Wu Tang Clan

I thought Wu Tang Clan was alright. I like what I have heard from NWA better, but Wu Tang is still pretty good. They seem to sound somewhat the same, besides that one weird guy, but I still like how their songs sounded. Hearing about how NWA isn't actually "real" and how they are all middle class kids, I lean a little towards Wu Tang Clan, but I like the individual style of NWA better.

20 Feet From Stardom

I really liked the documentary that we watched in class. I thought it was the best one we have watched all year. I liked it because it came from the perspective of the actual background singers, and because many famous musicians who I had actually heard of were featured in the documentary. I liked the rap documentary, but I feel like this one topped it. The individual performances by some of the background singers were amazing. The one that really stood out to me was Merry Clayton's part in Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones, where she sang so high that her voice cracked, but still sounded amazing. I thought Lisa Fischer was really good too, and that Water family was really cool. All in all I liked the perspective the documentary put the viewer in, and I thought it was very well done.

Elvis Costello

I really liked Elvis Costello. I would definitely put the album we listened to up there with the Beatles. Although he wasn't as musically gifted as the Beatles I felt that his songwriting skills were superior to theirs. Every single one If his songs clearly indicated his mood and opinions, which is something I haven't really heard with most musicians. I also liked his attitude towards music. His punk attitude impressed me, most of all his actions on SNL. All in all I really liked Elvis Costello.

Thriller

I really liked the album Thriller. Although the lyrics were not very deep and meaningful the songs were upbeat and made me feel happy. The big hits such as Beat It, Thriller and Billie Jean were nice, but I also liked the other songs on the album. Now I think I can fully understand the scope of Michael Jackson's fame. Before I thought he was talented and famous for the moonwalk ad the Jackson 5. Now I realize how popular his music was, having heard about the enormous success of this album. Although he had twisted ideas as a person, his music was very good.

Schoolboy Q

In class we were looking up promising artists at SXSW and a description of Schoolboy Q popped up. His name sounded of ad his description sounded very interesting so I decided to look him up. It turns out he is an ex-Crip who sold drugs, but has now remade his life. Although his cliche explanation " it was because of my daughter" is something every reformed troublemaker or criminal says, it really seems to be true in his case. His music is also very fascinating. In some of his songs he almost sings.

Kendrick Lamar

I think that Kendrick Lamar is a decent rapper. While he doesn't have the strongest rhyming ability he  is able to work his lyrics in the meter of his songs. I have listened to some of his songs and have hated them, because they sound so monotone and slow. However, others are better and he shows his true abilities. Oddly enough I found the song " Swimming Drank" or whatever to be one of the better ones. While some of the chorus was superficial and sort of glamorizing his lifestyle, the other parts were serious and dealt with alcholism and his struggles with this problem. I would rather listen to someone with stronger beats and rhymes, but Kendrick Lamar is alright. I also think he is promoted more than he should be, but that seems to be the case with most rappers.