In relation to a topic discussed in class, the n-word is not considered acceptable to use among any other race or ethnicity other than African Americans or black people. With a song like “N****s in Paris” by Kanye West, one could get into a lot of trouble with the usage of the n-word.
It’s funny it’s pretty much unacceptable to use the word in any context, even if it is a positive or neutral one. For example, Gywneth Paltrow got a lot of flak for tweeting about the song. I mean, she was at a Jay-Z concert and she was tweeting about how she liked the song. How can she avoid using the word with even the asterisks? For more on the controversy, click here.
Personally, I didn’t mind the song because it is rap, something I do enjoy listening to because it has cool rhythms and it’s easy to groove to. I was impressed the with pace of rapping and I liked the repeated motif on the synth.
On a completely different note, “All I Ask of You,” a song from the acclaimed musical, The Phantom of the Opera came up next. I love musicals, especially watching them because of how involved they are. Recently, they have strayed away from the more “classical” style and have incorporated a variety of styles such a rock into the music.
However, this classic musical has more of the traditional classical styles because it has opera as the background. It’s such a gentle, beautiful and uplifting song; it feels that you’re being cradled by the lush harmonies of the strings and the lyrical style of the song.
The interaction between the two leads Raoul and Christine is so romantic and it makes your heart want to melt. The passion between them, as represented by the singers, is palpable in combination with the sweeping orchestration. At the end, the high duet climaxing takes the kicker, especially as it ends on a gentle note.
Although I have never seen it live, I have heard the soundtrack, but I would like to one day on Broadway. I have many musical interests, and musicals are one of them, so I hope to be able to do that in the near future.
Well, on that controversial note, peace out. That’s all I ask of you this week.