The focus of my rhetoric research is to analyze the presence of misogyny in conscious rap and how it is reflected in lyrics and criticized compared to gangster rap. This paper will seek to explore how sexism affects listeners when coming from a less street, more mainstream artist, specifically concentrating on rapper J. Cole. Daws, Laura Beth. " The College Dropout: A Narrative Critique of the Music of Kanye West." Florida Communication Journal, vol. 35, no. 2, Fall2007, pp.…
Decoded was a glimpse into the rough environment of world known artist Shawn Carter, or better recognized as Jay-Z. In this book, Carter gives a clear analysis of not only his lyrics, but also the meaning of each lyric. He goes into detailed memories to steer the audience in the direction of a better understanding and acceptance to a different perspective than of those that are given via social media. In order to accomplish this, Jay-Z delves into three main topics. Firstly, he hoped to make a valid argument that hip-hop lyrics from any rapper are poetry if you looked behind the lines and examined them enough.…
“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence” -Colin Powell. I will never forget when I was awarded one of the two “Most Outstanding Musician” awards when I was a 7th grader at Neil Armstrong Middle School.…
As a human being, it is in my best interest to be able to distinguish a credible person from a non-credible person in a matter of seconds in order to ensure my basic survival. It is primary and vital that I understand who I am able to trust and who I should avoid, yet it is something that happens instinctively and even without notice; like when my hand quickly reaches and grabs the pencil that is about to roll off the side of a table. The millisecond that it takes for my hand to grasp the pencil just before it hits the floor is also about all the time it takes for a person’s credibility to be thrown out the window. Once this happens, a person’s image is tarnished forever, making it extremely difficult for them to regain the public trust they had before. This is why newsmakers, spokespersons, and celebrities must be highly cautious when it comes to their reputation, especially in the age we live in now where almost anything that has sparked controversies in the past can be looked up at any point in time.…
I have played 1st trumpet in wind ensemble from 9th-12th grade. In 9th and 10th grade I played piano in jazz band, and in 11th and 12th grade I played second and first trumpet respectively. In last year's solo/ensemble contest I got superior ratings for my trumpet and marimba solos, and and excellent rating for my trumpet duet. I played second chair 1st trumpet in this year's Gold Band at UMD's honor band. I played trumpet in the honor jazz band in 11th and 12th grade.…
I believe that my personal background, and my success despite the adversity that I have faced is an essential part of who I am. The first of my struggles came from being born to two teenage parents without at least a high school education, and although my mother went on to get a GED and to college my father did not. Many people in my family had issues with substance abuse and addictions including my father. Although, I was raised by my mother and grandmother, my father’s actions and behaviors negatively impacted my life. My father was verbally and mentally abusive to the people around him, especially when he used alcohol.…
A time when I was scared was when I went to the doctor, and I had to get four shots. I was scared because I don’t like needles. When the doctor said I needed four shots I was scared out of my mind. She asked me where I wanted them, then I told her in my arm. When she was about to give me the first shot I started screaming and crying.…
Sa. The first note that I ever heard and the beginning to my musical life. This one note was enough to change my small world that I existed in. Then came the rest of the scale. Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.…
It’s amazing how a few words mixed in with some sound can make you feel a certain way. It also amazing how different beats can give you a different feeling. Music is one of the few things in this world that everyone can relate to in one way or another. It may not be the same song or genre, that would work for you compared to another person. But, the point is somewhere in the music world there is a song that you can relate to.…
One of the leadership roles that has shaped who I am is my role in band. I have been involved in this program since I was in 6th grade. I've grown up in front of my teachers; they know me better than most people and have helped define who I am today. I learned the most about myself when I made it to state my freshman year. I worked up my solo on my own and ended up getting a 1 at state.…
I didn’t not know what I was expecting. On the first day of high school, I stepped into a crowd of students, waiting to enter the building that would become my second home for the next four years. I didn’ not know where I would stand among these highly accomplished individuals, or if I would even amount to the standards set before me. Self-doubt began to fester inside of me as soon as I stepped through the front doors. I expected less and less of myself as time went on.…
People and music are inseparable as Macdonald (2008, 39) argues that ‘We are all musical. Every human being has a biological, social and cultural guarantee of musicianship.’ It is hardly possible to live without hearing music in daily life, and people has been building musical identity since they are born by negotiating through it. Thus, music is a significant matter in personal identity and analysis of one’s life can reveal one’s musical identity. This essay will demonstrate the analysis of my musical identity based on my life.…
Kanye West is a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and most notably one of the most successful musicians as of today. Despite his inspirational achievements, Mr. West was once a college dropout with a dead-end job and a dream of pursuing music; however, many record labels denied his requests to publish his solo work. Not only being denied at first as a solo musician, West also dropped out of college at the age of 20 to pursue his dream to be a musician. His debut album, “The College Dropout” meticulously described his struggle to get his foot in the door as well as telling his listeners a story of carving their own path. In the album, Kanye takes his listeners on his journey to rock bottom as a dropout in his early 20’s all the way to him starting…
A time that stands out to me would be singing my first Aria. Taking the initiative towards something I rarely knew anything about caused me to be afraid. Something that is very challenging, and different from theater, and specific, but so rewarding. When I sang that for an audience, I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be. This song took a lot of hard work.…
My First Job When I first began my job, I didn’t care for it at all, but now I can’t wait for my next work day. The day I came home with the news of my first job, my family could not believe it. They were aware that I wanted a job for the reason that all my friends held jobs, but they had no idea I would indeed pursue this idea. I was very proud of myself for achieving this all alone, and I was as surprised as they were that this happened. I remember getting ready for my first day, I was shaking with excitement and a hint of nervousness.…