Blog #6: Q-Tip.

Kamaal Ibn John Fareed is internationally known by his stage name Q-Tip. He is both a producer and a rapper. He grew up in the city where hip-hop was born, Queens, New York. Q-tip is most famously known for being in the hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest. Personally, A Tribe Called Quest is one of my favorite underground groups. He has worked with famous artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Nas and Deee-Lite. Q-Tip was one of the first people to combine both snatches of stand-up bass and obscure jazz.

After A Tribe Called Quest seperated, Q-Tip pursured his solo career. His works during his solor career weren't the best he's come up with. During the time his music appeared to have a more pop aspect, than hip-hop. Luckily, in 2006 A Tribe Called Quest reunited and even went on tour. Throughout Q-Tip's career he has not only been nominated for many Grammys, but has won one as well. He has also won a MTV VMA award for his video "Vibrant Thing".  Q-Tip also serves as a disk jockey, also known as a DJ.

Video:
Bonita Applebum-A Tribe Called Quest

Blog #5: All the elements of hip-hop.

Some of you may define hip-hop as a genre of music, but some of you may also know that hip-hop consists of different things than music. Hip-hop not only consists of music, but of rapping, DJ/scratching, beat boxing and break dancing. These four elements make up the base of what we know hip-hop is today. If you had the chance to learn more about the history of hip-hop, you'd understand that hip-hop contains elements from more than one culture and actually appreciates diversity.

Rapping is something I've touched on in an earlier blog, so I'm not going to get into it too much, but rapping is also known as MCing and it was usually performed at block parties. Also, people would get into rap battles with another person beat boxing. Beat boxing is the making of a beat only using one's mouth. I've attempted to beat box before and trust me, it takes genuine talent to make it sound good. Did you know that DJing and scratching actually started because of a mistake? DJ Grandmaster Flash was one of the earliest DJs to use scratching, but it became quite popular in the mid 70's to 80's. Break dancing, also referred to as B-Boying, developed in the streets of New York by young African-Americans and Latinos. Break dancing was influenced by both of these cultures. African, giving it more of a floor dance, and Latino, giving it more of a top heavy flow like samba.

Personally, I think that people think they know hip-hop but don't really because they don't know the history of it. For you to understand hip-hop you need to know where it came from and what it used to be. So why not explore a bit?

Extra information:

Someone's opinion on hip-hop.

Blog #4: "Only Girl In The World"

This week Rihanna has found a good spot on not only fan's "Most Played Playlist," but also the top of the charts. Rihanna's hot new single "Only Girl In The World" has reached number three on the Billboard's Hot 100 charts, which is seventy-two higher spots since it premiered last week ago. The first week the song was released over 249,000 fans downloaded the songs onto their iTunes library. It also places number one on the Digital Songs charts. 


My personal take on the song is that I actually like it. For something that's mainstream it has both a catchy beat and actual substance to the song. And it's not one of those songs that only girls would listen to, but something my guy friends do as well. Rihanna has is known for her songs that defy normal pop and mainstream music standards. I do believe Rihanna has an everlasting spot on the top of most female RnB and hip-hop artists unless she were to suddenly disappear and stop making hit songs that express both love and life. 


Link to listen to "Only Girl In The World":
Only Girl In The World - Rihanna

Blog #3: 2010 VMA's.

Sunday night as I was on twitter, all I read in tweets were various things about MTV's Video Music Awards. Although, I must admit, I was watching the VMA's as well. Chelsea Handler, this year's host, kicked off the awards cracking a few comedic jokes and introducing the first presenter. Some say she was a hilarious host, but some say her performance was filled with awkward punchlines. All the latest stars were at the awards from Jay-Z to the infamous Ke$ha and everyone was there to impress. If you haven't heard yet, Lady Gaga was being her typical unordinary self and rocked a dress completely made out of meat. 


But what would be the VMAs without music? This year's line up featured artists from different genres, but personally, my favorite were the hip-hop and rnb performances. Usher showed everyone he's still got it performing his top of the chart singles "DJ Got Us Falling In Love Again" and "OMG." Not only did he dance in sync with the flashing neon lights, but he managed to have one of the best performances of the night. Kanye West made a comeback from last years interruption and performed a new song titled "Toast for the Douche bags" which had a cool concept and a thrilling beat. For me, the performances were the only things I was actually interested in. 


Link to Usher's performance:
Usher VMA's 2010