The weather in Chicago these past few weeks has sucked. Today was no exception. It's been raining all morning long, and I have yet to even open one book to start my homework. It's been one of those days where I've just been ruminating on things that I shouldn't be reflecting on. But from stormy skies and rainy days come better things...like Missy.
I've been meaning to write a blog post exonerating all the amazing creativity that comes from this one woman. Missy Elliott is one of the few women artists that I truly respect and admire. Every video she puts out is unique and surprising. She is a woman who is always ahead of her time.
When The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) first came out back in 1997, everyone was amazed at the trashbag on her body, the stopmotion camera work, and the overall weird feel of the video. Nothing like this had ever really been seen before in the pop music of the 90's. The angles of her body, the overly magnified facial features, and futuristic sets all came from the genius mind of Hype Williams, who's worked with the likes of Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, t.A.T.u., and Coldplay. Check out his extensive videography here.
What many people don't realize however, is that producer Timbaland sampled the chorus from an old 70's hit by Ann Peebles. Check out the original song along with some pictures of Ann from back in the day.
What can I say? Homegirl can still work it after all these years. (There's some great footage at the beginning of this next video of the the writers talking about what inspired them to write this song followed by Ms. Peebles singing it live. Definitely worth watching.)
So yes, the rain and haunting memories might suck right now, but there's always something just a bit better right around the corner, like the afternoon sunshine that's finally breaking through all these damn clouds.
Showing posts with label Rap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rap. Show all posts
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Kanye is a Bitch
Continuing on my favorite city trend from yesterday, Chicago's very own bastard son: Kanye West
As much as I absolutely love Kanye's music, I really can't stand him as an entertainer and persona in pop music today. Spin magazine called his album Late Registration "as ornate and bloated as (his) ego." Just this past week, he was immortalized on South Park, and we all know what happened at the Hurricane Katrina benefit.
As great as his music is though, what the hell happened to his videos? Homecoming is the perfect example of ego getting in the way of artistry. Kanye has always wanted to portray himself as "hood" (even though he grew up in the suburb of Oak Lawn), and he again fails miserably. Most of the video is shot downtown at the tourist traps that we all know and love (Millennium Park, and The "Bean"), but West also tries to put in his ghetto spin. There are shots of Carbini-Green (the most famous of ghettos in Chicago, but definitely not the most notorious) along with the DuSable Museum. We get it. You're black, hood, and proud -- but soon after, we get a shot of Marina Towers, one of the "whitest" apartment complexes in the downtown area. Does this make any sense whatsoever?
Just like the video for the Plain White T's 1,2,3,4, we have another black and white homage to Chitown (pronounced SHY-town for those of you non-Chicagoans). Kanye however, rather than being artful and bringing that great Midwest vibe, shoots himself in the foot by trying too hard to proclaim his domination over the city that once held him up on high.
As much as I absolutely love Kanye's music, I really can't stand him as an entertainer and persona in pop music today. Spin magazine called his album Late Registration "as ornate and bloated as (his) ego." Just this past week, he was immortalized on South Park, and we all know what happened at the Hurricane Katrina benefit.
As great as his music is though, what the hell happened to his videos? Homecoming is the perfect example of ego getting in the way of artistry. Kanye has always wanted to portray himself as "hood" (even though he grew up in the suburb of Oak Lawn), and he again fails miserably. Most of the video is shot downtown at the tourist traps that we all know and love (Millennium Park, and The "Bean"), but West also tries to put in his ghetto spin. There are shots of Carbini-Green (the most famous of ghettos in Chicago, but definitely not the most notorious) along with the DuSable Museum. We get it. You're black, hood, and proud -- but soon after, we get a shot of Marina Towers, one of the "whitest" apartment complexes in the downtown area. Does this make any sense whatsoever?
Just like the video for the Plain White T's 1,2,3,4, we have another black and white homage to Chitown (pronounced SHY-town for those of you non-Chicagoans). Kanye however, rather than being artful and bringing that great Midwest vibe, shoots himself in the foot by trying too hard to proclaim his domination over the city that once held him up on high.
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