JOUR 2 Hilights

I've always had a healthy distrust of the media and marketing as a whole, though I partook in the practice of propaganda and aggressive sales tactics myself.  My feelings about how television, advertising, and pretty much any product that's in the business of making money, operated, were reinforced by taking JOUR 2.  One of the many highlights for me was finding out the timeline of when certain mediums came into play.  The term shellac, was one I've never heard of until my wife told me about this specific style of nails she wanted.  Later on that week, I learned that shellac was type of wax that was used for audio recordings int the 50's.  So, yes that was a popular topic at my house for that week.  My favorite discovery was the work and the affect that Edward Bernays had on our society.  He's now one of my heroes, and yet I kinda see him as an evil genius.  I can't say enough about how cool our teacher was.  The fact that she was so flexible with everyone's individual situations, shows how understanding and reasonable she is.  I remember one day coming in to class with a heavy heart, and seeing her put the Giant's scoreboard on the projector.  That was a hug highlight for me.

Media Ethics And Laws

As a small time promoter of music and musical acts, with family and friends also involved in the music industry, the issue of piracy hits close to home.  Once the digital era took over, artist, engineers, and record executives have been scrambling to find a resolution to the issue of mass illegal reduplication of their intellectual properties.  I spoke out about this issues in the mid 90's to friends and colleagues, but my words fell on def ears.  People were just not aware of the of the power of the technology, and couldn't foresee the advancements in sound quality and speed that were soon to come. I can remember a time when having a cd meant you were either an artist signed to a label, or music engineer/executive.  It just wasn't common to see the average wanna-be rapper or garage band with an audio cd.  Soon, it became the standard. By then (1997) 35% of American homes had computers, and almost all of them had cd burners.  Why would be people pay for record if they could get it for free.  This gave birth to sites like Napster, and Limewire, who were subsequently shut down for copyright infringement.  The introduction of mp3 technology, made it allowable to triple the amount of music you could store on one cd.  MP3 gave us the need for a device that could store endless amounts of data and audio.  I myself have three Iphones/Ipods in my home.  I realize now after years of supporting artist I've enjoyed, that artist and labels are going to have to adapt to these changes.            

The rulings against Napster in  2001, and Limewire in 2010, to cease operationg, did not fear every company with similar services. File sharing sites like Mediafire and MP3 Bee are still around, and violate the exact same copyright laws that Napster and Limewire were sued for. Rappers like 50 Cent, have found ways to use their fame and capitol to land them advertisement deals, movie roles, and ownership in up in coming companies.  The money 50 cent made alone on the sale of Vitamin Water in 2009 made him 200 million. Now he ownes stock in small company who makes high-quality headphones, and has been given 260 million to produce 5 movies.  I think this type of entrepreneurship is key to survive within today's music industry, as well as many of the other entertainment industries of today.

Propaganda In Advertising

In this commercial, as well as others made by Proactiv, celebrities like Justin Beiber are used to sell the idea that you can be as attractive as these people if you were to use their product.  I recall when Proactiv first aired their campaigns, they were using doctors and experts to sell their product.  Suggesting that since they were licensed practitioners, they had to know what they were talking about, and we should accept their opinions as facts. The first celebrity that I saw pushing Proactiv was Vanessa Williams. Since then I've seen P. Diddy, Lindsay Lohen, yikes! At first the product was aimed at adults, now it seems they are targeting the younger demographics

Internet- The Death of Social Communication

For me, the internet is a tool that I use to make my life a little easier.  I spend about an hour and a half, a day searching for specific information, banking, or emailing. Even when I visit social sites or music sites, I spend very little time on them.  I have friends who watch television shows and movies online, but I still choose to watch tv shows, on the tv. I think due to the fact that I'm back in school, my usage of the internet has increased significantly.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like I dislike the internet.  I honestly just don't have the time to spend surfing on the web.

I remember a time when the idea of emailing was new and not used by many.  Now a days, emailing and texting has become the most widely used form of communication.  With the smartphones, you can practically do anything that you could do on your home computer.  I've seen people in the club updating their facebook accounts, emailing, even working on pdf files for work. It's quite helpful and empowering to have such a tool.  You pretty much have a computer in your palm.  If you take look at any "social setting" such as a mall, club, or school, you'll see everybody walking around with their heads down and their fingers typing away.  We look like zombies being guided by our pda's, laptops and iphones. Social contact is dying, and the art of conversation has been replaced by popular acronyms. Lol.  I didn't want to talk about one specific person, because I feel like a lot people fit this description. I've had friends ignore me while I talked, because they were texting or facebooking someone. I've done the same to them.

Television

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwOPIRHbOCM
Length: 2:42

Description: Opinions on the definition of "Media Convergence."

Chapter 1: Media Impact, Chapter 2: Media In A Changing World

Description: This video asks the question that all of us will eventually deal wit.  "What is media convergence?" I chose this video out of all the possibilities, because it had various opinions from various people, on the subject of convergence.  In our society, innovations like the iphone, help to change our way of life.  The iphone is the essence of convergence.  You have music, internet, and social mass media all at your fingertips.

Quiz Question:  Define Convergence?

Answer:  The merging of technologies, industries, and content, specially within the realms of computer, telephone and mass media.

Week 5: Movies & Recordings

Honestly, I haven't watched too many movies in 2010, but the one that I did, blew me away.  I really like the message and the graphics in the movie " Inception. "  I tend to like movies that have hidden subplots and messages in the film.  Inception, basically gave the message that your mind is very powerful in creating and shaping your world.  That if you want something bad enough, you could make it happen.  The manifestation of your thoughts could be a scary thing,  if taken lightly.



My favorite movie of all time; not sure if I have one. Yet, one movie that I like a lot, is " Devil In A Blue Dress." This movie takes place in the early 50's in Los Angeles.  It transports you back to a time when life was simple, and yet exciting because of all of the social dynamics that that came together in Los Angeles at this time.  Denzel Washington is the main character, and plays a man who just lost his job, and get's mixed up with some corrupt politicians and gangsters, just to pay his mortgage.  I like movies that make you feel like you're part of the movie.  Almost like you're inside the movie and there's no inconstancies in even the background or extras in the movie.  I want to feel like I'm the main character, and I'm emotionally invested in the plot.  This movie did that for me.  I suggest for anyone who loves dramatic movies to give this one a look.

Magazine Proposal

Name Of Magazine:   The Latest & Greatest- An Interactive Magazine For Those On The Cutting Edge!

Concept:  There are many entertainment magazines, specially hip hop magazines.  As well as magazines that
are for recording professionals.  Yet, there’s not a magazine out there that merges these worlds together.  It specifically gives at home recording artist tools and tricks of the trade that they would have to go to school for to obtain.  Aside from tips from professionals, we will also include advice from our readers.  As well as reports and music reviews from everyday fans.

Reader Demographics:   The Latest & Greatest, is a magazine for young and mature recording professionals as well as those who just want to keep up with the hip hop culture and scene.  Being that many people, male and female, young and old are recording at home, this magazine has the potential to reach a wide base of  readers.  The magazine will be reasonably priced at $5 per issue to allow all readers an opportunity to obtain a wealth of knowledge from our staff, artist and reader contributions.

Other Magazines:   Though there are other magazines for hip hop new and reviews like XXL, The Source, or Vibe, non of these give you advice on how to maximize your recording abilities.  Meanwhile, there are plenty of professional magazines like EQMAG, or Strat, these magazines don’t report on hip hop news, rumors or mixtape and album reviews.

Potential Advertisers:  Beats By Dre, Sleek Audio, Monster Cable, Professional Recording Schools, Clothing and Sneaker companies.

Five Articles:  (1)An interview with Dr. Dre.  (2) How to organize your home studio.  (3)  Mixtape and album reviews from our writers and readers.  (4)  Which headphones are better for recording; Sleek Audio or Beats By Dre.  (5)  How to get more out of your home recording equipment


Cover Description:  With Dr. Dre soon to release his first album in over 10 years, his image alone on the cover will generate much interest.  He personifies the essence of a recording professional who’s on the cutting edge of technology and the hip hop music alike.

Books That Influenced Me

I'm not what you would consider, by any stretch of the imagination, the religious type.  So it's surprising to most, when I list the Bible as one of, if not the most influential book that I've ever read.  Growing up in my house, my parents did not emphasize religion, or going to church every Sunday.  I often opted to go to church with my neighborhood friends and their families.  Even then, it was mainly to hang out with my friends and kill time.  Plus, Sunday's were not known for having kid friendly television.

Soon before you know it, I was actually starting to learn passages and scriptures from the bible.  I still didn't fully understand all of the words, but I grew confidence in remembering them.  I guess indirectly, I became a Christian.  I was 10 years old, and my salvation was the last thing on my mind.  Still every Sunday, there I was in Sunday school with my neighborhood friends, subliminally becoming a Christian.  I finally made sense of it all when I got older.  After years of turmoil at home, and going through some growing pains, I started to rely on the bible for spiritual guidance and encouragement.  I realized that the bible for me, was a motivational tool that allowed to accept my life and it's conditions, for what they were.  I read somewhere in the bible, " The last shall be first." To this day, when I feel down about my status or position in life, these words give me a sense of hope an optimism.  Though I've grown to look at the bible, and other religious books with some sort of skepticism, I still agree with the overall intent of the scriptures.  My believes, have been shaped by my experiences, and my knowledge is still in progress.  I don't believe that there is one true religion, but I do believe in the human spirit.  Sometimes the right set of words can lift your spirits and change your perception.  For that reason alone, the bible was the first and the most influential book  in my lifetime.

East Coast/West Coast Rap Beef

  In the the mid 90's, hip-hop reached a new level of success and global dominance, that was never imagine in it's early beginning.  Record companies were being owned and ran by artist, and record sales were at an all time high.  " Gangsta Rap" " West Coast Rap" was at the hight of it all.  Many East Coast artist, fans, and even media companies were not in agreement of this dominance.  Since blogs or social medias were not created yet, rap fans depended heavily on magazines and even rap albums to let them know "the word on the street."  The word on the street on the East Coast was obviously different from that on the west coast.
   Death Row Records, was the biggest grossing independent record company during this time.  Bad Boy Records, was an upcoming independent record ran by Sean "Puffy" Combs.  The two companies crossed paths in via the media at the 1995 Source Awards Show.  During an acceptance speech for Death Row, Suge Knight, president of the company, made a comment aimed at Sean Combs.Suge Knigt's Acceptance Speech, was televised, and subsequently blamed as the catalyst for the East Coast/West Coast Beef.  The Source, who also ran a hip-hop magazine, reported on the beef and covered it heavily as their magazine experienced record sales. Soon other magazines like Vibe, Murder Dog, and even Rolling Stone picked up the story and would report multiple articles on the subject.  Video compilations and eve music compilations were produced that spoke on the issues.  The " East Coast Bias," a term reserved for sports, was adopted by West Coast artist and fans alike.
   Since most of the magazines and hip hop record companies were based on the East Coast, a lot of the country was subjected to music and opinions from New York.  This was a fact ever since the creation of hip-hop.  By 1995, the marriage of music and controversy was peaking.  Tupac Shakur, a West Coast artist born on the East Coast, was incarcerated in New York at this same time. Soon before his arrest, he was robbed in a New York recording Studio. Sean Combs, and Biggie Smalls, a Bad Boy recording artist, were both in the building when this botched robbery took place.  Biggie, and Tupac were friends prior to this event, yet Tupac Shakur blamed Biggie Smalls for having knowledge of the robbery and not stopping it.  While in jail, Suge Knigt made Tupac an offer to sign to Death Row Records.  Tupac came out jail with a vengeance, and recording "All Eyes On Me" which addressed the robbery and flamed the wildfire which was now dubbed the "East/West Rap Beef."

Media Autobiography

   As a toddler, I was fascinated by music.  My heavy musical influence was due to the fact that all of my uncles and aunts, were involved in the recording industry in one fashion or another.  I never paid attention to the words, but more so the feeling of each song.  My father said that I would watch him and his group practice and mimic the lead singer.  I was always fascinated by artist and performers alike.  As soon as I was able to start reading, my literature of choice was always rock and roll magazines or albums.  I would read the credits and lyrics of every album that my father or uncles owned. Everything from Vicente Fernandez to Marvin Gaye
   Most of us can remember our first kiss, first day at a new school, or where we were when there was catastrophic event.  Me, I can still remember the moment I first saw my first music video.  I was already introduced to the radio, books, and television programing prior to this. But it might as well of never happened, because after this moment, all I wanted was to watch MTV and BET all day long.
The first music video that I saw was "We Built This City" by Starship.  I was six years old and could not make
 sense on why the "Built this city on Rock & Roll," but I loved it.  After that, I was open to any type of music that had a great video.
   This love affair with music, and music videos carried me well into my teens.  By then, technology had advanced so much further than I could of ever imagined.  At this point I was more interested in writing, recording and performing music. I was also deeply into writing poems, short stories and screenplays. I felt I had message to share with the world.
   The next big medium to come into my life was when I was thirteen years old.  Yes, internet.  I was at friend's house watching MTV, when I noticed his small size computer.  At first I thought it was a small game consul.  I never heard of the world wide web, and for the most part neither had the rest of the world.  So when my friend said he was chatting with someone in China, it blew my mind. Later, when I was in college, I got my first email account with hotmail and started living in the Martrix.
Now I'm much older, I'm a father of three sons, and rarely have the time to watch music videos.  I actually spend more time on the internet researching schools or kids products, than I do watching videos. The world sure has change since 1985.  Yet I still enjoy the simple things like a baseball game on the radio or classic music video from the 80's.
  I've been lucky to have the access to record music as well as help others achieve their goals in the music industry.  I hope to one day influence one of my kids to use their musical talents to share their message.  I love writing, and I know whether it's writing a song or a document, words and communication are my passions