FORMAL CRITIQUE
This is my formal critique of the track “Alphabet Aerobics” by Blackalicious. This is a very interesting and unique hip-hop track. The emcee goes through the entire alphabet, devoting several bars at a time to words beginning with a specific letter. As he goes from A to Z, the tempo of the song also increases. I will be looking at the words used, how many syllables each word contains, and how this changes from beginning to end. I want to see how the increase in tempo increases the types of words Blackalicious uses. Throughout the entire song, each letter receives eight counts. The earlier letters have more leeway, for the tempo is slower and there is more time to use words of their choice. As a result, there are more fill-in words and conjunctions in the earlier letters. For instance:
Artificial amateurs, aren't at all amazing
Analytically, I assault, animate things
Broken barriers bounded by the bomb beat
Buildings are broken, basically I'm bombarding
A majority of the words do begin with A or B, but there are some smaller fill-in words here. Let’s move down the alphabet and take a look at the letter H:
Hit em high, hella height, historical
Hey holocaust hints hear 'em holler homeboy
As the tempo increases, and time reduces, Blackalicious begins taking out unnecessary words and conjunctions. He cuts right to the matter and gives us all of the words beginning with that specific letter, nothing more. I also wanted to see how he performed with the most obscure letters, including Q, X, Z. These lines obviously feature more fill-in words. However, he still manages to dig deep into his vocabulary, using words such as quantum, Xerox and zealots. The diction and rhythm of his raps also change as the tempo changes. Overall, he keeps a consistent flow throughout the piece, no matter how fast the tempo becomes. This is a masterful song that has such artistic depth and creativity. It is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
ECLECTIC ANALYSIS - NWA - Fuck the Police (MANDATORY ASSIGNMENT)
ECLECTIC ANALYSIS - FINAL ASSIGNMENT
For my Ecelctic Critique, I will be analyizing the NWA classic “Fuck The Police.” I believe that the historical context of this track is the most important element when analyzing any NWA track. It lays the main foundation of NWA’s powerful message. The track was written in Compton in 1988, one of the most turbulent years for the inner city. 1988 was a huge year for hip-hop - it featured the rise of NWA, Public Enemy, and Run DMC. Hip-hop began to develope a sense of cultural pride and confidence. While Public Enemy's socially conscious messages were more peaceful, NWA featured a more millitant style of expression and power. Call them the Malcolm X, while P.E was more along the lines of MLK. The beat's and compositions within the music of NWA were simple and raw, yet innovative, just like thier lyrics/overall message. The rawness and toughness of the composition has such a deep effect, for it really epitomized the era these young men lived in. The 80’s and 90’s in South Central LA/Compton/Oakland featured deep tension between African American’s and local law enforcement (most of the police were white). A listener who might not look into the historical context of “Fuck The Police” might mock the song for its vulgarity and excessive usage of inflammatory phrases/words. However, one must put themselves in the shoes of Dr. Dre, Eazy E, MC Ren, Ice Cube and the thousands of oppressed black youths in the ghettos of California.
After the riots in Watts in the Sixties, racial tensions were at a maximum. In fact, the reason why NWA recorded several tracks was because of police brutality committed against several members of the group. Dr. Dre and MC Ren were sitting on a porch with a beebee gun. When police saw this, they immediately threw both Dre and MC Ren to the ground, handcuffed and arrested them. After several hours of inappropriate questioning in the precinct, they were finally released. This incident, along with other racially-driven incidents in their community, led to the recording of many NWA tracks, including “Fuck the Police” and “Straight Outta Compton.” The group gave the inner city a true voice, one that fought back against law enforcement. Young black youth all across the country could relate to the harsh words of NWA. The high unemployment rates, alcoholism, drug abuse, racial profiling and murder eventually boiled over, when Rodney King was severely beaten by the LAPD. After the acquittal of the police officers, even though their actions were caught on tape, the infamous LA Riots took place. Los Angeles, along with other major cities, completely imploded. Violence, rioting and civil unrest ruled the streets. These circumstances really molded the messages NWA conveyed in their multi-platinum albums.
In fact, not only did inner city minorities associate with their tracks, but oppressed groups across the globe stood up for NWA. The oppressed citizens of Belgrade, Serbia played the track extensively on the radio. When it was banned, they played NWA songs for hours on end. The anger, violence, oppression and racism surrounding these young rappers spilled over into their music, especially in the track “Fuck the Police.”
The very beginning of the track starts off with a bang. Instantly, NWA begins to mock the judicial system of America with a parody skit:
Right about now NWA court is in full effect.
Judge Dre presiding in the case of NWA versus the police department.
Prosecuting attourneys are MC Ren Ice Cube and Eazy muthafuckin E.
Order order order. Ice Cube take the muthafuckin stand.
Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth
and nothin but the truth so help your black ass?
Why don't you tell everybody what the fuck you gotta say?
They flip the script and take the positions of the white attorneys and judges. This small and comical skit actually carries a deep meaning. For once, the members of NWA are empowering themselves. By acting as the oppressors, the rappers are portraying self-confidence, strength and the ability to stand up and fight back. No matter how down they get, the mock trial reminds them to keep the faith and fight back.
The first verse of the track is extremely powerful, and sums up the entire gist of the track. Ice Cube delivers the lyrics with a loud, bombastic voice that reminds us of the anger, power and strength of the young Black community. The following words leave my hair standing on edge as they blare through the speakers:
Fuck tha police
Comin straight from the underground
Young nigga got it bad cuz I'm brown
And not the other color so police think
They have the authority to kill a minority
Within these lines, every ounce of hatred is released. The cooped up resentment and feeling is spilling into the track. Ice Cube's dominant voice adds to the effect. The power is simply astounding here. Another small line got my attention:
We could go toe to toe in the middle of a cell
This is yet another sign of resentment. Ice Cube believes that Blacks are equal, if not greater than Whites, if they are given equal conditions. If you throw out history, Ice Cube wants to tell the police force that he could easily overpower them. Because of our society, however, many Black people will never get the chance to gain equality with Whites, even if they hold the power to do so within. Ice Cube is challenging racists and bigots to square up, man to man, to prove that he is just as powerful and strong as any man in soicety.
The problem is that stereotyping, racism and hatred keep them down to the ground, as Ice Cube proclaims:
Fuckin with me cuz I'm a teenager
With a little bit of gold and a pager
Searchin my car, lookin for the product
Thinkin every nigga is sellin narcotics
With these thoughts engraved in the minds of the LAPD, what chance to these young Black kids have? The only choice they do have is to stand up toe to toe, and fight back. This message oozes out of this track. Next up to the mic is the scrappy MC Ren, who continues Ice Cube's millitant message with utmost confidence. The beat hasn't changed at all in the background, but it's rawness and grit still pulsate through the speakers.
My favorite member of the group, Eazy E, step's up to the plate next. His high-pitched voice and relentless style can either annoy the hell out of you, or draw you in even closer. Personally, he was the game-changer in NWA. Behind his millitant lyrics lies subtle messages that make you think. For instance:
They put up my picture with silence
Cuz my identity by itself causes violence
A social message that millions debate about each year lies within these two lines. When he raps the lines, however, something just seems to click inside your head. There is an absolute fear of African-Americans on this planet. Years and years upon years of reckless behavior has resulted in this inate feeling. Can you help but wonder what you would do if you were stuck in the ghetto? Wouldn't you be pissed off? Looking for retribution against police officers and city officials? It really makes me think.
All in all, this is such a powerful song that rang as an anthem for oppressed people, period. Black, white, yellow - it didn't matter what color you were. If you have some sort of beef against the polie or government, this was your jam. While Public Enemy wrote "Fight the Power," another track filled with social messages, "Fuck the Police" cut through the BS to the heart of the matter. Is it raw, millitant and violent in nature? Sure. Are those good qualities? No. But the circumstances and historical data don't lie. In the right situation, anger is justified and even necessary. If you repeatedly beat the crap out of a cagted lion for hundreds of years, and then finally release him, what would it do? It would pounce on the first thing breathing. This is why, I believe, that this track is one of the most important songs of our generation.
For my Ecelctic Critique, I will be analyizing the NWA classic “Fuck The Police.” I believe that the historical context of this track is the most important element when analyzing any NWA track. It lays the main foundation of NWA’s powerful message. The track was written in Compton in 1988, one of the most turbulent years for the inner city. 1988 was a huge year for hip-hop - it featured the rise of NWA, Public Enemy, and Run DMC. Hip-hop began to develope a sense of cultural pride and confidence. While Public Enemy's socially conscious messages were more peaceful, NWA featured a more millitant style of expression and power. Call them the Malcolm X, while P.E was more along the lines of MLK. The beat's and compositions within the music of NWA were simple and raw, yet innovative, just like thier lyrics/overall message. The rawness and toughness of the composition has such a deep effect, for it really epitomized the era these young men lived in. The 80’s and 90’s in South Central LA/Compton/Oakland featured deep tension between African American’s and local law enforcement (most of the police were white). A listener who might not look into the historical context of “Fuck The Police” might mock the song for its vulgarity and excessive usage of inflammatory phrases/words. However, one must put themselves in the shoes of Dr. Dre, Eazy E, MC Ren, Ice Cube and the thousands of oppressed black youths in the ghettos of California.
After the riots in Watts in the Sixties, racial tensions were at a maximum. In fact, the reason why NWA recorded several tracks was because of police brutality committed against several members of the group. Dr. Dre and MC Ren were sitting on a porch with a beebee gun. When police saw this, they immediately threw both Dre and MC Ren to the ground, handcuffed and arrested them. After several hours of inappropriate questioning in the precinct, they were finally released. This incident, along with other racially-driven incidents in their community, led to the recording of many NWA tracks, including “Fuck the Police” and “Straight Outta Compton.” The group gave the inner city a true voice, one that fought back against law enforcement. Young black youth all across the country could relate to the harsh words of NWA. The high unemployment rates, alcoholism, drug abuse, racial profiling and murder eventually boiled over, when Rodney King was severely beaten by the LAPD. After the acquittal of the police officers, even though their actions were caught on tape, the infamous LA Riots took place. Los Angeles, along with other major cities, completely imploded. Violence, rioting and civil unrest ruled the streets. These circumstances really molded the messages NWA conveyed in their multi-platinum albums.
In fact, not only did inner city minorities associate with their tracks, but oppressed groups across the globe stood up for NWA. The oppressed citizens of Belgrade, Serbia played the track extensively on the radio. When it was banned, they played NWA songs for hours on end. The anger, violence, oppression and racism surrounding these young rappers spilled over into their music, especially in the track “Fuck the Police.”
The very beginning of the track starts off with a bang. Instantly, NWA begins to mock the judicial system of America with a parody skit:
Right about now NWA court is in full effect.
Judge Dre presiding in the case of NWA versus the police department.
Prosecuting attourneys are MC Ren Ice Cube and Eazy muthafuckin E.
Order order order. Ice Cube take the muthafuckin stand.
Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth
and nothin but the truth so help your black ass?
Why don't you tell everybody what the fuck you gotta say?
They flip the script and take the positions of the white attorneys and judges. This small and comical skit actually carries a deep meaning. For once, the members of NWA are empowering themselves. By acting as the oppressors, the rappers are portraying self-confidence, strength and the ability to stand up and fight back. No matter how down they get, the mock trial reminds them to keep the faith and fight back.
The first verse of the track is extremely powerful, and sums up the entire gist of the track. Ice Cube delivers the lyrics with a loud, bombastic voice that reminds us of the anger, power and strength of the young Black community. The following words leave my hair standing on edge as they blare through the speakers:
Fuck tha police
Comin straight from the underground
Young nigga got it bad cuz I'm brown
And not the other color so police think
They have the authority to kill a minority
Within these lines, every ounce of hatred is released. The cooped up resentment and feeling is spilling into the track. Ice Cube's dominant voice adds to the effect. The power is simply astounding here. Another small line got my attention:
We could go toe to toe in the middle of a cell
This is yet another sign of resentment. Ice Cube believes that Blacks are equal, if not greater than Whites, if they are given equal conditions. If you throw out history, Ice Cube wants to tell the police force that he could easily overpower them. Because of our society, however, many Black people will never get the chance to gain equality with Whites, even if they hold the power to do so within. Ice Cube is challenging racists and bigots to square up, man to man, to prove that he is just as powerful and strong as any man in soicety.
The problem is that stereotyping, racism and hatred keep them down to the ground, as Ice Cube proclaims:
Fuckin with me cuz I'm a teenager
With a little bit of gold and a pager
Searchin my car, lookin for the product
Thinkin every nigga is sellin narcotics
With these thoughts engraved in the minds of the LAPD, what chance to these young Black kids have? The only choice they do have is to stand up toe to toe, and fight back. This message oozes out of this track. Next up to the mic is the scrappy MC Ren, who continues Ice Cube's millitant message with utmost confidence. The beat hasn't changed at all in the background, but it's rawness and grit still pulsate through the speakers.
My favorite member of the group, Eazy E, step's up to the plate next. His high-pitched voice and relentless style can either annoy the hell out of you, or draw you in even closer. Personally, he was the game-changer in NWA. Behind his millitant lyrics lies subtle messages that make you think. For instance:
They put up my picture with silence
Cuz my identity by itself causes violence
A social message that millions debate about each year lies within these two lines. When he raps the lines, however, something just seems to click inside your head. There is an absolute fear of African-Americans on this planet. Years and years upon years of reckless behavior has resulted in this inate feeling. Can you help but wonder what you would do if you were stuck in the ghetto? Wouldn't you be pissed off? Looking for retribution against police officers and city officials? It really makes me think.
All in all, this is such a powerful song that rang as an anthem for oppressed people, period. Black, white, yellow - it didn't matter what color you were. If you have some sort of beef against the polie or government, this was your jam. While Public Enemy wrote "Fight the Power," another track filled with social messages, "Fuck the Police" cut through the BS to the heart of the matter. Is it raw, millitant and violent in nature? Sure. Are those good qualities? No. But the circumstances and historical data don't lie. In the right situation, anger is justified and even necessary. If you repeatedly beat the crap out of a cagted lion for hundreds of years, and then finally release him, what would it do? It would pounce on the first thing breathing. This is why, I believe, that this track is one of the most important songs of our generation.
FERRARA – PHENOMENOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR ANALYSIS
FERRARA – PHENOMENOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR ANALYSIS
In this chapter, Dr. Ferrara discusses how to use phenomenology to analyze music. Many people try to find the objective knowledge when trying to analyze music. This strenuous analysis basically overshadows the actual music, thus making it subordinate. However, phenomenological analysts believe in a different way of analyzing music. They argue that what one hears is affected by how one hears it. They also believe in the concept of Dasein, which was discussed earlier in the book by Dr. Ferrara. By putting together all of these methods, Dr. Ferrara claims that this can “bring a practical and transferable application of phenomenological method” for the analysis of music. Not all pieces can be analyzed using the typical methods of analysis. Dr. Ferrara takes a glance at the famous Poeme Electronique. The piece can’t be analyzed with typical techniques because it is atonal and extremely unique. Dr. Ferrara argues, however, that a phenomenological view of this piece can give a solid analysis. During his multiple listenings, he categorizes sounds and attempts to break down the piece into it’s simplest elements. All in all, the phenomenological style of analysis focuses on multiple forms of anaylsis and thought, and therefore is a great way of analyzing a piece.
REACTION
I really liked this chapter. Dr. Ferrara gave us an alternative way of analyzing a piece of music. In fact, this method seems to be more thorough and well-rounded. It ended up giving a deep analysis of a very obscure and unique piece like Poeme Electronique. Typical methods of analysis wouldn’t be nearly as effective. The next time I want to analyze a piece, I am going to give this method a try.
In this chapter, Dr. Ferrara discusses how to use phenomenology to analyze music. Many people try to find the objective knowledge when trying to analyze music. This strenuous analysis basically overshadows the actual music, thus making it subordinate. However, phenomenological analysts believe in a different way of analyzing music. They argue that what one hears is affected by how one hears it. They also believe in the concept of Dasein, which was discussed earlier in the book by Dr. Ferrara. By putting together all of these methods, Dr. Ferrara claims that this can “bring a practical and transferable application of phenomenological method” for the analysis of music. Not all pieces can be analyzed using the typical methods of analysis. Dr. Ferrara takes a glance at the famous Poeme Electronique. The piece can’t be analyzed with typical techniques because it is atonal and extremely unique. Dr. Ferrara argues, however, that a phenomenological view of this piece can give a solid analysis. During his multiple listenings, he categorizes sounds and attempts to break down the piece into it’s simplest elements. All in all, the phenomenological style of analysis focuses on multiple forms of anaylsis and thought, and therefore is a great way of analyzing a piece.
REACTION
I really liked this chapter. Dr. Ferrara gave us an alternative way of analyzing a piece of music. In fact, this method seems to be more thorough and well-rounded. It ended up giving a deep analysis of a very obscure and unique piece like Poeme Electronique. Typical methods of analysis wouldn’t be nearly as effective. The next time I want to analyze a piece, I am going to give this method a try.
DICKIE - CHAPTER 6
DICKIE – CHAPTER 6
In Chapter 6, Dickie discusses Aldrich’s theory on aesthetic perception. In Aldrich’s mind, the aesthetics of a work can be understood objectively, not subjectively when the work is shown in a specific fashion. He also argues that there are two types of perception: the ordinary and the aesthetic. Ordinary perception is used in science, not art. Dickie discusses his feelings about how an object can be perceived through a picture/diagram. The picture from above looks like a lampshade, and from below, looks like a tunnel. From this diagram, Dickie argues that there’s only one form of perception that leads to three aesthetic objects. Dickie seems to butt heads with Aldrich’s ideas and beliefs. In one example, Aldrich presents two objects that are seen as impressionistic: a skyline at sundown, and a snowflake. Dickie completely disagrees with this belief, and argues that focusing one’s eyes in a unique way does not justify one believing that the object has a special aesthetic mode of perception. He concludes the chapter by arguing that there is not a real justification for saying that a particular form of aesthetic perception exists for an object to reveal itself in. All in all, a very interesting chapter.
REACTION
This chapter was a very complex one. For one, Dickie and Aldrich seemed to butt heads constantly. Even though many high thinkers may have absurd and extremely left field ideas and thoughts, they still help contribute to the overall conversation/debate about the topic at hand. Dickie does make some valid points, as well. Like many other chapters in the book, I had to read it many times to simply scratch the surface. It will definitely sink in more over time.
In Chapter 6, Dickie discusses Aldrich’s theory on aesthetic perception. In Aldrich’s mind, the aesthetics of a work can be understood objectively, not subjectively when the work is shown in a specific fashion. He also argues that there are two types of perception: the ordinary and the aesthetic. Ordinary perception is used in science, not art. Dickie discusses his feelings about how an object can be perceived through a picture/diagram. The picture from above looks like a lampshade, and from below, looks like a tunnel. From this diagram, Dickie argues that there’s only one form of perception that leads to three aesthetic objects. Dickie seems to butt heads with Aldrich’s ideas and beliefs. In one example, Aldrich presents two objects that are seen as impressionistic: a skyline at sundown, and a snowflake. Dickie completely disagrees with this belief, and argues that focusing one’s eyes in a unique way does not justify one believing that the object has a special aesthetic mode of perception. He concludes the chapter by arguing that there is not a real justification for saying that a particular form of aesthetic perception exists for an object to reveal itself in. All in all, a very interesting chapter.
REACTION
This chapter was a very complex one. For one, Dickie and Aldrich seemed to butt heads constantly. Even though many high thinkers may have absurd and extremely left field ideas and thoughts, they still help contribute to the overall conversation/debate about the topic at hand. Dickie does make some valid points, as well. Like many other chapters in the book, I had to read it many times to simply scratch the surface. It will definitely sink in more over time.
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