All posts by Victor Ariyo

Kendrick Lamar x HiiPoWer (First RCL 2 Post)

It looks like I am back at it again with the new semester after taking the fall off for a break. I received a lot of positive feedback on my passion blogs, so I am ecstatic to analyze even more songs. Who else to start the semester off than Compton’s finest-Kendrick Lamar.

Todays lyrics will come from one of my favorite Kendrick albums- Section 80. Here, Kendrick takes us through a journey of Compton and his life. I enjoy listening to Kendrick because you can feel his emotion and somehow emphasize his past through his various songs.

(I put the song at the bottom of this post, you can listen to it before you read the lyrics or you can do it simultaneously)

Lyrics:

[Kendrick Lamar] (Intro)
Everybody put three fingers in the air
The sky is falling, the wind is calling
Stand for something or die in the morning
Section 80, HiiiPoWeR

(Verse 1) Visions of Martin Luther staring at me
Malcolm X put a hex on my future, someone catch me
I’m falling victim to a revolutionary song
The Serengeti’s clone
Back to put you backstabbers back on your spinal bone
You slipped your disc when I slid you my disc
You wanted to diss, but jumped on my d–k
Grown men never should bite their tongue
unless you eating p—y that smell like it’s a stale plum
I got my finger on the motherf–king pistol
aiming it at a pig, Charlotte’s Web is gonna miss you
My issue isn’t televised, and you ain’t gotta tell the wise
how to stay on beat, because our life’s an instrumental
This is physical and mental, I won’t sugar-coat it
You’d die from diabetes if these other ni—s wrote it
And everything on TV just a figment of imagination
I don’t want no plastic nation, (dread) that like a Haitian
While you mot–rfu—s waiting, I be off the slave ship
Building pyramids, writing my own hieroglyphs

[Chorus]
Just call the s—t HiiiPoWeR
N—a, nothing less than HiiiPoWeR
Five-star dishes, food for thought bit–s
I mean the s–t is, Huey Newton going stupid
You can’t resist his, HiiiPoWeR
Throw your hands up for HiiiPoWeR

Interpretation of Lyrics and Thoughts

When Kendrick opens up the his first verse with, “Visions of Martin Luther staring at me” I somehow, in the moment can see the same visions. Ironically, I am writing this post on MLK day and it gives me the chance to sit down and reflect on everything that MLK has done to fight for the civil rights of colored people in America. Kendrick continues the next line by referencing Malcolm X, who was another civil rights activist but often took the route of violence and had less influence than MLK.

Another thing to take into note is that Kendrick’s father was involved with the black power gang in Chicago. In order to escape the violence that was going on, his family moved to Compton. Thus, having Malcolm X having a hex on his future.

This I believe is an amazing way to open up the song, because Section 80 is an album where Kendrick talks about his background and he explains on how he is trying to empower the people from his familiar background.

In the theme of civil rights and justice, Kendrick continues verse one by claiming people (notably grown men) should speak up when they need to. He says that “Grown men should never bite their tongue.” If you feel that an injustice is happening, SPEAK UP.

To me Kendrick is an awesome lyricist, as in, his figurative language is very well thought out and complex. It may take a couple of listens before I can finally decipher everything that he is saying. With that disclaimer, I may not be able to pick everything up within his first verse.

In terms of the last paragraph, Kendrick tells us that he has his pistol pointed at a pig and that Charlotte’s Web will miss it. Again, to bring up the rhetoric of civil rights and justice the pig represents the police and the “web” represents the government.

Now what he says next I feel very strongly about. He goes on to say “My issue isn’t televised” meaning that the problems that people from his background (particularly people living in Section 8 housing) are not known to the average American or that the average American does not even care.

Again with the comment that I meant by Kendrick’s wordplay – “You’d die from diabetes if these other ni—s wrote it.” Kendrick is saying that he is trying to tell nothing but the straight, hard facts. If other people wrote it, they would try to make it sound much better than the situation really was, thus “sugarcoating” it. Side Note: You can get type 2 diabetes from eating a lot of sugar!!

To finish off the verse, Kendrick goes into the deeper meaning of HiiPower. I believe it is the initiative to finally think for yourself and not to go full-heartedly into everything that is told to you. As my history teacher told me; “The winners are the people that write history.” To get into this tangent I will explain a personal experience that I had with this issue. [ When I was in elementary school, we learned about Christopher Columbus and how he found the “new world” by coming to America first. The only problem I had with this was that as I grew older, I learned about all the heinous acts that Columbus committed specifically to the Native Americans. I didn’t learn the full truth behind Columbus because authority did not want me to know.] Like Kendrick is trying to tell us, the government will only tell us the half-truth or anything short of the full truth. That is what he means by “anything on TV is a figment of imagination.”

Kendrick ends by saying that he will create his own movement while everything is going on in the background. By being African American, Kendrick will embrace the situation he is in and use it to empower his people-which I can say that he is doing an amazing job. But don’t take my word for it.

Listen to HiiPoWer below

 

First RCL Post

Once I have a good topic, it is really easy for me to keep writing and writing about it. The only issue that I have now is deciding on what issue that I wan to write about. Let’s take a journey into my brain..

For my passion blog, I think I will stick to  the music theme that I used last semester. For my first idea, I think I believe that I will keep writing and interpreting music lyrics while giving my personal thoughts and opinions on how they influence me. I loved doing this because it also allowed me to self-reflect on myself and see the deeper meanings throughout the lyrics that I listen to everyday. Another idea that came to mind was instead of individual songs, I can rate and give a reflection on the whole album. The second option will allow me to go more in-depth with my ideas and see the “big picture” that the artist is trying to promote.

For my civic issues topic, I think that I will either write about corruption in countries around the globe or the increasing police brutality in America. Of the many great things that Nigeria has to offer, one of its downfalls include the corruption and the embezzlement of millions of dollars by the government. I feel that talking about this issue will allow me to understand more and shed light on the wrongdoings of authority around the globe. In reference to police brutality, the  movement entitled #Blacklivesmatter has started to shed light upon the issue of the beatings, killings and “injustice” that have been frequent from this issue. I believe that blogging on this will give me more insight and see the issue from both parties involved.

I think my “This I believe” idea will center around creativity and how it is defined in today’s day and age. I feel that I can also talk about creativity on a personal level and describe what I see as creative in todays age. All of these combined will be what I “believe.”

Big Sean x One Man Can Change The World – Final Passion Post

For my final passion post, I will analyze a song that has a great message and provides so much inspiration. The artist featured on this track is none other than Detroit’s finest-Big Sean. To help add even more morale to the song, John Legend and Kanye both hop on to add their distinguished vocals.

“One Man Can Change The World” is the the eleventh track on Dark Sky Paradise which is Sean’s fourth album. Aside from this song in particular, Sean has matured in his flow, style and production.

Hook

I hope you learn to make it on your own
And if you love yourself just know you’ll never be alone
I hope that you get everything you want and that you chose
I hope that it’s the realest thing that you ever know
Hope you get the pretty girls that’s pretty at everything
Million dollar cribs havin’ million dollar dreams

And when you get it all just remember one thing
Remember one thing, that one man could change the world
That one man could change the world

[Verse 1: Big Sean]
All I, all I wanted was a hundred million dollars and a bad chick
Imagine this so much some nights it felt like that I had it

Back on the mattress, starin’ at the ceilin’ tryna connect the dots
But its hard makin’ those attachments

I’m talkin’ dreamin’ so hard, some nights it felt like draft day
You know? My – my step brother used to flip them bags
Outside the crib like it was trash day
No Kim K, but he bagged yay (Ye)

But when you’re gettin’ fast money, slow down, don’t crash
With all the drive in the world, swear you still need gas

Look, think about it, close your eyes, dream about it
Tell your team about it, go make million dollar schemes about it
Success is on the way, I feel it in the distance

Used to look up at the stars
And be like, “Ain’t too much that’s different”

I be shinin’, they be shinin’, get your one shot don’t you miss it
What you know bout’ waking up everyday like you on a mission?

Analysis Of Song:

Before Sean was Big and famous as he is now, he came from humble beginnings forcing him to shine to the top one way or another. While Sean was trying to start his career, he had advice coming left and right on how to make it. In the hook, Sean shares some of the ideas that were expressed to him on the come up. He then closes the verse by saying that “One man can change the world.” In essence, Sean is trying to change the world with his music with the intent to influence as many people positively.

Sean opens up the first line of the song explaining his humble beginnings. He explains that he wanted to get rich and have the best looking females, all things that come with the fame of being a distinguished artist. With his perspective in mind, Sean wanted this life so much that he would sit on his bed and think about how he wanted everything to fall into place, this explains his “dreams and draft day reference.”

After explaining his desire to make it into the rap game, he explains his life outside of rap. Sean’s brother used to sell drugs or “sell yay” (slang for crack).

Now that Sean has actually made it, he explains to his listeners that sometimes you need to slow down in life.  He felt success come his way (and it did) so he alluded to stars by saying, “I used to look up in the stars and be like ain’t too much that’s different.”

Personal Reflection:

Because I do not want to take up too much space on the blog, I never post lyrics of full songs even though I wish I could do this for this song.  This song is one of my favorites because of the inspiration and the insight that it actually provides. Aside from all of that, Sean raps verses from his heart on a reflective piano instrumental. Sean opens up the first hook, Kanye follows up with the second and John Legend finishes by adding his relaxing vocals to conclude the song.

This song is so significant to me because I feel that I have the potential to change the world (even though this may sound so cliche). Not necessarily through community service but through the music and the message that I spread. There have been many great men in history but to continue to have even more great men, one needs to step up and change the world. Maybe I will begin that voyage while I am here at Penn State or maybe it will be during my first year of graduate school. Nonetheless I hope that one day I can be/do the name of this song-One man can change the world.

Thank You.

Listen to One Man Can Change The World Below:

Stasis Theory – RCL Post #9

For our project, we will analyze the whole controversy surrounding the Washington Redskins and how it might be considered offensive to the Native American people. Before I get into stasis, there are two sides that are fighting over the issue.

1. Dan Snyder (Redskins Owner) and Washington Redskins Fans – Dan Snyder sent a letter out addressing this controversy saying he had “surveyed” and talked to many tribes of the Native American people, saying that the name provided them with great honor. Actually, the name of the football team was originally changed to Redskin in order to “honor” the football coach at the time who was a Native American Sioux.

2. Native American people– The term “Redskin” derives from bounties that were given to people that killed Native Americans. When they killed the Native Americans, they cut their scalps off, which exposed their skin making the top of their heads “red.” The argument does not seem as strong (at a first glance) on this side, because not all Native Americans found the word offensive at all. This weakens the strength of their argument to an extent because they are not together backing up their stand.

Now before I enter stasis, you may ask me, “What is stasis?” Stasis is where a rhetor takes a stand within an argument. When you look at the Redskins controversy in terms of stasis, you can conclude that each side of the argument (Dan Snyder vs. Native Americans) is trying to make a stand for their argument.

But what about when you cannot achieve stasis between the two parties? This is where both parties will have to “agree” in order to disagree to reach stasis. At this point where they are “halfway” we will look more in-depth to see each perspective of the argument.

So now, if I were to use stasis in order to create the framing questions for my project, I would try to enter the perspective of each side of this debate. I am looking forward to presenting my project!

Kanye West x All Falls Down – Passion Post #9

Let me introduce you to a a person that goes by Kanye Omari West. Even though many people know Kanye because of his Grammys, highly acclaimed albums and work that is done when he is outside the studio; Kanye can be considered one of the most influential artists of our generation.

The song that I will analyze today is entitled, “All Falls Down” which is the fourth song off of Kanye’s debut album; The College Dropout. Here, Kanye talks about a certain struggles that a female character is going through.

[Chorus – 4x]
Oh when it all, it all falls down
I’m telling you ohh, it all falls down

[Verse – Kanye West]
Man I promise, I’m so self conscious
That’s why you always see me with at least one of my watches
Rollies and Pasha’s done drove me crazy
I can’t even pronounce nothing, pass that versace!
Then I spent 400 bucks on this
Just to be like nigga you ain’t up on this!
And I can’t even go to the grocery store
Without some ones thats clean and a shirt with a team
It seems we living the american dream
But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem
The prettiest people do the ugliest things
For the road to riches and diamond rings
We shine because they hate us, floss cause they degrade us
We trying to buy back our 40 acres
And for that paper, look how low we a’stoop
Even if you in a Benz, you still a person in a coop/coupe

Analysis of Song:

The song is basically about an African american female that goes through some challenges such as managing expenses, getting through college and getting her life together. Kanye gets personal after he tells his mini-story.

Kanye opens up the second verse by saying that he is always self-conscious because he wears watches all of the time. It seems that he is very uptight when it comes to his physical appearance.

Going along the appearance tangent, Kanye hints that he plans on enjoying the finer things in life (Versace, Ferrari etc) but then finishes off by saying that he can’t even pronounce the names of the brands that he looks up to.

This verse is all about appearance and what Kanye does to improve/select the appearance that he wants to display on a particular day. Many people tend to care about their appearance and what other people think of them majority of the time.

I can derive from the quote, “The people highest up have the lowest self esteem” that many people who are still big have the lowest self esteem because they are either fake or do not enjoy the life that are living.  He then continues with, “The prettiest girls do the ugliest things’ to emphasize that people all over will do anything it takes to achieve whatever is on their agenda.

Personal Reflection:

This is one of my favorite Kanye songs because of the meaning that you can take from it. I also feel that Kanye is actually “relating” to us given the fact that he is humbling himself, despite the fact that he is a mega celebrity with a wife and a daughter (even though they did not exist during the creation of this song).

If you notice, the song has the vocals of Syleena Johnson in the background, which I can say compliment the song very well.

A point that I want to make has to do with the progression of Kanye’s music after The College Dropout. As this album was released 11 years ago, you can can see many differences in Kanye’s music (more synth, the use of more instrumentals, sounds more commercialized) and can tell that it is more “dark”. I have not always agreed with these changes, but still continue to support Kanye.

Watch “All Falls Down” Below:

Paradigm Shift Draft

I find it difficult nowadays to resist from connecting to the internet, due to the fact that majority of things in this day in age requires some sort of internet interaction. As an incoming freshman, I grew up using the internet for almost everything such as school projects, communicating with people or using it for pure entertainment. Life before the internet can be (blurry) now because of the significance that it has today. How did the generation of my parents function without the invention of the internet?

 

The concept that created the internet was called the “Galactic Network” concept created by J. C. R Licklider from MIT where he was the first head of the computer research program – DARPA. From there, more people got involved with the project until the internet was finally commercialized after several years. In 1995, the FNC passed a resolution recognizing and defining what the internet is. Soon after, the the internet went live to the public on August 6th, 1991. When it was first released, many people did not even know of its existence or were confused on what it was. Eventually people began to get on board to the point where we have 3.17B users connected.

 

The first form of internet in the typical household setting came in the form of Dial-Up. Users connected their phones into their modems in order to access the world wide web. Reaching top speeds of about fifty-six kilobytes per second, the internet has since increased in popularity and in speed. Companies such as Netzero and American Online were the top internet providers during this era.

The internet has come a long way since its first days where a couple of people had access to it, to the present where it has three-hundred and seventeen billion users (statista).With an increase in popularity came a demand for faster internet speeds. After the Dial-Up era was over, internet providers shifted to Broadband and Fiber Optics as upgrades from Dial-Up. Reaching top speeds of 1,000 megabytes per second (with Google Fiber), internet speeds have grown (exponentially) faster since its birth. Things such as downloading movies or streaming HD videos are a thing that could have never happened with the internet speeds of the past.

 

While there is a paradigm shift from the way the that the internet was used before and the way that we use it today, sub-paradigm shifts exist where the internet has altered traditions that have been set in stone for years.

So long are the days of sending letters by snail mail and waiting to get your response back a few days later. With the internet, this traditional process is slowly being eliminated through e-mail. Take a look at the Unites States Postal Service for example. Their business has declined drastically because of e-mails sent through the internet. In 2011, USPS struggled financially to make a 5.5B dollar payment almost forcing them to shut down during the winter.  Because of their financial woes, USPS considered eliminating Saturday delivery, shutting down 3.7K post offices and laying off about 120,000 workers. If we compare the internet vs. the traditional snail mail procedure, you can conclude that the internet provides a faster, convenient form minus the physical article that snail mail provides.

Now if we analyze communication today, has the internet brought us together or pushed us even farther apart? That is a question where you can argue on both sides. With the internet came the eruption of the digital age, introducing social media platforms such as Snapchat,

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. While these platforms have done a great job “connecting” one use to another, what has it done for people skills overall? It is possible for friends to all be “hanging-out” yet, they are still utilizing social media via their cell phones. According to Forbes magazine, about 7 percent of communication is established through verbal or written word. This equates to 93 percent of communication being nonverbal. This is where people frown down upon social media because people become too accustomed to communicating via a computer rather than just meeting up and discussing an issue.

Because the internet has increased in popularity and speed, the birth of online gaming came to no surprise. Outlets such as Microsoft’s Xbox Live (Xbox 360 and One), Sony’s Playstation Network (Playstation 3 and 4), Steam, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft and even Riot’s League of Legends connect users all around the world in order to play against one another. Because success and popularity of these platforms, the term eSports is known throughout the world where user compete on professional teams to win games for prizes. So long are the days of going to your friends house and playing games.

 

Because of the internet, productivity and the way that we perform tasks have changed drastically, creating a new type of setting in homes and schools around the globe.

When you enter a typical home setting, how many of the devices are actually connected to the internet? From phones, laptops, desktops, televisions, dvd players, tablets and now even refrigerators- a hefty amount of our devices are actually connected. This goes to show the shift the internet has created. How many people seven to ten years ago can say that they could watch YouTube videos on their televisions or say that they own a SMART refrigerator?

From the house into the exemplary school setting, it is now considered “untraditional” not to use the internet for your daily functions. As a student at The Pennsylvania State University, the internet can be considered a necessity because of all the business you need to conduct using it. As a student, the internet is a top resource because of all the things you can matrial you can acquire from it. From watching educational videos on YouTube, looking up sources for research or getting help on homework assignment; it can be considered a “disadvantage” not to utilize the internet for everything that it has to offer. Even if you do not use the internet normally, Penn State forces students to conduct some business online such as scheduling classes, adding extra LionCash to your card, or even sending e-mails to your professors. Because of this, the internet has created an easier more efficient way to communicate and store information -which is the reason why we utilize is so heavily today.

In (retrospect), since we use the internet so much to perform our daily tasks, how much time do we actually stay connected each day? The average internet user spends about 1.72 hours while adults spend about one hour connected to the internet each day.

 

While the internet may be a great thing, users still find find ways to use it in a negative manner. According to GoGulf.com, about 565 million people fall victim to cybercrime each year with 18 new victims every second.

With the internet, came the integration of cyber crime and theft. Because the internet has the ability to conceal identities, hackers and scammers have the advantage in compromising sensitive information such as credit cards and social security information.

Even though many people enjoy the internet, some people may enjoy it too much.According to USA today, about 14% of the youth in China are addicted to the internet.

Aside from the negative aspects, the internet can be used for great things.

 

Personally, I find it hard to imagine a world where the internet did not exist. But what about the generation of our parents who either chose to learn it or stuck to their old-fashioned ways?

As for the millennial generation, it is hard to not find a millennial without internet interaction. For the generation that grew up using the internet, it is to no surprise that millennials are already so accustomed to this way of life. With the introduction of the digital age, a huge shift came from the ease of interacting digitally rather than peer to peer interaction, all through social media. How many times have you found a millennial teaching their parents how to use the internet?

On the contrast you have the parental generation who did not grow up with the internet, instead they were introduced to the internet at a later stage with the option to learn how to use it or to ignore its existence. Because of the revolution in the digital age, it seems like everyone is going to have to get on board at one point.

 

With the eruption came a revolution in the digital age or a push to make everything done in a digital manner. The digital age can be accredited for all of convenience that it brings.  Things such as online banking and shopping have increased in popularity because of the convenience that each service provides. Why is there a need to go to the bank when you can make all of your transactions with three taps on your phone? What is the reason behind the increase in online sales? Outlets such as Amazon and Ebay are internet giants because of the way that they connect users to essential products every day.

 

Because of the internet, we can connect instantaneously, share our ideas to multitudes of people and even find all of the information that our hearts desire. The internet has changed the way we do research, gather information and even communicate. Even though the internet can be a dangerous place, the positive aspects outshine all the negatives. In the future, I envision the internet to continue to get faster with the hope that it will be able to support 90% of the world’s population connecting to the internet.
The internet has come a long way since its birth; acquiring faster speeds, gaining a user base of  almost half of the world’s population and being a hub for business transactions. It is safe to say that the internet is one of the biggest things during this era and it has many more successful years ahead of it. My only question is, what’s the next big thing for this era?

Ted Talk – RCL

Top Two Favorite Presentations

David (Sneakers: Necessity vs. Fashion) – I really enjoyed David’s Ted talk because he highlighted how the sneaker has changed from being a form of protection to becoming fashion staples. I could tell that he did his research by highlighting how the sneaker fashion era started and how it has developed to what it is today. I loved how he made connections to the real world today by explaining how people camp and do very extreme things in order to get highly sought-out sneakers. I think I may want to get in the sneaker business one day (not really).

Serea (The Evolution of the Tan) – Serea’s Ted talk was very interesting because I learned so many things about skin color that I have overlooked. Before, I understood that people tanned but I never understood tanning and skin color in the context that I do now. I even found out that fashion designer, Coco Chanel led the revolution behind tanning. Tanning has come a long way, but I realized that it is a source of skin cancer. I loved how she ended the presentation by alluding you to love the skin that you are in.

Top Five Moments

1. Matthew – Prior to Friday, I had no idea how the first cell phones were used and how you could even obtain one. Matthew did a great job explaining the shift and how our cell phones are not primarily used for calling one another anymore.

2. Idan – I enjoyed when Idan reflection on vaccinations in the United States. I have always wondered why people did not get their shots and because of the presentation, I got a better understanding behind their motives.

3. Amanda – I loved when Amanda brought up the court cases in her presentation. It showed each side of the evolution argument.

4. Victor – I believe that I had a top five moment when I presented a pun inside of my presentation.  My presentation was named “Because of the Internet” and my coincidence, Childish Gambino also had an album called the same thing. I put it at the end of my presentation as a form of comical relief.

5.  Ishan – I made a personal connection with Ishan’s presentation when he talked about Michelle Obama trying to get kids to eat more healthy. I remember during my senior year in high school, we got juice at lunch every other day because of the same reason.

 

Logic x Buried Alive – Passion Post #8

Hello fellow bloggers, today I will be introducing you to an emcee that is not as popular in the game but has all of the potential it takes. The person that I am talking to you about is none other than Gaitherburg’s finest.

Buried Alive is the 5th track on Logic’s debut Album, Under Pressure. Sampling his own voice and being a part of the production, Logic finds a way to blend his vocals along an upbeat hip-hop instrumental.

Logic Speaking about Buried Alive

 

Lyrics: 

[Hook:]
Tell me how you feel
I feel like the grass is green
And everything I do is unseen
But I know that’s just in my mind
I know everything is just in my mind
Do you really wanna to be famous?
Do you really wanna be a superstar?
Do you really wanna get dangerous?
Do you even know where the groupies are?
Women out here be shameless
And I really wonder where they parents are
Look around, everything changes
It feels like I’ve been buried alive

[Verse 1:]
Everything happens for a reason
People only in your life for seasons
Word to Aunt Viv
Death and taxes that’s all we given
You can make a life but can’t make a livin’
You can make it work but that still ain’t driven
Give a lot but that still ain’t givin
Livin’ life like this ain’t real though
Every night like this I feel so
Dead wrong, collision is head on
My vision is dead and gone
Perception of right and wrong
I been here so very long
Right here in this very song
Look around everything changes
Seem like everybody just strangers
Don’t go outside cause it’s dangerous
Why everybody wanna be famous
I’m so OCD if they notice me
I might jump out the grave so they know it’s me
Man everybody want this sh__ for free
Hand out palm up when they get to me
In my mind no I never let it get to me
Everybody got a time will it get to me
V’s up mother, that’s victory
Tell me why what I’m doing ain’t sh__ to me, damn

 

Song Analysis:

Logic opens up his verse saying that “Everything happens for a reason” which implies he is a firm believer of fate. He then makes a statement saying that “people are only in your life for seasons”. Meaning that throughout life, people will come and go. He then makes a reference to Aunt Viv from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as an example of an actor who remained on the show for a couple of seasons.

In the next couple of lines, Logic expresses how he feels about hard work and you can see through his words and tone that he feels frustrated and/or even disappointed. Logic continues by saying “Every night I feel so dead wrong” which meant a couple of things. Here, Logic is questioning his path and his sustainability in the rap game because he is a relatively new artist.

Because he has been making a name for himself in the rap game, “everything is changing” for him. With that he gives a reference to his hometown, Gaithersburg by implying that it is not always a safe place to live in AND it means that he is exploring/living life by “going outside”.

He goes on to express his dissatisfaction by saying, “everybody want this for free”. Meaning that a lot of people just want to become famous, but when it comes down to do all of the work it takes to become so prestigious they want to back out. With that, comes in reference his close affiliates and his album.

A) Affiliates – Many people believe that since Logic is “on the rise” he is entitled to give them money, the are expecting his “handout”.

B) Album – As stated earlier, this is Logic’s debut album. Because of this, you will have to pay for it. This is a huge change because all of Logic’s previous projects were available for free. (Can be considered a triple entendre)!

Personal Reflection:

I love songs like this because they allow you to see an artist for who they really are through their reflections and deep emotion. Here, I can tell Logic is truly genuine and passionate behind all of the music that he makes; he is just fighting to get his name known and develop his fan base even more.

Everything behind this song speaks to me; the hook, the verses, samples and the background instruments. You can tell that logic spends a great amount of time in the studio trying to get everything in perfection for his listeners.

I have listened to Buried Alive many times and this is one of my favorites off the album.

Listen to Buried Alive below. 

Lupe Fiasco x Word’s I’ve Never Said – Passion Post #7

With another week comes another passion post. Today you will hear from an artist that actually inspired me to start rapping- Lupe Fiasco. What makes his music so unique has to do with his figurative language and the charisma/boldness that he displays. Because of this,  Lupe shines light on issues that are very controversial and hard to talk about at times.

“Words I’ve Never Said” is the second track on Lupe’s third studio album- Lasers. Skylar Grey accompanies Lupe for the hook and background vocals. Again, Lupe makes very bold claims and accuses many people for their actions/ideas. These are his words that “he has never said”.

Lyrics:

[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud Inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
I can’t take back the words I never said

[Lupe Fiasco]
I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bull___
Just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets
How much money does it take to really make a full clip
9/11 building 7 did they really pull it
Uhh, And a bunch of other cover ups
Your childs future was the first to go with budget cuts
If you think that hurts then, wait here comes the uppercut
The school was garbage in the first place, that’s on the up and up
Keep you at the bottom but tease you with the uppercrust
You get it then they move it so you never keeping up enough
If you turn on TV all you see’s a bunch of “what the fu__”
Dude is dating so and so blabbering bout such and such
And that ain’t Jersey Shore, homie that’s the news
And these the same people that supposed to be telling us the truth
Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist
Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn’t say sh__
That’s why I ain’t vote for him, next one either
I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful
And I believe in the people.

Song Analysis:

Skylar opens the song with the hook, explaining that she has “the words that she has never said” bouncing around her head. Because she has never voiced her opinions, there is no way to take back what she has not said.

As I stated before, Lupe opens up his verse with a very bold claim. He is not agreeing with the war on terrorism and explains that it is another way for the government to cover up the other plans on their agenda. He then goes on to say because of the recession and all of the budget cuts leaking into school districts, essentially your child’s future is being thrown away without shying from the fact that the school system is not in the best position in the first place.

Lupe continues his rant by saying that “You open up the TV and see a bunch of WTF’s”. Lupe is expressing the frustration that he is feeling because society as a whole tends to face on petty, irrelevant topics (such as jersey shore) instead of bigger and significant topics.

Now before he closes his verse, Lupe speaks his mind fully without any “regrets” (remember the name of this song is, “Words I’ve Never Said”). He says that Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are racist and calls out Obama for not taking any action when violence erupted on the Gaza Strip . Because of this, he goes on to say that he is being “peaceful” by not voting for him (very bold, especially when you are in the music industry to SELL albums).

Personal Thoughts and Reflections:

I actually support some of the things that Lupe says in the track, but do not fully support all of his claims. Again, Lupe is very audacious when he calls out the Government for several things (9-11 cover ups, the war on terrorism and the reason behind decreased school budgets).

I actually agree with what he says concerning TV and things that are goin on throughout pop culture. Things that we should worry the least about are the things that society as a whole actually immerses all of their energy into.

Now, here are a couple of things that I did not agree fully with Lupe.

1. He calls out Obama for keeping silent during the Gaza Strip commotion. Here, I believe that Obama did not want to address the situation immediately, instead

2. He claims that the government is trying to cover up significant things. Even though the government does hide things from the public eye, it is pretty harsh to say a tragedy is the catalyst to a cover up.

Maybe one day i’ll have to convey some words that I have never said.

Watch the video below and leave a comment on what you think: