Creative Group Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kzsWvSxOSk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Extra Credit CD Review

     I decided to write a review on Drake’s new album, “Take Care”, which was released November 15, 2011. This album was one of many albums to have the most excitement and anticipation for albums to be release in 2011. Since he first started releasing hits in 2009, this is his second studio album.  Compared to his previous album, Drake proceeds to sing most of the lyrics that would otherwise or normally be rapped, compared to his other albums Drake is found singing instead of rapping for a majority of his songs. Among the top three songs that already hit the charts, Headlines, Make Me Proud, and The Motto, I find myself adding the songs on his album to my favorites list, such as Marvins Room and Shot For Me. Majority of the public are overjoyed with the new album, and can’t wait to see what he does next. 

The Soundtrack of Your Life

Toxic by Britney Spears

Although this song does not sound like it could ever have importance, it does for me because it was one of the first songs I remember dancing to in a recital besides the normal Christmas show with the Nutcracker. This song is important to me because I have danced just about my entire life. 

Shot For Me by Drake

This song reminds me of my life currently and a year a so ago. Because on certain days I miss the people I left behind, and I remember the good and bad times we shared. To a certain degree they made me who I am because of everything they put me through, I was able to learn and grow. In a sense I “take a shot” to think about our time together.  

Fancy by Drake Ft. T.I. & Swizz Beats

I had a boyfriend tell me that I reminded him of this song because I always feel the need to dress up so to speak, even if it means going to workout at the gym. I always want to look good and present myself well because people always judge you.

Away From Your Heart by Legacy Ft. Tinashe

The first time my friend played this song for me, I pretty much said that I had already heard the song Airplanes. However, this song turned into one of my favorite songs (Its always on my top 25 most played list). I went through a hard break up about a year ago, and this song helped me get over my ex and move on. 

It’s My Life by Bon Jovi

Right now this song is kind of what my life is like right now, in that I make my own choices, which is somewhat because I kind of have to. In a way all the mistakes I make are not really mistakes they are just leading me right where I need to be. 

All Shook Up & Fever Reading

     I thought it was interesting how Woodstock was conducted on a dairy farm. I mean of all the places a rock festival could be held, a dairy farm was chosen! Not only was the festival held at a dairy farm, but the place was a complete pigsty. I honestly have no idea how people were able to stay at the festival as long as they did. I understand that for some it was a political statement, but I think it just turned into a total disaster with all the dirt, drugs, and sex. “What kind of culture is it that can produce so colossal a mess?” (All Shook Up Pg. 188) I could not agree more with this quote, if it were me, I probably would have only stayed for a couple of hours.  

     Another fact I found interesting was that no one today really compares to the figures that in a sense created rock ‘n’ roll, such as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, or Smokey Robinson. I think that there are many great artists that have come about since the 60’s, but I do not think that any recent artists have left an impression like the figures of the 60’s. Is it because nothing new or impressionable has come from the artists of today? Some may argue that there are a few artists that have made a lasting impression, and I would agree to a certain degree, but I think a good question regarding recent artists is are these artists going to last 50 more years like Elvis Presley?

Opinionator #2

     Recently, President Obama has been speaking about aiding or helping people manage student loans. Not much has come out about Obama’s loan plan, except the idea of a “Pay As You Earn”, which is payment on student loans are constructed and designated to the income of those with student loans. This system is different then the approved plan by Congress in 2010 because it is designed for one’s own personal loan, and not just a decrease in percentage. Obama also plans on consolidating loans and decreasing interest rates for a select group of graduates.  So far “Pay As You Earn” is still just a plan, and has not been put into action.

     Personally I do not have an official stance on the matter quite yet, mostly because I am waiting for more information on the matter. I do not see any potential complications on the matter (However, it is politics!) because it would benefit those graduating with student loans, and not harm those who do not have student loans. I think that creating a payment plan based on income is very beneficial because people would not be expected to pay more than they can afford. However, I do not agree with the idea of entirely taking away someone’s student loan because it would be unfair to those that had to pay for their entire education by themselves. I believe that they should pay back their loan based on their income, and not have to give more then what they can afford. This plan has great potential of benefiting graduates. 

Freestyle Music List

I decided to post five songs that I workout to. When I workout I listen to a lot of different genres of music, which is different to what I listen to on a regular basis, which is hip-hop and rap.

Til I Collapse by Eminem

Although the song starts off slow, the song stays upbeat throughout the remainder of the song. The song is also somewhat motivational, in other words its motivational in that I do not stop working out.

I Can Do Anything by 3OH!3

When I work out I love to listen to 30H!3 because their beats and tempos are very fast. This song reminds me that I can do anything that I want, and nothing should hold me back.

Headstrong by Trapt

This song is a great song to workout to because it makes you feel as though you can take on anything, even the most grueling of workouts. The beat is slow at times, but the lyrics are what motivate me while I workout.

Just Dance by Lady Gaga

This song is very upbeat, and while I am working out it also keeps me from wanting to end my workout early. It’s also just a good song to dance to.

Lose Yourself by Eminem

This is another Eminem song, and to be honest he does make some great motivational songs to workout to. The title pretty much says it all because it makes me lose myself while I am working out and not give up. 

Opinionator #1

Today, media consumes the lives of children, it has been reported that children spend at least six hours a day with media, and media is what occupies their daily lives. When hearing this statistic people usually think that only bad can come from children’s constant use of media, however the positive results of media use by children are neglected. Because media is so versatile and useful, children are able to absorb a lot more knowledge than they ever could before. At first media was just thought of as television, but currently media has branched out into movies, magazines, computers, cell phones, and video games. Children are consumed by media, which has resulted in both good and bad outcomes.

I personally agree and believe that media has both positive and negative outcomes. I believe that media has aided children in learning and being able to retain knowledge. For example, certain television shows such as Sesame Street help children learn their ABC’s and 123’s. Furthermore, because children have been exposed to a lot more media at an early age, children’s media consumption has its consequences. Children younger than the age of ten are very impressionable; as a result they are easily influenced by the commercials and ads put on the television.  Therefore the media is able to shape and form the viewpoints and ideas of children, and as children they are not fully aware of what they are influenced by. All things considered media has both good and bad outcomes, however media should not consume the daily life of a child.  

Music Memories #2

     I interviewed a friend of my mothers, Gabriella, as a young adult she listened to a variety of groups and singers, which included (among others): Stevie Wonder, Chicago, The BeeGees, Tina Turner, and Boston. In addition to all these artists, she also mentioned that classical music was a big part of her childhood. As far as seeing these artists perform live, she said that she never really was able to attend many concerts because she couldn’t afford to go. However, she is proud to say that now that she can afford to go to concerts she tries to go to as many as she can, specifically those that she enjoys listening to. She says that her music has changed over time and has found that she has begun to really enjoy the genre of jazz, but she mainly listens to what she listened to as a teenager. Some artists she likes to listen to now, that are more current, include Switchfoot and Adele.
     In comparison to my musical taste and Gabriella’s, I would have to say that are tastes in music are polar opposites, primarily because she tends to lean towards more rock and alternative genres of music, where I generally like hip-hop and rap genres of music. I think that my taste in music has changed dramatically, especially when compared to Gabriella’s because she continues to listen to the same genres and artists that she listened to as a young adult, and I like to listen to just about everything, new and old, but I do tend to stay in the genre of hip-hop.

Music List #4

Train

I think Train plays happy music mainly because of the fact that the instruments do not over power the voice of the singer. Train’s music leaves one with a good vibe and a smile on their face.

Colbie Caillat

I believe that Colbie Caillat is another musician that plays happy music. Just like the Train, instruments do not over power Colbie’s voice, which allows the audience to really get a sense of what she is singing about. Her voice is very beautiful because it is not entirely controlled by auto tuning like most artists today.

Lady Gaga

I think Lady Gaga is a musician that has a theme of happiness in her music because of her lyrics. Most of her songs are about not letting what other people think about you bring you down and to enjoy life.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are a group of musicians that play happy music, which is mainly due to their harmonies. In addition the lyrics in their songs are also a part of why their music has a sense of happiness because they pretty much sing about hanging out and having a good time.

The Black Eyed Peas

Although the Black Eyed Peas is not one of my favorite groups most of their songs have a theme of having a good time and partying, which is accompanied by an upbeat tempo. I think their music is happy because their lyrics convey the ability to accept life, and not let the stuff that worries or stresses you bring you down.

Music List #3

1. Birthday Sex by Jeremih

This song is about receiving sex because it’s your birthday. The song also talks about what happens while they have sex. I don’t hate this song because it is catchy.

2. Day ‘N’ Nite by Kid Cudi

This song is about taking drugs; such as a clip to free ones mind of the pain in loneliness that consumes ones life. Although this song does not send the best message, it is actually one of my favorite songs by Kid Cudi.

3. Number One by R. Kelly feat. Keri Hilson

This song is about how the sex, that they are having is the best sex that is out there, and no one can compare because its number one. I don’t mind listening to this song; I like it, but I wouldn’t say it is one of my favorites.

4. Becky by Plies

In the song, the name Becky is a metaphor for oral sex. So basically the song is about receiving and giving oral sex, and how good it feels. The song is obscene, but just about every song on this list is.

5. Sex Therapy by Robin Thicke

Sex Therapy is defined by its title. It is about having sex to distress and relax. Thicke is basically singing about pleasing a woman, and giving her exactly what she wants. So she can feel good.  This song is also obscene, but its not like it is one of the worst songs that was ever made. 

Music Memories #1

Over the years my taste in music has changed. I believe that, as a 5-year-old most of the music I listened to included the alphabet and nursery rhymes. As a young child I related to music as a source of knowledge and a way to learn. I can’t really remember anything else about listening to music around the age of five. However, I do remember what I listened to as a 10-year-old. As a 10-year-old my favorite genre of music was Pop. I listened to just about anything that was Pop, especially girl power, motivational, and dance music. Some of my favorite artists at the time included Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. I also enjoyed the boy bands, such as Nsync and the Backstreet Boys. As far as favorite songs, I can’t really think of any that come to mind right now. At this point in my life, I looked to music as a source of fun or something to listen to when I danced around with friends. Furthermore, during this time I was dancing competitively, and so most of the songs were Pop based. So I became influenced by the music because I would be listening to it all the time for practice and competition. But as a 15-year-old my taste in music drastically changed! My favorite genres were and still are Hip-Hop and R&B. My favorite artists include Drake, Trey Songz, and the New Boyz. As I grew up I started to relate to music differently because I would look to it for advice, a get away, or use of expression. As of now music really is an outlet for me, and is something that I turn to in the best and worst times of my life. 

Music List #2

Five songs that I absolutely hate are 1) California Girls by Katy Perry, I do not like this song because it is very corny, and the song has no purpose. 2) Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, for me this song has repetitive lyrics and no change in the tempo. I believe it to be one of the weirdest songs that is outright now, mainly because of the music video. 3) Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas. The song is basically the repeating of the title over and over again. 4) Wannabe by the Spice Girls. I hate this song because of the tempo, lyrics, and singing. 5) All of the Lights by Kanye West. I originally liked this song, but once it was played one two many times on the radio the song started to become annoying, and the beat became old and weak. 

Music List #1

My name is Colette Lee and I am majoring in advertising. My taste in music tends to vary, but I mainly enjoy listening to hip-hop and R&B. However I am open to just about every genre of music. As far as my top five favorite songs I do not think I could pick just five only because it changes daily. The mood I am in, and new songs usually define my top five favorite songs. 1) Neighbors Know My Name: I enjoy listening to this song because it puts my mind at ease and brings back old memories. 2) The Prayer: I enjoy this particular song because it has lyrics that are relatable for me, and a song that one can just chill out to. 3) Marvin’s Room: I am recently in love with this song (It just came out)! Its different and has an unusual beat with an overlay of a conversation. 4) Trouble: I like this song because it has an interesting beat and tempo, and a great song to dance to. 5) Shut It Down: I enjoy this song because of its slow tempo, and care free vibe. I included two links below, one to The Prayer and the other to Marvin’s Room (Enjoy!):

The Prayer & Marvin's Room