Monthly Archives: September 2009

Music : Do you think all rap or hip-hop affects society

I can no longer defend most of what passes for hip hop these days. Mainstream hip hop has come to glorify the some of the worst aspects of society. I do not live in the ghetto so I don’t know if hip hop is an accurate reflection of ghetto life or if hip hops portrayal of ghetto culture is distorted. For the sake of people living in these areas I hope the answer is the latter. The one thing that can’t be denied is that today’s mainstream hip hop promotes a lifestyle that reduces human beings to materialistic nihilists who will do anything for the almighty dollar. That some people see this lifestyle as cool is mind boggling to me. Why have we Americans always been so quick to romanticize the criminal elements of society? From the Italian mafia to 50 Cent we have always had in affinity for gangsters. Scarface is like a cultural icon in this country. His face can be seen in rap videos and his posters can be found plastered on the walls of college fraternities. My question is why are we always allowing ourselves to be desensitized to the point where we not only condone, but embrace lifestyles that we should know are immoral?

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Celebrity : Sandra Bullock and Jesse James secret baby boy revealed

Amidst the chaos and rumors behind the Sandra Bullock and Jesse James’ affair saga, another twist was announced by Sandra Bullock – she and Jesse James have a baby boy. The 3 1/2-month old boy was adopted by the couple in January prior to the scandal that broke concerning the multiple affairs by James.

Louis Bardot Bullock was born in New Orleans, LA and became part of the Bullock-James family at the beginning of 2010. Bullock told People magazine that she does plan to seek a divorce from her husband and will raise her son as a single mother.

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James began adoption proceedings about 4 years ago and were finally blessed with their son in January. To keep the secret of their son, Bullock says she kept as many people away as possible. Bullock told People magazine, “I wanted to be alone with him as long as I could then we had to tell his story.” The Academy Awards were just around the corner and America’s Sweetheart won an Oscar for her role in “The Blind Side” on March 7. Shortly thereafter on March 16, the news broke of Jesse James’ numerous affairs. The first of several to step forward was Michelle “Bombshell McGee.

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Music : How to make money in the music industry

If you want to get a record deal, get people to your shows, or sell music like crazy, the answer isn’t some kind of “magic pill” website that you post your music on, blindly sending out a bunch of demos, or anything to do with having good music…although good music certainly helps – the answer is to develop a “mindset” that naturally attracts people to what you’re doing as well as an understanding of how the music business game is played.

As you develop as a person, your music career will develop with you. Sounds crazy, but it’s true…and I’ve seen it time and time again, with thousands of acts that I’ve worked with, from garage bands, to the guys selling out arenas. Check out these ten common music business mistakes:

10. Being Too Difficult (or Too Nice)

First of all, let’s get this clear… Just because you wrote a few good songs and recorded them, doesn’t mean that the world revolves around you. Lots of people write and record good songs, so get in line.

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Celebrity : Rob Fusari sues Lady Gaga

Rob Fusari, the former boyfriend and producer of Lady Gaga filed a lawsuit against her in Manhattan State Court for $30.5 million alleging the megastar owes him for creating her sound, look, and even trademark name. Fusari alleges that without him, there is no Lady Gaga – only Stefani Germanotta, a piano playing bar act. Immediately the wheels are set in motion for an ugly battle.

Fusari for his part has likely said more than he should before entering the courtroom as he has already set himself up as the bad guy. On the surface it would appear as if this is a grown up way to try to punish someone over a childish reaction to a personal disagreement. It is hard for it to not look that way as Gaga broke up with Fusari shortly before her career took off. Fusari even stated “All business is personal” when asked if it is really his hurt feelings that spawned this lawsuit.

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