Poppin' Through Music by Bailey Neil

  From falling in love, to out of love, to leading a careless lifestyle, pop music and its artists have changed drastically over the years. What is the reason for these changes? Whether it be a mid-life crisis older stars go through, or just industry input to keep themselves relevant, the world of pop is always changing and its artists change along with it. Will history repeat itself? Or will this generation be known as the continuous downward spiral?


Traveling back to the 1960’s can be a joyride. The doo-wop vibe of this high-spirited decade makes everyone want to break out into the mashed potato. Pop and ballads were all the rage during this age; stars like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, and of course, the infamous heartthrob Elvis Presley were making their way into people’s hearts with their unique and exciting sound. Music during this age was full of energy, yet some songs were slower and more romantic. The 60's style flip-flopped between rock 'n roll and pop, and some artists delved into the indecisiveness. Elvis was one of these artists; his style, in fact, was named “Rockabilly.” He combined many different sounds, such as western, blues, and pop, which dominated the radio. Elvis appealed to many younger kids and varied his sound to please his fans. Tony Bennett, at 89 years old, still finds ways to make himself relevant and known in the twenty-first century. He continues to perform on stages and collaborates with artists such as Lady Gaga, who is still well known on the pop charts. The 60's sound seemed to be about falling in love and just being happy in general. The most well-known songs from the 60's have to revolve somewhere around, "The Twist", "My Funny Valentine", and "Can't Help Falling in Love". Falling in love and enjoying life seemed to be the theme back in the 60's, but now that has all seemed to change.

    Let’s take a few moments to look back at the dark ages, the early 2000's. You know those pictures you hate to look back on because your fashion sense was just so unbearable? And the hairstyles consisted of side ponytails, crimps, and frosted tips. The music style during that time was very depressing too. It seems that majority of it was heartbroken emotions being spilled out onto a paper. Avril Lavigne, Kelley Clarkson, even Justin Timberlake jumping in with "Cry Me A River". When I think back to listening to the radio, I seem to remember belting Britney Spears' "Everytime", which was an anthem for when your second grade crush didn't return your special love note. The artists seemed to all follow the same path with each other and really jump on the bandwagon. A sexual vibe also began to be given off in the new millennium, more in the R&B and Pop areas of the radio. Artists trying to keep themselves relevant would act out, whether if it was a serious problem they had or if it was the only option left to keep them popular. The rash behavior of celebrities is definitely more common in the later years.
     

The majority of music now is mainly about drugs, partying, getting laid, or "lit" as some people enjoy saying. Female artists are also now big on empowerment, such as Beyoncé and Meghan Trainor. Artists now charge ten thousand dollars for a full VIP package at concerts, or even refuse to meet their fans because they're "too exhausted." Music has definitely gone downhill since the 60's. It's grown meaningless and seems to just be  in at the moment of release. Some artists still put an effort into their music and it shows, but there are also artists who have to act out just to get publicity. Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber are well known examples of that faux pas. Music has also developed new dance moves which become very popular on social media and in everyday use. Along with the dance moves, stereotypes based on skin color have along come along in a different way than before as a result of our music. This day in age really revolves around an eccentric lifestyle, and the harsh judgment towards others to make us feel better about ourselves.

Pop continues to change with every song released, in a few years pop may not even be one of the dominant music genres with the constant changes in society. There are always new artists hitting the charts and the kids with dreams hoping for a record deal on social media. Many think auto tune has taken over and natural talent is now rare to find. So where will music lead next? Could we possibly go full circle and start fresh? 

Beyonce Formation: Celebration of Black Culture by Kaylee Pulvirenti

Beyoncé’s new single, "Formation," shows her 
pride of her African- American culture. This song is particularly meant for a black audience, but I feel that it also gives a white audience a glimpse of the anger and agony of some parts of the black lifestyle.

The set of the "Formation" music video features Beyoncé in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. This particular setting shows the misery of this city after the flooding of neighborhoods, schools, and other parts of the community. Beyoncé’s song lyrics also show her confidence in black women qualities and her cultural roots. “I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros, I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils.” Her performers were wearing afros to represent this theme. Regardless of this, Beyoncé also mentions “yellow-bone it.” I believe that this is referring to her mixed qualities as well. This is important because she can relate to both her white and black fans. 

The day after "Formation" was released, Beyonce expressed her pride further by performing the song during the Super Bowl Sunday Halftime Show. Beyoncé’s back up dancers gave a prideful salute by using their fists to support the 50th anniversary of the Black Panthers (a socialist organization). Beyoncé states, “I dream it, I work hard, I grind ‘til I own it.” She serves as a inspiring African- American, and even female, activist. These lyrics fill the purpose of showing success of the black population as a whole. This is also shown through her “black Bill Gates” comment.  Being the artist she is, Beyoncé is basically Queen B. Her talent and glowing personality make viewers want to continue watching her progress. Although she may seem like just a pop singer to some viewers, she actually plays a large role sharing her views on today’s events. She is also an influential political icon. Formation is a prime example of her political views. 

Though people may not agree with her messages, they're her form of art. Some individuals even decided to boycott her after her Super Bowl performance, saying that her performance was inappropriate and infuriating. However, this video and her performances are still her own form of art. Her messages are intended to be positive and reflect her feelings and emotions. "Formation" has a very strong message about the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the issues Africans -Americans face, despite the negative reflections on it. Beyoncé's "Formation" video opened my eyes to the problems in our society, and I would definitely recommend others experience the same feeling.

For a similar blog, click here.

Hozier by Phoenix Catinella

Andrew Hozier-Byrne's recently released album, "Hozier" is an absolute gift to humankind. Not only is it something new to pop culture music but it feels like something we've always known. One really cool thing about the album is that you can listen to it on repeat however many times you want and never get sick of it. The ever-changing rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and lyrics will always get the listener into a certain mood depending on the song they're listening to. Certain songs like, "Someone New", "Jackie and Wilson", and "Take Me to Church" makes listeners want to get up and dance until they can't feel their feet any longer. Other songs like, "In a Week", "From Eden", and "Cherry Wine" are very relaxing and thought provoking. The album is heavily influenced by older styles of music like, folk, soul, and the blues. It also includes a few modern influences like indie rock.
                                     
One of Hozier's most well known songs, "Take Me to Church" gives good insight into Hozier's life. He is a 26 year old, Irish, singer-songwriter who stands up for what he believes in through his music. "Take Me to Church" is a religious song about someone being separated from someone they love because it is considered religiously incorrect. He feels that this song is important because he, being born and raised in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, where the Catholic religion heavily influences people's views, realizes that it's wrong to discriminate against people because of who they love. By writing this song he realizes that he is giving these people that are discriminated against their chance to take a stand with him. So not only is he a talented singer/songwriter, he is also a good role model because he takes a stand for what he feels is right.

Another song that conveys a really positive image is the song, "Someone New". It is about the joy that branching out and meeting new people can bring. The sound is very uplifting and has a feeling of curiosity in a way that makes you want to engage on that feeling. Anytime you are feeling down this song will pick you right up out of the dirt. He sings, "I fall in love just a little, oh a little bit, everyday. In love with every stranger. The stranger the better." Not only do these lyrics continue to convey the idea of meeting new people but it also embraces people who are considered different or strange. He says that the weirder someone is the better they tend to be. This message is also aimed towards people who would be considered "normal". It shows them that they shouldn't judge people before taking the time to get to know them, because they could miss out on having a really cool relationship with them.

Overall Hozier is a very talented musician and doesn't get enough credit for all the work he puts into his music. Everyday people hear his music which allows them to have a more positive and accepting outlook on life. If you haven't already given his album a listen, I highly suggest doing so. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud, Pandora, and you can even buy the CD!

Drake's New Album by Darrien Reasonover

Drake’s new album, Views, is a triumph of so-called “Toronto sound” and reveals his “view from the 6 (Toronto).” Drake, Six God and the present king of the rap game, has spent the better part of the past five years proving himself as the best there is and ever will be. 

This album has been alluded to for quite some time; even on his Meek Mill diss track “Back to Back” he says at the end- “took a break from views now it’s back to that.” That was in the summer of 2015. This Drake album is the most anticipated album by the six god to say the least. Views sold 630K copies on the first day, and is expected to go platinum in a week’s time.

Drake commented on the fluency of his 20 song album saying that “it’s based off the changing seasons of my city (Toronto)” He is referencing how a year starts off with a cold winter, has a hot summer (the middle of the album) and finishes just as cold as the beginning if not more so. When listening to the album you can clearly get a smooth gospel like vibe off the first few songs. Some of these songs are “Keep the Family Close” and “Weston Road Flows”. It transitions into a more popular sounding hip-hop middle, with songs such as “Contolla”, “Pop Style”, and “One Dance” to cheer you up. Drake ends with “Views” and “Hotline Bling” both which are just enough to calm you back down and put you in a chill mood. Overall, this album is an instant classic, and a must for all hip-hop/rap fans.

Go here to check out the album:

https://itunes.apple.com/album/views/id1108737195?app=music&upsell=true

Christian Music: From the Pews to Pop

by Megan Flynn

Some people say that worship songs should not be rapped or danced to in concerts, but instead stay within the walls of a church, quietly soothing us once a week. I disagree with this. As Christians, we are called to bring our faith into the world today. There's no better way to do this than through music! Psalm 147:1 says, "How good to celebrate God in song, how sweet to give fitting praise."

I’m sure you have heard a few Christian songs that you've found yourself dancing to or singing along with. When you heard this song, were you embarrassed to tell people that you actually enjoyed a spiritual song? I don’t know many people that openly admit they like Christian music and listen to it often, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. The music is written to make young (and old) believers get involved and sing for their Lord. The lyrics of the songs are sometimes repetitive, but if you listen to a local pop station, all of the songs are just as repetitive, so this isn’t a valid argument against Christian music. The repetition helps the listener have a constant in their life and helps them remember the lyrics to all songs that are similar. The purpose of Christian music is to remind you to bring Christ into your life daily; so if you remember the most important line of a song (that the artist probably repeated at least five times in two minutes), then it is successful.

The youth is the future of the church. So many ideas are aimed at us, but why through song? Many of us turn to music to improve our mood. It helps us understand ourselves and those around us. We actually listen to at least five hours of music in one day; that’s more time than most of us spend in conversation. So, we learn more about the world and the people in it through music than through any other source. If someone believes that Jesus Christ is our true savior, then why not reach us in a way that we are already familiar with? Many artist such as Toby Mac, For King and Country, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, have broken the barrier between Christian and pop music, making it appeal to all people. All of these artists project their music differently, so the first song you listen to may not be your favorite. If you keep listening you will realize that there is a lot more to this genre than most people think. If you're a follower of Christ, give the music a try; you'll probably like it!

Check out another blog over modern worship music here

Feminism in Music by Grace Hicks

Feminism can be defined as the belief that women should have equal opportunity as men politically, socially, and economically. It also embraces the belief that everyone should have equal civil rights no matter a person’s sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or lifestyle. These beliefs are prevalent within the music industry. You can find many artists' feminist beliefs entwined in their songs as they use their influence to spread awareness of their views.

We all know that Beyoncé wears her feminist crown proudly. She showcases this in numerous ways, from having "FEMINIST" across her stage during her 2014 Ms. Carter Tour to her feminist anthems. It is also present in the introduction to her recent single, "Flawless," explained by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the host of Ted Talk.  She told ELLE her reasoning behind this introduction is to clarify the meaning of feminism. The introduction also brings up multiple different societal expectations between genders. "We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings the way boys are." This addresses the double standard that when girls act sexually or are not covered enough, it is portrayed as a bad thing. When men wear minimal clothing no one sees it as problematic. In the chorus of this song it says "Ladies, tell ‘em I woke up like this. I woke up like this. We flawless." This portrays her belief that women can wake up and be flawless, and that it is not necessary for women to spend copious amounts of time getting ready to be socially acceptable. In another one of Beyoncé’s singles, "We Run the World," she assures her audience that feminism is for men as well. "To the men who respect what I do, please accept my shine."

Miley Cyrus is another feminist influence in pop culture. At the 2013 Video Music Awards she had a controversial performance, which consisted of revealing clothing and sexual dance moves. All of this, especially after she had recently gotten a haircut that is considered masculine, was blown out of proportion. Cyrus was hit with a wave of disapproval because people thought that the purpose of her performance was to attract more males to her fan base. However, she didn’t let this hate get her down. Cyrus responded, saying that just because she was acting in a particular manner does not mean she was exploiting her sexuality. Miley has helped make great leaps for everyone by saying that "Genders aren’t the problem, stereotypes are."

Madonna is another feminist influence in music. Throughout her entire career both her songs and music videos have pushed the limits of women’s sexuality. Her explicit videos and lyrics promotes women’s sexuality. Her video "Justify My Love" was explicit and was nicknamed a "celebration of sex," claiming that sexuality isn’t just for men, but for women as well.

The definition of humanism is an outlook or system of attaching prime importance to humans rather than divine or supernatural matter. Humanists focus on the goodness of a human being above anything else. Humanists relate to feminists because both groups believe all humans should be equal and important. All of these artists share the same beliefs that by being a feminist, it makes you a humanist as well.

Kurt Cobain, member of Nirvana, was an avid male feminist who detested gender inequality. He once wore a dress in his music video and to an interview in Los Angeles. In an interview he said, “Wearing a dress shows I can be as feminine as I want.” He broke the stereotype that men wearing dresses was unacceptable. He also said, “I have nothing against heavy metal, except that it can be pretty sexist.” This was a big deal during the time because a male band member as influential as Cobain claiming his distaste for aspects of his own music genre was not typical.

There are also other male feminists like John Legend, John Lennon, Harry Styles, and Eddie Vedder. John Legend preformed a charity concert with Beyoncé and Florence and The Machine for Chime for Change, an organization that puts funding towards bettering women’s lives all across the world. John Lennon played a large role in shifting gender roles in the 1980s. He was one of the only artist at the time to integrate feminist ideas, masculinity, and relationships into his work. Harry Styles, a member of One Direction, is a supporter of the #HeforShe campaign. The #HeforShe campaign encourages boys to fight for gender equality.  He tweets his support and encourages others to do so as well. Eddie Vedder, member of Pearl Jam, has played in Rock for Choice, which is a pro-choice benefit, in the early ‘90s. When he was in the May 1994 edition of the Rolling Stones magazine he spread his beliefs, saying, “I’m usually good at controlling my temper, but all these men trying to control women’s bodies are really making me angry."

Many past and present music artists are making waves for feminism and its beliefs. The influence that these artists have on us helps empower and guide listeners to strive for equality. Every little step they take makes a difference, and that difference is much appreciated.    

For similar content see this http://www.laweekly.com/music/10-proudly-feminist-musicians-4255472