#birthplace of the world's most popular genre of music

[13thpythagoras]

JAY-Z - Big Pimpin' ft. UGK

[hardynwa]

Spotify list top exported Amapiano tracks

Spotify, an online streaming platform, has revealed top 10 exported Amapiano tracks on its streaming line. Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Managing Director for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, said this in a statement on Monday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Amapiano is a sub-genre of house music that emerged in South Africa in the mid-2010s with a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterised by synths and wide percussive bass lines. Muhutu-Remy said that the top exported Amapiano tracks include Abo Mvelo (feat. Mellow & Sleazy & M.J); Love & Loyalty (Believe); Ameno Amapiano Remix (You Wanna Bamba); Big Flexa; Hamba Wena; WATAWI (feat. Davido, Focalistic & Abidoza); Abalele; Mina Nawe; Champion Sound and Tanzania. She also listed the top exported Amapiano artistes on Spotify as: DJ Maphorisa; Kabza De Small; Focalistic; Young Stunna; Mellow & Sleazy; DBN Gogo; Costa Titch; Major League Djz; Kamo Mphela and Daliwonga. “Amapiano’s unique sound and infectious beats have captivated audiences around the world, and are sure to keep fans dancing for years to come. “As more artistes emerge and push the boundaries of the genre, there is no doubt that Amapiano is set to become a mainstay in the global music scene. ” Listeners on Spotify love tuning into the genre on weekday afternoons, with Friday evening peaks. “Amapiano grooves, Spotify’s biggest Amapiano playlist is most popular among 18 to 24-year-olds, with listeners hailing from South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. “Spotify’s platform has helped Amapiano expand its reach, connecting the genre to a diverse global audience. With its steady growth and dedicated fanbase, Amapiano is poised to continue its success on Spotify and beyond,” she said. Muhutu-Remy added that Amapiano was arguably South Africa’s hottest cultural export right now and to showcase the genre, Spotify was hosting media and influencers from across the continent on an Amapiano tourism experience. She said this allows the artistes and influencers share the roots of the genre, the power of collaborations and how streaming was helping to export local music to the world. She noted that the experience was designed around some of Spotify’s most popular Amapiano playlists. According to her, the tour highlights South African and Amapiano culture for guests from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. “In partnership with South African Tourism, it starts off with Amapiano 101- detailing the background of the genre, and giving guests a tour of its origins in townships like Mamelodi but also exploring other popular Amapiano spots in Soweto. “The Amapiano Grooves segment of the tour showcases the impact of clubs on the music. “The tour also tells a cultural story, like Mogodu Monday- the tradition of celebrating the least popular day of the week with Mogodu or tripe, and music. “It also gives participants the opportunity to meet with local artistes in the studio and see where the music happens,” she said. Muhutu-Remy noted that one of the top five exported Amapiano artistes in South Africa, Focalistic, dropped by for the first leg of the tour at one of the birthplaces of Amapiano, Jack Budha in Mamelodi, to share the genre’s origin story. “Spotify data tells the story of just how popular Amapiano is right now, both at home and all around the world- with close to 2 billion streams in year 2022, representing a 143 per cent increase year on year. “The genre has garnered a huge following, with more than 240, 000 playlists featuring Amapiano in the title and over 10 million playlists featuring at least one Amapiano track. “Over 40 per cent of Amapiano streams come from listeners outside South Africa,” she said. Nigerian artiste, WurlD, who also attended the first day of the tour explained why Amapiano is so popular around the world. ”Music is spiritual, Amapiano is spiritual. “I was a fan, watching from a distance. Music is energy, what people are experiencing with Amapiano is the heart and soul of the people of South Africa.” WurID said. Read the full article

[camilorico]

The K-Pop Scene Starting from Seoul, South Korea

We all have heard of the country, South Korea, as well as its capital, Seoul. Seoul is a city with vibrant districts and incredible street food, but most importantly to us, the birthplace of the K-pop music scene. If you don’t know what K-pop is, K-pop means Korean pop music, so it is mainstream music in South Korea, but since the 1990s, due to what is called the Hallyu Wave, or the Korean Wave, K-pop started to become popular all over the world. 

Some of the first K-pop groups to pioneer the genre include the group “Seo Taiji and the Boys” who performed on TV for the first time on April 11 of 1992. They were the first group to introduce rap into K-pop, which became a staple in K-pop groups and songs. In fact, there are positions in K-pop groups specifically just for rapping parts of their songs. “Seo Taiji and the Boys” influence led to the formation of the now notoriously top 3 K-pop entertainment companies, SM Entertainment (in 1995), JYP Entertainment (in 1997), and YG Entertainment (in 1998) - all based in Seoul. These 3 companies have been dominating the K-pop entertainment market for the past 2 decades and are recognized by any and every person in South Korea and just any global K-pop fan. 

However interestingly enough, “Seo Taiji and the Boys” would not even be really considered the first K-pop group established. The place holder of that title would be “H.O.T”, which debuted in 1996. Their song “Candy” is a well-known hit that truly started what K-pop culture is today, and as you will see while watching their performance, how different it seems to be from the performance of “Seo Taiji and the Boys”.

It is more childlike, upbeat, and just overall light-hearted, giving off “pretty boy” vibes, while the former gave off more “bad boy” vibes. We can compare this to popular K-pop hits like “Gee” by SNSD, “Call Me Baby" by EXO, and “TT" by Twice. 

These 3 groups all debuted and made music in different years, and they are listed in chronological order from their debuts. So from watching these, it must be obvious that there is an apparent consistent pattern of an upbeat, energetic vibe to K-pop. Some distinctive features of K-pop are the rigorous and perfectly in-sync choreographies and the typically bright-colored, eye-catching outfits in their music videos and performances. Like I had also previously mentioned, there are designated roles in K-pop groups such as the rapper, the lead singer, the lead dancer, etc. 

Although I have been talking about the upbeat, bright, and cheerful side of K-pop that every fan would know and love, there is definitely a dark side to the K-pop scene as well. As it is well known, nothing is perfect. And although these K-pop groups are made to look perfect with their in-sync choreographies and lovely vocals all while giving a great big smile, there is an entirely toxic culture behind these performances. These K-pop stars are constantly on strict schedules practicing their performances for hours daily with very little free time for their friends and family, are on a strict diet constantly watching their weight, and they also have to face harsh scrutiny from the general public. This does a lot to their mental health, and in fact, K-pop artist Jonghyun from group SHINEE had committed suicide in 2017, and 2 famous female K-pop artists, Sulli from group F(x) and Goo Hara from KARA had also committed suicide in 2019 due to their mental health issues. 

A Korean culture critic, Kim Heon-Sik, commented on these issues saying, “Since then, people started perceiving those struggles, especially regarding mental pain from hate comments, as a real issue and vocalizing a public dialogue. Another factor is that the level of workload and stress that K-pop idols face today is much more intense than before. Now they have to entertain fans not only in Korea but all around the world. Due to the development of social media, there's even platforms that offer one-on-one chatroom services with idol stars. That's a large load of emotional labor.” These idols are put under a lot of pressure to maintain a certain image, which is specifically a happy friendly image, which can definitely be unnatural at times to constantly put on, because as humans our emotions simply do not work like that and we will have good days and bad days.

However I think that if we are put under constant surveillance and the slightest mistake can ruin your career, which constantly happens. For example, a female member, Jennie, from the K-pop group “BlackPink” was discovered to be dating a member, Kai from K-pop group “Exo”, and dating scandals are a big no-no to the general public, so this had a lot of backlash toward the two K-pop stars and definitely would not have benefited their mental health.  Thankfully, because this was a more recent scandal in 2019, the times have changed and the general public has seemed to become more understanding toward K-pop stars, as an article from Koreaboo (K-pop news website) states, "A lot of fans also expressed their concern about haters that could give Jennie and Kai a hard time." This is referring to the hate that some hardcore "fans" will display toward their K-pop idols for doing something out of their "image" and they lose members of their fanbase because of that, which is unfair because obviously, they are just people.

Overall, the K-pop scene has greatly evolved in such a short span of time, only dating back to the 1990s, and it has created such an impact on the world and continues to do so. We can see such a prominent example from K-pop group “BTS”, who is well-known everywhere by people who don’t even know a single thing about K-pop. It is very interesting because South Korea itself is such a small country and doesn’t even physically take up its entirety of the country (since it shares half with North Korea), and the capital itself, Seoul is small in size compared to NYC and Los Angeles, but it is such a bustling city with so much going on, producing so much music. I am also happy to see how the K-pop culture has evolved in a more positive light with regards to mental health because we are shedding more light on how difficult it is performing in the K-pop genre for the performers. I am looking forward to seeing only progress in the future for the K-pop scene with its constantly growing global audience.

[heritage-instrument-insurance]

A Journey Through Time: The Rich History of the Guitar

Imagine a music world without the warm tones of the guitar! Unimaginable. Right? Its seemingly endless versatility captivates audiences across genres and continents. Believe it or not, this beloved instrument has a long and winding journey behind it - a story filled with fascinating twists and turns. Through this blog, we will delve into the rich history of the guitar, and trace its evolution from ancient antecedents to the modern six-string wonder we know today. So, let the musical game begin!

Early Ancestral Instruments (3,500 BC - 13th Century AD)

The guitar's story is kind of like a family mystery! It all started around 3,500 years ago in places like Mesopotamia and Egypt. Back then, some instruments looked a bit like guitars, with frets and picks. These early instruments paved the way for what came next. Around 1500 BC, an instrument - by the name of the oud, appeared in Mesopotamia and Persia. It was a pear-shaped thing that had strings. The oud's influence traveled far and wide, eventually reaching Europe with the Moors in the 8th century AD. The Moors brought the oud to Spain, where it is believed to be a big reason why this musical device eventually came to be. Another instrument in the family tree is the European lute. This one was bigger and more complicated, popular with fancy people in the Middle Ages because of its nice sound. Lutes typically had four or more strings that came in pairs and were played with a pick, just like some features of the guitar.

The Birthplace: Medieval Spain (13th - 16th Century AD)

The guitar's family tree gets a little fuzzy in Spain, but most folks agree it's where the modern one we know was born. Back in the 1300s and 1400s, instruments called vihuelas showed up in Spain. These vihuelas looked somewhat like them. They had a curvy body like a lute's but thinner in the middle. During the 1500s, the vihuela went through a big change. It went from four sets of strings down to five, and its body shrunk a bit. This makeover led to the "guitarra española," which means "Spanish guitar" and is the direct grandma (or grandpa) of the modern classical version we have today.

The Rise of the Spanish Variant (16th - 18th Century AD)

The Spanish version became a real star across Europe in the 1500s and 1600s. Super-skilled guitarists started showing up, writing and performing difficult pieces that showed off how much more the instrument could now do. Guys like Luis Milan and Gaspar Sanz wrote tons of cool music just for solo instruments, laying the groundwork for how classical guitarists play today. Things kept changing in the 1700s and 1800s, a period called the Baroque period. Guitars with five sets of strings slowly got swapped out for the ones with six strings, which allowed for more variety in the music.

Diverging Paths: The Classical and Steel-String (19th Century AD - Present)

In the 1800s, the family started to grow in different directions. In Europe, the classical one kept getting more delicate, with players focusing on fancy fingerpicking and a smooth, mellow sound. Spanish variant makers kept tinkering with the design, eventually ending up with the modern classical thing we have today. No wonder it is a cherished piece of gear and needs the safety net of a comprehensive guitar insurance plan.

The 20th Century and Beyond: The Electric Revolution and the Global Embrace

The 1900s brought a game-changer to the world of music - the electric guitar! Invented in the early 1920s, this string was different because it had special parts called pickups. These pickups could change the tiny vibrations of the strings into electrical signals. This meant the sound could be made much louder (amplified) and even distorted, creating all kinds of new sounds. The electric one became the foundation of new music styles like rock and roll, rock, and heavy metal.

Now that you are fairly aware of the history of this string instrument, make sure to cover it with a dedicated guitar insurance policy right away, regardless of the version you own!

[thestageonbroadway]

WHAT MAKES MUSIC CITY THE "IT CITY"

We live in the digital generation of influencers who want to be the next big thing. The next "it…." The "it" designation goes beyond people wanting to get noticed. This descriptor can also be applied to locations like cities. Like Nashville. Music City has become the "It City."

Nashville has always been known as the birthplace of country music. This rich history has coursed through the decades and has produced music legends and signature hit songs.

Many songwriters and artists continue to make their way here, hopeful of landing a gig at the best bar on Broadway to showcase their talent.

Tourists and loyal country music fans arrive from all over the United States and the world to visit Nashville so they can experience what it means to be in "The It City of the South. 

Nashvillians already know their home is a treasure and are proud to share its history, entertainment, and hospitality. Let’s look at some of the reasons why Nashville has become one the most popular cities for visitors who want an authentic Southern experience in a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. 

Southern Hospitality

Anyone who visits Nashville will immediately experience the deep-rooted charm of Southern hospitality. For Nashvillians, you are not a visitor but a guest who must be treated with the proper amount of welcoming, feeding, and fussing. Folks love to visit Nashville for its warm and friendly personality, live country music, and the taste of hot chicken.

Ask a local to direct you to famous bars in Nashville, and they can recite a long list of choices, especially the places to most likely spot a country music star.

Booming Tourism

There is no denying that Nashville is a bustling tourism hub, and we are proud to roll out the welcome mat. In addition, to live country music at the best bars in Nashville, there are numerous well-known venues and attractions downtown, like the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, Printers Alley, and the Johnny Cash Museum.

The part of these Nashville institutions is that they are only a short walking distance to Lower Broadway, where you will hear the sounds of live country music.

Downtown Music Scene

In addition to the best bars in Nashville playing live country music, the downtown area also features bars and clubs featuring rock, blues, jazz, and Americana. For an exciting live music scene, downtown Nashville, including the area around Lower Broadway, can’t be beat! 

Music Festivals

Nashville and the surrounding area love to host large-scale festivals that showcase country music and a diverse array of genres. Depending on the time of year you visit Nashville will determine if the more prominent festivals are taking place, like the CMA Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair, the Bonnaroo Music Festival, and the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival. But never fear! Nashville has live music for you, no matter the day, month, or year! 

Traditional and Trendy Food Scene

Nashville's unique take on Southern cuisine includes hot chicken joints, barbeque with all the fixins', and where a meat-and-three is only a hop, skip, and jump away.

In addition to our Southern-style food and restaurant traditions, Nashville also boasts high-end dining with James Beard Award-winning chefs, ubiquitous food trucks, cozy bistros, and ethnic cuisines like Ethiopian, Uzbek, Dominican, and Nigerian. If you are hungry, Nashville has the perfect meal for you.   

Arts and Culture

No one who visits Nashville should be surprised that the “It City of the South” is home to world-class art museums, galleries, theaters, and performance halls. Visitors are encouraged to experience the artistic and architectural beauty of the Frist Art Museum, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Tennessee State Museum, the Parthenon, the National Museum of African American Music, and the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Center. And all these Nashville gems are a stone’s throw away from the best bars in Nashville featuring live country music, a staple for any time spent in the downtown area.  

Professional and College Sports Teams

Nashville is the "It City" for fantastic sports teams with legions of devoted fans. The minor league baseball team, the Nashville Sounds, laid the foundation for live sports entertainment, and other pro sports soon followed.

Nashville is also the home field for the NFL Tennessee Titans football team, the NHL Nashville Predators hockey team, and the Nashville Soccer Club. And because Nashville is also known for its numerous colleges and universities, college sports are equally popular, with outstanding teams from Vanderbilt University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Belmont University.

Other major sporting events include the Music City Bowl during the NCAA college football bowl season, and the Country Music Marathon held annually in the spring.  

Nashville may have earned its reputation as the "It City of the South" with its growing population, diverse range of industry headquarters, and burgeoning music, restaurant, art, and culture scene, but residents and tourists never forget Nashville's roots.

If you need a little reminder to ground yourself in authentic history and culture, venture down to Lower Broadway and enjoy live country music at the best bars in Nashville. 

[laocommunity]

10 Music Festivals in Manchester You Can't Miss in June 2023 - Grab Tickets Now!

10 Music Festivals in Manchester You Can't Miss in June 2023 - Grab Tickets Now! # 10 Music Festivals in Manchester You Can't Miss in June 2023 - Grab Tickets Now! Are you a music lover searching for the perfect festival to attend in June 2023? Look no further than the bustling city of Manchester, England. With its rich history of music and culture, Manchester is the perfect destination for you to experience some of the UK's most iconic music festivals. In this article, we'll take a closer look at 10 music festivals that you can't afford to miss in Manchester this June 2023. ## Table of Contents 1. Why Manchester is the Best Destination for Music Festivals this June 2023 2. The 10 Best Music Festivals in Manchester in June 2023 1. Manchester Jazz Festival 2. Parklife Festival 3. The Warehouse Project 4. Manchester International Festival 5. Sounds From The Other City 6. The Great Northern Folk Festival 7. Manchester Thai Festival 8. Manchester Indie Week 9. The British Sound Project 10. Dot to Dot Festival 3. Getting Your Festival Tickets 4. How to Enjoy Your Festival Experience 5. Conclusion 6. FAQs ## Why Manchester is the Best Destination for Music Festivals this June 2023 Manchester is known as the birthplace of some of the biggest music acts in the world, from Oasis to The Smiths and more. With its passion for music and vibrant culture, Manchester is the perfect location for music festivals. In addition, the city's excellent transport links make it easily accessible from anywhere in the UK. ## The 10 Best Music Festivals in Manchester in June 2023 If you're looking for a diverse range of music festivals this June, Manchester has something for everyone. Here are our top 10 picks: ### Manchester Jazz Festival Date: 2-7 June 2023 Manchester Jazz Festival is one of the city's oldest music festivals and features some of the most talented jazz musicians in the world. Held in the city's iconic Albert Square, the festival promises to be unforgettable. ### Parklife Festival Date: 10-11 June 2023 Parklife Festival is one of the UK's most popular music festivals, bringing together the biggest names in music for a weekend of non-stop entertainment. With multiple stages and a vibrant atmosphere, Parklife is a must-visit for any music lover. ### The Warehouse Project Date: TBA (June 2023) The Warehouse Project is an annual series of club nights held in Manchester's most iconic venues, featuring some of the best electronic music acts in the world. With a different theme every year, this festival is sure to be a memorable experience. ### Manchester International Festival Date: TBA (June 2023) Manchester International Festival is a biennial celebration of art and culture that features some of the world's most dynamic and innovative artists. The festival is known for its mix of music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. ### Sounds From The Other City Date: TBA (June 2023) Sounds From The Other City is a one-day music festival featuring a variety of music genres, from indie to electronica and more. With a mix of local and international artists, this festival promises to be a unique experience. ### The Great Northern Folk Festival Date: TBA (June 2023) The Great Northern Folk Festival is a weekend-long music festival that celebrates the best in traditional and contemporary folk music. The festival also features workshops and other activities for music lovers of all ages. ### Manchester Thai Festival Date: TBA (June 2023) The Manchester Thai Festival is a free event that celebrates Thai culture and cuisine. With live music, dance performances, and authentic Thai food and drinks, this festival is a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique experience. ### Manchester Indie Week Date: TBA (June 2023) Manchester Indie Week is a week-long celebration of indie music, featuring local and international indie artists. With a variety of venues throughout the city, this festival promises to be a fun and eclectic experience. ### The British Sound Project Date: TBA (June 2023) The British Sound Project is a one-day festival featuring some of the best indie music acts in the UK. Held at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse, this festival is a must-visit for anyone looking for a day of non-stop entertainment. ### Dot to Dot Festival Date: TBA (June 2023) Dot to Dot Festival is a one-day music festival that takes place in multiple venues throughout Manchester. Featuring a variety of music genres, this festival promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience. ## Getting Your Festival Tickets Tickets for all of these festivals are likely to sell out quickly, so it's important to secure your tickets early. Many of the festivals offer discounts for early bird ticket purchases, so be sure to check their websites for more information. ## How to Enjoy Your Festival Experience To make the most of your festival experience, be sure to plan ahead and bring all of the necessary items, such as sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and cash. Additionally, be sure to familiarize yourself with the festival rules and regulations to avoid any surprises. Finally, don't be afraid to let loose and enjoy the music and atmosphere to the fullest. ## Conclusion Manchester is a city that truly loves music, and this June 2023, the city is offering an incredible selection of festivals to suit every taste. From jazz and folk to techno and indie, there's something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now and experience the magic of Manchester's music festivals. ## FAQs 1. What is the best time to visit Manchester for music festivals? 2. Can I bring my own food and drinks to the festivals? 3. Are the festivals suitable for children? 4. How can I get to Manchester from other parts of the UK? 5. What should I wear to the festivals? #ENTERTAINMENT Read the full article

[volfoss]

Masterlist for OC Creation

I wanted to compile all of my links in my OC creation folder into one tumblr post, it's rather long so all the links are under the cut

Naming References:

I cannot explain just how helpful BehindtheName is for names, I never use any other name site, here's a link to their main site, the surname site, and the name themes section of their main site. They also have stuff for how popular a name is, going back to 1880 in the United States.

As for middle names, this article explaining middle name naming conventions help ensure they flow well with your character's first name

Forebears is one of the most helpful sites in terms of statistics with names as well, it's a lot of fun to explore.

Personality Refences:

Springhole has a TON of amazing generators, I use this one for personality and this one for character flaws. They also have a ton of stuff for other details and how to write characters 3 dimensionally. Their Character Development Questions is particularly useful!

Rangen has a lot of really useful stuff, you'll see them show up later on this list for the other generators, but their personality generator is really in depth and you can choose options for how detailed it is. Link here!

As for habits for characters, this link for bad habits and this for habits in general!

Back to Springhole again, their skill generator, interest generator, and an article to make sure your characters skills aren't too OP are all very useful!

Bad traits list which is probably the most extensive I've ever seen! And this list for 123 flaws is SO helpful!

In terms of character strengths- this list of 24 is a good jumping off point! This list of virtues can also be helpful to pick a few from!

This hobby list is relatively extensive, but Wikipedia has a MASSIVE list of hobbies that I use a bit more often.

This list has a lot of things to collect, which can help flesh your character out to feel more real.

Rangen strikes again with a character trait generator! I don't use this one a lot, but it's SO useful!

Fantasy Name Generator is an amazing resource in general, I use their backstory description generator often!

As for likes and dislikes, I have this masterlist (which includes hobbies as well), this list that can be used for either likes and dislikes, and a forum thread of real people's likes and dislikes.

This phobia generator is helpful, however I use this MASSIVE phobia list a lot more often!

Appearance References:

As for height, here's a chart comparing average heights (for eyecare employees I believe, but it's a very comprehensive list) in a lot of countries around the world. And here's this chart as well that you can see a lot of heights around the world. This tool lets you plug in two heights to see where they measure against each other.

I have a couple eye and hair color generators: this one includes descriptors, and this one which is just eye colors.

This tool lets you plug in character measurements to get a good idea of what their body looks like.

This appearance generator (yet again by Rangen) is SO in depth and you can really mess with the settings to get something very close to what you want.

This scar and amputation generator not only gives you a location for the scar/amputation but a reason behind it!

If your character has tattoos but you need a visual representation, this site has the biggest list of tattoos I've found, it's really well organized.

For me, I always figure out a color palette for a character before I start making them, and this site generates them, as well as allowing you to lock a color into place and reroll.

Misc Resources:

I don't usually assign my characters blood types, but it's helpful to know which are common!

As for character's favorite things: color list, music genre, smells!

I personally pick a character's zodiac sign, then use this generator to give them a birthdate in that range!

As for birthplaces (specifically in the US), I use a few different generators: this one generates cities, as does this one, and this one generates a state

As for places outside of the US, I normally start in the country, narrow it down to certain sections, and go from there. There's also this generator!

I have several sites in general that are really helpful: chaotic shiny, feath, donjon, and seventh sanctum!

And last but not least, a family generator, job generator and a pet generator!

[1962dude420-blog]

Today we remember the passing of Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton who Died: July 25, 1984 in Los Angeles, California

Willie Mae Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984), better known as Big Mama Thornton, was an American rhythm-and-blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog", in 1952,which became her biggest hit, staying seven weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1953 and selling almost two million copies. Thornton's other recordings included the original version of "Ball and Chain", which she wrote.

Her recording of Hound Dog, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952, and later recorded by Elvis Presley, reached Number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. According to Maureen Mahon, a music professor at New York University, "the song is seen as an important beginning of rock-and-roll, especially in its use of the guitar as the key instrument".

Thornton's birth certificate states that she was born in Ariton, Alabama, but in an interview with Chris Strachwitz, she claimed Montgomery, Alabama, as her birthplace, probably because Montgomery was better known than Ariton. She was introduced to music in a Baptist church, where her father was a minister and her mother a singer. She and her six siblings began to sing at early ages. Her mother died young, and Willie Mae left school and got a job washing and cleaning spittoons in a local tavern. In 1940 she left home and, with the help of Diamond Teeth Mary, joined Sammy Green's Hot Harlem Revue and was soon billed as the "New Bessie Smith". Her musical education started in the church but continued through her observation of the rhythm-and-blues singers Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie, whom she deeply admired.

Thornton's career began to take off when she moved to Houston in 1948. "A new kind of popular blues was coming out of the clubs in Texas and Los Angeles, full of brass horns, jumpy rhythms, and wisecracking lyrics." In 1951 she signed a recording contract with Peacock Records and performed at the Apollo Theater in 1952. Also in 1952, while working with another Peacock artist Johnny Otis, she recorded "Hound Dog", the first record produced by its writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The pair were present at the recording, with Leiber demonstrating the song in the vocal style they had envisioned; "We wanted her to growl it," Stoller said, which she did. Otis played drums, after the original drummer was unable to play an adequate part. The record sold more than half a million copies, and went to number one on the R&B chart, helping to bring in the dawn of rock 'n' roll. Although the record made Thornton a star, she saw little of the profits.

On Christmas Day 1954 in a theatre in Houston, Texas, she witnessed fellow performer Johnny Ace, also signed to Duke and Peacock record labels, accidentally shoot and kill himself while playing with a .22 pistol. Thornton continued to record for Peacock until 1957 and performed in R&B package tours with Junior Parker and Esther Phillips.

Thornton's success with "Hound Dog" was followed three years later by Elvis Presley recording his hit version of the song. His recording at first annoyed Leiber who wrote, "I have no idea what that rabbit business is all about. The song is not about a dog, it's about a man, a freeloading gigolo." But Elvis' version sold ten million copies, so today few fans know that "Hound Dog" began as "an anthem of black female power." Similarly, Thornton originally recorded her song "Ball 'n' Chain" for Bay-Tone Records in the early 1960s, "and though the label chose not to release the song... they did hold on to the copyright"—which meant that Thornton missed out on the publishing royalties when Janis Joplin recorded the song later in the decade. However, in a 1972 interview, Thornton acknowledged giving Joplin permission to record the song and receiving royalty payments from its sales.

As her career began to fade in the late 1950s and early 1960s, she left Houston and relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, "playing clubs in San Francisco and L.A. and recording for a succession of labels", notably the Berkeley-based Arhoolie Records. In 1965, she toured with the American Folk Blues Festival in Europe, where her success was notable "because very few female blues singers at that time had ever enjoyed success across the Atlantic." While in England that year, she recorded her first album for Arhoolie, Big Mama Thornton – In Europe. It featured backing by blues veterans Buddy Guy (guitar), Fred Below (drums), Eddie Boyd (keyboards), Jimmy Lee Robinson (bass), and Walter "Shakey" Horton (harmonica), except for three songs on which Fred McDowell provided acoustic slide guitar.

In 1966, Thornton recorded her second album for Arhoolie, Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band – 1966, with Muddy Waters (guitar), Sammy Lawhorn (guitar), James Cotton (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), Luther Johnson (bass guitar), and Francis Clay (drums). She performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1966 and 1968. Her last album for Arhoolie, Ball n' Chain, was released in 1968. It was made up of tracks from her two previous albums, plus her composition "Ball and Chain" and the standard "Wade in the Water". A small combo, including her frequent guitarist Edward "Bee" Houston, provided backup for the two songs. Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company's performance of "Ball 'n' Chain" at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and the release of the song on their number one album Cheap Thrills renewed interest in Thornton's career.

By 1969, Thornton had signed with Mercury Records, which released her most successful album, Stronger Than Dirt, which reached number 198 in the Billboard Top 200 record chart. Thornton had now signed a contract with Pentagram Records and could finally fulfill one of her biggest dreams. A blues woman and the daughter of a preacher, Thornton loved the blues and what she called the "good singing" of gospel artists like the Dixie Hummingbirds and Mahalia Jackson. She had always wanted to record a gospel record, and with the album Saved (PE 10005), she achieved that longtime goal. The album includes the gospel classics "Oh, Happy Day," "Down By The Riverside," "Glory, Glory Hallelujah," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," "Lord Save Me," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "One More River" and "Go Down Moses".

By then, the American blues revival had come to an end. While the original blues acts like Thornton mostly played smaller venues, younger people played their versions of blues in massive arenas for big money. Since the blues had seeped into other genres of music, the blues musician no longer needed impoverishment or geography for substantiation; the style was enough. While at home the offers became fewer and smaller, things changed for good in 1972, when Thornton was asked to rejoin the American Folk Blues Festival tour. She thought of Europe as a good place for herself, and, with the lack of engagements in the United States, she agreed happily. The tour, beginning on March 2, took Thornton to Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, where it ended on March 27 in Stockholm. With her on the bill were Eddie Boyd, Big Joe Williams, Robert Pete Williams, T- Bone Walker, Paul Lenart, Hartley Severns, Edward Taylor and Vinton Johnson. As in 1965, they garnered recognition and respect from other musicians who wanted to see them.

In the 1970s, years of heavy drinking began to damage Thornton's health. She was in a serious auto accident but recovered to perform at the 1973 Newport Jazz Festival with Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (a recording of this performance, The Blues—A Real Summit Meeting, was released by Buddha Records). Thornton's last albums were Jail and Sassy Mama for Vanguard Records in 1975. Other songs from the recording session were released in 2000 on Big Mama Swings. Jail captured her performances during mid-1970s concerts at two prisons in the northwestern United States. She was backed by a blues ensemble that featured sustained jams by George "Harmonica" Smith and included the guitarists Doug MacLeod, Bee Houston and Steve Wachsman; the drummer Todd Nelson; the saxophonist Bill Potter; the bassist Bruce Sieverson; and the pianist J. D. Nicholson. She toured extensively through the United States and Canada, played at the Juneteenth Blues Fest in Houston and shared the bill with John Lee Hooker. She performed at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1979 and the Newport Jazz Festival in 1980. In the early 1970s, Thornton's sexual proclivities became a question among blues fans. Big Mama also performed in the "Blues Is a Woman" concert that year, alongside classic blues legend Sippie Wallace, sporting a man's three-piece suit, straw hat, and gold watch. She sat at center stage and played pieces she wanted to play, which were not on the program. Thornton took part in the Tribal Stomp at Monterey Fairgrounds, the Third Annual Sacramento Blues Festival, and the Los Angeles Bicentennial Blues with BB King and Muddy Waters. She was a guest on an ABC-TV special hosted by actor Hal Holbrook and was joined by Aretha Franklin and toured through the club scene. She was also part of the award-winning PBS television special Three Generations of the blues with Sippie Wallace and Jeannie Cheatham.

Thornton was found dead at age 57 by medical personnel in a Los Angeles boarding house on July 25, 1984. She died of heart and liver disorders due to her longstanding alcohol abuse.

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: 5 Anime That Seem a Lot Like Isekai (But Aren't)

  Isekai is a pervasive and imminently popular genre in anime right now, every season we find ourselves with more and more unfortunate characters who find themselves transported one way or another to a new world. So what if I told you there were actually even more isekai out there than you even realized? 

  Just look at this season's Tokyo Revengers, a story about a down-and-out guy named Takemichi who, after a tragedy rocks his life, is sent to the past and given the chance to change fate. Once working a lame job and dealing with normal problems, Takemichi is suddenly thrust into the life of a young gang member — a whole new world for him. When you think about it, for Takemichi 12 years ago is so different it might as well be a different world, and the chance to start over and gain a new lease on life is a core tenet of isekai. In other words, while unconventional, Tokyo Revengers is kind of an isekai in its own right.

  If that blows your mind, let me introduce you to five more anime you might not think of as isekai, but have secretly been part of this popular genre all along!

    Zombie Land Saga

  An idol show with bite — sometimes, literally. Zombie Land Saga follows a group of seven girls and their overly enthusiastic manager as they try to bring attention to the titular Saga Prefecture through their work as pop stars. The twist? They're all zombies from various periods in the past, ranging from the 1800s to 2011, resurrected in the year 2018. This sudden shift in age causes all of them to have different kinds of culture shock as they engage with things that might be new to them, like social media, and pine for things more common in their old "worlds." Though they are all Japanese, none of them are from current times, so we get to see each of them acclimate to their new "world" in their own ways, much like an isekai protagonist. Sort of like seven isekai in one!

  As a bonus, the protagonist Sakura initially dies in the most stereotypical isekai way — from being hit by a truck.

    Dr. STONE

  In most isekai, the hero is moved or transported to their new world in one way or another. Not in Dr. STONE — not only does Senku not have to move, he stays in place for over 3,000 years! While he was living in our current world, a sudden flash turned everyone on the planet into stone, leaving Senku and the rest of humanity stuck inside rocks seemingly forever. Senku eventually manages to escape his stone shell and emerges in an unfamiliar world — still the planet Earth, in the very same spot he was frozen, but with all traces of civilization completely erased by time. Now he has to use his knowledge of science to try and achieve progress as fast as possible to get humanity back where it was before the flash, and maybe even find a way to save all the people petrified thousands of years ago. Senku���s world may be nominally the same place but it actually couldn’t be any more different, and like any good isekai hero, he has to use his wits to save it!

    ERASED

  Much like Takemichi in Tokyo Revengers, ERASED's Satoru is sent back to the past after the murder of a loved one and is given the chance to prevent her death as well as a number of other tragedies. Unlike in Tokyo Revengers, Satoru is sent all the way back to elementary school, creating a very different dynamic for his story and adjustment to his new surroundings. Satoru must deal with being an adult in a child's body, masquerading as a normal kid while trying to unravel a mystery that proves to be much larger and darker than he ever anticipated. Watching him navigate a child's world is both amusing and enlightening. When seen from an adult's perspective, the world of kids feels contradictory, alien in many ways yet familiar in some other surprising ones, much like the world of our favorite isekai.

    Kyousougiga

  Kyousougiga takes place in a fantasy alternate dimension Kyoto where anything that can be imagined seems to be possible. Normally separate from the "real" world, the story really kicks off when a girl named Koto forces her way into this "mirror world" and follows her as she spends her days in Kyoto trying to find a way back to her original home. This is technically a more literal "isekai" than most on this list, since Koto is in an actual fully different universe, but isn't usually thought of as an isekai, probably because Koto wasn't sent to the Mirror Capital — she goes there herself! Directed by Rie Matsumoto, whose boundless creativity you might have seen on display in Blood Blockade Battlefront and the recent Pokemon music video "GOTCHA!", Kyousougiga is great if you're looking for a more traditional isekai in form if not in function.

    Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet

  Ledo is a soldier involved in a galactic war involving superweapons, squid aliens, and intelligent AI — that is, until in one battle, he and his robot Chamber are knocked into a wormhole and sent lightyears away. Found by a caravan of ships on a water-covered planet, Ledo and Chamber discover that the wormhole has sent them all the way to Earth, the birthplace of humanity. Ledo and Chamber have to adjust to life in a new world they thought was just a myth, without all the technology and conveniences of their old world, while uncovering some long-forgotten truths about the past along the way. While most isekai protagonists don't start in a world as advanced as Ledo's, moving from a technologically advanced setting to a more simple one is an isekai tradition, and while Earth may not be in the same galaxy, in this case, it might as well be a different world altogether. Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet has all the hallmarks of an isekai but with a sci-fi twist!

    And there we have it — five more shows for you to check out if you're itching for more isekai but think you've drained the well. Or maybe you love the idea of isekai, but you want a new take on the concept and themes it usually comes with. Either way, all of these shows have what you're looking for, so while you're waiting on new episodes of Tokyo Revengers, give them a try!

  Do you have a favorite that you think is secretly an isekai? Let us know in the comments below!

      David Lynn can be found obsessing over Fate/Grand Order on Twitter @navycherub.

    Do you love anime? Do you love writing? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: David Lynn

[iathings]

HipHop Is Headed for Self Destruction “Self destruction, you’re headed for self destruction” For those who can remember, these lyrics are from the iconic call to consciousness Hip-Hop song by KRS-1 along with host of other iconic Hip-Hop artists released in 1989. The song addressed the very serious issue of violence that began to plague Hip-Hop at the time and threatened to kill the culture. It was a smart move that changed the course of Hip-Hop for several years. Hip-Hop culture is killing itself once again but are today's artists conscious enough to save Hip-Hop like the old school did? It’s now been over 40 years since the first Rap songs gained airplay on top 40 radio stations in America. Over that time, Hip-Hop has grown to dominate the airwaves and produce countless Black millionaires and Billionaires. It is the number one music genre in the world, a voice for the youth, and a vehicle for oppressed people of all races to escape poverty in circumstances where all hope seems to be lost. Unfortunately, Hip-Hop has become plagued with violence and gangsterism. To say that Hip-Hop was never associated with gangsterism would be wrong because Hip-Hop actually helped to cool the gang violence that existed in New York, the birthplace of Hip-Hop, during the beginning stages of its development in the 1970s. Instead of physically fighting, gangs would settle their beefs through Break Dancing competitions, Graffiti writing, Rapping, and Disc-jockeying. Competitions were set up in all the Hip-Hop genres so gangs from all over New York could settle their differences in non violent ways. The friendly rivalries soon changed however and by the mid 80s gang bangers were robbing Hip-Hop artists for their enormous Gold chains and other valuables. Artists were forced to associate themselves with Gangs from their own neighborhoods for protection. At the same time, artists also began to adopt the BlackConsciousness movement of the time. This brought about a change in the lyrical content of Hip-Hop music. By 1989, conscious minded artistes such as BDP, Public Enemy, Stetsasonic, Heavy D, and many others came together on “Self Destruction” to deliver a warning to the Hip-Hop industry. In the early 90s another crisis hit the Hip-Hop industry when the glorifying of gangsterism made its way into the content of the music. Before that point, artists mostly made songs about their lyrical skills, their sex appeal, and their fashion. Now they were Rapping about shooting the Police and their gang related rivals. The Police took notice and formed Hip-Hop surveillance units that monitored artists and their lyrics. They also targeted, harassed, and arrested artists for no reason other than intimidation. The Police petitioned politicians, record companies, and radio stations to stop playing Rap music because it “incited violence”, they claimed. By the mid nineties even Black owned radio stations had stopped playing most Rap. Then after the Notorious BIG and Tupac got killed over senseless regional rivalries artists got the message and a lighter style of Rap music began to get airplay and gain popularity. Gangsters were now firmly entrenched in the Hip-Hop industry forming record companies to wash drug money. Over the next 10 years, gang affiliated record company owners, managers, and producers gained control of most of the artists. They also gained influence on radio, promotions and performance venues in numerous reasons of America. By 2010 however, the whole music industry began to change. New technology as well as the emergence of Social Media enabled artistes to make and distribute music without record company backing. They say gangsters always want to be rappers and rappers always want to be gangsters, well 2010 and beyond became the perfect time for the two groups to merge and make money. Gang members began to make music and money flowed faster and easier than dealing drugs on the corner. Unfortunately, becoming an Hip-Hop artist isn’t a pass in gang culture. Chains still get snatched and people still get robbed, extorted and beaten up when artists get caught slacking. This has been the culture of the new generation of Hip-Hoppers for the past 10 years.   Gang affiliated artists from rival neighborhoods and cities are attacking each other without fear of consequence based on the eye for an eye prerogative of gang culture. They taunt each other while promoting their gang affiliations in their songs. Many of them have made their songs a celebration of their gangster lifestyle marring the two cultures so closely that many of them are willing to murder rival artists over silly things such as gang affiliation, disrespectful lyrics or simple jealousy.           2020 has become the deadliest year so far in the new independent HipHop era. Dozens of upcoming artists have been murdered by rival artistes and their gangs. The police don’t seem to care as they once did as long as the violence remains gang related. Politicians aren’t implementing policies to address the violence because nobody is petitioning them about it. The only people left who can encourage Hip-Hop artists to save the culture from the violence that is killing it are the industry insiders. At this point however, there doesn’t seem to be anyone interested in making a move to stop the violence. I think the general consensus among the movers and shakers in the industry might be that Hip-Hop is too big of a cultural force to stop. They better think again because there is nothing too big to stop. There will come a time when enough people will get fed up with the shootings and killings and begin to vilify the whole culture again. The general public will move to get Hip-Hop banned off social media, streaming services, and out of performance venues. Perhaps only then will the violent-prone wannabe gangsters in Hip-Hop wise up and stop trying to destroy it. #hiphop

Integral Dohgon

[letpapersleep]

ask meme 4 aino :3

by POPULAR demand :,)

Full Name: Aino!! (lastnamepending)

Gender and Sexuality: trans girl lesbian 💕

Pronouns: she/her

Ethnicity/Species: her mom is japanese & her dads finnish

Birthplace and Birthdate: born in finland!! moved 2 America 😑

Guilty Pleasures: making little pictures in her computer programs, stress cleaning incredibly small details around the house, shopping for knicknacks she Doesnt need, large large novelty mug collection for one person, drinking coffee at 2am, peeking out her window & people watching, listening to weirdass experimental music very loudly in the car. putting duct tape around her socks, locking doors in the house she lives alone in, catching moths & studying them up close. day drinking, & collecting fashion magazines ❤️ smoking but shes not guilty fuck you

Phobias: super bright lights, being watched or recorded secretly, people breaking into her house, Bugs being On Her.

What They Would Be Famous For: very very good at programming

What They Would Get Arrested For: speeding somehow

OC You Ship Them With: lily ❤️

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: no idea

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: sci-fi and horror

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: Weird Adults Having Sex: the movie

Talents and/or Powers: very smart. good at Computers. great tolerance for caffine and alcohol lmao

Why Someone Might Love Them: shes real funny and smart, super reasonable and great to be around if you can get along with her, reliable and interesting

Why Someone Might Hate Them: she can come off as very unfriendly sometimes!!!!!! also shes shy and hard to get to know & some people do not like that

How They Change: she becomes more confident and makes a lot of friends!!! calms down a little bit overall and feels safer in the world.

Why You Love Them: SHES SO GOOD.... my oldest and longest oc.. im proud of her design and she is just very. *rotates her in my mind*🥺🥺😿😿😿❤️❤️❤️❤️

[honeykookheon]

KOOKHEON PROFILE | MASTERLIST

🐶 Song Yuvin [송유빈]

———————————————————————

Personality and traits:

Yuvin is very sweet, talkative, witty and an easy going guy. -> Very friendly and makes friends easily. -> Has a bright and relaxed aura. -> Sweet and bubbly personality. -> Is literally just a big puppy/baby.

Can come off as a bit cold because of his humor. He loves to joke around and make fun of and annoy his friends. -> Enjoys bullying both his hyungs and dongsaengs. -> Has no shame and can be very blunt, but in a funny way.

Does really well in variety shows because of his fun personality.

Some says he both acts and looks like Seventeen’s Mingyu.

Yuvin sang OST «You To The Bone» with BTOB’s Minhyuk.

Can come off as quite a good english speaker because he speaks with confidence, but his english is okay.

An emotional guy. He cried just thinking and talking about his mother and family.

Doesn’t mind skinship and tends to initiate it.

If Yuvin ran out of underwear, he stole clean ones from the other members in Myteen.

Said to be quite messy and doesn’t seem to mind the mess either. -> Once Taevin stored his used socks underneath a shelf before washing them. Yuvin ran out of socks, found the stash and wore the used socks without knowing. -> Kookheon says Yuvin never cleans up. Once Yuvin left his dishes besides Kookheons bed. Yuvin explained he wanted to see his reaction, but didn’t clean it afterwards so Kookheon had to do it.

Yuvin ranked himself as the least loud member in the Myteen dorms and the members strongly disagreed.

Amongst Kookheon, Byungchan, Yuvin and Minkyu, Yuvin was picked as the most competitive.

Yuvin’s bucket list of things he wants to do is: -> Become an animal trainer. -> Travel around the world. -> Buy everything he wants.

He’s friends with former Wanna One member Kim Jaehwan.

Yuvin’s personality type is ENFP.

Ideal type: Exid’s Hani. Someone nice who likes him.

Performance:

Has amazing vocals, and rarely ever make mistakes while singing. -> Very stable, beautiful, soft vocals.

Works hard to further evolve his singing.

His voice fits ballads amazingly, but suits other genres very well too. -> He wants to try singing trot in the future.

He really struggled with dancing early on, as he lacks natural rythm.  -> Has been working really hard on that and achieved amazing results! -> Yuvin is very thankful to Kookheon for helping him with dancing without feeling burdened. 

Has shown small snippets of him rapping which he’s quite good at.

Says he is in charge of being the visual in the duo consisting of him and Kookheon.

Preferences: 

Dogs are his favorite animal.

He dislikes heights and ghosts.

Can’t eat mushrooms because of the texture.

He likes to listen to the song “You were beautiful” by DAY6, and likes the lyrics “You were beautiful, your eyes that looked at me.”

On a deserted island he would bring with him his phone, wifi and food.

Recently he’s been playing the app game “Brawl Stars”.

He’s obsessed with tonkatsu.

His favorite day of the week is Friday.

A nickname that he loves, which was given by fans, is 댕댕이 (puppy).

If he were to have a youtube channel he would like to upload pranks, reviews or anything fun.

Can spin things on his fingers.

Has an alcohol tolerance of three glasses of soju. Said his drunk habits are doing aegyo and massaging.

Yuvin collects lip tints. He has gotten a few comments about his color-less lips, and therefore always wears them.

He dislikes beaches.

Likes to sing loudly at random times. -> He believes he strengthens his vocal chords so that his voice will be able to handle more pressure.

His must-have items are: -> He says aloe cream is the secret to his baby face. -> Ear buds to listen to music. -> Lip balm to keep his lips “moist like a cherry”. -> He’s constantly battling a stuffed nose, so he needs nasal spray. -> Likes accessories and rings fills the void on his hands.

Personal life:

His birthplace is Daegu, South Korea.

Graduated from the Broadcasting and Entertainment department of Hanlim Multi Art School in 2017.

His family consists of his parents and older sister.

His family enjoys singing, which made Yuvin interested as well. -> Started singing ballads when he started middle school.

Has two dogs called Choppa and Myongi, even though he’s allergic.

He loves sports. Soccer, basketball, baseball.. basically everything. He used to play baseball and therefore has very strong legs.

Has a motorcycle lisence. 

Career:

Superstar K6: -> At 2014/08/22 Yuvin attended the sixth season of the talent show series Superstar K6. -> Sang “Farewell Taxi” by Kim Yeon-Woo. He got lots of praise from the judges and from there his popularity raised. -> He made it to top 4 and got eliminated at episode 12.

Solo artist: -> He signed with Music Works in February 2015. -> Debuted as a solo artist 30th of May 2016 with the song «You To The Bone». -> Has sung many OST’s for different dramas. “Shouting These Words”, “Ordinary Farewell”, “Perhaps This Is”, “Starlight Night”, “Coincidence” and “The First Words”.

Myteen: -> He debuted as the main vocalist in Myteen 27th of July 2017. -> Myteen had two album releases in the span of two years, and disbanded 21st of August 2019.

Acting: -> Played the male lead role as “Kim Yoo-Geon” in the drama “Loss:Time:Life” from 2019.

Produce X 101: -> Yuvin, together with his fellow Myteen member Kookheon, was sent off to join Produce X 101. First episode aired 3rd of May 2019. -> Gained a lot of recognition for the heartbreaking performance where Yuvin’s microphone failed, and Kookheon (who was on the opposite team) panicked and started crying. -> Also known for his Tom and Jerry relationship with trainee Suhwan. -> Made it to the final episode where he ranked 15th.

B Of You (B.O.Y): -> Considering the popularity gained from Produce X 101, The Music Works decided to debut Yuvin and Kookheon in a duo group. They came out with a ballad called “Blurry” on August 24th, before their official debut. -> The duo’s official name is “B.O.Y” meaning both of you or best of you. The fandom name is “Meet You”. -> The official debut was set on January 7th 2020. This was the day the duo came out with their first mini album “Phase One : YOU” as well as the official music video for the first title tracl “My Angel”.

[© Honeykookheon. All of the information written above is collected through videos, interviews, fan meetings, etc. Please do not copy without credits. Thank you!]

[lichen-punk]

do ur fave from the band biography bc I don't know any of them

ughhh dont make me pick w fave :((((((

i’ll just do one i don’t talk abt much and i can like text u the others or something if ur curious lmao

Full Name: billy carpenter (almost a 0% chance he was born that but that’s the name he puts on his records)

Gender and Sexuality: troubled young lad

Pronouns: he/him

Ethnicity/Species: human as this story is in regular people world. given the success he achieves mainstream music in the 60s he’s,, probably white lbr

Birthplace and Birthdate: in 1942 near dunsmuir california

Guilty Pleasures: maybe smoking? idk if he’s capable of guilt. probably enjoying square music from his childhood is p shameful tho

Phobias: boredom, fame, lack of fame, yknow the rockstar deal

What They Would Be Famous For: he IS of course famous for being the guitarist of thunder chief and the forty thieves, which was obviously the most groundbreaking and fascinating band of the 1960s. his inventive, blues based guitar playing — with its uniquely and unprecedentedly raw and aggressive style, played left handed — was an integral part of the tone of the band, and his frequently androgynous and provocative appearance and erratic, audience-baiting concert antics helped the band gain its reputation as an unpredictable and chaotic live show and the voice and heart of the rebellious youth culture of the era

What They Would Get Arrested For: he HAS been arrested for a great many things: usually public indecency, assault, vandalism, that sort of thing. arson a couple times, especially when he was younger

OC You Ship Them With: he is to later marry an actress, so,, her ig

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: any number of rival musicians, also his bandmates

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: he loves swashbuckly classic adventure novels with plenty of graphic violence, and the kind of lurid pulpy paperback mysteries you can get at airports. he claims he likes andy warhol movies but that’s just to seem hip

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: andy warhol movies, anything he finds silly and consumerist

Talents and/or Powers: brilliantly inventive guitarist, higher energy and looser style than anyone else in the day, rebellious teenager syndrome

Why Someone Might Love Them: his impact on the world of popular music, especially on guitar playing, cannot be understated. he, like his bandmates, is also beloved within the lgbt community as an pioneering icon of androgyny, playing with makeup and experimental clothing some 5-10 years before bowie and glam would come onto the scene. later in life he would go on to be beloved for his extensive charity work and philanthropic ventures with his wife

Why Someone Might Hate Them: at the peak of his fame he was infamous for his destructive antics and violent temper, sometimes derided as being an entitled celebrity party animal and often stirring controversy with his provocative onstage behaviour and statements, and there was also frequent tension within the band due to his equally volitile performance in the studio

How They Change: he goes from a poor kid growing up in a little mountain town in northern california, to a runaway with a criminal record, to a unstable global supercelebrity and the voice of a nations youth, to a respected musician and philanthropist with a wife and family

Why You Love Them: all four members of tcatft are just aspects of me and he’s the one that needs it the most so damn right i love him

[x5red]

Sixty fun & fascinating facts about the classic Supergirl (1 / 4)

Great guns! How time flies!

May 2019 will mark sixty years since the pages of Action Comics #252 carried its landmark tale: a crashed rocket ship in a Midvale field, and emerging from within, an enthusiastic young teenager who was destined to become one of Earth’s fiercest champions. That teenager was, of course, Kara Zor-El -- otherwise known as Supergirl..!

To celebrate the classic Kara Zor-El’s sixtieth anniversary, compiled below is part one of a series outlining sixty surprising or unusual facts about the original intrepid Argo City teen who leapt from that crumpled Midvale rocket ship. Covering her original Silver and Bronze Age incarnation, in comics and on screen, each factoid is calculated to intrigue and delight -- hopefully even seasoned Kara fans will find a few morsels of trivia that had previously escaped their attention.

Enjoy...

1. She wasn’t originally known as Kara Zor-El when she debuted in comics.

What’s in a name? Well not a lot, it seems, if you happen to be Kryptionian..!

Although everyone knows Supergirl’s real name is Kara Zor-El, the Maid of Might herself didn’t deem it worthy of a mention until Action Comics #288 (May 1962), three years after her introduction, when she innocently referenced her full moniker during a dream sequence. After that readers would need to wait another fifteen years(!) before she’d mention it again in Superman Family #177 (June 1976). Outside of these rare instances Kara was usually known as Kara of Argo City, or in very early comics simply just as Kara, her birthplace itself not having acquired a name until Action Comics #280 (Sep 1961).

2. 1984′s Supergirl wasn’t actually the first movie headlined by a superhero female.

Many movie buffs will list 1984′s Supergirl as the breakthrough release that finally saw women headline a movie in the superhero genre, but this is far from the truth.

Supergirl’s record is true, but only in the English-speaking world: there had already been numerous superhero movies in non-English markets centred around super-powered female crime fighters, most notably in the Philippines. The most popular Filipino superheroine, Darna, had already racked up no less than eleven movies by 1980, plus one guest appearance in another hero’s movie.

3. She once fell madly in love with a woman.

As incredible as it seems today, the straight-laced DC Comics of the 1960s once okayed a story in which the Maid of Might fell head-over-heels in love with a woman. It happened in Adventure Comics #384 (Sept 1969), and, as you might expect, the story had a few twists and turns before the true nature of Kara’s romance was revealed.

The short version is this: Kara uses computer dating to select a match suitable for a superwoman. The computer picks Volar, a male superhero from the deeply misogynistic planet of Torma (second planet of Star-Sun 447B, in case you want to pay a visit.) Kara travels to Torma and is smitten by Volar, but he seems reluctant to reciprocate her affections. Eventually the plot reveals its twist: due to Torma’s notorious chauvinism, Volar is actually a superheroine forced to masquerade as a superhero. ”I’m heading back to Earth – where I belong!”, exclaims a disappointed Girl of Steel, “I found out Volar was no hit – but a real miss!” (Ho ho!)

4. She’s a self-professed fan of Jazz.

Growing up in both Argo City and Midvale, Kara was probably exposed to a wide range of different musical styles -- but at the end of a long day saving the world, what kind of sounds did she like to relax to? The pages of Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #7 (May 1983) dropped readers a hint when Kara expressed a strong affinity towards Jazz music. Indeed in a later issue of that same series, it is while attending a free Jazz concert with friends in Chicago’s Grant Park that Kara first tangled with the super-villain Reactron (making his comicbook debut.)

5. She once packed in her superhero career to become a socialite and style-icon in Paris.

The mid-60s was an interesting time for DC Comics; a tipping point between the juvenile gimmick-driven hangover of the Golden Age, and the more mature storytelling style of the upcoming Bronze Age, as one generation of artists and writers slowly gave way to the next. Brave and the Bold #63 (Dec 1965) fell squarely into the former category with its outlandish story, Revolt of the Super-Chicks.

The tale begins with a restless Kara feeling unappreciated: the public see her as just a hero in a gaudy costume, ignoring the sophisticated woman inside. Much to the chagrin of Kal-El, Kara abandons her superhero-ing career and heads to the bright lights of Paris to live it up. Kal sends Wonder Woman to Paris to talk some sense into Kara (the first time the pair had shared an adventure, by the way), but Diana is likewise wooed by the socialite lifestyle and joins Kara in her nocturnal revelry. If it hadn’t been for the intervention of the villain Multi-Face, the pair might have still been in Paris now.

6. Producer Ilya Salkind regretted Helen Slater’s casting as Supergirl.

When Ilya Salkind took on the task of co-producing Superman-related movies in the mid 1970s, he’d argued against the wishes of both Warner Bros. and his producer father, Alexander, by suggesting that the title role not go to a Hollywood A-lister. Ilya followed exactly the same logic when it came time to cast 1984′s Supergirl, championing an unknown actor called Helen Slater over more bankable names such as Brooke Shields (favoured by his father.)

In an interview in 2000, however, Ilya seemed to have some regrets, telling Scott Michael Bosco on behalf of Digital Cinema, “[...] frankly, with hindsight I regret it. Brooke Shields would have – not made it a better movie, but perhaps a more commercial one. This I’m convinced. I think there would have been more men seeing the movie.” Commenting on how Slater’s screen presence was more Katherine Hepburn than Sophia Loren, Salkind noted, “What happened, I think, is that we lost a lot of the audience, the male audience. I think it was also because the girl was a little unattainable.”

7. One of her most iconic costumes was originally designed by a fan.

Supergirl has had a number of crime-fighting outfits over the decades, but two particularly stand out as being iconic: Helen Slater’s 1984 movie costume (plus its imitators, such as the post-Crisis Matrix costume and Melissa Benoist’s tv costume), and the 1970s hotpants outfit.

The Girl of Steel’s hotpants attire was a racy number that screamed 70s sexploitation at a volume only Kryptonian lungs could achieve: short shorts, a plunging V neckline, billowing sleeves, and a neck choker, all in the customary red, sky blue, and yellow. The design wasn’t something dreamt up by one of DC’s staff of artists, however. but taken from a sketch submitted by reader John Sposato of Edison, New Jersey. DC had used several fan submitted costume ideas during the early 1970s -- each outfit typically receiving one or two story outings -- but John’s submission was obviously so liked by DC artists that it eventually became her permanent costume for most of the 1970s.

8. She turned Streaky into a Super Cat by accident.

DC in the Silver Age prided itself on being a family-friendly brand, free from the squalor and depravity that had once graced the pages of some of its competitors, causing moral crusaders (armed with books written by Dr. Fredric Wertham) to brand the medium as a threat to the youth of America. Without the use of excessive violence to bring thrills and drama to its superhero comics, DC relied on gimmicks such as Kryptonite. Consequently, by the Silver Age, the stuff was everywhere(!)

With her keen practical mind, Kara decided (much to the condescending amusement of her cousin) to develop an alchemy that would neutralise the harmful effects of this ever burgeoning supply of Kryptonite (Action Comics #261, Feb 1960.) She failed, naturally, but the discarded end-product, labelled X-Kryptonite, ended up accidentally giving a local stray alley-cat super powers. And so Streaky the Super Cat was born -- entirely by accident..!

9. Lena Luthor wasn’t the only female Luthor family member giving her trouble.

The Luthor family has a long history of causing trouble for the Girl of Steel. Not only did Supergirl struggle to keep her secret identity from the telepathic Lena (Thorul) Luthor -- Lex’s little sister -- but Adventure Comics #397 (Sept 1970) saw the introduction of Lex’s scheming niece, Nasthalthia. Nasty, as she was known, joined Stanhope College with a determination to help Uncle Lex flush out which of Stanhope’s students was secretly Supergirl. Suspecting Linda Danvers from the start, Nasty even followed Linda when she graduated and moved to San Francisco to become a TV camerawoman. The pair would play a dangerous cat-and-mouse game throughout many early 1970s Supergirl tales, but Nasty never quite got the proof she needed to unmask the Maid of Might.

10. She was married when she died in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

A story published in Superman Vol. 1 #415 (Jan 1986) saw the Fortress of Solitude infiltrated by a mysterious visitor from a distant planet. Intent on stealing a memento of the recently deceased Kara, the handsome green-skinned thief named Salkor is quickly apprehended by Superman.

Salkor explains how he had found Supergirl drifting unconscious in space some two years previous. He had cured her of Kryptonite sickness, but she had been left with severe amnesia. In the days that followed Salkor and Kara drew close and entered into a quickie marriage, but not long after the marriage he awoke to find Kara missing -- her memory had presumably returned. Over the next two years Salkor slowly traced his bride back to Earth, but tragically he arrived just as news of her death was broadcast around the world.

11. Her creation was part of a strategy to boost DC’s flagging superhero comic sales.

Supergirl wasn’t created on a mere creative whim; the impetus behind her introduction was likely a long-term sales strategy DC Comics had been following since the mid-1950s. According to Gerard Jones in his book Men of Tomorrow, DC knew that the demographics for the Superman radio and television shows revealed a sizeable share of young girl audience members, and that market research showed that girls read their brother’s Superman and Batman comics (second hand!) DC therefore set out to entice young girls into buying their own superhero comics by introducing titles like Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane, and characters like Batwoman and Supergirl. Although some superheroines have been accused of being nothing more than eye-candy for the young male audience, Supergirl was introduced squarely to inspire young girls.

12. She could read your mind.

In Adventure Comics #397 (Sept 1970) Supergirl investigates a mystery girl found in a coma on the Stanhope College campus. As the anonymous patient lies motionless in a hospital bed, the Girl of Steel conveniently remembers that she has the ability to perform Vulcan mind-melds: ”I'll try to delve into her subconscious -- maybe I can learn something”. The trick reveals that the mystery girl was the victim of a black magic cult, causing Supergirl to infiltrate the group undercover (literally!) Strangely, although the Girl of Steel can read other people’s minds, she seemed very poor at reading her own, as she promptly forgets all about her mind-reading abilities after that single issue.

13. She always knew how to be popular.

When Kara from Argo City first landed on Earth, she took it upon herself to pick her own secret identity name. “While you were gone”, she tells her cousin, “I used my super-hearing and heard many Earth girls’ names! I thought of a good one for myself.” The name she chose, of course, was Linda.

It isn’t perhaps a surprise that her super-hearing fixated on that particular name, given that according to names registered with US Social Security, Linda was one of the most popular girls’ names in the 1950s, beginning the decade in the top slot, but dropping two places to third by the time Kara arrived on Earth in 1959. (Kara, by the way, was 935th on the girls list at the time that Ms. Zor-El crashed her rocket ship in Midvale.)

14. Her first appearance on television was in a 1962 comedy sketch, played by Carol Burnett.

In 1962 the Garry Moore Show featured a seven minute sketch lampooning the popular George Reeves Superman TV show -- the comedy gimmick being that instead of the Man of Steel, the sketch’s evildoers were pitted against the Maid of Might, played by comedian Carol Burnett. (A similar spoof by Lucille Ball a few years earlier doesn’t count, btw, as Lucy was playing Superman, not Supergirl.)

The madcap plot sees Carol dashing to and fro, frantically switching back and forth between her everyday clothes and her hero costume, while performing an array of ridiculous feats of strength. It is debatable whether this truly qualifies as a genuine Supergirl appearance, given the obvious Reeves inspiration, but Burnett’s 1962 version does use the Supergirl name and a reasonable facsimile of her 60s costume.

15. Her first proper appearance on television was in an advert, selling underwear!

Even if the 1962 Carol Burnett sketch is ruled out as not being canonical Kara, Supergirl’s late-70s underwear commercial qualifies without a shadow of a doubt. The short advert, for the kids brand Underroos, sees Supergirl, Spider-Woman, Wonder Woman, and even Batgirl, all extolling the virtues of wearing superheroine themed undergarments. Dating from sometime around 1978, the ad seems to be the first authorised on-screen appearance of Supergirl, meaning that the ad’s opening line, “Now Supergirl is on Underoos”, is the first spoken line uttered by any actress playing the Girl of Steel. (It is unknown who the lucky voice artist was.)

That’s all for part one -- hope you enjoyed it..! Check out part two (soon) for another fifteen fascinating factoids.

[behind-the-screen-of-bangtan]

Autobiographic references in BTS discography

This post is part of the TSU. It belongs to the first part: Biography.

Suga explained in an interview that all their songs were personal and inspired by their own lives. However, there are some that appear as more biographical than others. Even though they decided to share these stories with us, it remains the boys’ life and as such, there won’t be in-depth analyses.

The origins: using 사투리 (Satoori) and talking about Korea

Korea used to be made of 8 provinces that all have their own culture and variation of language (called satoori). As the boys come from different places, they use different dialects that are sometimes different from standard Korean. For details, I let you refer to the analyses linked below.

(original map src)

The point here is that while most of their songs are in standard Korean, there have been times where they used satoori. The biggest case is obviously “팔도강산” (Paldogangsan, meaning “the scenery of all parts of Korea” and titled “Satoori Rap” in English; lyrics here) but you can also find some in “어디에서 왔는지” (Where did you come from? Lyrics here) and “Ma City” (lyrics).

“Satoori Rap” and “Ma City” are also the occasion to teach us more about the land of Korea and some of its different regions.

You can refer to those explicative posts to appreciate all the references:

Doolsetbangtan’s translation and notes about “Satoori Rap” and “Ma City”

Muish’s ramblings about “Satoori Rap” and “Ma City”

DKDKTV’s explanation about “Satoori Rap”

Last detail about “Satoori rap”: it was originally a song released in 2011 by the rap line only (src)

More recently, BTS also showed Korean traditional culture to their fans through the song “IDOL” (lyrics). The lyrics, dance, outfits, and background all include elements from the Korean culture (see the post about “IDOL” for a list).

This is important on two levels.

First, South Korea has a heavy history of intern conflicts between the regions. One sadly famous fight is between the Jeolla province (J-Hope’s birthplace) and  Gyeongsang (Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook’s birthplace). Muish has a note about it and ARMY SALON made a complete post about the Gawngju uprising from May 18, 1980. It’s thus a meaningful move to integrate the different regions of Korea in one song, as a message of peace and a reminder that they’re all from the same country, as explained by RM in “Satoori Rap”:

“Why Keep Fighting Either way, they’re all in Korean Look up, and we look up at the same sky”

Note that however, the boys clearly stated that they made “Satoori Rap” “for fun” and to “diss each other” (src).

Second, K-pop is usually seen as a Korean copy of Western pop music. Integrating purely Korean elements thus counter this cliché. It seems there was a real intention of making Kpop evolve - or more exactly make it go back to what it was at the time of Seo Taiji and the Boys (see Vox article and this extract from COOLKKADANG EP. 312 (20190522)) - when the boys debuted. Not a purely commercial product but an art with a message. It would thus be important to call BTS a Kpop band because that way they can make the notion of Kpop evolve. The problem is that they redefined the genre so much it can’t really be conceived as K-pop anymore. The boys have also decided to rather focus on just doing their thing rather than being a superhero.

The introduction: 2, 3 방! 탄! 안녕하세요 방탄소년단입니다

BTS introduced themselves through several of their songs. The rap line explained to us how they got into hip-hop in “Skit: Circle Room Talk”, “길” (Road/Path), and later in Dark & Wild’s “힙합성애자” (Hip Hop Lover). You can find more about BTS and their relationship with Hip-Hop in the Socio-political narrative part here.

2 Cool 4 Skool plays its role as the first contact between BTS and the public. “Intro: 2 Cool 4 Skool” explains the goal of the group:

“2 cool 4 skool We tell our story on behalf of those in their 10s and 20s you take that”

The lyrics from “We Are Bulletproof pt.2” present the group and emphasize how they worked harder than anyone before debuting:

“At the practice room instead of school I danced and sang all night While you all played I lived my dream”

“Everywhere I go everything I do I’ll show myself as much as I’ve sharpened the knife All those people who’ve ignored me now Oh oh oh oh oh oh hey shout it out Oh if you’ve done as much as me throw a rock We go hard we’ve got no fear”

And in the first hidden track, “Skit: on the starting line”,  RM talks about the feelings he had while he was a trainee.

An idol’s everyday life

BTS has kept us updated on their whereabouts through other songs. While “Skit: Circle Room Talk” and “Outro: Circle Room Cypher” were staged to sound like they were at school, even ending interrupted by the teacher for the skit, “Skit: R U happy now?” is closer to the boys’ idol life as it happens in a car before a fansign. It’s hard to know how much in their skits is scripted or not (RM talked about how they recorded skits in his Vlive about Her here, at 37:10, and said they had no script but they did talk about it beforehand and the recording was later edited) but all the following ones until 화양연화 Pt.2 will be about the boys’ lives as idol: in “Soulmate” they fool around in the studio, in “Expectation!” they want the first place in music shows and in “One night in a strange city”, they bicker after a concert. The last Skits to date are “Billboard Music Awards Speech” and  “Skit: 망설임과 두려움” (Hesitation and Fear). The first one is about BTS’ being acknowledged in the US - and basically worldwide - and thus reaching yet another stage in their career while the second is about the doubts they have after reaching such a place.

There are two more songs about their everyday life: “Rain” that express their emotions on a rainy day and “이사” (Moving On), a song about their first dorm and all the memories it holds. It’s the place we see in Rookie King and during the first birthday party, that they left a bit before 화양연화 Pt.1 and “Moving On” were released. They then settled in the one we see in the first Bon Voyage and in the 2015 Festa.

I’ll also quickly mention “Spring Day” here because the lyrics were inspired by the friendship between RM and Suga, the two members that have been together for the longest time - since 2010.

Interestingly all these songs (except “Spring Day”) are focused on a moment: the skits are little sketches while “Rain” and “Moving On” are about a specific emotion they had at a certain time.

Bangtan’s rise

Opposite to those works about one specific episode, there’s a whole other series of songs, this time dedicated to BTS’ constant hard work since pre-debut. Songs by BTS for BTS, songs that help them stay aware of what they’ve accomplished and what their next goals are. It started with the confidence of getting more and more popular in “진격의 방탄 (Rise of Bangtan)” after the success of 2 Cool 4 Skool:

“Who are we? The rising Bulletproof Boy Scouts Who are we? We swallow them all up without fear Cuz we got fire, fire fire Get higher, higher higher If you don’t know us, then take a good look Who are we? Who? The rise of Bangtan”

Then before they’ve realized it, they’re celebrating their second year of activity in Dark & Wild’s “2학년” (2nd Grade):

“In the blink of an eye, I become a second grader The me who only used to chase my dreams now sets fire on the stage”

“Rise of Bangtan” gains a younger sibling in 화양연화 Pt.1 with “흥탄소년단 / Fun Boyz”. Each member has his own part to tell his story and brag about how they’re fun to hang out with, succeeding at remaining friendly while doing so and not sounding full of themselves.

The Most Beautiful Moment in Life has also more serious songs about their hard work, namely “Dope” and “Baepsae”. However, as these songs can also apply to the whole generation BTS belongs to, they’ll be considered in details in the Socio-political narrative part. Same with “Not Today”.

“Never Mind” is in the same vein of  “I can and will do it” but with a darker vision:

“NEVER MIND NEVER MIND No matter how thorny the road is, run NEVER MIND NEVER MIND There are lots of things in the world that you can’t help You better NEVER MIND NEVER MIND If you feel like you’re going to crash then accelerate more, you idiot NEVER MIND NEVER MIND We’re too young and immature to give up, you idiot NEVER MIND If you feel like you’re going to crash then accelerate more, you idiot If you feel like you’re going to crash then accelerate more, you idiot NEVER MIND”

“Whalien 52″ brings a sadder note to their journey as they reveal this path is not only hard but also full of loneliness.

They’re also aware the dream will eventually end. “Epilogue: Young Forever” is very realistic about it:

“It can’t be mine forever The applause I say to myself shamelessly Project your voice higher, farther Even though there isn’t an eternal audience I’m going to sing I want to be myself today forever I want to be a young forever”

Yet, it’s not enough to make them give up so they keep singing, they keep believing and thus followed “Outro: Wings”:

I trust myself, Since the reason why my back hurts Is so that wings can sprout I believe me, you, though the beginning may be humble, The future will be prosperous

It’s not stated explicitly but the boys explained in later songs that those wings were given by ARMY. Thus the fans saved the artists that had saved them first.

WINGS also contains a series of solo songs that have been the occasion for most of the boys to look and see where they are now: Jungkook thanks his hyungs for raising him in “Begin”, Jimin misses his innocence in “Lie”, Suga remembers how his love for music started with a brown piano in “First Love”, RM philosophizes about the world in “Reflection” and even hints the thematic of self-love, J-Hope thanks his mother for always supporting him until he succeeded in “Mama” and Jin admits he may never be the best but he’ll still try his hardest in “Awake”. It doesn’t seem “Stigma” has biographical elements, it’s rather centered around the BU story.

The Love Yourself series initiates a whole new reflection that’ll be considered in a future post.

BTS shared a lot with us, be it their convictions, their stories, or their cultures. While they started with the idea of protecting the youth, they’ve eventually evolved in friends of the youth and they renounced to this superhero mission. In the same way, they constantly promise to aim higher and to work harder but they’ve learned to enjoy the present as everything will eventually come to an end.

[blackistory]

BIG MAMA THORNTON THE ORIGINATOR OFTHE HOUND DOG SONG

Thornton's birth certificate states that she was born in Ariton, Alabama,[5] but in an interview with Chris Strachwitz she claimed Montgomery, Alabama, as her birthplace, probably because Montgomery was better known than Ariton.[6] She was introduced to music in a Baptist church, where her father was a minister and her mother a singer. She and her six siblings began to sing at early ages.[7] Her mother died young, and Willie Mae left school and got a job washing and cleaning spittoons in a local tavern. In 1940 she left home and, with the help of Diamond Teeth Mary, joined Sammy Green's Hot Harlem Revue and was soon billed as the "New Bessie Smith".[6] Her musical education started in the church but continued through her observation of the rhythm-and-blues singers Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie, whom she deeply admired.

Early career

Thornton's career began to take off when she moved to Houston in 1948. "A new kind of popular blues was coming out of the clubs in Texas and Los Angeles, full of brass horns, jumpy rhythms, and wisecracking lyrics."[9] In 1951 she signed a recording contract with Peacock Records and performed at the Apollo Theater in 1952. Also in 1952, while working with another Peacock artist Johnny Otis, she recorded "Hound Dog", the first record produced by its writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The pair were present at the recording,[10] with Leiber demonstrating the song in the vocal style they had envisioned;[11][12] "We wanted her to growl it," Stoller said, which she did. Otis played drums, after the original drummer was unable to play an adequate part. The record sold more than half a million copies, and went to number one on the R&B chart,[13] helping to bring in the dawn of rock 'n' roll.[14] Although the record made Thornton a star, she saw little of the profits.

On Christmas Day 1954 in a theatre in Houston, Texas, she witnessed fellow performer Johnny Ace, also signed to Duke and Peacock record labels, accidentally shoot and kill himself while playing with a .22 pistol.[16] Thornton continued to record for Peacock until 1957 and performed in R&B package tours with Junior Parker and Esther Phillips.

Thornton's success with "Hound Dog" was followed three years later by Elvis Presleyrecording his hit version of the song.[10] His recording at first annoyed Leiber who wrote, "I have no idea what that rabbit business is all about. The song is not about a dog, it's about a man, a freeloading gigolo."[14] But Elvis' version sold ten million copies, so today few fans know that "Hound Dog" began as "an anthem of black female power."[14] Similarly, Thornton originally recorded her song "Ball 'n' Chain" for Bay-Tone Records in the early 1960s, "and though the label chose not to release the song... they did hold on to the copyright"—which meant that Thornton missed out on the publishing royalties when Janis Joplin recorded the song later in the decade.

Success

As her career began to fade in the late 1950s and early 1960s,[2] she left Houston and relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, "playing clubs in San Francisco and L.A. and recording for a succession of labels",[8]notably the Berkeley-based Arhoolie Records. In 1965, she toured with the American Folk Blues Festival in Europe,[17] where her success was notable "because very few female blues singers at that time had ever enjoyed success across the Atlantic."[18] While in England that year, she recorded her first album for Arhoolie, Big Mama Thornton – In Europe. It featured backing by blues veterans Buddy Guy (guitar), Fred Below (drums), Eddie Boyd (keyboards), Jimmy Lee Robinson (bass), and Walter "Shakey" Horton (harmonica), except for three songs on which Fred McDowell provided acoustic slide guitar.

In 1966, Thornton recorded her second album for Arhoolie, Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band – 1966, with Muddy Waters (guitar), Sammy Lawhorn (guitar), James Cotton (harmonica), Otis Spann(piano), Luther Johnson (bass guitar), and Francis Clay (drums). She performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1966 and 1968. Her last album for Arhoolie, Ball n' Chain, was released in 1968. It was made up of tracks from her two previous albums, plus her composition "Ball and Chain" and the standard "Wade in the Water". A small combo, including her frequent guitarist Edward "Bee" Houston, provided backup for the two songs. Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company's performance of "Ball 'n' Chain" at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and the release of the song on their number one album Cheap Thrills renewed interest in Thornton's career.

By 1969, Thornton had signed with Mercury Records, which released her most successful album, Stronger Than Dirt, which reached number 198 in the Billboard Top 200 record chart. Thornton had now signed a contract with Pentagram Records and could finally fulfill one of her biggest dreams. A blues woman and the daughter of a preacher, Thornton loved the blues and what she called the "good singing" of gospel artists like the Dixie Hummingbirds and Mahalia Jackson. She had always wanted to record a gospel record, and with the album Saved (PE 10005), she achieved that longtime goal. The album includes the gospel classics "Oh, Happy Day," "Down By The Riverside," "Glory, Glory Hallelujah," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," "Lord Save Me," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "One More River" and "Go Down Moses".

By then the American blues revival had come to an end. While the original blues acts like Thornton mostly played smaller venues, younger people played their versions of blues in massive arenas for big money. Since the blues had seeped into other genres of music, the blues musician no longer needed impoverishment or geography for substantiation; the style was enough. While at home the offers became fewer and smaller, things changed for good in 1972, when Thornton was asked to rejoin the American Folk Blues Festival tour. She thought of Europe as a good place for herself, and, with the lack of engagements in the United States, she agreed happily. The tour, beginning on March 2, took Thornton to Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, where it ended on March 27 in Stockholm. With her on the bill were Eddie Boyd, Big Joe Williams, Robert Pete Williams, T- Bone Walker, Paul Lenart, Hartley Severns, Edward Taylor and Vinton Johnson. As in 1965, they garnered recognition and respect from other musicians who wanted to see them.

Late career and death

In the 1970s, years of heavy drinking began to damage Thornton's health. She was in a serious auto accident but recovered to perform at the 1973 Newport Jazz Festivalwith Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (a recording of this performance, The Blues—A Real Summit Meeting, was released by Buddha Records). Thornton's last albums were Jail and Sassy Mama for Vanguard Records in 1975. Other songs from the recording session were released in 2000 on Big Mama Swings. Jailcaptured her performances during mid-1970s concerts at two prisons in the northwestern United States.[6] She was backed by a blues ensemble that featured sustained jams by George "Harmonica" Smith and included the guitarists Doug Macleod, Bee Houston and Steve Wachsman; the drummer Todd Nelson; the saxophonist Bill Potter; the bassist Bruce Sieverson; and the pianist J. D. Nicholson. She toured extensively through the United States and Canada, played at the Juneteenth Blues Fest in Houston and shared the bill with John Lee Hooker.[6] She performed at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1979 and the Newport Jazz Festival in 1980. In the early 1970s, Thornton's sexual proclivities became a question among blues fans.[9] Big Mama also performed in the "Blues Is a Woman" concert that year, alongside classic blues legend Sippie Wallace, sporting a man's three-piece suit, straw hat, and gold watch. She sat at center stage and played pieces she wanted to play, which were not on the program.[20]Thornton took part in the Tribal Stomp at Monterey Fairgrounds, the Third Annual Sacramento Blues Festival, and the Los Angeles Bicentennial Blues with BB King and Muddy Waters. She was a guest on an ABC-TV special hosted by actor Hal Holbrook and was joined by Aretha Franklin and toured through the club scene. She was also part of the award-winning PBS television special Three Generations of the blues with Sippie Wallace and Jeannie Cheatham.[6]

Thornton was found dead at age 57 by medical personnel in a Los Angeles boarding house[21] on July 25, 1984. She died of heart and liver disorders due to her longstanding alcohol abuse. She had lost 355 pounds (161 kg) in a short time as a result of illness, her weight dropping from 450 to 95 pounds (204–43 kg).