I love hip hop. Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, Eminem and Kid Cudi are some of my favorite performers. I love rap and the lyrics that go with it.
I love hearing the raw beats of the artists that preach what their lives have seen. But honestly, what annoys me is the lack of recognition by the Grammy committee.
Ya, that’s right. I’m about to bash the heck out of Adele. I’m tired of hearing Rolling in the Deep every time I turn on the freakin’ radio. I hate it. I don’t hate the song. I just hate the crazy repetition. It just bugs me that the same artists get the recognition and the other genres get nothing. You never see like Ludacris get nominated for best album or anything. It’s always Adele this or Katy Perry that or Taylor Swift that. I hate it.
Gotye or Wouter De Backer is a singer and songwriter who has recently found international success with his third album.
Originally from Belgium he moved to Melbourne at the age of two. Here he grew up, attended school and fell in love with music.
His music passion was flared when he became great at playing a number of instruments. From here he went on to form a high school band The Downstares and then later became part of the famous Melbourne band, The Basics.
In 2003 he released his first album Boardface and followed on to release his second album Drawing Blood in 2006. This album received much praise and the album was nominated for an ARIA award among others for his independent music.
Last year Gotye released his latest album Making Mirrors and that is when his real success came in as he music began to go international this year. On February the 1st he performed his song “Somebody I Used To Know” in which he duets with female vocalist Kimbra, along with others on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Some have compared his voice to Police front man Sting and others to Peter Gabriel but in my opinion you cannot compare him with anyone because his voice is unique and the songs he produces are fantastic. So give him a listen.
I have always loved American Idol. Maybe it’s just because I personally love to sing, but I find it to be one of the best reality television shows.
I haven’t had a chance to follow it this season, but last season I was so excited when Scotty McCreery won. He was by far my favorite. There were a lot of good contestants and have been so many amazing singers and performers throughout the history of the show.
But, it it not so much the show itself that I like, but the auditions. So many of them are just downright hilarious, and there are those select few that are just plain amazing.
Bored on Youtube the other day, I decided to watch the American Idol auditions from the 2012 season, and came across quite a few amazing singers. But one that stood out to me the most was named Reis Kloeckener, a young 16 year old from Missouri. I didn’t know what to expect, but when he started singing, I could hardly believe it.
In his official audition, he sang the song “Lean on Me”
Yes Plan B may be a name for the morning after pill but is also the name of a great and talented young rapper.
Plan B or Benjamin Drew is a 23 year old rapper, singer and song writer as well as actor from Great Britain. A talented man, Plan B has had two debut albums, gaining great success with the help of his adoring fans in the last few years.
Plan B is primarily known for his high pitched, soulful voice and strong powerful lyrics. A man who lived a rough and troubling childhood, he is not a person who holds back when talking about his abandoning father or his feelings of being a social outcast.
With the release of his second album Plan B’s success really began to peak. With people singing his songs on street corners, playing them in bars and clubs as well as shops he became quickly known. This success only grew after he reached out to a new crowd with his collaborations with Drum and Bass stars Chase & Status.
He is a rapper that is absurdly easy to relate to and likable. He does not try to put on a front to conform with other hip hop artists, instead he stays true to himself and that is why I like him so much.
So if you’re not usually a big hip hop fan but fancy listening to some soulful, rap, indie rock, give Plan B a listen.
Starlight. Better than sunlight, moonlight, candlelight, or any other kind of light.
A scientist would tell you the stars are balls of hydrogen and helium gas burning millions of light years away.
An astrologer would tell you their position determines certain aspects about the world and that they have traditional meanings.
A romantic would tell you they are beauty incarnate.
A poet would call them inspiration.
What are they to me?
They are everything beautiful, ethereal, untouchable and divine.
The stars represent dreams, aspirations and hopes that are unachievable, but always there.
Ever fancied someone you shouldn’t?
It hurts doesn’t it?
But it’s kind of a good hurt.
When I look at the stars, I feel that good hurt. It’s like watching someone you shouldn’t love. They are so exquisite, so alluring and magical.
Everlasting, always just above my head, but I can never touch them.
They twinkle because of the constant shifting of the atmosphere.
Their light takes billions of years to reach Earth. Many stars may have supernova-ed and gone millions, even billions, of years ago. But their light will remain until time catches up with their destruction. And by then, maybe a new star has formed.
They make me feel lonely and surrounded at the same time.
So insignificant, but so honored to be able to see them.
I like to think their twinkling reflects humanity, always changing, moving.
We have existed less than an instant in the scope of space and time, a meaningless fraction in the endless span of the universe.
In that blink of time, we have charged ahead, shedding our light and exploring the stars. We question everything, longing to know the secrets and mysteries, the enigma and irresistible pull that surrounds creation.
They make me want to know impossible beauty.
Sometimes when I look up at them I feel something like a physical pull, something yanking me upwards towards the night sky.
The Black Keys are one of my all time favorites bands because they produce real, edgy, distinct music that is uplifting and empowering. They produce music that is different and unique, combining sounds of rock and indie with older tunes like blues.
The band consists of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney who come together to create and perform wonders. Forming in Akron, Ohio in 2001 the two came together after dropping out of college. Finding each other in similar situations the two began to make albums together. The pair fit perfectly together like piano keys and together they have created seven amazing albums.
The bands newest album has become my soundtrack for the winter season and the New Year. Named El Camino, the album was released in December 2011 displaying new sounds of rock and roll and soul with the help of producer Danger Mouse.
The album is suitable for any mood, whether it be rocking out in your car, angrily venting or just getting hyped up. So give The Black Keys a listen if you want to try something new and exciting.
Sometimes on a cold winters day all you need is some comforting folk, fun, music that raises your spirits in the dismal weather. Mumford and Sons are a great band but if they do not tickle your fancy you must give Of Monsters And Men a listen.
Of Monsters And Men are six-piece folk/pop bands from Iceland who write catchy, folky, soulful music. With a mixture of female and male vocals and an assortment of instruments and acoustics the 6 piece band comes together like the perfect pie.
The band produces the perfect soundtracks for watching the rain fall, driving through the snow or sitting in front of a fire with a cup of Cocoa.
Releasing their first album My Head is an Animal in Iceland in September 2011, the band currently only has an EP available in America on iTunes. Named Into the Woods, the EP is a perfect collection of songs. The band has received a lot of attention from people across the U.S, releasing their single Little Talks as a free song on iTunes. The band are now signed to the Universal Music Group and fans look forward to hearing more from the group in the coming year.
So if you feel like listening to some great, festive sounding music give Of Monster And Men a listen.
Some 40,000 singers entered the Glee Project for a shot at stardom and McGinty was one of 12 finalists who participated in the summer filler between Gleeseasons. For his final performance he sang “Somewhere Beyond the Sea.”
With his Frank Sinatra-esque voice and captivating stage presence, he co-won the Glee Project and earned himself a 7-episode arc (later extended because of his popularity) on Glee.
I’m not here to talk about how amazing Glee is, how hilarious the plots are blah blah blah. In this third season, I don’t really think much is going on. But I will tell you exactly what I think of this new Irish addition.
With clear blue eyes, smooth skin and lots of dark brown hair, he certainly stands out. McGinty looks quite young for 19, but personally, I think he’s just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
And that accent is killer.
In his debut episode, Pot O’ Gold, he sings Kermit the Frog’s “Bein’ Green.” I was (very) pleasantly surprised by his silky baritone.
In the latest episode he sang “Blue Christmas,” a tribute to the King.
But I think his best performance so far was at the very end of Pot O’ Gold. It says a lot about him that they gave a brand new character two solos in one episode. He dedicated the song “Take Care of Yourself” to his family back in Ireland.
Wow. That second half where he hits his falsetto is absolutely incredible. But his voice is just sexy in general, really fabulous.
Back when he was still with Celtic Thunder, he sang a spectacular section of “Amazing Grace.” I think he did the best job out of all of them. To view his part, go to 2:10.
STILL think he’s the best. WHAT. A. VOICE!!!
Needless to say I love his voice and stage/screen persona. If the writers/producers/directors of Glee are smart, they’ll hang on to this Irish supernova of adorable talent with both hands and not let him go till he refuses to stay.
God gave Samson the gift of super strength, but in return, he could never cut his hair. His strength allowed him to tear a lion apart with his bare hands, slay an entire army and destroy a temple. He fell in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines offered her silver coins in exchange for finding the secret to Samson’s strength.
When Delilah asked him how to drain his strength, Samson deceived her twice but finally told her that if his hair was cut, he would lose his gift. While Samson slept, she called her manservant in their chambers and he cut Samson’s seven locks. The Philistines captured him and put out his eyes, then forced him into hard labor, grinding grain.
His hair had grown long again and the Philistines went to temple to sacrifice to one of their most important deities. Samson was brought forth but asked if he could lean against the pillars.
He cried out, praying to God, “Remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. Let me die with the Philistines!”
God restored his strength and Samson pulled down the pillars, killing many before the temple collapsed. The Philistines perished, along with Samson.
Fellow blogger Yrreskrap and our ASB President sang “Samson” by Regina Spektor. Personally I think she’s a lot better than Regina.
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