Tag: Entertainment Theory
Re: Going mainstream
On “dumbing down” his music Jay-Z is not sipping from a bitter cup. There is a pressure to be highly marketable to gain commercial success; this kind of success is only accessible through palatable (and simpler) wordplay than what the Underground … Continue reading Re: Going mainstream
Re: Broader Appeal
When an artist assimilates in mainstream it means that they have allowed themselves to become a vessel to the masses. Regardless of the audience’s address, citizenship status, hair texture or voter participation, being a crossover success means marketing to broader appeal and … Continue reading Re: Broader Appeal
Re: An advocate for integration
King was an advocate for integration and there is no better symbol for national assimilation than the mainstream hip hop artist. Shawn Carter’s initial financial success and ultimately his success in other branches are due to his career as a … Continue reading Re: An advocate for integration
Re: Paintbrushes and quills in favor of picket signs and pitchforks
The role of the artist is difficult in times of civic upheaval. There have been critics who beseech artists to throw down their paintbrushes and quills in favor of picket signs and pitchforks. There are also those who cite the … Continue reading Re: Paintbrushes and quills in favor of picket signs and pitchforks
Re: King’s dream in the rapper
Dr. King dreamed of equality for all Americans. The modern manifestation of King’s dream is in the rapper, Shawn Corey “Jay-Z” Carter. Jay-Z is the embodiment of Dr. King’s dream of equality because he has earned sway over and united … Continue reading Re: King’s dream in the rapper
If two people have at least one rap song they both know, whether they love it or hate it they can build from there.
Re: Sneaker line
A retired, black National Basketball Association player with a sneaker line has his shoes on everyone from the immigrant Chinese to Puerto Rican school girls and almost anyone in between. Let Freedom Ringtone: One King’s Manifestation of Another King’s Dream Continue reading Re: Sneaker line
…Don’t get hung up on imagery
Re: Black vampires
By all accounts the Black man should make the prefect vampire. Vampires are smooth talkers, sharp dressers, enjoy lively nights on the town, seemingly possess undulating sexual prowess and brute strength, are perceived as being extremely hard to kill, constantly … Continue reading Re: Black vampires
