#Beyonce performance at Grammys 2017

[camilorico]

About Karol G - the Woman who Rose to the Top of the Reggaeton World

One artist that I have been listening to non-stop lately is a Latin artist who goes by the name of Karol G. You may have heard her name as she has become famous not only in Latin America but globally. Karol G is a Colombian artist of mainly the reggaeton, Latin trap and hip-hop genres. Reggaeton is defined as a music genre that blends Jamaican influences of reggae music with Latin American dance hall music and hip-hop influences. Throughout her career, Karol G has collaborated with many well-known artists in Latin America, but in the U.S. as well, which have helped boost her to the global status she maintains now. 

Her first hit was “Ahora Me Llama” (Now He Calls Me) featuring Puerto Rican trap artist Bad Bunny in 2017. She continued to produce more hits such as “Culpables” (Guilty) in 2018 with Anuel AA, another famous trap artist like Bad Bunny. There were rumors about her dating Anuel after they released that song, so by the end of 2018, the two released a song together confirming their dating relationship to the public called “Secreto” (Secret) which was another success. The two had a “power couple” status commonly compared to Beyonce and Jay-Z’s level in Latin America. Karol G continued to release more hits such as “China” in 2019, which was a collaboration with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, and J Balvin - all who are popular Latin reggaeton/trap artists, “Tusa” (Heartbreak) with Nicki Minaj in 2019, “Bichota” (Bad B*tch) in 2020, “Provenza” (Provence) in 2021, and she featured in Becky G’s song “MAMIII” in 2022. To clarify, these are only some of her top hits which had charted the billboards and even won her Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, etc.

As we can clearly see, Karol G did not fail to stay relevant in the music industry since her breakthrough in 2017, with a new release or feature every consecutive year. However she did not immediately start out in the limelight when she began pursuing her music career. Karol G’s real name is Carolina Giraldo Navarro and she was born and raised in Colombia. She was first recognized for her musical talents when she performed on the Colombian version of The X-Factor in her country when she was 14 years old, and a few years later, she had her first record contract with Colombian company Flamingo Records and Puerto Rican company Diamond Music, and by then she chose her artist name to be Karol G. She released a few songs from 2007 to 2010 but they were not very successful, so she continued to study music at the University of Antioquia in Colombia. Karol G then traveled to Universal Studios in Miami, Florida where she presented her project but was rejected to be signed for a record due to her gender. Karol comments about it in an interview with PAPER magazine, "About nine years ago, I went to Miami for the first time; my parents got me a meeting [with the label]. I presented my project,’ she says, ‘and they liked it. But they said I could maybe be a songwriter, but a woman making reggaeton? That wouldn't work.’”.

This is because reggaeton has always been a male-dominated genre so not many women have become popular in the genre, with a few exceptions like Dominican artist Natti Natasha, Mexican-American artist Becky G, and Puerto Rican artist Ivy Queen, who became famous in the early 2000s and is known as the “Queen of Reggaeton”. However, it can be safely said that there are many more mainstream male reggaeton artists, like the artists I had previously mentioned. Even the “King of Reggaeton”, Daddy Yankee, who you have probably heard of before, is more globally known than the “Queen of Reggaeton”. In fact, I even asked my friend, who was born and raised in Dominican Republic until he migrated to New Jersey at 16 years old, if he knew who Ivy Queen was, and he said he did not know her, but of course when I mentioned I was writing about "reggaeton", the first person he thought of was Daddy Yankee.

However Karol G was not deterred by the rejection and continued to perform wherever she could back in Colombia with the support of her father, but by 2014 she moved to New York to try to boost her career in America again. Karol G saw an advertisement for business administration classes on the subway, which helped her learn more about the industry. From that time until she released “Ahora Me Llama” (Now He Calls Me) with Bad Bunny in 2017, Karol G released some more songs, one of them called “Ricos Besos” (Sweet Kisses) which was a hit in Colombia, and she signed with Universal Music Latino. Karol G created a strong foundation for her career which can explain how she is flourishing now as a global reggaeton icon and did not end up as a “one-hit wonder”. 

I personally admire Karol G a lot because she is a strong advocate for woman empowerment and breaking the misogynistic boundaries of the reggaeton genre, which she has demonstrated through her rise to the top of the reggaeton world with songs confidently embracing her femininity and sexuality.

From just looking at some of the lyrics from her breakthrough song “Ahora Me Llama” (Now He Calls Me), Karol G states, “Yo soy dueña de mi vida, a mí nadie me manda” (I am the owner of my life, no one controls me). Marty Preciado of NPR Music describes this song as, “A bass-heavy, unapologetic trap anthem to the power of femininity, soiled in hi-hats and heavy sub-bass, the song challenges hegemonic masculinity, singing about respect, love and sex-positive decisions… Karol G confidently states about the ownership, control and enjoyment of her life, femininity and sexuality.”

Another one of her biggest hits, “Tusa” (Heartbreak) became a global anthem for women, as the reggaeton song is about a woman trying to get over her ex and heal and to remind her to “know her worth”. The collaboration with Nicki Minaj, who has been globally known as the "Queen of Rap" for years and is never ashamed to express her sexuality and boost confidence in fellow women, makes the song an even more powerful piece of motivation to help women move on to bigger and better things.

Karol G’s song, “Bichota” (Bad B*tch) is another viral anthem of femininity where she created her own unique term from Puerto Rican word “bichote” which means “a powerful drug dealer”, to “a strong and empowered woman”. She explained further in an interview on the “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, “I wanted to create a ‘bichota’ but its meaning is going to be: a bitch boss girl, powerful, great, incredible, doing her things by herself, you know?”.

The last track that I think really shows Karol G’s support for women is not a part of any of her albums, since she was the featured artist, but “MAMIII” by Becky G is a reggaeton track about female empowerment for ending a toxic relationship, which many women can relate to. 

I think these four songs that I mentioned were really unique in the reggaeton genre because since it is such a male-dominated genre, there are not many reggaeton songs about women ending toxic relationships or female empowerment. In fact, it is a very common trend in reggaeton for male artists to over-sexualize and objectify women in their songs instead, so the fact that Karol G made all these four songs that basically diss men and motivate women into hits, shows that the genre is moving in a new direction.

Altogether, Karol G is such an inspiring icon for women, proving that she overcame barriers due to her gender by making a name for herself in a genre that has barely been touched by women. I think it is important to recognize that she is truly changing the industry through her consistent billboard chart-topping hits, her creation of “bichota”, a new female-empowering term, and just her overall loyal global fanbase. In fact, the same company that rejected Karol, Universal Studios, actually offered her a contract 7 years later because of her global status, so I think she is living proof that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

I would like to end this blog post with a motivating quote that Karol G said in an interview with the LA Times, “For years, I heard that women do not do reggaeton. Reggaeton and urban music belong to men, but as a woman, you belong to men. Now women are on another level. We are well prepared to lead. We've earned it and we're going to fight for it”. Hopefully we can continue to see Karol G progress with even more hits and be able to break the boundaries of reggaeton with her large influence. If you would like to take a listen to some of Karol G's music, I have linked her Spotify playlist below!

[isabellatomasblog]

Introduction to Afrofuturism: The Power of Music and Janelle Monae’s Impact 

Afrofuturism is something I was not previously familiar with. In fact, before taking this course I had barely even heard of the term. However, upon a deep dive into the creative and mystical world that is Afrofuturism I realized I am actually far more familiar with it than I originally thought. Another and more simple way to describe Afrofuturism is the Black speculative arts. It’s the music, storytelling, art, literature, and cinema of science fiction and fantasy of the African diaspora. It’s a world where our beliefs are suspended and magical realism transforms us to another world. Afrofuturism is what inspires a lot of activists because it focuses on real world issues and possible solutions. This is very present in Octavia E. Butler’s work, specifically in Parable of the Sower, a story set in almost the same year as today. However, what’s really fascinated me about Afrofuturism is its music and the history behind it.

Both Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce can be considered Afrofuturistic artists. For Lamar this is very evident in the music video for “Alright” in which he is shown to be flying in a magical realism type of world. Lamar describes real world experiences such as depression, faith, police brutality, the struggle of oppression, and a burning sense of optimism. On the other hand, Beyonce embodies Afrofuturism in a more mystical type of way. In her 2017 Grammy’s performance she embodies this nurturing love Goddess element. She displays her pregnancy almost like an accessory to display how she has embodied the magical realism of Afrofuturism. Beyonce is adorned in slow silk like clothes and is featured dancing with other women. Both Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar are very big artists with a huge following. And while they do Afrofuturism justice, somebody who really stands out as a modern day Afrofuturism pioneer is Janelle Monae.

Janella Monae is a severely underrated artist in general but especially when it comes to her recognition of Afrofuturistic world building. I see so many other artists praised for their storytelling through albums and songs but Monae is by far the most clever in my opinion. In her early works she played an android called Cindy Mayweather. Cindy Mayweather wore a black suit and placed a lot of emphasis on featuring herself as more androgynous, more covered and concealed. Monae goes by she and they pronouns and her music shows a clear connection to real world themes such as LGBTQ identity. Robots are an especially interesting choice since androgyny is sometimes compared to being an other worldly thing, like an android. It doesn’t fit the norm and neither does any of Monae’s work in Afrofuturism. There are also many parallels between the Black experience and robots such as hypersexualization and the theme of being bought and sold the way enslaved people were. Monae does a really fantastic job with the world building in her Metatropolis. Visual music videos like “Tightrope” are pleasing to look at and they serve as a mirror to our world and its problems.

In her later work, Monae made the switch from Cindy Mayweather to an android called Jane 57821. Jane feels more liberated, more sexually free as she wears less restrictive clothing. This is clearly a commentary on the male gaze and patriarchal beauty standards. Jane takes sexualization into her own hands turning it from an oppressive regime to one of rebellion. But there is also a darker side to Jane as she is cleansed of anything that makes her aberrant; her womanhood, her sexuality, her blackness, her rebellion. This is evident in “Dirty Computer” where it is made clear that Monae’s own intersections are seen as something that needs to be erased. It reflects the idea that in our world there are still people that want to harm those that stand out and are different despite the progress we may have made. Overall, Monae is a very underrated artist in my opinion. She deserve more phrase beyond just within a single community because she herself stands for some many different things; women, nonbinary people, queerness, etc. Her storytelling alone makes me wonder why it appears that people have stopped talking about her.

[rena12124]

Blog post 6

In my last blog post, I will be writing about Beyonce and Black Panther. Beyonce’s music is related to Afrofuturism. When we have discussed this topic in class, we talked about her journey into Afrofuturism. Her music touches people, especially the song, Lemonade, with the imagery in it. Beyonce’s performances are also related to Afrofuturism, not just the music itself, and with her tour right now. I also think it is cute how she incorporated her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, into the choreography of her new tour and dances alongside her. Beyonce’s live performance of the 2017 Grammy’s on the songs, Love Drought and Sandcastle, was very beautiful and unique. This performance did also look like Sun Ra and the piece was very creative. Another piece of this performance that I thought was very cool was the details she had added to her full outfit. Other than wearing traditional clothing, she also added acrylic nails to match it. Blue Ivy was also seen running around in this performance too which I think is so cute of Beyonce. Another piece that Beyonce performed that incorporates Afrofuturism is when she performed at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in 2018. This was so popular that it was also known as Beychella. Her performance at Coachella included many factors such as traditional clothing, she also added African cultural references, and futuristic elements to her performance. By doing this it added an experience that is both visually attractive and culturally relevant.

The film Black Panther by Ryan Coogler is one of my favorite movies. Black Panther is a Marvel movie that portrays Afrofuturism. This movie depicts Afro-futuristic themes such as technology. I think technology played a big role in this film, especially with T'Challa who is the Prince of Wakanda. One element that played a big role in the advanced technology in this film is using Vibranium which is the most important resource. By using this, they have created many new and different kinds of items. Afrofuturism is also depicted in this film by using their costumes, architecture, and language. This film also explores social and political themes like identity and the responsibility of power. I think that having a Marvel film that represents Afro-futurism in the media was a big thing because before that they were not that many films that represented Afro-futurism. Because of this many people have started talking more about Afrofuturism than ever. This also shows a representation of people worldwide.

[ashpapash1234]

Blog Post 3

For this week’s blog post I will be talking about Beyoncé. Beyoncé is a recording producer, dancer, actor, singer, and songwriter. She is a very talented and inspiring woman to many individuals around the whole world. She started becoming more well known during 1990 because she joined a group with three other women called Destiny’s Child. This group formed and started creating music and were performing for large groups and audiences. Soon after Beyonce started creating her own music and releasing many albums. One main theme I have noticed she uses in a lot of her own music is womanism and I think many individuals that listen to her are inspired by her. During one of our lectures in class, we watched Beyonce’s 2017 Grammy performance which was very exciting and powerful. She performed “Love Drought/ Sandcastles” during the Grammys in 2017 and she was pregnant while she was performing. I think it shows a lot about womanism because she was able to perform in front of a large audience while being pregnant. I love watching her music videos because they are all so touching and they all show how womanism is so important. Her music videos also incorporate Afrofuturism. I have always been a huge fan of Beyoncé ever since I was younger. Even to this day when I am driving in the car I play her music in the car. When I was in high school in my English class we had a whole lesson on Beyoncé and we had to read and annotate her lyrics, and it was very interesting to actually understand how meaningful and powerful her lyrics are. One fact I have realized about Beyonce is that she does not use her last name. I have always wondered why and now that I am writing my blog post on her I decided to do research, and I learned because she already made a name for herself she did not think it was important to use her last name. She already became famous and well known with her first name Beyonce, and she wanted to keep having people knowing her only by her first name rather than people calling her by her first and last name. Overall, I am a really big fan of Beyonce and I really find it inspiring how she emphasizes womanism in her music and also uses afrofuturism in her music videos.

[prajapatimansh]

Nick Cannon's Net Worth: How He Built His Multi-Million Dollar Empire

Nick Cannon is a multi-talented entertainer who has achieved success in various fields, from music and acting to comedy and business. He is also known for his philanthropic work and activism, making him a well-rounded and respected public figure. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at Nick Cannon's net worth and how he built his multi-million dollar empire.

The net worth of Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon is a successful businessman, comedian, TV personality, record producer, DJ, and singer who has amassed quite an impressive net worth over his extensive career spanning more than two decades. Although Cannon was born into poverty, growing up in a housing project in Brooklyn, he managed to achieve great wealth through hard work and determination. Here’s everything we know about Nick Cannon’s net worth.

As of early 2023, sources estimate Nick Cannon’s net worth to be around $5 million dollars, although this number can fluctuate based on various factors such as endorsement deals, investments, and income streams. While not a small sum by any means, it pales in comparison to other celebrities like Jay Z ($8 billion) or Beyonce ($600 million), but then again, few entertainment industry figures reach their level of financial success. However, Cannon still makes a significant amount per year from hosting gigs such as Wildin’ Out, performing standup comedy sets, and starring in acting roles, along with profiting off of merchandising and music sales whenever he releases new albums or tracks.

Some of the key ways Nick Cannon earned money include his hit show America’s Got Talent as its host since 2009, which generated him steady paychecks annually until December 2021 when the controversy surrounding Mariah Carey led NBCUniversal to release both himself and the diva du jour from further seasons. Also, the highly acclaimed sketch comedy series Wild ‘N Out premiered on July 28, 2005 and would continue airing until present day, providing consistent revenue courtesy of Comedy Central.

With many irons in the fire, including managing Ncredible headphones along with a clothing line bearing his name, brand partnerships with companies like Dr Pepper and Toyota, plus directing several films, it looks like Cannon will remain busy earning cash throughout the years, always looking forward to the next big opportunity for growth. While much of Nick’s fortunes go towards supporting his three children, twins Moroccan Scott

Nick Cannon's award-winning career and achievements

Nick Cannon is a multi-talented entertainer known for his versatile skills across various fields, such as film, television, music, stand-up comedy, and philanthropy. Over the course of his career, Cannon has achieved numerous awards and honors for his contributions to entertainment and beyond. Here are just a few highlights from his illustrious career thus far.

In 2005, Cannon received nominations at the Teen Choice Awards for his breakout role as Devon in the film Love Don't Cost a Thing. This marked the beginning of his recognition in Hollywood circles. Since then, Cannon has been nominated for various awards, including nods from BET, MTV, NAACP Image Awards, and Daytime Emmy Awards. He even won a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Personality in 2013 after taking over Tom Green’s duties as host for Big Time Rush.

Nick Cannon continues to push boundaries and innovate within different industries. Some of these pioneering efforts garnered prestigious accolades. For instance, being inducted onto The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences GRAMMY Board of Governors represents one of Cannon's highest honors to date. It speaks volumes about how respected he is among peers in the recording industry and suggests future opportunities for shaping policies that affect musicians everywhere.

Additionally, a major milestone occurred in 2017 during Los Angeles Black MBA's annual conference. Receiving the Trailblazer of the Year distinction allowed Cannon to reflect upon his path to success and share insights with others seeking inspiration and guidance to follow their dreams. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Nick continues to set trends and help communities by leading conversations, fostering education initiatives, and empowering people through social media activism.

These accomplishments only scratch the surface regarding Nick Cannon's achievements so far in his professional career. Even amidst personal struggles or public scrutiny, Cannon remains steadfastly committed to artistic expression and serving society. Given his track record

[speculationsofthediaspora]

Blog Assignment #1: Mother Lead The Way

What does revolution look like? 

Historically, women and fems have not been a part of the picture, at least not as more than the mere shadows of the men amongst them. Women such as Coretta Scott King, Michele Obama, and Winnie Mandela are "wives". Rather than being an indication of their individual personhoods their names and legacies are successors of their husbands'. At times we do not call their names at all, instead, they are simply"so and so's wife".

Forgotten are the women of the Panther party. Ignored are those who organized and marched in the Civil Rights movement. Rarely is the literature penned by female revolutionaries taught to the youth (or even the adults). 

In a refreshing response to the absence of women in revolutionary thought afro futuristic works such as Pumzi, and Dirty Computer place women not only at the forefront of the narratives but it is through them that societal change comes. They hold the keys to the new world and one must pass through the portals they open in order to be brought to light. 

Beyonce, also known on Twitter as Mother helps audiences imagine a world in which leadership comes through maternal lineage. Her stunning 2017 Grammy performance illuminates the divinity of femininity, specifically exploring the role of the mother as a god in her own right. "You look everything like your mother". She repeats this phrase throughout the performance and to me it is reminiscent of the beliefs of several religions that human beings are made in the likeness of God. Here, the mother is the god and she has the ultimate power of creation. She creates in her image her children. She gives life where there was once none. Beyonce's pregnant belly further emphasizes this point as she is creating two human beings herself. She, like all mothers, is a giver of life and through her, we enter this realm. The perspective that women birth the future lays a foundation for us to imagine a coming world in which women are also in the lead. 

Love is also a theme in this performance. Beyonce questions the listener about why they are afraid of love. She tells them not to be, for they are the love of her life. A mother's love is regarded as one of the strongest forces in the world. The phrasing of love as a power rather than a weakness is interesting as it contrasts with what is taught in our male-dominated society. Love as power is also seen in Dirty Computer where the couple's love for one another beats all odds. It's as if Beyonce and Janelle Monae are telling us the audience that in the future love is a tool. Love, which is regarded as a feminine force whose most powerful wielder is the mother serves as another example of how power in the future is wielded through the matriarch. 

Beyonce is also interesting to me because her take on femininity is very traditional especially when compared to artists like Janelle Monae who has a queer interpretation. As we continue to look forward to the future and more imaginings of the future it will be interesting to see how both traditional and queer views of femininity will affect the leaders and reimagined worlds we see. 

*this is not meant to be read as a TERF take but rather a look at the believed godly powers of women with wombs

[viralfresh]

10 Fascinating Facts About Jay-Z

What is a fun fact about Beyonce and Jay-Z? Beyoncé and Jay-Z first met in 2000 but did not begin dating until 2001. Little is known about their initial encounter and early relationship, although Beyoncé once revealed that the two met when she was just 18 years old. Hip-hop icon Jay-Z has seen a remarkable journey of meteoric success in music, fashion, and business. From growing up in the Marcy Houses, to becoming one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the entertainment world, he has the distinct honor of being the first rapper to become a billionaire. Here are 10 fascinating facts about the man himself. 1. Although born Shawn Carter, he was nicknamed “Jazzy” by his grandmother His grandmother gave him the name because of his love of music. Not long after, he began calling himself Jay, and after a stint as Young Jaz, he eventually settled on Jay-Z. 2. He was part of the stage show Up Against The World Jay-Z was actually the opening act for the controversial stage show Up Against The World, which featured poetry and hip hop performances. The show received much attention for its gritty and often dark themes, although he soon moved away from that material after the show’s conclusion. 3. His first album Reasonable Doubt sold only 60,000 copies Though it's now considered a classic, Reasonable Doubt wasn’t an instant success. It actually sold only a meager 60,000 copies and was definitely not on the top charts. It was a slow-burning success, eventually gaining traction and going on to be one of his greatest works. 4. He released a collaboration album with Linkin Park The unlikely pairing of Jay-Z and Linkin Park released a collaborative album called Collision Course in 2004, which included blendings of their respective songs. It was a critical success and was certified 2x platinum. 5. He was a co-owner of the New Jersey Nets In addition to his musical success, Jay-Z also briefly tried his hand in the sports world, becoming an official minority owner of the New Jersey Nets in 2004. He later resigned after a little under a year with the team. 6. He is the father of three children In 2017, Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce welcomed their first child, Blue Ivy, into the world. Later, the couple had two more children, Sir and Rumi. The family of five divides their time between New York, Los Angeles, and the United Kingdom. 7. He owns a stake in an NBA team In a literal and figurative sense, Jay-Z has taken his connection with the basketball world full circle, becoming a part owner of the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. He currently owns a little over 1 percent of the team and also possesses a role as an adviser. 8. He has an enviable art collection From Pablo Picasso to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jay-Z has an impressive art collection that he's been showcasing for the world to enjoy. He's had exhibits both at the Pace Gallery and the Pace Prints Gallery in his hometown of Brooklyn. 9. He has won 22 Grammy Awards Though he's been eligible for a total of 74 Grammy awards, Jay-Z has snagged 22 of them. His win for the Best Rap/Sung Performance (a collaboration with wife Beyoncé) at the 2020 awards marked his 22nd Grammy, tying him with squire Quincy Jones. 10. He's one of the ten wealthiest musicians in America In 2020, Forbes estimated Jay-Z's net worth at $1 billion, making him one of only ten musicians in the country to reach this level of wealth. Music doesn't get any more successful than that. Conclusion : The story of Jay-Z is one of the most quintessential American rags-to-riches tales. He has had a remarkable career, and there is no denying the artistic brilliance and entrepreneurial success that he has achieved. Though there are still plenty of chapters left to write in Jay-Z's story, there's no denying that he holds an iconic position in both hip-hop and the wider music industry. Read the full article

[fmhiphop]

Beyonce Is Now The Most Grammy Awarded Artist Of All Time

Beyoncé Knowles has racked up countless accolades and achievements in her career, and last night was no exception. Renaissance is the seventh studio album by Beyonce, released in July last year. Upon its release, the album received immense praise from critics and fans alike. On Renaissance, Bey uses her personal memories with her uncle Johnny, and influences from the black queer community to create a 1-hour long house music experience. The bold leap into the electronic genre was a bold step for the Houston singer, but one that’s paying off in spades. A Record-Breaking Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXnnucnZyek The 65th Grammy awards were held yesterday Feb 5 in Los Angeles, and Bey took home four trophies boosting her overall count to 32. The academy awarded Bey best dance/electronic recording for “Break My Soul,” best traditional R&B performance for “Plastic Off the Sofa,” best R&B song for “Cuff It” and best dance/electronic album for Renaissance. This makes for an extremely fruitful night but also makes history. Beyonce is now officially the most Grammy-awarded artist in the history of the ceremony. It’s a highly coveted honor and one that didn’t go ignored by attendees that night or people watching at home. Receiving her Flowers This isn’t the first time Bey has made history on the Grammy stage. Back in 2010, she became the first female artist to win six Grammys in one single night. She achieved another milestone for women in the industry in 2020 when she became the most Grammy-awarded female artist with 28 wins. Still, the big night didn’t go without some disappointments for the beehive. Renaissance lost out on the album of the year award to Harry Styles' Harry’s House. It continues a controversial and notable trend of Beyonce losing that particular category. In 2017, her highly praised album Lemonade was beaten by Adele’s 25. Bey's third studio album I am... Sasha Fierce lost to Taylor Swift's Fearless. In addition to this, in 2015 Beck's Morning Phase secured the AOTY win over Beyonce's self-titled album. Regardless of the criticism surrounding her AOTY loss, Feb 5 marked a massively important breakthrough for Beyonce. Fellow artists that night like Lizzo and Glorilla showed appreciation for the Virgo's impressive career longevity and made sure to give Bey her flowers. RELATED STORIES: Matthew Knowles Defends Beyoncé After Dubai Performance Backlash Beyonce Rewrites and Rejuvenates Herself With Renaissance: A Review Written by Dreema Carrington  Also follow and like FMHipHop on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! Read the full article

[news24fr]

Alors que l'élite de la musique se rassemble à Los Angeles pour les Grammy Awards dimanche, une question tourne en boucle : Beyoncé remportera-t-elle enfin le prix tant convoité de l'album de l'année ? La femme de 41 ans a le plus de chances de décrocher l'or aux Grammy avec neuf nominations, après la sortie de "Renaissance", son ode riche et multicouche à la musique de club. Elle est une candidate puissante aux principaux prix de la soirée – mais il en va de même pour la ballade britannique Adele, dont l'ode introspective au cri laid, "30", lui a valu sept hochements de tête. La confrontation a suscité des comparaisons évidentes avec 2017, lorsque Adele a remporté les premiers prix du gala fastueux de l'industrie de la musique, excluant "Lemonade" de Queen Bey, qui a bouleversé la culture. Six ans plus tard, Beyonce a continué à entrer dans l'histoire en tant que femme la plus gagnante des Grammys; avec quatre autres victoires dimanche, elle pourrait dépasser le chef d'orchestre classique Georg Solti pour le plus grand nombre de victoires de tous les artistes. Mais en ce qui concerne les trois grands prix – meilleur album, meilleur disque et meilleure chanson – Beyonce reste curieusement un outsider. Elle n'a jamais remporté les honneurs de l'album de l'année et bien qu'elle ait le plus de nominations pour le disque de l'année avec huit, elle n'a jamais remporté ce prix non plus. Elle n'a marqué la chanson de l'année qu'une seule fois, pour "Single Ladies" en 2008. Mais les observateurs de l'industrie, dont Billboard, prédisent que ce sera enfin l'année où Beyonce remportera le Grammy de l'album de l'année, sans doute le prix le plus prestigieux de la soirée. "Je l'espère bien, parce qu'elle ne le mérite pas ?" Nile Rodgers, le co-fondateur du groupe Chic à qui l'on attribue des contributions sur "Renaissance", a déclaré à l'AFP. Rodgers, les Supremes, Nirvana et d'autres recevront un Lifetime Achievement Award de la Recording Academy lors de la cérémonie de dimanche. "Elle est sans doute l'artiste la plus importante au monde sur le plan culturel", a déclaré Merck Mercuriadis, le magnat de l'édition musicale qui était autrefois le manager de Beyonce, lors d'un gala pré-Grammy. Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift dans le mix Au-delà du match revanche Beyonce-Adele, une multitude de superstars contemporaines, dont Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles et Taylor Swift, ont également de fortes chances de remporter les principaux trophées de la soirée. Les 65e Grammys annuels étoilés, animés une fois de plus par le comédien Trevor Noah, comprendront des performances de Styles, Bad Bunny, Lizzo et Mary J. Blige. "Connectez-vous... ne serait-ce que pour une nuit de thérapie gratuite !" Noah a plaisanté sur Twitter. Bad Bunny, indiscutablement le plus grand artiste commercial du monde, a trois chances de remporter un Grammy avec sa chute majeure "Un Verano Sin Ti", également en lice pour l'album de l'année. C'est la première fois qu'un album entièrement en espagnol a une chance de remporter ce prix convoité, et c'est la première fois que la mégastar portoricaine du reggaeton décroche une nomination en solo dans les principales catégories Grammy. Une victoire de Bad Bunny dans ce domaine "signifierait beaucoup à tous les hispanophones et à notre culture, car cela dit vraiment : 'Hé, la musique espagnole est tout aussi respectée que la musique en anglais et la musique n'a vraiment pas de barrières'", a déclaré l'artiste colombien Sebastian. Yatra a déclaré à l'AFP. Styles, Lizzo et Doja Cat figurent tous parmi les meilleurs nominés, tandis que le mastodonte pop Swift pourrait remporter le prix de la chanson de l'année qui lui a échappé pendant des années. La superstar - qui a tenu son vœu de réenregistrer ses six premiers albums pour obtenir le contrôle de ses droits sur eux - a une chance de remporter le prix célébrant les auteurs-compositeurs pour sa version de 10 minutes de "All Too Well". "

"Semaine surréaliste" Après plusieurs années de Grammy avec des favoris clairs du meilleur nouvel artiste – Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion et Billie Eilish �� la course de dimanche est grande ouverte. Pour Molly Tuttle, une artiste bluegrass en lice, même une nomination signifie "que ma musique peut atteindre un public plus large et que de nouvelles opportunités pourraient se présenter pour moi". "C'est juste une semaine surréaliste. Ça a été un tourbillon jusqu'à présent", a-t-elle déclaré. La catégorie est devenue de plus en plus éclectique et reflète l'impact de l'ère d'Internet sur la musique populaire, et de nombreux nominés – dont la Brésilienne Anitta, les rockeurs de l'Eurovision Maneskin et le rappeur Latto – ont tous trouvé une renommée virale sur TikTok. "C'est cool", a déclaré JD Beck, qui, avec le co-artiste DOMi, forme leur duo de jazz expérimental éponyme qui est en lice pour deux Grammys ce dimanche, dont celui du meilleur nouvel artiste. "Nous ignorons tout, nous essayons d'être très perspicaces jusqu'à ce que ce soit fini", a-t-il déclaré à l'AFP avec un sourire blasé. "Ouais, se concentrer sur le jeu et ne pas le gâcher complètement", a plaisanté DOMi. L'Académie - composée de créateurs de musique, dont des artistes, des compositeurs et des ingénieurs - a également présélectionné une coterie d'étoiles durables de l'industrie pour les Grammys, avec Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson et ABBA remportant chacun une poignée de nominations. Peu importe qui gagne, l'attention de la Recording Academy a amplifié la carrière de Samara Joy, qui, avec un clin d'œil dans les catégories jazz, a mérité une chance au meilleur nouvel artiste. "Vous savez, ces derniers mois, beaucoup plus de gens ont commencé à décrocher le téléphone", a-t-elle dit à l'AFP en riant.(Cette histoire n'a pas été éditée par le personnel de NDTV et est générée automatiquement à partir d'un flux syndiqué.)

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direly carter

Beyoncé, Grammys 2017

Photo Credit: Driely Carter

[beyhive4ever]

[thebeyhive]

[neotrances]

you dress like a girl, talk like a girl, look like a girl and don't bind. You aren't on T and wear girl clothes. You are not "transmasculine" (aka binary male transsexual), you are a cisgender woman appropriating my medical condition. Why do you feel the need to steal marginalized people's identities, bitch?

Beyoncé’s 2017 grammy performance featuring her song “Sandcastles” from the album “Lemonade”, During this set Beyonce was pregnant with her twins, rumi and sir carter, and as a result had to be seated or stagnant while standing for the performance, but make no mistake, her breath taking reimagining of mary surrounded by saints paired with her poetry about motherhood and rebuilding fading relationships captivated audiences everywhere. With her powerful voice and heart felt lyrics beyoncé adds another incredible live show to her record of unforgettable performances

The full video can be watched here in HD

[panafricanhorror-afrofuturism]

Music of Afrofuturism

Throughout the course of Professor Tananarive Due’s Afrofuturism course, I have learned a lot about Black musicians who produce Afrofuturistic works. Our class has had conversations about the music of Afrofuturism which includes George Clinton & P-Funk, Beyonce, Sun Ra, Kendrick Lamar, Miles Davis, and Janelle Monae. Arguably, the first Afrofuturistic songs would be the spirituals of enslaved Africans who used music as a form of escape and hope for a better future. Althoug white Americans viewed the music of African slaves as their “contentment” with their bondage, the music served as a way for the Black community to remain resilient and futuristic in the face of racial horrors. Although the term Afrofuturism was coined by Mark Dery in 1993, scholars believed that the cultural movement began as early as the 1950’s with Sun Ra’s technological jazz. Sun Ra was absolutely an Afrofuturist musician for multiple reasons; his name is inspired by the ancient Egyptian Sun God Ra, he claimed to have been born on Saturn, and he presented space as a refuge for Black people seeking escape from racism. Another great musician of the Afrofuturism movement is Miles Davis, a composer recognized by Duke Ellington as the “Picasso of Jazz”. Professor Due specifically discussed and analyzed Davis’ works titled “Bitches Brew” and “Kind of Blue”, which are songs that I had never heard before. We also talked about Alice Coltrane and her contributions to the music of Afrofuturism, particular her songs “World Galaxy” and “Journey in Satchidananda”. I added all of these jazz songs to my playlist, of course! Some more contemporary artists who are a part of the Afrofuturism movement are Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, and Janelle Monae. We watched Beyonce’s live performance of her song “Love Drought” at the Grammy Award Show in 2017. The visual imagery of the performance in addition to the technology used throughout the performance was absolutely breathtaking. Professor Due also showed us Beyonce’s “Black is King” project in which she says “History is your future – one day you will meet yourself back where you started…but stronger”. This phrase in itself exemplifies the aims and goals of Afrofuturism which asks Black people to look back at their history in order to imagine better futures. The class also analyzed Kendrick Lamar’s video for his activist song “We Gon Be Alright” through the lens of the Black Speculative Arts movement. Janelle Monae has made groundbreaking contributions to Afrofuturism through her choice to identify her alter ego as an android to the futuristic messages of her work “Dirty Computer”. The music of Afrofuturism is an interesting topic to explore.

[yonceisthequeen]

Women like her cannot be contained

[viralfresh]

10 Fascinating Facts About Jay-Z

What is a fun fact about Beyonce and Jay-Z? Beyoncé and Jay-Z first met in 2000 but did not begin dating until 2001. Little is known about their initial encounter and early relationship, although Beyoncé once revealed that the two met when she was just 18 years old. Hip-hop icon Jay-Z has seen a remarkable journey of meteoric success in music, fashion, and business. From growing up in the Marcy Houses, to becoming one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the entertainment world, he has the distinct honor of being the first rapper to become a billionaire. Here are 10 fascinating facts about the man himself. 1. Although born Shawn Carter, he was nicknamed “Jazzy” by his grandmother His grandmother gave him the name because of his love of music. Not long after, he began calling himself Jay, and after a stint as Young Jaz, he eventually settled on Jay-Z. 2. He was part of the stage show Up Against The World Jay-Z was actually the opening act for the controversial stage show Up Against The World, which featured poetry and hip hop performances. The show received much attention for its gritty and often dark themes, although he soon moved away from that material after the show’s conclusion. 3. His first album Reasonable Doubt sold only 60,000 copies Though it's now considered a classic, Reasonable Doubt wasn’t an instant success. It actually sold only a meager 60,000 copies and was definitely not on the top charts. It was a slow-burning success, eventually gaining traction and going on to be one of his greatest works. 4. He released a collaboration album with Linkin Park The unlikely pairing of Jay-Z and Linkin Park released a collaborative album called Collision Course in 2004, which included blendings of their respective songs. It was a critical success and was certified 2x platinum. 5. He was a co-owner of the New Jersey Nets In addition to his musical success, Jay-Z also briefly tried his hand in the sports world, becoming an official minority owner of the New Jersey Nets in 2004. He later resigned after a little under a year with the team. 6. He is the father of three children In 2017, Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce welcomed their first child, Blue Ivy, into the world. Later, the couple had two more children, Sir and Rumi. The family of five divides their time between New York, Los Angeles, and the United Kingdom. 7. He owns a stake in an NBA team In a literal and figurative sense, Jay-Z has taken his connection with the basketball world full circle, becoming a part owner of the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. He currently owns a little over 1 percent of the team and also possesses a role as an adviser. 8. He has an enviable art collection From Pablo Picasso to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jay-Z has an impressive art collection that he's been showcasing for the world to enjoy. He's had exhibits both at the Pace Gallery and the Pace Prints Gallery in his hometown of Brooklyn. 9. He has won 22 Grammy Awards Though he's been eligible for a total of 74 Grammy awards, Jay-Z has snagged 22 of them. His win for the Best Rap/Sung Performance (a collaboration with wife Beyoncé) at the 2020 awards marked his 22nd Grammy, tying him with squire Quincy Jones. 10. He's one of the ten wealthiest musicians in America In 2020, Forbes estimated Jay-Z's net worth at $1 billion, making him one of only ten musicians in the country to reach this level of wealth. Music doesn't get any more successful than that. Conclusion : The story of Jay-Z is one of the most quintessential American rags-to-riches tales. He has had a remarkable career, and there is no denying the artistic brilliance and entrepreneurial success that he has achieved. Though there are still plenty of chapters left to write in Jay-Z's story, there's no denying that he holds an iconic position in both hip-hop and the wider music industry. Read the full article