History of American rap; 1990's Rapper MC Hammer became a huge success after his multi-platinum album, "Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em" turned into the #1 record. The first single, "U Can't Touch This" was on the top 10 of the billboard Hot 100. MC Hammer became one of the most popular and successful rappers of the early 90's. His album, having sold over 18 million copies, made rap music rise to a whole new level of popularity. Another rapper, Dr. Dre, released his album, "The Chronic," in 1992 and helped establish West Coast gangsta rap as more commercially viable than East Coast hip hop.
Lesane Parish Crooks also known as Tupac Shakur is one of the greatest artist of all time. He still influences the world even after his death. Tupac was born June 16, 1971 in East Harlem New York as the son of active members of the Black Panthers Party. After a few years his family moved to Marin City, California where his rap career began. He started writing lyrics in his High School where he also performed at concerts, the concert led to him being signend with Atron Gregory who set him up as a roadie and backup dancer with the young rap group Digital Underground in 1990.
The term “selling out” plays a big role in the dichotomy of underground and mainstream music across all genres and I will explain more about this term further on in the essay. Consumption and commerce interface with rebellion and expression in many ways according to Wahl (1999). Historically, hip hop didn’t gain much commercial success in the mainstream until the influential act ‘Run-DMC’ made their way onto the scene. Their album ‘Raising Hell’ in 1986 was the first hip hop product to go gold in the US. As Wahl (1999) points out, this was largely due to their hit single and cover of Aerosmith’s 1975 song, ‘Walk This Way’.
National Living Treasure Whether we admit it as Americans or not, we all have a people that we designate, honor, and financially support. We just do it without realizing what is going on. Every album or song we buy from our favorite singer/songwriter goes directly into the pocket of the artist. Now with the help of I-Tunes, artists are making more and more money than they used to, no contest. Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. is probably one of the most influential rappers alive, and more than likely one of the most well-known across America.
Then, at age 16, he met Jeff Townes (DJ Jazzy Jeff). The pair became friends and began to collaborate, Jeff as DJ, Will as rapper (having expanded his nickname to Fresh Prince). They became so successful that Will even turned down a scholarship in order to follow his dream. Despite his parents' wishes, he didn't want to go to college anyway – he now dedicated himself to music. Will Smith’s music was rapidly becoming very popular But by this time Will was already at the top of another profession, as he was casted to be in the new series of ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’.
Kalebra Blair September 12, 2011 English Composition 1 Hence - 9 a.m. Man in the Mirror The recently deceased King of Pop, Michael Jackson, left a big legacy for any artist to try to fill. Michael Jackson’s songs reached the hearts of many people all over the world. Although he was named the King of Pop music, his inspirational song, “Man in the Mirror” helped people around the world realize how good of a life they have and it served as a reality check for those who take their way of life for granted. Some people might say that Michael Jackson was the best thing that ever happened to music. He was known for his music being inspiring to the hearts of people all over the world.
First, he signed with Atlantic Records after 3 years with Warner Bros. Records ("Wiz Khalifa" April 06, 2013). Later in the year, Khalfa released his first single with Atlantic, Black and Yellow ("Black and Yellow" April 09, 2013). While the song went triple platinum, some think that this is when he began to sell out. He started making music to top charts and become radio station hits instead of his more uncensored style that fans had grown to love. In March of 2011, Wiz released his 3rd studio album Rolling Papers ("Rolling Papers (Wiz Khalifa album)" March 24, 2013).
Cobain actually detested hitting the Billboard charts, however, after his death in 1994, Nirvana become a worldwide rock legend who became commercialized to fit the mainstream (Erlewine). One year after the band was formed, they released their first single “Love Buzz” which did not get that much attention (Erlewine). A year later, their first album “Bleach” was released (Erlewine). Even though neither one of these hit the billboard 200 nor “attracted” any major label companies, Nirvana was satisfied with what they had accomplished; they had become very popular among college students and the British weekly press by selling 35,000 copies of their unique, indie style music (Erlewine). With a small following, Nirvana took the world by storm with their second album “Nevermind” at the end of 1989 with several hits (Erlewine).
You could say that was the start of his career as a composer. Menken attended Rochelle High School in his home town and after graduation went to Pre-med school to become a dentist. Lucky for us he later changed his major to music. After college Alen attended the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop in New York where he worked at local clubs writing jingles and songs as an accompanist. Alen Menken got his first big break in January of 1979 with Howard Ashman in the Off-Broadway production “God Bless you, Mr. Rosewater.” Three years later he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Music in his Off-Broadway Production “Little Shop of Horrors” and from that in January of 1987 Menken was given his first Oscar nomination for a song with in it called “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space.” In 1990 Menken was nominated for three Oscar nominations and three Golden Globe Nominations and went on to win two of each for his work in the Walt Disney production “The Little Mermaid”.
There group is really one of a kind, and I never heard a group that can sing the way they can before. The lyrics by Kenneth and L.A Reid was written for a movie, but end up blowing up to be one of the best r&b songs ever written. End of the road set the record of 13 weeks on the charts beating Elvis Presley record. To me lyrics are telling a girl even though we have broke up, I still have love for you. There also pouring out there heart trying to get the girl back because they can’t live without her.