#MCHG

[musikblog]

https://www.musikblog.de/2024/08/mehryeah-gemma-lugner-forever-neue-single/ mehrYEAH aus Wien und der Steiermark haben Anfang dieser Woche die neue Single “Gemma Lugner Forever” veröffentlicht, in Gedenken an den österreichischen Bauunternehmer Richard „Mörtel“ Siegfried Lugner. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mehrYEAH (@mehryeah) Baumeister Ing. Richard Lugner, besser bekannt als Mörtel oder Mr. Opernball ist nicht mehr. Österreich hat eine […]

[ilovejoyjessie]

With this past Tuesday being Jay-Z's birthday (Happy Belated HOV Day to all who celebrate 💎), I figured no time is better than this week to chat about my choice to make J's Magna Carta Holy Grail album "Hidden Figures"'s running musical inspiration .

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The idea came to me when "Holy Grail" happened to pop on while I started drafting my first blog post for the series where, in a raw emotional state - as I tried to figure out how I was going to put my views and experiences about my Seattle existence into words - my longing yet conflicted feelings were underscored by the early lyrics of the song:

"...And, baby, it's amazin' I'm in this maze with you I just can't crack your code One day, you're screamin' you love me loud The next day, you're so cold One day, you're here (Yeah), one day, you're there (Yeah) One day, you care (Yeah), you're so unfair "

.

The words seemed to sing what I felt about living as a transplant in this city where it seemed I just couldn't find my way into it; I couldn't find where I belonged. And when I felt like I may have, the feeling wouldn't seem to stick or last.

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But as the song continued, I found myself encouraged - as I am at every listen - by Jay's second verse where, after reflecting on the things that drive him crazy about the position he's found himself in thanks to fame, he steps out of the frustration to remind himself how far he's come and who he is despite those things following him:

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"Why you mad? Take the good with the bad Or throw the baby out with that bath water You're still alive, still that nigga Nigga, you survived, still gettin' bigger"

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The song seemed to ride the same emotional waves I found myself on as I looked to explain how "Hidden Figures" came to be: Confusion, hurt, disappointment...but then reflection, resolve and eventually emboldened acceptance and a doubling down on who I know I am. Despite the tougher feelings I found myself working through as I sought to talk about the project and what its concept was born from, I had to remember that - even in the face of those feelings - I've learned so much about myself, my values, what genuine relationships mean to me and have accomplished many things I could be proud of in this city...

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Originally I only planned to introduce the first figure set with "Holy Grail", but as I continued listening to the album while I typed away, I heard more and more themes that reflected the things I wanted the piece to speak to: Being a Black figure existing under the White Gaze ("Oceans", "F.U.T.W", "Somewhereinamerica"), knowing my worth ("Picasso Baby", "fuckwithmeyouknowigotit")...each figure had its own theme so it only made sense for each figure to be presented with its own theme song.

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Along with the album speaking to similar themes to Hidden Figures, it also seemed fitting that one of my most art-for-art's-sake works would be paired with what, I think, is one of the most artistic of Jay-Z's projects at the time MCHG was released (a view not everyone shares but, you know....). As a long time fan, the musical arrangements, the deep lyrics but also the quintessential rap boast tracks, the cover artwork, even Jay-Z's performance of Picasso Baby at the Pace Gallery - the album felt art house, a capsule of Jay being seen through a curated rap lens. And in the same vein, Hidden Figures is a capsule of all the feelings I've had as a transplant in Seattle delivered through a traditional Fine Art lens: No character or story to watch unfold - just a concept and (hopefully) moving and simple yet evocative shapes in a open space with something to say - a further engaging with and appreciation for the art form.

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Magna Carta Holy Grail spoke what I didn't have the words to say and said everything I left out of the words I did have. And I guess at the same time, in a way, my use of the album is also my own little lover letter to and celebration of one of my favorite lyricists and rappers of all time whose music has held a place of honor in my life for a long time.

[clownkillsyou]

[freshthoughts2020]

[marikuchin]

A young girl. Made by M.M. and me

[dramaqueenmia]

And I think ultimately,

I just want to be content

with who I am,

whom I have,

what I know

and what I do.

[therappundit]

Five years later, and we finally have the perfect write-up of Hov’s Magna Carta Holy Grail album (s/o to Complex mag’s Frazier Tharpe).

To any Jay-Z fan that remembers seeing this commercial during the 2013 NBA Finals, the euphoria building up to the release of the album proved to be far greater than the final product. Still, MCHG has some fine moments, and some of the most underrated beats in the Jigga man’s catalogue. Personally, I will always have fond memories of cycling through it over and over on my iPod all through July 4th weekend of 2013, while strolling through the hot streets of Williamsburg...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmZvjKPeAK0

[soundchxck]

No need for a BBQ playlist today, soundtrack your Independence Day celebration with Magna Carta... Holy Grail on its 7th birthday!

[gaymooshroom-archive]

i open twitter. i see a post from connoreatspants that makes me feel like i am 10000 years old. i close twitter.

[musikblog]

mehrYEAH (feat. WieSpaet) - Traktor 2.0 - Neue Single mehrYEAH aus Wien und der Steiermark haben letzte Woche ihre neue Single “Traktor 2.0” veröffentlicht. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mehrYEAH (@mehryeah) Entstanden ist die ganze Traktir-Geschichte ja so: Andreas aka MCHg, Frontmann von mehrYEAH, ist vor einigen Jahren mit seiner Familie in einen 350 Jahre alten Bauernhof in die Einschicht […] https://www.musikblog.de/2023/04/mehryeah-feat-wiespaet-traktor-2-0-neue-single/ #MehrYEAH #WieSpaet #DeutschPop #HipHop #HipPop #MusikBlogNewcomer #Sprechgesang

[dubzny]

#JayZ #MCHG #Tidal #DopeShitOnly #ViBeS #4thOfJuly #July4th https://www.instagram.com/p/BzgF9WHjaQv/?igshid=x8jqsuafz4q3

[clownkillsyou]

[rjpesquire]

For a "low" art-form like rapping to shake the foundations of the fine-art world and disrupt, for an icon of rap bravado to make himself so utterly vulnerable.. and for it all to turn out so thrilling, emotive, and jubilant and to bring so many kinds of people together. I mean, what beats it? #hiphop #rap #musicvideo #jayz #444 #mchg #Brooklyn #newyork #picassobaby #WHATSHOULDBETHEFEAR (at Brooklyn, New York)

[dizzymoods]

ok but tea: the visual sucked bc 1. Benoit Debie was DP & 2. They should have shot in the NMAAHC like fuck the Louvre

[marikuchin]

Fran, a witch. By M.M. and me.

<3 Eve