Thursday, October 9, 2008

Assignment 3

Mechal Spellman
[Due Oct 10,2008]
Ant 3085 TV24A/ Gaunt
2nd year {Computer Information Systems}
Assignment 3
Video Title: Hip Hop Worldwide
This video impressed me because it really gave a taste of hip hop on a global perspective. Countries I never knew even had a interest in hip hop were shown, with one of their local artists spitting rhymes on the current living conditions of their country. In The Vinyl Ain't Final Tony Mitchel mentioned that ' in order to get a real innovation of hip-hop we need to look beyond the USA borders and explore countries such as France and England where strong local currents of hip-hop have taken place'. I agree with Mitchell in the sense that we can't always look to the South Bronx as the sole originator of hip-hop, because hip-hop goes beyond that. Hip-hop is a collaboration of rhymes and beats from all four corners of the earth, and its only because of the large role of media in our culture that hip-hop is well known in the US.
Erik K. Arnold viewed hip-hop as a universal language to discuss political,social and economic oppression. His viewpoint agreed with majority of the songs, in which the rappers discussed the crime and violence that was taking place in their neighborhoods. It was as if they were all living in the same area and enduring the same hardships, instead of being located in different parts of the world. Hip hop plays the role of an global microphone for all the suffering and hardships, and the 'bridge to overcome national differences that often separate people of color'.
Hip-hop is truly an 'glocalization' in which global crews vocalize their local concerns. If I was ever curious to know how life was for individuals out in England, all I have to do is listen to the rhymes of an artist in England. The video played a couple of lines from an England rapper and he mentioned' it was hard surviving in the blistering cold; life is a gamble; and the greatest tricked performed was convincing us that we are powerless'. We both share the same feelings, in which many are swayed to think that they cannot change their current communities conditions, but that is not the case at all. If all pursue for a change, then a change can unquestionably be made.Overall, hip-hop is a global common ground.
Cited Works
Kelley,Robert. "Introduction" The Vinyl Ain't Final. Dipannita Basu and Sidney J. Lemelle 2006 [Book]
You-Tube: Hip Hop Worldwide. August 23,2008. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY0lIyu59Ns>[website]
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Assignment 4

Mechal Spellman
[Due Oct. 10th,2008]
Ant 3085 TV24A / Gaunt
2nd year (Computer Information Systems)
Assignment # 4
Title:Grandmaster Caz delivers hip-hop history:Label networks TV
Duration: 6 minutes and 42 seconds
From: Label networks
Date added: March 24,2007
1.)This message was created by a representative from label networks who interviewed Grandmaster Caz about his new clothing line 'Sedgwick & Cedar'.
2.) The title of the video itself attracted my attention, because i felt like i was going to learn the foundation of hip-hop from one of the most infamous rappers directly involved with the development of hip-hop. In addition. Grandmaster Caz's clothes comprised of the big gold chain and flashy jewelry could have attracted viewers as well.
3.) I felt like the clothing line was truly a tactic of letting others become aware of how hip-hop originated. Grandmaster Caz stated that "hip-hop is selling clothing, but the clothing ain't hip- hop." Creating the clothing line Sedgwick & Cedar, hip-hop can now be represented in another tangible form. Others may see this clothing line as another plan for Mr.Caz to gain more money , or put himself back into the spotlight of today's music industry.
4.) The notion that hip-hop was originally created as an alternative to disco was revealed in this video. As Mr.Caz stated" hip-hop was a way of having our party, our way", so hip-hop is like a collective collaboration of various beats,rhymes and styles.
5.) This message was sent to probably publicize the clothing line Sedgwick & Cedar. It was also created to let many know that there are still many things being done to keep hip-hop alive and celebrate is origination and on-going development.
Title:Beat Street Us Girls
Duration: 2 minutes and 44 seconds
From: Atcoates
Date added: June 29, 2007
1.)This video was posted by a you-tube user located in the United Kingdom.
2.) The setting of an old school hip-hop party taking place in a basement with graffiti painted walls is one aspect that attracts the viewers attention. In addition, we get a live portrayal of the MC playing his role, and getting the crowd hyped to hear the ladies spit a couple of rhymes. We not only get a taste of how those in the hip-hop world danced, but how they boogie on down as well.
3.)Other viewers see this video the same way I do, 'Its classic hip-hop memories'. The video gives both the new and old school an opportunity to see how hip-hop parties really went down. It was all about having a good time ,jamming to the beats, and allowing different rappers to come up to the mike and do their thing.
4.) The contributions women gave to hip-hop is represented through this video. You hardly heard of women rapping some rhymes, but here we have Debbie D, Sha-Rock and Lisa Lee who were very good at it. As they said"Us girls can boogie too." :-)
5.)This message was created as way to travel back in time and see the beginning of hip-hop live. It may have been a clip of a movie, but it was a taste of reality.It portrayed how many tried to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture.
Title: Hip-Hop Violin-Paul Dateh and Inka One
Duration: 6 minutes and 18 seconds
From: Pauldateh
Date added: July 01,2007
1.) This message was sent by Paul Dateh, who is a violinist and collaborates with different musicians and DJs to put twist on different genres of music and classical beats.
2.) The technology used to attract viewers was the turntables and the setting which looks like a music booth and the recording is live. Paul's body language is intriguing as well, he rotates between being serious and having fun remixing the different hip-hop beats.
3.) When viewing the video, it helped me realize that hip-hop is truly something that can be combined with any genre of music and still sound hot. Hip-hop is already a collaboration of many things, so adding on an extra ingredient just makes it 10 times more enjoyable. Others seem to see this video as just a clip of an individual with fantastic violin playing skills. But there is so much more to it, you have two individuals from different backgrounds and music interests that can come together on common grounds of creating wonderful beats.{Beautiful}
4.) The values represented in this video is the importance of the creation of beats that will have you tapping your foot and bopping your head. Both individuals seem to have the lifestyle of wanting to put their own twist on hip-hop either thru the mixing of records or the stroking of violin strings.
5.)This message was sent as a method for Paul Atache to promote himself in the music industry. He has his myspace page linked to this video where you can inquire about bookings to have him play or other questions you may be interested to ask him.
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