kirbyourenthusiasm: Back in Action!!!

Bloggers,

Sorry for the major hiatus. . .Life awaited me but unfortunately kept me away from informing you on all the great buzz I've been hearing coming out of the entertainment industry. . .

First, let's discuss the meteoric rise of Lady Gaga. Now although I'm not a huge fan of hers, I can't deny her talent nor her nack of making some really catchy-ass songs (I find myself constantly singing "I want your loving/I want your revenge/You and me can have a Bad Romance" lol). Although most people are already comparing her as the next Madonna, I'm here to say: Whoa-Nelly!!!

I like her as an artist, I really do. But she has a lot of miles to go before she can be called the next Madonna. . .A LOT. Plus, I thought Britney Spears, the Princess of Pop, was next in line to covet Madge's throne. Given her line of accomplishments, I would say that the crown is rightfully Britney's. Now I know most people would say "But Lady Gaga can sing, play piano, etc. and the only thing Britney have are autotune and mediocre dance moves" But let's back up and ponder this for a second. . .

First, not to take away from any artist that has uber-talent and has made it big in the Pop genre, but let's be honest: IT'S POP MUSIC. It is and always will be that super-catchy, anyone can sing, shake-your-booty type of music. The pop genre could care less about actual vocal talent, especially with the rise of autotune and studio pitch correction. You can't deny that one of the reasons you probably like your favorite pop song is that you can actually sing along to it while shaking your booty. . .

Second, Britney Spears was not and will not ever be known for her vocal abilities. I love that baby to death, but she can't blow like Mariah (well "old" Mariah). Her strong point has always been she could sing catchy songs and dance her ass off. You can't deny that you didn't get life off of the "Slave 4 U" and "Toxic" music videos. You loved her and bought her music because of that fact. Get over it. Also, I'm sorry but even with Britney Spears going crazy and having babies, Lady Gaga could never hold a candle up to Britney Spears dancing, then and now. The girl has been dancing since her "Mickey Mouse Club" days!!! You can't compete with that!

Third, a lot of Gaga fans say that she's more artistic and likes to push the boundaries with her image and music. But let's give credit where credit is due. Although Madge is famous for pushing the boundaries of sex, Britney made it okay for Pop artists to grow into their sexuality and not be ashamed of it. She went from Girl-Next-Door with "Oops, I Did It Again" to a grow woman with "Slave 4 U". She made it okay for artists who basically grew up in the media to not be ashamed that they were growing up and becoming sexual. Because as much as these Christian Conservatives like to deny it, we all have sex and/or do sexual acts and/or have thought sexual things. So what's wrong with seeing it on TV? But back to my point, Britney paved the way for artists like young Gaga to express her sexuality. . .point blank. Give credit where credit is due and don't try to think that what Gaga is doing is new. She's just continuing the trend and she needs to do just what Rihanna says "it's just the way the game is played, it's best if you just wait you turn."

Now, since we are on the topic of Rihanna, I must say that I absolutely LOOOOOOOOVVVVEEE "Rated R". OMG! Now I've been a fan of Rihanna since her "Pon de Replay" days. I was bumping her music in my car back then and didn't give a rat's ass who cared. But even though I was a little scared about this album and even referring to it as ultimate pop manufacturing, this album was any thing but that. It was dark, raw, edgy and just amazing. Since it's debut there has never been a day gone by that I either haven't listened to the whole ablum or at least one song. This, in my opinion, was the album she needed to make following that undoubtedly dark time in her life. And she let's you know that. Although I feel that I would have chosen singles and their order differently, you can't deny that any song that does come out isn't good. It may not be "Pop" material but to me it's Grammy material. Rihanna is growing as an artist and as an image and there is no way to go but up from here. Keep dusting off your shoulders, my Bajan sister.

Now, on to the men. Well I don't really care for male singers that much but I got to say, Trey Songz latest album "Ready" is on point. This is true R&B for the new generation. It would be safe to say that Trey has officially taken over R. Kelly's crown. With songs like "I Invented Sex", "Say Ahh", and "LOL :-) " I can't help but to feel some type of way. Even with the video for "I Invented Sex" I started to have heart palpitations because my little ol' heart couldn't take it. I though I was watching a really high quality sex tape, lol.

But anyways, I'm tired and I really need to get some shut eye. . .But I'm definitely back so be ready. . .

kirbyourmusic: The Most Manufactured Album in the History of Music. . .

Now I love me some Rihanna. I feel like she has a wonderful voice, beautiful, trendsetter, and very talented. However, Rihanna's album include the "elite" of production and songwriting. The list includes:

-The Dream (writer/producer for Rihanna smash hit "Umbrella")
-Tricky Stewart (producer for Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)")
-The Neptunes (they need no explanation. . .)
-Ryan Tedder (co-writer/producer of Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" and OneRepublic frontman)
-Max Martin (producer of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" as well as Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl")
-Soulja Boy ("elite?" well i don't know about this one)
-Justin Timberlake (singer/songwriter/producer)
-Drake (new, hot emerging artist)
-Sean Garrett (composed Chris Brown's "Run It", Usher's "Yeah", Ciara's "Goodies", and Beyonce's "Diva" and "Ring the Alarm")
-Timbaland (legendary music producer)
-Stargate (collaborated with Ne-Yo for Rihanna's "Unfaithful" and Beyonce's "Irreplaceable")
-Kanye West
-Tyson Ritter (All American Rejects' frontman)
-James Fauntleroy (writer for Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown's "No Air" and Ciara's "Love Sex Magic")
-Jay-Z (Hip hop legend)

Now this is the most expensive album in Def Jam's recording history. I hope that all goes well with Rihanna and this album proves to be groundbreaking in its own right. However, I have one question:
When did music become not who the artist is but who they are working with (i.e. producers, songwriters, etc.)?

Although in my few years in this Earth, I remember a time when it was all about the artist. I remember anticipating a Mariah Carey single just to hear her hit that whistle tone. Or anticipating the amazing multi-octave range of Whitney Houston. Nowadays, it's not who you are but who you are working with. You're a nobody if you are not working with the best producers in the business. . .

Has the originality of the artist become secondary to a sure-fire hit? Is music essentially as Jamie Foxx said in Dreamgirls "meant to sell"?

Now I wish no ill will toward Rihanna and I will be buying her album when it is released, but I hope that all that "star power" doesn't outshine the talented Miss Rihanna. . .

But while you mellow on that for a bit, enjoy her new song "Te Amo" which is set to be released on her new album (whose name has yet to be released)