J.Says Online
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • THE J. LIST
    • J.LIST BLOG
    • GENERAL HOSPITAL
  • Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?
  • Society/Culture
  • So This is Life?
    • J.Says Daily
    • J.Says & the "Quarter-Life Crisis"
  • Contact/ Info
  • Feedback

StereoLove

3/11/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
The Birth of a Music Nerd.

Music Nerd: an individual who regularly enjoys creating or listening to music in-depth, analyzing the formation and execution of the art as a part of daily functioning.

Okay, so I came up with that with that definition myself, but that’s what I think it means and that what I think I am. I suppose you can blame my nerd status on my parents, who both can sing and my father is a working musician. I was inundated with Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, The Temptations, The Jacksons, Mariah Carey, Earth, Wind & Fire and James Brown as a little person. Speaking of James Brown, I thought every time he said ‘funk,’ he was using an expletive and was appalled at how much my mother loved “Sex Machine,” because I was taught ‘sex’ was a bad word. Funny, my mom forbade me to listen to Prince (my father loves him) and watch MTV because of sexual content, but she openly jammed to “Sex Machine.” Hmph. Anyhow, I dived head first into the genius of Prince straight out high school and watched MTV anyway-Daisy Fuentes was my favorite VJ. A 9-year old really shouldn’t have been watching MTV, but oh well, my mom and pop shouldn’t have let me have my own TV; especially in the days before parental TV blocks. The more family-friendly ways I got my music fix involved Nickelodeon’s “Roundhouse” (which no one remembers but me for some reason-shout out to Crystal Lewis, who now sings Christian contemporary!) and its hipper, updated twin “All That” (shout out to all my 90’s kids! I say all the time the 90’s should have never ended). Most parents take their children’s toys away for punishment. Mine had to take my music posters or my boom-box to get to me. I fell asleep to music and couldn’t drag myself out of the bed without music.

Everyone knows my favorite diva is Beyonce`, but before her was a long list of obsessions. My favorite group when I was little was Salt-N-Pepa (to my mother’s discomfort, I’m sure). I loved their “don’t let the pretty face fool you” outspoken nature and their pro-female messages. I swear I came out of the womb a feminist. I liked the Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child for the same reason. GIRL POWER! I distinctly remember singing one of Salt-N-Pepa’s songs out loud and my mom yelling “I wish you knew more church songs!”

Picture
Kanye West is a genius & my favorite rapper
HIP-HOP/RAP
I have a love-hate relationship with hip-hop. I hate the abrasive vulgarities, use of the word ‘bitch’ and ‘nigga’ to describe men and women and it’s arguable glamorization of criminal behavior, violence, materialism, egotism, sexism and misogyny. I also see the unfair double-standards and bias bared by women in the genre. What I do respect about hip-hop is how it’s a voice for a culture and community grossly underrepresented, misunderstood and stereotyped. Those against rap complain that’s it’s too intense, angry and brash, but rap isn’t supposed to be digestible. It’s there to challenge, push and be politically incorrect, unfiltered and raw. That considered, it’s probably the most honest genre out there, for better or worse. Furthermore, it takes true talent to become a legend in hip-hop. Anyone can carry a tune or hone their vocal skills, but you can’t teach flow. You either have it or you don’t. Any singer can be successful without penning a song, but you can’t be the greatest MC alive if you don’t write your own lyrics. Not to mention, well-written rap has more metaphors, symbolism and double entendres than any other music category. Great hip-hop makes use of all those literary tenets you learn about in high school. And yet, some say rap isn’t ‘real music.’ It has more in common with other genres than people realize, but I’ll get to that.

GOSPEL
I don’t listen to much gospel on my own time, but I grew up around gospel and acapella singing. The thing about gospel is that everyone is a great singer and most have emotional affect. It’s hard to make it in gospel without both. In any other singing genre, you can get away with having mediocre skills and no affect, but not in gospel. Also, it’s the only style of music categorized primarily by its lyrical content and is DESIGNED to uplift the soul. Not all music is purposely created to do mankind a service. It should, but it isn’t.

Picture
Played the wax off of this.
I went from country, to rap, to R&B and added Brandy & Aaliyah to my obsessions. Many try to now downplay Brandy’s career, but her impact is overwhelming to me, particularly for the black population. She had such major success in music, TV and film, she was immortalized as a doll. She also had the lead role in a live-action, multi-racial remake of “Cinderella,” starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Whitney Houston. She was sign to me as a little girl that I could do anything and take over the media world if I wanted. It didn’t matter if I was black. I thus went through my diva period, literally and musically. I became this sassy little thing and I wanted to be a performer so bad, I sang and danced publicly whenever I got the chance. My brother and I use to write and record songs for our little play movies. Sharp-tongued, clever and mischievous, I was ‘too grown for my britches’ as southern mothers say. I wanted to exhale sassiness. I wanted to be as powerful, gorgeous and talented as the ‘divas’ I was obsessed with: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Wynonna.

Everyone views Whitney as regal princess, but I saw her both as regal AND edgy. My first vivid memory of her was the “I’m Your Baby Tonight” video; her ripped jeans, leather jacket and single cross-earring era. I still want a cross earring. While everyone drooled over “I Will Always Love You” and the other ballads from “The Bodyguard” film, I was all about “Queen of the Night.” My favorite line was ‘Well, I ain’t nobody’s angel; what can I say? Well, I’m just that way.’ I knew somehow that the line was controversial coming out of my young mouth; I sung that song religiously. My obsession with Whitney lead to getting in trouble in class: I wrote her name all over my textbook. Mariah’s “MTV Unplugged” album, the greatest live pop album ever, was on repeat at my house, along with the “Always Be My Baby” single (between myself and my parents, we own ALL of Mariah’s albums). I tried to imitate her grunt in that song, and after listening to a lot of Wynonna, I thought a singer didn’t mean it if they didn’t do so. Real singers grunted, growled and roared. Wynonna is underrated. She long performed in a duo with her mother as “The Judds.” They were country, but they had soul. Bluesy undertones are all through their music. The mother, Naomi, was bossy and flashy and Wynonna was a pure bad butt. I discovered them during my mom’s country phase.

Picture
The 1st CD I ever bought with my own $.
COUNTRY
Like hip-hop, country is a genre that represents a specific culture; in this case the southern and rural community. Some core values in the music are family, religion and simplistic living. Because of its affiliation with a certain community, many turn a deaf ear to it, but there’s a lot to appreciate about country. Out of all the main genres, I feel it’s the strongest lyrically. They’ve mastered the art of storytelling. The videos and lyrics always take you somewhere and give an intimate, inside look into someone’s life. Substance-less party songs are sporadic. Some may argue that the rare use of metaphors and symbolism make country writing weak, but I say it makes the literal, but illustrative lyrics accessible.

Because I wasn’t quite old enough to own CD’s, I’d rummage through my parents CD collection. My dad hated it when I’d open his BMG Music Club 12-CDs-for-the-price of-one membership orders before he could. I discovered Sarah McLachlan, KC & Jojo and Pebbles going through his orders. The first CD I ever owned was the soundtrack to the TV series “Party of Five.” I was obsessed with that show. The second CD I ever owned was Madonna’s “Ray of Light.” I can’t believe my dad bought me a Madonna CD. The first CD I purchased with my OWN money was Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love.” My parents were fine with the girls from Destiny’s Child because they had such a clean-cut reputation. When the song “Speechless” came on, my mother said “J, this song is about sex. This is the same girl from Destiny’s Child? I wonder how her mother feels about her singing songs like this.”

Anyhow, towards the end of the 90’s, I started to listen to more rock and alternative. Some of my favorite bands were No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band, Hootie and the Blowfish and Ben Folds Five. When I started hanging out with the goth/punk kids in 8th grade, I got into The Smashing Pumpkins, Korn and slightly edgier rock. I had always written little songs, but it was in middle school that I started writing a bevy of lyrics and poetry. Writing is definitely a 2nd love of mine, hence this blog. In a parent-teacher conference, my teacher told my parents that I could never complete assignments for all the stories, poetry and songs I was writing. I also tried to start a band in 6th grade, which is hilarious, considering I couldn’t sing. My classmate and I were determined to make the 1st rock/R&B band. Even then I believed rock/soul should be married.

Picture
Fiona Apple: I write great poetry to her work.
ROCK
Rock is rap’s brother from another mother: it’s also a rebel genre that often uses lyrical metaphors. Rock pulls the devil out of you. It tells your deepest, darkest secret. Rock is everything you’re afraid to be: an impulsive, vulnerable, emotional, lustful, carnal animal. That’s what makes it a rebel; it releases and exposes all of the feelings we’re taught to curb. It’s not so much about being politically incorrect or challenging the mind (which is its difference from hip-hop), as it is to help the listener reach and express the internal; whatever is in there. 
SOUL
If rock is rap’s brother from another mother, soul is gospel’s sinful sister from another mister and rock is soul’s angrier half-brother. Catch all that? Soul takes the stirring vocal power of gospel and the internal raw emotion of rock and blends it together. A great complimentary contrast to rock, soul is edgy and potent but still sweet and soothing- kinda like a sassy woman. That’s why I‘ve always said that rock/soul should marry more often. I’m surprised few artists and record labels have attempted to make it happen. Soul is the only genre defined by emotional affect and purposely designed to make the listener feel.

I had my time focusing on this and that genre, but pop was always there underneath. It’s been my musical constant. After going through my rock phase, this and this happened and I returned to pop and R&B hard. I still enjoy music from the areas, just not as heavily. As much as I don’t want to admit it, I was kind of a top 40 whore. Mom didn’t want me listening to secular music on Sunday, but that was the only day the top 40 countdown came on and I was guaranteed to catch all my favorite songs for tape recording. Before ITunes and downloading, if you wanted song, you had to record it from the radio; DJ interruptions and all. Before YouTube, you stayed on the phone voting for your favorite video on MTV’s “Total Request Live,” BET’s “106 & Park” or The Box channel hoping it would air. Anyhow, I was into it all…the blondes: Britney, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson, the boy-bands: Backstreet Boys (for life!) and 98 Degrees, everything. My CD collection started to grow-there wasn’t a Christmas or birthday that passed without me asking for a CD- and my dad got me into reading liner notes. You knew he liked a song when he asked “Who produced that? Who wrote that?” I made his job as a musician a little bit easier because I was abreast on all the latest music and knew the lyrics to every hit song. Dad got to where he would ask to listen to my brand new CD’s before I could (I owned Destiny’s Child’s 1st album for an hour before he snagged it). I was in no position to say no since he bought them. My parents were cool with my musical tastes until it came to rap. My Missy Elliott “Under Construction” album was confiscated for all the naughty lyrics. I got another copy and got caught with that too.

Picture
Britney Spears: My guiltiest pleasure.
POP
Pop gets such a bad rap. ‘Pop music’ is merely short for ‘popular music,’ therefore the music is designed to cater to and be enjoyed by the masses. To have general appeal, the production, vocal and/or lyrics are sometimes simplified and stripped of any distinctive characteristics (ex. a gritty soul voice). Because of its simplifications and commercial application and intent, pop is often deemed as trash, poor quality, not ‘real music’ and all about money. Those who create it are viewed as ‘sell-outs.’ 1st, the music ISN’T ALWAYS simplified. There’s lots of innovative music that uses pop as an under-layer or base. 2nd, there isn’t anything wrong with having music that so happens to be lucrative and one isn’t a sell-out if they convert to pop music or create it. In my opinion, such is only an issue if artistic freedom or artistry is hindered or compromised for the sake of being commercial (which can happen in many ways beyond the artist’s control). 3rd, there is a plus to pop seeking out a general consensus sound. Pop is a unifier. That one song or artist that everyone, regardless of core musical taste or demographic has in common typically comes from the pop world. Case in point, Michael Jackson. The singly hailed “King of Pop,” Jackson was cross-culture, cross-generational and cross-genre. The hardest core of rappers, the edgiest of rockers and the most country of country singers claim to have loved or been inspired by Michael Jackson. Out of all the genres, pop has the most potential and flexibility to be cross-demographic. In addition, every major genre has a pop sub-type (ex. R&B-pop, rock pop). That in itself is telling.

Picture
Kelly Clarkson: "My December" saved me.
By the time I finished college, analyzing the music industry and having music-related debates with my father and friends was a regular, everyday occurrence. I unknowingly applied to a university with a large recording-industry program; guess the music ghost was chasing me. In that type of environment, there’s no escaping music. It’s all in the air; everyone jams on their guitars and drums outside of their dorm rooms. Every other person you meet is a music or recording-industry major, and kids on the steps can be overheard talking about microphones. For budding music-nerds, a place like that is heaven. Even if you’re not a music nerd, you’re not graduating without music infecting you. I was a psychology major, but I had the spirit of RI student. Once I decided to minor in recording industry, it was a little late in the game and I wouldn’t be able to do it without spending an extra year in school. In graduate school, I quickly fell out of love with therapeutic counseling and even more in love with music. I’d design album covers in class. I’d throw away my “Psychology Today” and keep my “Rolling Stone.” All of my extra-curricular interests, including this blog, involved entertainment. Now, I’m out of school and trying to re-route my career path.

Picture
Gangsta.
I got into this discussion about Rihanna and music industry practices with my cousin. I suppose she was confused by my fervor because she turned to me with this look and said “Why do you care? Why do you care so much”? I was slightly taken aback; it seemed preposterous she would even ask. It just seems like a given that people would care about the quality of available music…and then I remembered I’m a music nerd. I’m a special breed. I paused and said “because I respect the art-form. My father’s a musician.” I didn’t like my answer, but I guess that’s what comes out when you’re shocked. The answer I gave is just a slice of the pie. I’ve seen what music can and does do for the human race; it’s pertinent to keep the art-form in pristine tact and in great quality. Music is what bonds us when we are in discord, frees us when we are in bondage, heals us when we are injured and speaks for us when we have lost our voice.  It’s just that powerful. And that’s why I care. Hello, I’m J.Says and I’m a music nerd. 

2 Comments
DiOtheDoll link
3/19/2012 05:06:43 pm

This is the best article that you have ever written. WOW! AMAZING!

Reply
Jacqueline Harvey link
6/22/2012 11:19:04 am

I'm just browsing around your site for the first time, interesting read

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Entertainment

    Rants and raves about all things entertainment industry. Includes my own movie, music and concert reviews. You can find topics under "Tags and Categories" below.

    Note: Occasionally, articles will be posted by other writers and they will be marked as such. Want to be a contributor for this part of the site? Click the "Contact/info" tab and fill out the form to apply.

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    June 2009
    January 2009
    November 2008

    Tags/Categories

    All
    1a. Album Reviews
    1b.Concert Reviews
    1c.Stuck In My Head
    1d.The State Of The Music
    1e.The Curious Case Of...
    1g.You Should Hear This
    1h. Song/Video Reviews
    1I. Rock&Rant
    1j. Artist Spotlight
    1k. Contributing Writers
    1 Music
    2a.movie Reviews
    2 Television/movies
    3 Books
    4:44
    50 Shades Of Grey
    98 Degrees
    Aaliyah
    Adele
    Aj Dugger
    Aladdin
    Alexis Jordan
    Alicia Keys
    Allen Stone
    Alt-pop
    American Idol
    Amy Winehouse
    Angela Bassett
    Anhayla
    Annie
    Ariana Grande
    Art
    Ashanti
    Ashford & Simpson
    Ashlee Simpson
    Ashley Tisdale
    Aston
    Aubrey O
    Babyface
    Banks
    Beauty And The Beast
    Being Mary Jane
    Bellamy Young
    Ben Savage
    Best Man Holiday
    Bet
    Bette Midler
    Beyonce`
    Biopic
    Black Community
    Black-ish
    Black Media
    Blink 182
    Blogging
    Blonde
    Bluebird Of Happiness
    B.O.B.
    Bobby Brown
    Bow Wow
    Boy Meets World
    Brandy
    Britney Spears
    Calling All Lovers
    Capra
    Carly Rae Jepsen
    Carrie Underwood
    Catfish
    Caution
    Celeb Journalism
    Changes
    Charity Music
    Charles Esten
    Chike Evans
    Chris Brown
    Chrisette Michele
    Christina Aguilera
    Ciara
    City & Colour
    Clarence Clemons
    Cletus
    Clipped
    Clive Davis
    Coldplay
    Connie Britton
    Conrad Murray
    Cookie Lyon
    Daley
    D'Angelo
    Danity Kane
    Daughter
    Dawn Richard
    Deacon Claybourne
    Dee Pimpin
    Deliver Us From Eva
    Delta Goodrem
    Demi Lovato
    Derek Yates
    Descendants
    Descendants 2
    Destinys Child
    Diddy Dirty Money
    Disney
    Disney Channel
    Divas
    Django Unchained
    Dove Cameron
    Drake
    Dreamgirls
    Eddie J.
    Empire
    Esperanza Spalding
    Eternally In Awe
    Etta James
    Evanescence
    Fantasia
    Feeling Myself
    Feminism
    Feminism In Music
    Fifth Harmony
    Fiona Apple
    Formation
    Franco
    Frankmusik
    Frank Ocean
    Fuller House
    Full House
    Gabrielle Union
    General Hospital
    Gil Scott-Heron
    Girl Meets World
    Girls Generation
    Gladiators
    Glory
    Gone But Not Forgotten
    Good To Know
    Grammys
    Grease
    Halloween
    Hayden Panettiere
    Hayley Reinhart
    Hip Hop & Rap
    Hocus Pocus
    Hugh Jackman
    Illegal Downloading
    Independent Artists
    Interviews
    It's Dio
    Jamaal D. Pittman
    James Lewis
    James Morrison
    Jamie Foxx
    Janelle Monae`
    Janet Jackson
    Jason Derulo
    Jay Z
    J.Cole
    Jennifer Hudson
    Jennifer Lopez
    Jessica Sanchez
    Jessie J
    Joe Jonas
    John Legend
    John Mayer
    JoJo
    Jonas Brothers
    Jordin Sparks
    Joss Stone
    Julianne Hough
    Juliette Barnes
    Jungle Book
    Junior Martinez
    Jurassic World
    Justin Bieber
    Justin Timberlake
    Kanye West
    Karmin
    Kate Winslet
    Katharine Mcphee
    Katy Perry
    Kelly Clarkson
    Kelly Rowland
    Kendrick Lamar
    Kenny Ortega
    Keri Hilson
    Kerry Washington
    Kevin Costner
    Keyshia Cole
    Kickstarter
    Kimbra
    Kings Of Leon
    K-pop
    Kris Allen
    Lady Antebellum
    Lady Gaga
    Lana Del Rey
    Lauren Alaina
    Lauryn Hill
    Leah Labelle
    Lea Michele
    Lee Crain
    Lemonade
    Lennon Stella
    Leonardo Dicaprio
    Lianne La Havas
    Liberation
    Lifetime
    Lip Synching
    Little Mix
    Luke James
    Madetobenow
    Madonna
    Man Of The Woods
    Mariah Carey
    Marie` Digby
    Maroon 5
    Match.com
    Mathew Knowles
    Meaning Of Life
    Media
    Megan Thee Stallion
    Meghan Trainor
    Mgmt
    Michael Jackson
    Michelle Williams
    Mick Jagger
    Miguel
    Miley Cyrus
    Misogyny
    Mj Johnson
    Morris Chestnut
    Mtv
    Musicals
    Music Business
    Music Consumers
    Music Nerd
    Music On Facebook
    Music Quotes
    Music Videos
    Nashville
    Nashville CMT
    Nelly Furtado
    N.E.R.D.
    Netflix
    Network Tv
    Nev Schulman
    Ne-Yo
    Nick Ashford
    Nicki Minaj
    Nick Jonas
    Nick Lachey
    Nick Nittoli
    Nikki & Rich
    No Doubt
    Now You See Me
    Octavia Spencer
    Olivia Rodrigo
    One Direction
    One Life To Live
    Pharrell
    Phylicia Rashad
    Pink
    Playlists
    Positions
    Power Rangers
    Prince
    Princess Jasmine
    Producers
    Proud Mary
    Queen Of Pop
    Quvenzhane Wallis
    Rare
    Raven's Home
    Raven Symone
    Rayna James
    R&B
    Reality Tv
    Reputation
    Rihanna
    Robin Thicke
    Robin Williams
    Roger Howarth
    Rolling Stone
    Ronald Matters
    Ron Carlivati
    Rowan Blanchard
    Roxie Bardo
    Ryan Tedder
    Sales
    Sam Smith
    Sam Sparro
    Sanaa Lathan
    Scandal
    Selena Gomez
    Seth Macfarlane
    Sex
    Sex And Cigarettes
    Shannon Bex
    Shannon Sanders
    Shonda Rhimes
    Simon Cowell
    Sister Act 2
    SNSD
    Soap Operas
    Social Media
    Solange
    Song Writing
    Sorry Not Sorry
    Sour
    Spell My Name
    Spotify
    Streaming
    Suga
    Superheavy
    Sweetener
    Sza
    Tamar Braxton
    Taraji P. Henson
    Taye Diggs
    Taylor Swift
    Tell Me You Love Me
    The Band Perry
    The Cosby Show
    The Day That Music Dies
    The Dealers
    The Dream
    The Exciters
    The Greatest Showman
    The Lion King
    The PinkPrint
    The Roots
    The Script
    The Seatbelts
    The Voice
    Three. Two. One.
    T.I.
    TIDAL
    Titanic
    Tlc
    Tlc Movie
    Tlc Story
    Toni Braxton
    Tori Kelly
    Trey Songz
    Tribute
    Tricky Stewart
    Tyler Perry
    Unbreakable
    Unbreakable Tour
    Unbreak My Heart
    Usher
    Vanessa Carlton
    Vanessa Hudgens
    Videoblogs
    Video Uploads
    Vontae`
    Wale
    Whitney
    Whitney Houston
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Will.i.am
    Women In Music
    Xfactor
    You Cant Win
    Younger Now
    Youtube Talent
    Zac Efron
    Zayn Malik
    Zendaya

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.