R&B singer Rashad speaks to De-Composed about "NOTORIOUS"

I got the privilage to get another take on the movie NOTORIOUS, as I blogged about previously. Rashad, well known for his R&B hit "Sweet Misery" and also for his music production sat down with me and talked about his personal experiece with B.I.G and how he feels being brought back to the sad memories of his death. I met with Rashad at his music studio "The Sugar Shack" where he does most of his recording, and he was very hospitable and willing to share his story. We sat and chatted about his experiences as a young artist coming up learning from the greats. Talking with Rashad is always a privilage, because of his experience being an artist on various record labels since a very young age (now Universal Records). He always has a lot of insightful things to say about music and its industry.

When NOTORIOUS first showed previews in theatres, Rashad immediately commented on it's arrival being too soon. I think that concept should definately be considered, because of the way B.I.G. died and how most people who were in his life at that time are still living. I think it probably hurts them the most, being brought back to exact memories that they gave up in order to contribute to the film's accuracy.

For those of us who did not get a chance to meet the man or know first hand the whole story of who Christopher "B.I.G." Wallace was, it should be valued that we can hear people talk about it. ENJOY THE POD CAST COMING TOMORROW!!

If you want to know more about Rashad and his music, visit http://www.rashadmusic.com/ or http://www.universalmusic.com/, and www.myspace.com/elevatormusic. You can also see the music video for Rashad's hit single "Sweet Misery" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzjYR_U5as.

UPDATE 1/29/09
Listen to the interview!

Auto Tune Madness!

I really wish people would STOP with the digital madness. I'm pretty fed up with going to these myspace music pages, thinking I'm about to AT LEAST hear a human being (I don't even fall into the ignorance of hoping for a decent voice anymore), only to hear a robot!
GIVE AUTO TUNE A REST, PEOPLE.

I'll admit it--since we are, infact, human, we often fall into what can be called pitch imperfection, and our voices may need a little scoot in the right direction. Everyone loves and appreciates a little reverb here, some gloss and shine there. As a singer, I do it too. It makes you sound more professional and polished.

But when I can hear every crack and crinkle ironed out of your voice by way of digitalized liquid foundation?? It's a problem, ok? Just because our industry made T-Pain the ambassador of auto tune and the like, it doesn't take away from the facts.

WHAT GOOD IS DROWNING YOURSELF IN AUTO TUNE IF YOU FALL FLAT ON YOUR FACE WHEN IT COMES TO SINGING LIVE???

Sure it sounds cool and futuristic on CD and whatnot but why make yourself look stupid on stage? Why waste anyone's time by time asking them to go listen to your computerized nonsense when you know you couldn't hold your own live? Yet the people who do have talent all around (dance, song, writing, vocal ability, etc.) can't even get their pinky toe in the door, while singing octagons around these people I'm talking about.

And I'm not even saying you have to have a voice like Aretha, Whitney or Beyonce. However, if the talent isn't there--not even a little bit--then JUST STOP IT!!! STOP STOP STOP. Even Roger Troutman could hold his own without the voice box. Beauty queens (and kings) who think modeling automatically makes you elligable to be an R&B singer need to realize that we, the listeners see right through... We bump that when it happens to be on the radio, but we laugh at you during your concerts. Even people who aren't musicians knows what's real.

It's like make up...If you wear so much that you aren't recognizable (and are maybe even unattractive) when you take it off, what's it really worth? Where's the talent in that??

And now, it's really getting out of hand. Auto tune is every rapper's best friend. Lil' Wayne, Kanye West, The Diplomats, Diddy... They all thought it would be cool to give singing a go and all in the name of auto tune. I can't help but laugh, because it's just too funny. But in a sad way. Because even past the trend in rap music, auto tune really gives a false reality to individuals who lack any singing quality, and convinces them that they have it. That's not right, now is it?

Auto tune magic!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpu6C70WROM
Where it all began..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HftQgBZ-Ou8

"Live" performances aren't live anymore.

Remember the days when going to see your favorite artist perform live was a privilege? Something about actually seeing the music you loved and listened to daily come to life in front of your eyes was—magical. It also proved a lot. It proved that, hey, these people really do play their own instruments, or, wow, this person really can sing. It used to be that the artists lived for the live performance. They got energy, pride and a sense of accomplishment from being cheered on by their audience. That sense of approval seemed to make it all worth while.

Times have certainly changed since the days of doo-wop and soul. You have artists who no longer stick to the normal foot shuffle and arm movements, but are more regularly doing back flips and over-complicated dance choreography. Chris Brown, Omarion, Ciara and even Beyonce may have a very difficult time singing while doing all of that. Even if they tried, would we really want them to? Would it sound good? Probably not.

Although the previous issue is more than understandable, I know I miss real live performances. Especially when there is no reason in the world for the artist to be lip-syncying. For instance, I was watching some new year’s eve special on television (I don’t remember the name, sorry) and featured a number of special guests including Robin Thicke, Solange, Ne-Yo, Fall Out Boy, and others. It didn’t take me very long to notice that half of them were lip-syncing… And this wasn’t a full-out concert complete with fireworks and smoke machines, but your basic mic stand and band kind of thing—where you pretty much just stood there and did your thing. The need for mouthing the words over a track wasn’t clear.

Furthermore, I saw another program on television that same night where a noted female vocal artist was lip-syncing as well. I won’t mention her name, but trust me.. She can sing with the best of them. So why she was standing there trying her best to make faces like she was singing her heart out like we couldn’t tell the real situation, I don’t know.

Artists: we, the fans want to see you! We love and appreciate your craft and we are supporting you by buying these concert tickets. You’re letting us down when we don’t get the full effect. I did not intend on paying to see a music video… I could listen to the CD at home! You’re truly defeating the purpose and meaning of a live show. As a singer, I know how tough singing and dancing at the same time can be. It's not easy! But I find it important for me and also to the people watching to try my very best, and practice is what it takes. So, whenever possible, I think it would be a real treat if you gave us just that. A LiVe performance.

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhYwZePFY7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBceuTV0tW4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbw2q0SBSak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrbcFwGGEZk

Ghostwriters for.. rappers??

Since the last thing I wrote about had to do with rap music, I thought I might as well continue on the subject. In the last few years, I have come to understand there to be a phenomenon called “ghost writing.” The term comes from the situation where a rapper does not write his own lyrics (rhymes, raps, etc.), but rather has them written by another individual, and then simply deliver what was written. Although I am very familiar with song writers, I am completely puzzled by this idea of rappers not writing their own material.

As far as I know, rappers got signed to record labels based upon their talent and ability to be able to write amazing things, and of course their “swag” and delivery as well. But I truly thought the main part of a rapper’s skill was in his (or her) writing. However, if I’m mistaken, could someone tell me where it lies? A painter is a good painter because he paints well. A track star is what he is because of his gift in running. So where is the skill in a rapper who doesn’t—rap? When using the term “to rap” in a sentence, had it all of the sudden changed to a different meaning?

I feel like ghost writing is a mockery to the game and should not be tolerated. Shouldn’t a rapper be laughed at if someone finds out that he is a fake? A phony, because his amazing lyrics do not belong to him? If times have changed, then I guess I have to accept it. Perhaps signing rappers because they get the girls or because they’re the record label head’s nephew is all it takes these days…

Someone could argue the point “a lot of singers don’t write their own lyrics. It’s no different.” But it is. Singers are recognized for their—singing ability. Not their writing ability. Song writers are noted for writing songs because that’s what they do. Singers are noted for their voices because what they do is sing. We don’t necessarily expect them to write, play the banjo and tap dance too.

I just wish someone would explain when rappers began to be credited highly without being original. I thought as a rapper, you were supposed to tell your story.. Give an account of what you've been through and what you've seen--say what's on your mind.. Not say what some person you don't even know has on their mind. Someone standing in front of a microphone reading from a piece of paper does not justify or earn the title or an MC in my opinion. Boy, times have changed…

Related:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071227142811AANYGgv

http://www.futureproducers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34635

http://www.nasforum.net/showthread.php?t=16481

NOTORIOUS

This past weekend, hip-hop fans finally got what they’ve been waiting for: the opening night of Christopher “B.I.G” Wallace’s life story in the film NOTORIOUS. I won’t lie—I was extremely pressed to make sure I was at the theatre an hour ahead of time in hopes of beating the extensive long lines. After arriving and getting more than a good seat, I prepared myself to be thrilled. After all the talk about this movie, I was very interested to see what it was going to bring.

I must say that I was extremely impressed with the acting in the movie. Of course, Jamal Woolard, who played Wallace, had no choice but to nail the part. He was phenomenal in his acting, more so in portraying Wallace’s basic characteristics down the walk, the talk, and even the breathing pattern. The sincerity and work in Woolard’s performance was impossible to miss, and was totally amazing for his first movie. Congratulations to him.

Derek Luke and Anthony Mackie also showed their skill by playing some of the most characterized and full of personality individuals in the story; Sean “Puffy” Combs and Tupac Shakur. Luke had Combs’ mannerisms, dances and energy for big ideas as in real life, and Mackie displayed the same attitude, confidence and fire that the late Shakur did while he was living. Generally, most all the actors and actresses in the film did a great job and accurately portrayed their characters, and that was one of the things I appreciated most about it.
I also enjoyed the movie’s consistent humor, which is something I was not necessarily expecting. I think the humor was supposed to capture the man Wallace was outside of the entertainment world… That may have been the point of the film altogether. However, if the point was to share with us the story of Christopher Wallace behind the scenes, I don’t know if that goal was achieved.

I had a few issues and concerns about the movie. First, some technical things about the film were somewhat sloppy. For example, in the beginning of the film, Wallace was portrayed as left handed as a child. Then, as an adult, he was portrayed right handed. Another example is the lack of consistency in Angela Bassett’s portrayal of Wallace’s mother. We all know that Mrs. Wallace has a thick accent, and it is very noticeable. Sometimes Bassett used it, sometimes she didn’t. It was things like that that really had me disappointed.

Lastly, I was disappointed in the lack of depth the movie had to offer. I expected this movie to go beyond what the media has shown us about “B.I.G.” throughout the years, and take us into a thorough account of his life out of the public eye. I really felt that I was watching news clips for two hours… I didn’t pay eight dollars and some change to see things exactly as I already know it happened. Yes, Wallace only lived to be 24 years old, but there has to be more to tell. The story skipped around a lot and only touched the surface of certain issues like Jr. Mafia, his relationship with Faith Evans, his beef with Tupac, his way of handling his success, etc. It seemed like a lot was assumed of the viewer as far as prior knowledge. Not much was explained.

Lastly, I feel the movie failed as far as telling us why “B.I.G.” is pronounced as one of the greatest. As far as my age group is concerned, all we have to go by is the legend told to us. We have recordings as well, but.. I’m beginning to really ask myself.. Is Wallace really one of the greatest? Was he really that much of a lyrical mastermind? Was he really writing things that made our head spin in attempt to figure out how he did it? I’ve been listening, and I’m not sure anymore… What do you think?

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious/

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/6220412.html

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2009/01/20/theres-life-after-death-as-notorious-scores-big-at-box-office/

http://blogs.pitch.com/wayward/2009/01/movie_review_notorious.php

We gettin what kind of money??

Greetings from the blog that brings discussion to recent and often controversial changes in urban music culture: style, talent, lyrics, business and more. Has the music culture advanced since years ago? Where has it gone wrong? How did we get where we are? Do we want things to stay this way? These are questions we all ask ourselves about Hip-Hop and R&B music frequently. Here is where you can air your thoughts and theories. There may be things misunderstood as to the reason and rhyme of the game, but here we can break it down. Welcome to dEcomposed.

Today, let's discuss lyrical content. When did that become an issue for music? Particularly in the case of R&B music, way back when, most music came from the soul. Singers and groups always had heartache and love on their mind. Yes, that can get repetitive, but we can never change the fact that love and relationships are at the center of most people’s hearts. Not everyone can relate to or even possess the ability to write deep lyrics that involve changing the world or ending world hunger, nor can the general audience. Even though the previous statement is true and reasonable, that does not justify the following trend.

We all want to dance. We all want to party. And the artists who create music for the club are much appreciated for creating music we can use for those reasons rather than sitting in a circle singing folk songs around a camp fire. But when lyrics have now surpassed the issue of too much cursing, violence and sex, I now pose another concern. Recently, rapper Busta Rhymes released his first single from his 8th album called Back on my B.S. The single is entitled “Arab Money” in which Rhymes compares his wealth in terms of wealth of the Middle East. There has been a lot of pressure on Rhymes because of this song and has faced the risk of being considered racist or prejudice, and also for the inappropriate usage of prayers from the Muslim holy book, the Koran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Money) in the "Arab Money" remix.

Pump the breaks. What is really going on?? I totally get the analogy that Busta is attempting to make. You’re rich like Middle Eastern royalty. I get it. But “I make you bow down and make Salaat like a Muslim?” Really?! A hot as this is in the club, and as hype as people get when it comes on, we have to stop and take a look at things. This song is disrespectful to the Arab and Muslim people, period. It’s bad enough that he is stereo-typing the culture, but the usage of holy prayer and words from the Koran is really over-doing it. I don’t understand where Busta Rhymes ever got the notion that saying these things was ok in any form… This is the type of thing you might say to a friend if you really felt the joke would be worth it. But nationally distributing it? Maybe that should have gotten a second thought..or a third one. What makes it really bad is the fact that there were people in the video of Middle Eastern decent, including DJ Khalid, dancing along in approval!

When it comes to using inappropriate religious references in rap music, Busta Rhymes is not the only one in recent music. In singer/rapper T-Pain’s recent single “Chopped and Screwed” featuring Ludacris, Ludacris used a line that could offend Christians:

“Put you over my knees
Put you on punishment
Women and I'll spank ya (baaa)
Have you praising the lord
Like thank you-thank you
Thank you lord I want to thank you (Jesus)"

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/tpain/choppedskrewed.html


I know I personally feel uncomfortable with that and I turn it off until that part is over every single time. Some say art is art and no one should have a right to approve or disapprove of an artists’ creative work. There is some truth to that, but when you are an entertainer on a global scale, doesn’t there have to come a point where there is even the smallest consideration and respect for things?

-.Ele



VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYOmWQiVCFQ
LYRICS
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bustarhymes/arabmoney.html
OTHER COMMENTARY
http://www.blackpower.com/entertainment/an-analysis-of-busta-rhymes-arab-money/

http://www.rapbasement.com/busta-rhymes/120308-busta-rhymes-new-song-arab-money-gets-a-dj-suspended-releases-new-video.html

Want to read other blogs like this? Try:

www.blackpower.com/entertainment/an-analysis-of-busta-rhymes-arab-money/

www.illdoctrine.com

randb.about.com/b/

www.blogcatalog.com.blogs/confessions-of-an-rb-drama-queen.html

www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/domeshots-and-fat-laces.html