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Libra Truthseekers

A look at musicians born between September 23-October 22

By Lucy Alice DickensPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 7 min read
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If Childish Gambino, Halsey, Sting, Doja Cat, Ani Difranco, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, and Bruce Springsteen* were all at the same rock festival, it's hard to imagine a lot of overlap between their fans. They range from rockstars to rap gods to champions of the working class. Yet despite their differences there are a thread of similarities that are apparent in their personality and musical career.

Content warning, this article and embedded videos include examples of lyrics with strong language.

1. They are all Libras.

Each of the musicians listed has a was born at some point between September 22nd and October 21st. This article will discuss as many Libra musicians as relevant, not just those initially listed. Libra is most frequently symbolized by the image of a scale. This leads us to the next commonality.

2. Truth matters to them.

For the Libra rappers they are often known for their cutting, but truthful remarks. Eminem made a career off of speaking his truth about himself, others, and the world around them. You can find the same scathing lyrics artfully woven into musical works by Halsey and Ani Difranxo.

"Cause lyricists don't even respect you or take you serious. It's not that we don't like you we hate you period." Eminem- Nail in the Coffin (Benzino diss)

"I'd rather be 80 year old me than 20 year old you." Eminem-Killshot (MGK diss)

"I'm so glad I never ever had a baby with you 'Cause you can't love nothin' unless there's somethin' in it for you." Halsey- You Should Be Sad (G-Eazy diss)

"Tell you the truth I prefer the worst in you--too bad you had to have a better half. She's not really my type but I think you two are forever." Ani Difranco-Untouchable Face

However, not all truths sung by these artists are targetted at individuals. Bruce Springsteen's body of work is built from relating to the working man. One of his most prolificly missused songs is Born in the USA, which clearly depicts veterans of the Vietnam war who weren't welcome home.

"Come back home to the refinery / Hiring man says, 'Son if it were up to me' / Went down to the VA man. / He says, 'Son, don't you understand?" Bruce Springsteen-Born in the USA

"I never made promises lightly, and there have been some that I've broken" Sting-Fields of Gold

The truths sung by these artists can be sharp or dull, but they typically are things that on closer inspection the listener can relate to. We can identify with that, even if we personally disagree on a subject, they are speaking what they believe is right in order to get their message across. This leads us to next commonality.

3. Unique and inventive lyricists

The temptation to just quote every Ani D. song relevant is tempting. There are a lot of amazing singers that hire other artists to write their songs. However, when a Libra writes their own lyrics you can fucking tell.

It's hard to narrow down an option from Eminem for this, because there are so many inventive and crazily delivered lyrics that sound strange in someone else's mouth. The assonance and midphrase rhyming schemes in Without Me are amazing, but without Eminem's delivery they'd be buried.

"So just let me revel and bask / In the fact that I got everyone kissing my ass / And it's a disaster, such a catastrophe For you to see so damn much of my ass you ask for me" Eminem-Without Me

"I've been acting like sour milk all on the floor. It's your fault you didn't shut the refrigerator Maybe that's the reason I've been acting so cold." Gwen Stefani/No Doubt-Sweet Escape

These phrases on their own sound ridiculous, but combined with the delivery by the people who wrote it, it's difficult to imagine another version of the song. The lexicon they use can be amazingly creative and they often use multiple meanings of a single word to convey their emotions.

4. They are not afraid to change styles drastically & 5. The use Humor

I'm combining these two categories, because they often play into each other. A lot of Libra musicians have a usual style, but occassionally like to step into another style often adding a comedic element to their music. As great as Eminem is in his own persona, he is also known for the playful alterego of Slim Shady. Other Libra artists like Cardi B and Doja Cat can switch between singing to rapping so smoothly they sound like a guest rapper on their own track.

Doja Cat even seems to do completely different covers and transformations of her own songs. The orginal version of Say So already a strange jump from seventies-like pop to a 2020 era female rap midsong. However, she has also come out with a goth rock version of her own super pop song. I won't even talk about the visuals, because often enough her hair, make-up, and wardrobe transformations in a single video (Juicy) are so drastic I have to double check to make sure it's the same artist on screen.

Weird Al is actually a Libra as well and clearly is not afraid to change styles (although they are all humorous) to match the original song. He can parody a rock song like Lola, with the song Yoda. Then he can turn around and do a rap song like White and Nerdy or transform multiple songs into a humorous polka.

Ani Difranco, though perhaps not the most mainstream of these artists, is also flexible. Her indie folksongs can range from heartfelt reflection and sorrow to bitter feminist refrains. She raps in songs like My I.Q., if she feels it matches the songs aesthetic and message she is going for.

Matching the mode of delivery to the tone of the story leads us to the next topic.

6. Justice matters for Libra musicians

Libra artists often actively represent a particular charity or underrepresented community. Obviously many artists, of any horoscope, use their newfound position to leverage a cause they care about. However, almost all of the famous Libra musicians are almost defined by some cause they represent. It is clear and transparent in their music that truth, and transforming the world for the better matters to them.

An amazing example of this is Childish Gambino's This is America music video. Donald McKinley Glover Jr. is known for his acting roles (Community, Atlanta, Star Wars) far more than his music, but damn does his music pack a cultural punch. The show Atlanta in particularly blends both music and acting worlds well; the story is rooted in Black American experiences particularly in line with the music industry and impoverished communities. If you haven't seen this music video, go ahead and click it. I'll wait.

This is America uses a sweet childlike aesthetic interrupted by unexpected violence. Both states are American experiences. Neither aspect of his portayel feel fake. He can authentically relate to being silly like a child just as well as he can remember and convey the horror of a mass shooting. Both are truths he knows from different periods of his life. It is clear that Childish Gambino chooses to focus his lens there because he wants to initiate change in America.

Another artist who's lyrics focus on changing the world they see is John Lennon. He's not necessarily known for his lyrics. However, the lyrics he wrote for himself or the Beatles like Happiness is a Warm Gun certainly packed a cultural punch.

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." John Lennon-Imagine

However, it isn't only their lyrics and videos that the Libra artist uses to make a difference.

According to Look to the Stars website, Sting supports 158 seperate charities and cofounded the Rainforest foundation. TV shows like Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll have used Sting's philanthropy as a punch line. Not only does he support these causes, but those causes are recognized as part of his identity.

Bruce Springsteen is also known, seperately from his discography, for his activism. Funny or Die did parody of him Bruce Springsteen as a person and the jokes actually about his stance as a democrat representing the people still land.

Essentially, all of these artists have weaponized their inward convictions to pursuing justice not only for themselves, but something in the world that needs changing. For this reason, I have decided in my personal music library to label these artists "Libra Truthseekers."

Thank you for reading my article. I hope you found it entertaining, interesting, and enlightening.

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About the Creator

Lucy Alice Dickens

Lucy Alice was born and raised in western Washington state. She spent much of her formative years exploring the Olympic Rainforest with her family. She is an Army Veteran who writes poetry, essays, and fictional stories long and short.

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