Tupac 2014

This year's supposed to be the return of Tupac. Obviously, this is HIGHLY unlikely, but I've been thinking about what that'd be like. The reactions of modern day rappers, influenced by him. The way Tupac would react to how hip hop evolved, mainstream and underground. His reactions towards how Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Snoop Dogg turned out. His thoughts on Biggie dying only a year after him. I wonder which rappers he'd hang out with, and collaborate with, other than his old friends. I wonder if he'd sign with a label, or just start from scratch, which of course he could. Of course, this is assuming he has no connection to the outside world wherever he's hiding. And THAT'S assuming he actually is alive.

Macklemore

Macklemore is so good. For some reason I hear a lot of people hate on him. Just because his music is different from what's on the radio doesn't mean he's bad. His style of music is oddly interesting. His flow just hypes you up. I remember people were mad because he won a Grammy instead of Kendrick Lamar. I kind of do agree that maybe Kendrick deserved it more, but Macklemore deserved it too due to his hard work, and good songs. Aside from everything, Macklemore is probably the most famous independent artist out there. He didn't sign to a label like most people. He's truly made a big impact on modern day hip hop.

Lyrics vs Beats

My closest friends like rap a lot, and I hear them complain about how some rappers don't have good lyrics. I hate it when people complain about that, because you should be able to vibe out to a catchy songs. Sometimes lyrics isn't everything. Of course, there's a line you can't cross, but raps that simply just have a good beat are good. I'm glad for myself, being able to enjoy radio songs, while my friends have to continuously search for their specific music on YouTube. To each their own, I suppose.

Famous Friends

I have friends that want to be famous musicians, and it's intriguing. Friends that want to be singers, rappers, guitarists, pianists, etc. I wonder if any of them will ever become famous, or reach their goals. I think it's good for them to pursue something that many other people don't. Most people in my grade are going to college, but here and there I hear about someone wanting to make music. I can't imagine how people who knew some famous musician in high school feel. It's probably a surreal feeling. I'll make sure to stick with those friends, to say I supported them the whole way up.

Old School

I don't really search up old school rap a lot, but when I hear it, it's amazing. I hear it a lot on the new Grand Theft Auto game (Gta V). I think it's crazy how much rap has evolved from back in the 90s. From people like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, NWA, and Tupac. Sometimes I think it's a good thing, but sometimes I think it's bad. Back then, rappers had great flow, and had grittier lyrics. Most rappers nowadays aren't really tough, and act feminine. Thankfully there's rappers out there that have an old school flow. It's always nice to go back to that kind of style.

Michael Jackson back from the dead?

Michael Jackson released an album, even though he's dead. Apparently, they took songs that he recorded before he was famous, and released them. He hadn't released those songs because he felt they weren't perfect yet, and they still ignored the legend's thoughts. They totally did it to milk money out of him, which I think is wrong. Of course his songs are perfect to us, but I wonder if anyone else thinks the same thing that I do. I'm glad to hear new Michael material. I love little Michaellll, but this just seems wrong. I wonder who exactly has the rights to his songs.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is definitely the new Michael Jackson. Some may get mad at that statement, because they think MJ is untouchable. Justin is an amazing singer, and dancer, and he is up there with Michael Jackson. They released a Michael Jackson album with songs he had done before he died, and they featured Justin Timberlake on one of them. I heard it, and it was so good. It was honestly hard for me to decide whether I liked Michael's or Justin's part. If he made more music, he could become legendary as well, and be rememebered forever. He's made it a long way from NSync.

Miley Cyrus

When you mention Miley's name, you instantly think bad twerking, and bad music. She wasn't always like this. She started off playing Hannah Montana in her show... Hannah Montana. She started putting out songs, and she was really good, which was no surprise, considering her dad is Billy Ray Cyrus. She turned wild just like a lot of other Disney celebrities, although I still like her. I think she's cute, and her music can be catchy sometimes. I feel like she's misunderstood, and she let the fame mess her up. I know I wouldn't be too comfortable with so much fame at such a young age, being the offspring of a famed musician.

Mac Miller

I first heard of Mac Miller when he came out with a song called Donald Trump (his most famous song) on YouTube. I used to HATE him, thinking his lyrics were mediocre, and his flow was average at best. He seemed to be another talentless rapper arising into mainstream. My thoughts about him quickly changed when his album Watching Movies with the Sound Off came out. His lyrics got more gloomy, real, and relatable. He talked about his problems with drugs, women, and fame. He almost seemed depressed, but it was better music. He rapped about his dead friend, his parents and their thoughts on him, and many other personal experiences. He came out with a mixtape named Faces maybe about a month ago. I listened to the whole thing, and I was not disappointed at all. He certainly got better, but I hope he's not too depressed.

Ariana Grande

ARIANAAA. Ariana Grande always liked to sing, but made it big as an actor on a Nickelodeon series called Victorious. People instantly noticed how beautiful she was, and gave her attention, and a huge following. I was definitely one of the first people to really obsess over her. She started making music, while still acting, and became known as a singer with the song The Way featuring Mac Miller. With her appearance, and amazing Mariah Carey-like voice, she was sure to become really famous. She recently did a song with Iggy Azalea, who is also very pretty, and somewhat talented. I think Ariana can end up becoming a legend, if she continues to practice singing.

Music Festivals

I hear about so many music festivals. They're always happening, whether it's in Chicago, Austin, or Miami. The lineups for these festivals are usually really good, but I never get a chance to go. It's expensive, and most of my friends never go to any of these either. One day I hope to go to one of these huge music festivals, and see all the artists that interest me. Some people complain about how the lineups don't have all the people they like, but I think that's dumb. I think it'd be fun even if there are some people performing that you don't really know, or like all that much. It's an experience to see someone live in concert, and it's really fun to do.

Creep

I hear people say they like a band called Radiohead a lot. I've probably heard some of their songs before, but Creep is the only one I can recall correctly. I really like that song. It's very calming, and it's easy to relate to. It talks about how he doesn't think he's perfect, but thinks she is. That's honestly how most guys feel with girls, which can sometimes be bad. After all, we can't all be the supreme gentleman. Creep really hits home, and is a song I can play over and over again without getting tired of. I find myself being like that with a lot of old songs, rather than new ones which get annoying fast.

Kendrick Lamar

Before, I had mixed feelings about Kendrick Lamar. Sometimes I liked him, and sometimes I hated him. It always switched back and forth until now. I decided that after all, I do like him. I don't agree with most that he's the most talented rapper out there, although he is one of the most talented in mainstream society. I felt that it's better to give credit where it's due, instead of completely finding all the flaws with an artist. He's helping hip-hop move forward, and he allowed a lot of good underground rappers rise up. He also has that old school west coast flow in his album Good Kid Maad City, which is good.

Frank Ocean

I couldn't name too many RnB artists off the top of my head that I like, but Frank Ocean is definitely up there. His lyrics are deep, and more complicated than most RnB artists. He doesn't only sing about sex like most others. He has meaningful songs with a lot of meaning, which you don't see too often in that genre. I never thought I'd be listening to him when I first heard about him, but ended up pretty hooked. I haven't heard much about him since Channel Orange, although my friends have informed me that he might put out an album out soon this year. I'm looking forward to that.

Born Sinner!

Recently I heard the album Born Sinner by J. Cole. I had heard J. Cole's earlier songs, when he first came up. I didn't think he was all that good, most of his songs were "radio songs." Although, a friend showed me this newer album, and I was completely surprised. I feel like he was holding back all this time, and simply trying to get a spot in mainstream hip-hop. Nearly all the songs on that album were really good, and it went really well for him, because it got him more fame than before. You rarely hear any rappers come up to the mainstream with good songs instead of radio songs.

Green Day doc

Last class we watched a documentary of Green Day. It was a Broadway Green Day. Honestly, I enjoyed it and I hate Broadway shows. No one from the band performed except for Billie. They all attended rehearsals for the performers and such but Mike and Tre didn't take part in the musical. Like I stated, I hate Broadways but this one was alright. I think I liked it much more than other Broadway performance's was because we followed the performers and saw what they did and how the prepared themselves for the show.

The Art of Rap

We watched this documentary not too long ago about how rap rose from nothing to something. In this doc Ice T went around interviewing rappers, and asking them how they came from nothing to something. Eminem spoke of how Trach from Naughty by Nature influenced him. He said that when Proof showed him the tape, he was amazed and that influenced him to do what he does now; write raps. In another interview Ice T talks to Dr. Dre on Tupac. Dr. Dre says it was incredibility working with Tupac. One moment he remembers when they were both in the studio and both were working on California Love.

Iggy Azalea

Iggyyyyyyyyyy. So Iggy Azalea (Amethyst Amelia) is an uprising Australian female rapper. She started getting some recognition after 2 songs that went viral on YouTube. Honestly, she isn't as good. She is decent, but not good. The only reason I 'like' her is cause shes hot. Ill say though, she does have catchy song called Fancy. But yea, other than that, not so great. I don't think she would've made it far without her looks.

ACL 2014

The lineup for ACL 2014 is already out. Eminem is the one headlining it. Outkast is going to be there too, the ones with the catchy song Hey Ya. Also Skrillex is going to attend ACL, you know? The dude with the computer. Overall this years lineup looks pretty promising. I'm probably not going to attend it; might be busy with work and such. And if I do happen to go, I'm for sure attending Eminem's, Outkasts's, Lana's, and Iggy's performances. Of course, Ill stop by other shows to she whats up.