pop culture
Modern, popular, and iconic pop culture moments in music. From current events, to trending topics and more.
Who Eased Minds Best?
There are many things about being a kid that one never forgets. For example, I will never forget being 11 years old in the spring of 2001 and sitting in the passenger seat of my aunt’s black Nissan, eating my medium-sized cup of French Vanilla ice cream mixed with gummy bears. We were parked in front of a now long-gone Baskin-Robbins shop almost hidden inside a shopping center near Desert Inn and Sandhill, not far from the Boulder Station Hotel & Casino in the southeast corner of Las Vegas. The CD playing on the car radio was 1972’s Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits. Even 15 years later, I remember the powerful and dramatic crash that hit the la-la-lie chorus of “The Boxer.” I also recall setting my teenage romantic angst to the psychedelic sound and melody of “The Sound of Silence.” Finally, I still remember a wonderful kind of fear flowing down my spine while hearing the dramatic “Wall of Sound” force of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. It was a kind of power only matched by Art Garfunkel belting those infamous high notes in the song’s crescendo.
By Michael Kantu2 years ago in Beat
"One More Round, Delia's Gone"
One of the strangest things I’ve ever heard someone say came from Johnny Cash. In a 1996 interview to promote Unchained, his second album for producer Rick Rubin, Johnny talked about the renewed interest he was receiving from audiences following the first Cash/Rubin collaboration, 1994’s American Recordings, which featured just Johnny and his guitar. Cash discussed the long process leading to the solo format of that first album. The months of trial and error mostly consisted of Johnny and Rick sitting at Rubin’s Los Angeles home, with the recording equipment set up and running down a list of 200 songs that Johnny had in his head and which he had always wanted to record. According to Cash, after that process and the decision to keep the album bare, came the matter of working on Cash's guitar playing and making it sound good for recording since, as he put it, “I can’t play guitar.”
By Michael Kantu2 years ago in Beat
"Don't Take Your Guns To Town"
Despite the songs, the close friendships, and the very shared genre of country music that binds them together, I’ve always seen Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson as two men who coexist in an unusual harmony yet maintain a distinct separation.
By Michael Kantu2 years ago in Beat
"Come On The Amazing Journey"
“I saw the film Tommy on cable television, and despite Jack Nicholson’s heinous rendition of “Go to The Mirror”, I was deeply moved by the music and the story.” — Jack Black honoring Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors.
By Michael Kantu2 years ago in Beat
I Won't Be Ashamed of Love on The Streets of Philadelphia
With absolutely no disrespect to any fans of “The Day I Fell in Love” (Beethoven’s 2nd), Janet Jackson’s “Again” (Poetic Justice), and “A Wink and A Smile” from the romantic blockbuster Sleepless in Seattle, we will need to start by placing each tune off to the side for the sake of this piece.
By Michael Kantu2 years ago in Beat
Two Thousand Five Hundred Stories And A Million Words On Vocal
Introduction I don't know how to do this, well I do, because I am doing it. This is story number two thousand five hundred on Vocal. I write a lot of poetry and while some of my pieces have hit two thousand words, som have been as little as thirty, so if we say I average four hundred words a story then that is a million words.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Beat
Taylor Swift: A Pop Icon's Journey
Taylor Alison Swift, born on December 13, 1989, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She has become one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation, known for her relatable lyrics, catchy melodies, and powerful performances.
By Kelly Munala Brookes2 years ago in Beat
Nicki Minaj: A Hip-Hop Queen Reigning Supreme
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj, is a Trinidadian-American rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and model. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential female rappers of all time, known for her versatility, lyrical prowess, and unique style. Minaj's journey to the top of the hip-hop world has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, but her unwavering determination and talent have solidified her status as a living legend.
By Kelly Munala Brookes2 years ago in Beat
How TikTok Revolutionize Music Promotion in 2024
In recent years, musicians have bypassed the traditional road to fame through a little app we all know so well, TikTok. By promoting themselves on social media, artists can build organic followings and uniquely present their art to the public. So, what started this bite-sized video boom, and how are musicians using it to their advantage? Here’s how musicians
By Total Apex Entertainment & Sports2 years ago in Beat
How I Came To Love Karen Carpenter
When I was young, I’d listen to the radio. I can still remember my earliest experiences with it. I didn’t have any particular favorites at the time. The radio was something my beehive-coiffed mom used to play, and she always got excited when Diana Ross and The Supremes or Martha and the Vandellas came on. She was a big fan of Motown girl groups.
By Rick Henry Christopher 2 years ago in Beat
The Surprising Truth About Pop Music: Beyond the Beats and Lyrics. AI-Generated.
Pop music, with its catchy melodies and relatable lyrics, has dominated the music industry for decades. But beneath the surface of the catchy beats and infectious choruses lies a rich tapestry of stories, influences, and cultural significance. Let's delve into some surprising truths about pop music that you may never have known.
By Kelly Munala Brookes2 years ago in Beat
