Final Project

Number 5: "Imagine A Future Where We Wont Be Living In The Past"

Without the past there would obviously be no future.When it comes to just about anything; photography, music, fashion, and film, the past plays a major role in whats to come. I love being knowledgeable about the past and how things began. I love listening to old music as well as studying or doing research on old designers and photographers. I sometimes enjoy the old more then I do the new, I guess you say I'm kind of an old soul. Sitting down with older generations and discussing the old and the new is so intriguing to me, I also kind of see it as being crucial to me and where I want to be, or more so the type of person I want to become. Theres no new without a little old. 

Number 4: "Success Is My Idol"

We all have idols or people we admire and try to emulate, whether we recognize it or not. I see myself as being an introvert but only because I am so consumed in my thoughts and aspirations. Its hard for me to find people who see what I see or at least see the world in the way I do. I admire those who go against the grain, those who believe in themselves as well as their craft, and those who leave such a unique impact that we cannot help but take notice.

Number 3: "Tryna Find A Way; But You Never Found A Map"

I want to conquer it all. You could definitely say that I am a big dreamer and want to achieve many things in life. In my eyes its a good thing but at times it can be overwhelming. As a child I tried out all sorts of things and would change my "What I want to be when I grow up" every week, its a phase I thought I would grow out of but I literally find interest and passion in so many different things, all having to do with creating things and coming up with ideas that almost require a personal stamp if that makes any sense. 

Number 2: "Relapse, Just Relax And Pop In My Disc"

I love music! It's sort of a way to step out of any problems or troubles I have and just relax. I find myself listening to all genres, but I must say Rap, and R&B are the two main genres a listen to. 

Number 1: "Everything In Fashion"

I've been a fashion enthusiast since a child. The different styles and creations, along with the looks and how they're put together is something that simply amazes me. I myself am kind of a tomboy and often find myself preferring items in the mens sections but I also do enjoy upscale female pieces as well. 

Leaders Of The New School

This picture sure is controversial, but is it accurate? The bottom portion shows three legends and musical geniuses, does the top reflect their replacements? I think so. Wale, J.Cole, and Kendrick Lamar obviously have a long way to go when it comes to comparing themselves to the greats, but they definitely have proved they deserved to be here. Lets start with J.Cole, if people don't acknowledge his skills by now I don't know what it will take.  He's not any other up coming artist who runs to this one and that one trying to make a chart topping hit, I personally feel that he's one of the few that still respect the art of rap. I also love the fact that Roc Nation is a label who seems to focus on artist development and building artists instead of building popularity, the perfect place for him to be. Wale aka the poetic genius, is associated with MMG, known for their hard lyrics and chart topping hits, he's almost the poetic voice in the group. Not meant in a bad way, but in the same way Nas was, extremely knowledgable and undoubtedly intelligent. His lyrics show consciousness on whats going on and his delivery is impeccable in my opinion. Of course he throws in those chart toppers and club anthems as he should. Last but not least is the new comer, Kendrick Lamar. He arrived almost soft on the scene kinda stayed low and didn't make a lot of noise, which is definitely not a bad thing when your holding those type of skills. I kinda enjoy the rappers who rap and leave the BS to those who cant necessarily back their words with their talent or lack there of. All three of these man came on the scene true to themselves and their art, they didn't blow up right then and there but there talent prevailed. Those who have a slow start seem to last long in the Hip Hop world and I see these three definitely continuing to create good music for years to come. 

Its All About The Money Wk10

Nowadays rappers have to be more than rappers. Whats makes a successful rapper is everything he does outside of the rap scene. The money produced from albums and sales has increasingly reduced and in all honesty wasnt even that stable to begin with, the set up is almost created in such a way that it is almost impossible to see a major pay day if you dont have a back plan or a few.Being a business savy indivudual is the way to go, we all see P.Diddy, Jay-Z and 50 Cent, they built themselves brands and created empires. In order for a rapper to see any real money and longevity he must brand himself, the rap world is so much more than just the art now, its that and then some. You can look at rappers such as Common or Talib Kweli, both impecable rappers but neither have seen the type of success as say fabolous or Lil Wayne. Skills were important and still are but its all about the money now. What sells? Whats gonna get peoples attention? What do the people wanna see? And how can we bring in the money? It has shifted away from being a hobby or passion and became a business, turning artists into puppets, brining them in and squeezing every penny you could get out of them out. If you dont create something along the way, or make yourself a staple, you'll be chewed up and spit out.