New Decade, New Music!

I haven't blogged on music in a while so I think I'm due up for one. Entering the past year and a half there is no question that the techno house, dance, trance, mixed in with pop and hip-hop has taken off to a popular sound people prefer. Akon, Britney, David Guetta, Lady Gaga, Flo Rida and even Pitbull have emerged with successful songs with a dance feel that topped the charts. I'm not guessing nor assuming but justifying that the start of this decade will produce more of the similar sounds as it is gaining popularity world wide. However, how successful and can everyone that attempts it succeed? NOPE!

I already think Lady Gaga is on top to start out the decade. Besides the rumors of HER being a man, looking past all that she's got the ultimate package: The voice, performance abilities, and music production. I just love her...Lady Gaga will own this year and be a top artist in the decade. Sure her style is different and a bit weird but I like it and so does millions of her fans across this globe. Her comparisons to Beyonce, better yet Madonna, are very justified. Normally you wouldn't dare compare anyone to such high standards, and I don't but Lady Gaga is up there. Now I know some will disagree but you've got to admit to her talent being beyond what a lot of artists try to replicate.

In the Hip-Hop world I see Jay-Z finally putting down the mic but appearing on tracks here and there. I think on the BP3 he finally accepted the new blend of artists that are coming into the game and passing the torch. As for the young new talent I know the first question would be, what about Drake? My opinion is that he has a huge opening to really make his mark in the game this decade. Now I can't lie, I do jam to some of his mainstream stuff but I think he's much better than that. I feel Kanye can have a "bounce back" in his career and set it off right this decade. He's been hiatus since 808s but I'm really looking forward to his music again. Kid Cudi, Wale, and still Lupe all have the doors open for them to make it big in this decade. Also, you can never tell who might come along, as Jigga said, "Everyday a Star is Born".

I'm looking forward to my usual favorites of Lupe Fiasco and Eminem to drop this year, and I know everyone that I listen to in this current time could be done with their careers by the time 2019 comes around. Little by little artists come and go, just the other day I was growing up with boy bands in the 90's now they are a thing of the past. However, as artists change the music is always there, so here is to another decade in hopes of great music and artists!

Jay-Z & Oprah

I will be the first one to admit that I don't really like Oprah that much. However, I can probably soften that issue of dislike upon her after this show with Jay-Z. It's fair enough that she doesn't like rap music for certain reasons, some of which we both might agree on. I shouldn't hate on that really, so no hard feelings for Oprah.

Now on to the interview (can be read here) and show (watch here), I have to say first off Hov was very humble and outspoken. This is one of the reasons the guy is up there beyond rap artists, celebs and a public and American icon that will live on. Compared to Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, Jigga's comparison goes beyond his own genre to Elvis and The Beatles. Both Oprah and Jay-Z come from poor urban areas and are now two of America's current icons, so to see them connect is an epic happening as thousands showed up outside of Hov's Grandmother's house where the interview was held. I admire what he has done to represent his city and state. This is a man that can positively represent where he's from and have the support of his home state/city but even more the world.

Beyond music, I didn't know Jay was so passionate about his fashion. Seeing where his CEO headquarters was is inspiring to me because I envision myself at his level some day, maybe not on the rap star side though. Having his office in the heart of his city overseeing it and pictures of of his inspirations around it was also something I admired about the inside look. The guy has taken his success, expanded it and became an American icon for our generation. For that I have a lot of respect for Hov, and (cue a Kanye here) he is one of my favorite artists of all-time! Music wise he's now on 11 number one albums, 7 Grammy's and also he paved the way for Kanye West and Rihanna, two big time artists today that should pay some homage to Hov-almighty.

Shawn Carter is truly a class act and one guy in the books of Americans that should be up there with the Elvis', Presidents, The Beatles' and Michael Jordan's. There will be many compared to him, want to be like him, and try to go against him. Blueprint 3 is on it's third week of what I'm only listening to right now and one I'll listen to in a year from now. To the rap game, we need more like this man, we'd all be better off.

Jay-Z: Blueprint 3

HOV! He's back as the messiah of the Hip-Hop game. Nothing better than installing a 3rd (and FINAL?) edition to the Blueprint series. Now I'll be honest here, I didn't really dig this CD until about the 3rd-4th listen. I first felt the CD would be over hyped as people claimed Jay-Z would come as his classic top hit albums. I can't really say where this album is on the list of his overall productions but that's another discussion!

Production wise I loved "Empire State of Mind", "On to the Next One", "Hate" and "Already Home". Those songs caught on to me faster than others did. Lyrically Hov did it again, there is no question in that of course. I wasn't a big fan of D.O.A. really, I thought it was too much of a gimmick and something he wanted to sell records with. As I always say lead the way don't bitch about the game! Besides D.O.A. I can't really complain although I would of liked to hear Lupe Fiasco and Nas featured, and was surprised Drake got a feature (Although not a verse). The second single "Run this Town" sort of got me interested in hearing the album although I also took a while to get into the song.

"A Star is Born" is one hell of a song. I'm feeling Jay on this one all the way. Giving "shout-outs" to those successful in the rap game from their respective areas. "On to the Next One" had some dope lines from Jigga, and it's a bit similar to the next track "Off That".

Overall I'd give a solid 9/10 and it will probably recognized heavily through the next few months and year with different awards. Much love to Hov and his accomplishments, and I will never believe this guy will retire...