Mack 10, T Lopez, and finally Yo Gotti are the representatives. Obviously this is a HUGE group and are expected to do big things.
Young Money's most popular track recorded together as a group is "Bedrock". It has received high levels of air play on radio stations across the globe.




The popularity of YMCMB has gone viral as many celebrities are seen sporting the crew's clothing line. Justin Bieber and T-Pain are of those included seen in the YMCMB apparel although they are competing against the crew in terms of record sales.


Song Of The Week

TV On The Radio- "Wolf Like Me"

This song is a work of art. When a friend first recommended I listen to it, I didn’t think much of it. I guess Gloria Jean’s isn’t the right place for me to sit and concentrate on a song, without any distractions. It wasn’t until that night when I went home and played it again, that I understood it. The howls, the seductive and almost erotic lyrics and captivating music overwhelmed me.
When studying exactly what the song is about, I was brought back to the story of “Little Red Riding Hood.” The idea of the innocent, young girl and the big, bad wolf seems to fit perfectly. Although in this case, the mythological Werewolf can fit in more appropriately.
What other song could tell a story of two, unusual lovers, so perfectly? In the beginning, the Werewolf is all alone, and he tries to lure Red down the wrong path. He sings about his “curse,” and the incredible joy he experiences as he changes into his true form once the sun sets. In the middle of the song, the music changes and we can tell the story is going to shift. He gets his girl. He changes her, takes her innocence, and they finally get to experience the feeling together. In the last stage of the song they both share the curse, and will continue their existence: “howling forever.”
This song can be interpreted differently by everyone that hears it. Some believe it’s a song about sex, and robbing someone’s innocence, others can see It as a song about a drug habit. Others believe that it’s a Werewolf biting and therefore, changing a person so they have a companion to live with. However you decide to interpret the song, keep in mind the story serves as possible metaphor. The changing of a person, either literally or metaphorically, the way people can be “changed” over time. The robbing of innocence. All these factors, accompanied by some amazing music, make for a great song. Give it a listen, and see if you aren’t hypnotized by its excellence.

Emotional Masochism Through Music



When we listen to music, do we really think about why we are listening to that particular song? What emotions are stirred up and brought to the surface? One of my favourite quotes about music comes from the movie “High Fidelity,” where the protagonist says: “do we listen to pop music because we are miserable, or are we miserable because we listen to pop music?”


This is a very good question to consider. Does the way we feel at the time really have that much of an effect on the songs we play? I would say yes, it has SOME effect. It really depends on the person’s state of mind at the time, the mood they are in and the general atmosphere. There are many factors to consider.

For example, if someone has just had their heart broken, listening to say, “Grenade” by Bruno Mars would normally intensify their feeling of loss. So really, is it that the initial pain we experience after having our heart torn to shreds is so intense that it makes us sadistic enough to endure listening to a sad song? The comforting idea that someone else feels exactly the same as you do, or is in the same situation, is all too appealing. That possibly why we are drawn to certain songs, more than others, depending on the way you feel at the time. Or is it that we listen to the sad song and it somehow makes the pain more intense because the song itself is so sad?

The protagonist goes on to say that many people in today’s society worry about children playing violent video games and the effects it can have, but not the influence of music on a person. How a few lyrics and a bit of music put together can have such an effect on a person and the way they are feeling. In this day and age though, music has become more extreme and has a tendency to become the scapegoat for people’s actions. That’s why a line has to be drawn. Music is powerful enough to intensify a person’s feelings of loneliness, loss, pain, or even happiness, but could it also drive people to do things that they usually wouldn’t do?

Why exactly do we listen to music? Do we simply seek out a tune to compliment the way we feel at the time, or is there another reason? Does it give a person the extra ammunition to act out, because “that’s what the song told them to do,”? Music has that kind of power, most people just don’t realise this. We could spend forever trying to decipher the connection between the song and the listener, without coming to any real conclusion. The protagonist’s question still remains, however. So next time you are happy or sad and you are searching for a song to play, stop and think about why you want to play a certain song. Will it make you happier? Will it comfort you? It all comes down to what you expect when you play it. Choose wisely.

3 May 2011

DRAKE

Originally known for his acting performances on the Canadian television series "Degrassi", Drake decided to go about a different path and create music.

Initially, Drake started his rapping career (like most others) through mixtapes. He would compose music and release promo's of his own work through internet social networks such as MySpace. As his first mixtape "Room For Improvement" was available for download on the internet in 2007. This mixtape contained a 'freestyle' over an already popular song performed by Lil' Wayne "Man Of The Year".
After being notified of this, Lil' Wayne listened to the up and coming rapper's material and immediately invited Drake to record tracks with him. Drake was now a part of the heralded Hip Hop crew 'Young Money' led by Lil' Wayne, which featured all-star rappers from all around the USA. Drake, however, had not yet signed a record label.






His third Official mixtape "So Far Gone" was released in 2009, featuring big names such as  Lil Wayne, Bun B, Omarion, Lloyd and Trey Songz. MTV named this mixtape "The Hottest mixtape of 2009" and it spread like wildfire through the underground hip hop scene. Upon receiving great reception, it was then given radio air time and through this, Drake's popularity skyrocketed.

 

His first two official singles, "Best I Ever Had" and "Every Girl feat. Young Money" debuted at  #3 and #10 respectively, as he was only the second artist to have both his first and second singles debut in the top 10 in their first week.



Now, Drake had already gained high popularity and was ready to drop his first official studio album "Thank Me Later". Its most successful single "Find Your Love" reached #5 spot on the Hot 100 List.
His album sold a whopping 447,000 records in only its first week, as it reached the #1 on the Billboard 200 - a very big achievement. Due to the massive amount of first week sales, Drake held the title for the hip hop artist who sold the most records in one week for 2010. Eminem however, would surpass that record a week later as he released his "Recovery" album.


Drake, now a well known name amongst hip hop legends, has revealed the title of his next album "Take Care", as he returns to his studio to do what he does best.

2 May 2011

Rhythm and blues

Rhythm and blues are known as R&B which is a more popular form of music. It was started on nineteen forties; it is a mixture of different kind of music. It is created by African-Americans for them self but during the nineteen seventies many different sounds mixed with this R&B. When rap beats were mixed with this Rhythm and Blues music, it created as a new form of R&B music. R&B is more popular with who are in their thirties and teenagers. This song is usually sung about the love and happiness, also mostly often in tragedy. This is popular because of the amazing voice singer, foot-trapping beat and slow music. Many people related to love and lost love, this is also one of the reasons for its popularity because these songs more often cover that kind of parts. R&B also played in rap beats as well but only thing it uses different speed. This is a one of the popular music and also will stay for long time as it is now. There are different kinds of popular music in this world. People may die in hundred years but music will not.