Music on the Radio

There happens to be a reoccurring theme on the radio right now. Artists are trying to tug on heart strings, offer power to the under dogs, and give hope to the hopeless.

One song that has been a hit for a while now that gives people courage is the new anthem “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga. Born This Way is packed with praise telling the public “There’s nothing wrong with lovin’ who you are,” “I’m beautiful in my way,” and “Don’t hide yourself in regret.” The gay and transgender community consider Born This Way their Alma mater.

I’ve already touched on this song, but “Mean” by Taylor Swift is also an empowering song. The song and music video both paint a picture where the weak become strong and the bullies end up nowhere. Taylor’s twang chants “someday, I’ll be big enough so you can’t hit me, and all you’re every gonna be is mean.”

Right behind Taylor is another teenie-bopper idol, Selena Gomez. Gomez’ new hit is titled “Who Says.” The Disney star sings to a pop tune questioning “who says you’re not perfect, who says you’re not worth it.” Can’t say I love the song, but it is hard to be a downer about an uplifting song.

Just to really prove my point, even Glee is in on the action. Glee is a show that covers only top hits and popular music since it started a year ago. Recently, Glee debuted its first original music. The song “Loser Like Me” fits right in on the feel good juju on the radio. Loser Like Me has lyrics like “just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth..baby I don’t care” and “I’m not thinkin’ bout you haters.”

So there you have it. And this was only four songs off the top of my head that reach out to the runts (I’m sure that’s considered insensitive).

Edited: May 10th, 2011

Rebecca Black Friday

It may be a little late to jump on this band wagon, but it is Friday; which means I feel like sharing a global guilty pleasure. In case you have been living under a rock recently I would like to introduce you or re-introduce you to the infamous Rebecca Black. Rebecca Black’s song and music video “Friday” is like a train wreck—you can’t help by watch.

There’s a 99.9% chance Rebecca Black will never win a Grammy, but she will be known as a viral star. The teen pop music video has received over 120 million YouTube views. The negative criticism from the public is no secret. The song has been titled “the worst song ever” by numerous critics (but you don’t need to be a critic to know BAD music when you hear it). I wouldn’t feel sorry for the 13 year old, she is laughing it all the way to the bank (not to mention the publicity and parodies that have echoed her fame).

Believe it or not “Friday” was even available on iTunes. So in celebration of the weekend I would just like to echo Ms. Black and say “we so excited!”

Edited: April 29th, 2011

Taylor Swift

I’m sorry to blog back-to-back about the babes of the music industry, but these ladies are killing it! This young lady happens to be fearless—Taylor Swift. As of recent, Taylor Swift just won the coveted Entertainer of the Year award at the Academy of Country Music Award ceremony. I know some people are still shocked about Taylor taking that title, but I feel like that shock is misplaced. Have you ever encountered a Swifty?! Of course those tweens texted her to the top!

Taylor Swift may not have the vocals of Reba McEntire, but she has become one of America’s sweethearts. This blonde bombshell writes all of her songs and each album is practically an autobiography. She is one of the few artists that teeters the line between country and pop music.

It is almost impossible to talk about Taylor without mentioning the infamous Kanye West moment on the 2009 MTV Music Awards (toast to the douche bags). Although I am sure having one of the hottest American rapper/singer tell you aren’t good enough to win an award is rough, Taylor was a class act, brushed it off her shoulder, and pumped out another record breaking album titled Speak Now at the end of last year.

Over her entire career, Taylor has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Her country charm has her earning roughly $45 million. Critics may crawl all over Taylor for her “lack of talent” or immature lyrics concerning bad breakups and boys in general, but at the end of the day Taylor Swift gets the last word. Just watch this performance at the ACM’s and listen to the lyrics of “Mean.”

Edited: April 5th, 2011

Top Music Videos

All praise Katy Perry. Apparently the album “Teenage Dream” became the first album in six plus years to pump out four No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Brace yourselves, because the song “E.T.” is out of this world.

Overall this album is the ninth album ever to produce four No. 1’s in the Hot 100. However, it’s the first solo female album since diva Mariah Carey to hit it this big, which is especially surprising (no offense) considering the fabulous females who have been in the industry longer like Britney Spears, Pink, or Beyonce.

“E.T.” is a musical collaboration featuring Kanye West. “E.T.” happened to push “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga out of its comfortable chair in the No.1 position. The music video for “E.T.” was recently released. Critics are split between crazy-about-it or just plain crazy. Take a peek at Perry on another planet, even check out Kanye…this video is something else (interpret that how you want).

Edited: March 31st, 2011

Tribute to the Rapper Nate Dogg

Regardless of your personal preference in music, it is important to acknowledge and pay respect to those who made an important impact on the music industry. Yesterday, the American musician and rapper known as Nate Dogg passed away.

Nate Dogg’s career kick started when his soulful voice was founded by Dr. Dre. He signed with Death Row Records in 1993. Not a year later Nate Dogg busted into the music industry with his first hit single “Regulate” with Warren G. To this day “Regulate” is a well-known anthem. He worked with a number of other artists throughout his career including big names like Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, and Eminem.

In his entire career he has contributed to and featured in 40 chart singles. Nate Dogg was also nominated for four different Grammy Awards for four different songs. One Grammy nomination was as recent as 2007 for “Shake That” with Eminem.

Fellow rappers and artists paid tribute to Nate Dogg. I guess God just needed a regulator.

Edited: March 17th, 2011

Popular Songs–Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) by Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias took a hiatus for some time, but came back strong and better than ever. With his hit Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) Enrique combines with fellow popular artists Ludacris and DJ Frank E. Tonight is the number one hit on the radio across all genres of music currently. Tonight is also the number one pop song on the charts. This song has been on the charts for fifteen weeks and is the second hit single off of Enrique’s album also titled Tonight (I’m Loving You).

The song was actually explicit, and altered by popular demand in order to be radio appropriate. The music video was filmed last December in preparation for the album’s release.

Edited: March 10th, 2011

Popular Artist and Best Selling Album

When an artist infiltrates several platforms of entertainment all at once: a tribute from Glee on TV, a movie on the big screen, and re-releases an album, it cannot go un-recognized!

Justin Bieber is a pop and R&B global sensation. His album My World 2.0 is still ranked #8 on the Billboard charts. More importantly, alongside his new movie he also recently released the Never Say Never: The Remixes album, which is #1 on the Billboard charts! Can this kid be any bigger [not literally]!

This new album Never Say Never: The Remixes includes one of the most impressive lists of featured artists on a single album. Collaborating artists include Usher, Rascal Flatts, Chris Brown, Kanye West, and Miley Cyrus. This album seems to stretch across all genres of music.

His fans are some of the most loyal yet. The Bieber army consists primarily of tween girls that pledge themselves as “Beliebers,” and rightfully so. Within just a year in the grueling music industry, Justin Bieber fought for the top spot and got it. He is the first artist since Garth Brooks in 1993 to have four albums featured on the BillBoard at once!

Watch out world, Bieber fever is a epidemic!

Edited: February 24th, 2011