SoundTrack of My Life

1.       Kirk Franklin – I Smile

a.       If you know me, you know that I always have a smile on my face. I tend to be always smiling because I believe you have to live your life with no regrets. Turn your frown upside down and this song says it all: “through your toughest time, always keep a smile on your face.” Even though I have gone through some tough times, I have managed to fight through it and keep a smile on my face.

b.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8SPwT3nQZ8&ob=av2e

2.       Michael Jackson – Black or White

a.       Being an African American today, you always get some type of discrimination or stereotypes where ever you go. Growing I face a lot of discrimination and stereotypes because of my dark skin, but it never phased me because it doesn’t matter if your black or white, we are all human.

b.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0&ob=av2e

3.       Big Sean – Memories

a.       Memories are things you can cherish for the rest of your life. I cherish the memories of the people that I have lost in my life because those are the best memories. Reminiscing on the time spent with them warms my heart more than anything.

b.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsydkhfSpmk

4.       Tupac – Life Goes On

a.       In my life when something bad goes wrong, I just say to myself life goes on and cant morn on something you cannot change.

b.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W69SSLfRJho

5.       T.I – Live your life

a.       You should be thankful for the life you got and stop looking at what you don’t have and be start being grateful for what you do have.  Live your life and don’t try to imitate someone else’s, be yourself.

b.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koVHN6eO4Xg&ob=av2e

All Shook Up: Epilogue

Rock n’ roll was a breeding ground, meeting place as well as a staging area of the 1950’s. Rock n’ roll can be known as major influence in this era, from how it shook many teenagers loose and shook up their parents to how it accelerated integration in the entertainment industry. It also raised questions about racial boundaries in the United States. Rock n’ roll played a major role in the civil rights movement and it wouldn’t have unraveled the way it did without it. Rock n’ roll had its most impact on teenagers. It made them more rebellious to parent authority, sexually adventures, and changed the type of clothing they wore. As the 50’s ended the baby boomers have not yet turned into young men and women, so as the 60’s hit, rock n’ roll has transformed into an inspiration.  Rock n’ roll’s graphic demonstration took place in August 1969 when 300,000 young adults attended the filthy, drug infested Woodstock Music and Art Festival in New York. Performers like Jefferson Airplane and Jimi Hendrix discouraged many parents to let their children attend, but that did not stop the rebellious teens of the 60’s.

Opinionator #2

Advertising has become a major topic when it comes to media. Advertising has been increasing tremendously over the years. “Spending on video ads in the U.S. is expected to reach $1.97 billion in 2011, up 38.6 percent from $1.42 billion in 2010. By 2014, online video ad spending will reach $5.71 billion, according to eMarketer’s forecast,” according to Media Life writer Diego Vasquez. With video ads and as well as all sorts of advertising on the rise, people around the globe are going to be easily bought in by all the ads. Video ads online are more of a concern to lure people into buying products because I believe our generation has turned to the internet instead of TV when it comes to entertainment. This is the case because the internet provides the amount of entertainment a TV does plus more. Advertisements are soon about to control the media, if it doesn’t already. Ads are found everywhere you go; there is no way around it. Ads can fall under the Cultural Theory because they are a return to the idea of powerful media. Media is a powerful resource around the globe and it is constantly used by almost everyone. If a huge majority of the world uses media and since advertisements are a huge part of media, people can be easily lured into the product being advertised.

"FreeStyle" Music List

1. Thinking About You - Frank Ocean
1. Frank Ocean is one of my favorite artist of all time. His music is so clear and all his music has a purpose. This song especially has a very strong meaning to it as well as having a great flow. Frank Ocean is a Lyrical Mastermind!
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPGVTta_lHY
2. Lets Groove - Earth, Wind, and Fire
1. When ever you are in a mood to boogey, this is the song for you! You can't help but dance when you here this song by Earth, Wind and Fire. This song makes me wish I lived in the disco days!
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XOY7lsBVpo
3. One Love - Bob Marley
1. If you are ever relaxing in paradise, this is the song that should be playing in your background. Such a peaceful song with a great beat that just relaxes you. One of my top 5 songs of all time. Bob Marley is a legend.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g
4. Made in America - Kanye West ft. Jay-Z & Frank Ocean
1. I love this song because it has a lot of meaning. It says, thanks to civil right activist, African Americans are able to live in our society without the fear of being hurt because we were all "Made in America."
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEjcDlDWb5I
5. Richest Man in the Room - Frank Ocean
1. Like my previous songs, this one as well has tremendous meaning. The song emphasizes how he doesn't have any money the only thing he has is her, but he pretends that he is richest man in the room.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exGnRUvv-Ww

Opinionator #1

The current media issue has been censorship and the influence of some television shows to younger audiences. What has been allowed on TV now compared to what was allowed back in the day has seen a dramatic change. In older TV shows women were not allowed to wear jeans on the air, now women are seen in bikinis, short jeans, little skirts, etc. This has inspired younger women to wear such clothing exposing their bodies thinking it is sexy. Not only has the appearances of people on the air has seen a dramatic change, but the vulgar language heard on the radio, TV, and even on the internet has seen a major changes as well. Parents today strongly argue that certain media on the air has become a bad influence on younger viewers. Kids as young as 10 years old can be seen watching shows such as: Family Guy, South Park, and Jersey shore which are meant for older audiences They see what is going on TV and use what they see it as a new trend and think it is “hip” to act like that. Shows like Jersey Shore and The Real World has swept our current generation like an epidemic. A lot of kids try to imitate the lives of the people they see on TV as a horrible attempt to make themselves “cool”. This would be known as the Social Cognitive Theory of 1975 which is the current media issue of this time.

Music Memories #2

I interviewed my grandma on my stepdad’s side of the family, who is very into the music she listened to when she was younger.  She told me that she was a huge fan of Neil Diamond, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, The Beatles and The Beach boys. Being a big fan of music she attended a lot of concerts and said that they were the best times of her life besides marriage and having her two kids. Her taste for music has not changed over time because the music at that time grew on her and today’s music is so different than it was back then, making it is really rare for someone 50+ to like music from our generation today.  She stated that our generation doesn’t listen to music, we listen to garbage and began to say how music back in the day had a purpose compared to the music today which she says is all about girls, drugs, money and cars. Throughout me asking her questions about the music she listened to back in the day, she kept bagging on modern hip hop. Over time I have begun to like a variety of different music because that is the type of person I am which is completely different from my grandma, since she is stuck in the 1980’s and down era.

5 Musicians Who Play Happy Music

1. Kirk Franklin

1. He is a gospel musician who is in the music business to make everyone smile and happy. He went from being in a 17 voice choir called Kirk Franklin and the family to  now being a solo artist and makes nothing but happy music. Being a gospel artist all his music is positive, inspiring and happy.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8SPwT3nQZ8

2. Gladys Knight

1. She has been a legend to R&B/Soul music community. Gladys Knight is known for her great music and her incredible voice. All her songs are very inspirational and have amazing structure. If you listen to her music and it doesn't make you happy, you must not have a soul.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pHhItkhc7o

3. Neil Diamond

1. My step dad was a huge Neil Diamond fan, so I was hearing a lot of his music. Neil Diamond tends to sing about women, usually on the positive side. His music is very sweet and charming almost meant to seduce women, so close to all his songs are happy and put a smile on peoples faces.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKhL_dIw5K4&feature=fvst

4. Bob Marley

1. I don't think there is a song by Bob Marley that is negative, all Bob Marley's songs are positive and happy. The reason for this is because Bob Marley was all about peace, love and happiness. From "One Love" to "Three Little Kids" Bob's music is intended for making the world a better place through the art of music.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKhL_dIw5K4&feature=fvst

5. Patti La belle

1. Similar to Gladys Knight, Patti La belle has a very powerful voice. Some of her songs might not be about the happiest things, but a good majority of them are. Her voice sets the tone for her songs and creates a happy scenery once people hear her sing.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzEChdqjbGY

Songs That Mention Sex or Drugs

1. Beep - Bobby Valentino
1. This song was a hit on the radio because it was very catchy and very repetitive. The whole song is about having sex when the chorus says "beep,beep,beep"its referring to sex. I wasn't ever a very big fan of this song because of its repetition.
2. Birthday Sex - Jeremih
1. When this song first came out it was an instant hit. It started a new trend of saying "Birthday Sex". I actually really liked this song, it a fun song to sing and it was very easy to dance too.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMxOzxKYYo&ob=av2e
3. I Invented Sex - Trey Songz
1. Every girl falls in love with Trey Songz because of his voice and looks that's why this song became so popular. I myself was a little iffy about this song. I don't like it but I don't dislike it either. This song is just very plain and simple to me, even though his rhymes are good I still think this song was plain.
4. Super Freak - Rick James
1.  Everyone loves Rick James and when people hear his name this song comes to mind. I personally love this song. It's a classic song that talks about all the Super Freaks (groupies). Great song, its
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYHxGBH6o4M&ob=av2e
5. Because I Got High - Afroman
1. This song makes me laugh every time I hear it. I don't like the song as a song, I enjoy it for its humor and creativity. Everyone has to hear this song at least once.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeYsTmIzjkw&ob=av2e

Music Memories #1

Memories:

• I honestly don't recall my favorite song when I was 5 years old, I hardly recall what happen from when I was 6 years old and under because I came to the US from Costa Rica when I was 6. If I had to guess what I listened to back then is a form of music called Reggaton. When I was 10 years old and began to settle here I became a huge fan of rap/R&B music from artist varying from Lil Wayne to Chris Brown. How it rhymed, how it flowed caught my attention. When I was 15 rap/R&B music was still my number one, but I started to expand my horizon and listen to a different variety of music minus country.The reason for this is because my mom  got married and my step dad had a lot of old records that he always listened too. He listened too old classic songs from the 70's and 80's around that era. I was a huge fan of Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, The Beatles and Prince. My taste hasn't changed much, just added more songs to my arsenal.

Top 5 Least Favorite Songs

1. Rebecca Black - Friday
1. One of the worst songs that has ever been played on the radio.The only reason this song was played on the radio is because it is so bad! Artist voice is the most annoying nasal voice you will ever hear! Hate it.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPVTl9K0lqc
2. Eddie Murphy - Party All the Time
1. I don't understand what Eddie Murphy was trying to do with this song. This song has no purpose and rambles on about partying all the time. Eddie is a create comedian, not so much of a musical artist.
3. Los Del Rio - Macarena
1. If there is one thing I don't like about a song is definitely is constant repetition. This song can win an award for that! This song has no purpose and its not even consider a song in my eyes.
4. Soulja Boy- Turn My Swag On
1. Being a big fan of rap music this song can be one of the worst around. Soulja Boy has horrible lines throughout the song. People have said that his verses are lazy which make his music horrendous. I can consider him one of the worse rapper around today because his lines and verses are so plain and not creative.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yRme0C2pmI&ob=av2e
5. Miley Cyrus- Party in The USA
1. Plain and simple, I don't like Miley cyrus whats so ever! This song takes the cake for my least favorite song. This Disney artist has the most annoying pitch in her voice, but that's not what makes the song so horrible. The song has no purpose what's so ever! It may be because this song is intended for little kids, but the song doesn't makes no sense to me.

Top 5 Favorite Songs

1.   Jimi Hendrix - Wild Thing

1.  Jimi Hendrix - Wild Thing

• This is one of my favorite songs because Jimi Hendrix was pioneer with the guitar. He was the milestone for black musicians.

2.  (1973) Empress Gladys & The Pips "Midnight Train To Georgia"

• This song has been a family favorite and has grown upon me over the years! Her voice is just so powerful and gives me the chills every time I hear it.

3.   Kirk Franklin - I Smile

• If there is one song that never lets me down when im sad, it is this. I cant help but smile when I hear this song, puts me in a good mood.

4.  Jay-Z Kanye West ft. Frank oc - Made in America

• This song has so much power, one of the most inspirational songs that is out today. The songs is about how all the African Americans during the civil  rights movement changed how blacks live today.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYa-ymn4Vk4

5.    Eminem - "Lose Yourself"  

• During football season this was the song that was always played in the locker room to get us pumped up. It has grown on me and has become one of my favorite songs.