Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Sept. 1, 2009, edition 1 / Page 8
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8 THE COMPASS - FALL 2009 ENTERTAINMENT REMEMBERING THE MAN IN THE MIRROR By: David Walker Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was rushed to U.C.L.A. Medical Center on June 25, 2009. Hours later the announcement of the world-renowned music icon death brought the world to a halt. Jackson’s sudden death shocked his millions of fans that Thursday. Often imitated but always original, Jackson’s style left a moon-walking footprints on the music industry and society. Just before he could give the world another comeback the shocking 911 call was dialed from the Jackson mansion. Ambulances rushed to the rented Bel- Air home to find Jackson with a weak pulse and barely breathing. Shortly after his six-minute drive to the U.C.L.A. Medical Center he was pronounced dead at 2:26pm. Reports claim that a heart attack was the cause of Jackson’s death. Elizabeth City Student University students doing summer study found it hard to put Jackson’s death into words. Viking Village residences paid their respects to the King of Pop in a way that the world has by playing his distinct beat in the hallways. “He will be remembered nationwide,” an ECSU music major explained. Coverage from networks worldwide was reporting the allegations surrounding Jackson’s death. CNN was the first to broadcast chronicles of Michael’s life in tribute, reporting the memories of his chart topping hits to Michael’s famous controversial stories. A number of performances, life stories, and reactions from fans were posted across their website. Black Entertainment Television paid homage to the King of Pop and the Jackson family during its annual Black Entertainment Television Award. Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, and sister Janet Jackson were present at the awards. Janet was the spokesperson for the entire family The youngest of the Jackson daughters reminded the BET audience that the Jackson family was hurting just like many of them, and she thanked BET and its fans for their condolences. BET altered the awards ceremony days before the airing to create a show in the memory of the Man in the Mirror.' Fans were spotted with the famous glittered glove, while some artist such as Ne-yo and Jamie Foxx performed tear jerking classic’s like “I’ll Be There” in his memory. “He affected more then just one generation,” said, Lillie Wilson, an instructor the Department of Language Literature and Communication. Ages varying from five to fifty can be found with traces of the Jackson fever. “My most memorable time of Michael Jackson’s past was watching his movie and TV show with my family,” said Kimberly Powell, an ECSU junior. Since Jackson’s death, young adults and others have found themselves reminiscing about the times when they dressed in the notorious Michael Jackson outfit imitating one of his many songs. Adults can recall times they saw little Michael on TV during the Jackson 5 era. Children can also be spotted with the “Thriller fever”. With the fame and stardom comes the price many must pay with it. Controversy surrounded Jackson throughout his lifetime. This included the times of his father’s alleged excessive abuse, demanding the best of his children, and what some say was the worst that he did to his talented son, destroying his image of himself which most agree lead him to embark upon a number of plastic surgeries to create .• something that few people who knew . him in the beginning recognized. Ashley Prophet an ECSU English major, like many others, believes that Jackson’s quest to be white was a mistake. In all of the controversy that has surrounded Jackson’s death, it is generally understood and accepted that Jackson was a pop icon who never had a childhood and who turned to animals and young children for friendship. In spite of it all, Jackson had a 750 million global fan base. Dedicated fans will hold true to the fact Michael Jackson’s legacy will never be forgotten. “Even though we lost a great person he will never be forgotten because we see some of Michael Jackson everyday in the way artist dance and sing,” said MarresaWoody, a ECSU Outward Bound Scholar. Jackson’s humanitarian characteristics inspired people all across the world in ways beyond belief. Jackson contributed and gave back to the world more than music; he gave back a spirit that will forever be remembered. The pop culture has lost a pioneer but his lasting affect on the world will last forever. t'; \1 f A THE NEW FACE OF SOUL By.Kimneeia Poivell Music, especially African- American music, has come a long way throughout history. African Americans have invented different genres of music which include Rhythm and Blues (R&B) and Neo Soul. Rhythm and Blues is directly connected to Neo Soul through its roots in the African American culture. Rhythm and Blues is the term used to describe the sophisticated urban music that grew out of the urbanization ol the genre ot music called the Blues in the 1930s. Rhythm and Blues which arrived in the late 1940’s and early 19S0’s, is the name given to a wide ranging genre of popular music. Many artists have contributed to making R&B a wide ranged successful genre of music including B.B King, Ray Charles, Joe Turner, Little Richard, and Ruth Brown. These artists helped shape history and coined the term R&B. Moreover, they also helped change the face of all music. New artists who have conti'ibutedto R&B in the 20'*’ century are Brian McKnight, Anthony Hamilton, Donell Jones ,John Legend,Tweet, R. Kelly ,Raphael Saadiq, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys. These artist have made an impact on R&B while being influenced by artists of the past. Neo Soul is a sub-genre of contemporary R&B. Neo Soul was introduced in the 1990s by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records. The main difference between Neo Soul and R&B is the artists’ belief that they are remaining true to the African American culture through its language, behavior, customs, and religion. India Arie’s song, I Am Not My Hair lyrics, states, “Good hair means curls and waves, bad hair means you look like a slave. At the turn of the century its time for us to redefine who we be. You can shave it olf, like a South African beauty or get in on lock like Bob Marley.You can rock it straight, like Oprah Winfrey, if its not what’s on your head, its what’s underneath and say hey.” Neo Soul artists tend to be well educated and informed about the African American culture. These artists use their poetic and artistic skills to teach the world about culture, love, politics, life, and support of the African American race. Jill Scott’s unique style combines jazz, rhythm and blues, spoken word, and hip hop genres. Scott is considered to be a neo soul artist. Her vocal capabilities are so rich that a reviewer on Pop Matter, referring to Scott’s vocal ability stated, “Scott draws on her upper register recalling the artistry of the late songbird Minnie Riperton, and Deniece Williams. The same reviewer in another article stated, [Scott has] “a very rare facility to hit notes in the sixth octave as displayed on songs such as ‘Gimme’. She hits a C6 with full vibrato, and she hits a C7 on spring summer feeling in the background.” Most of these artists have finished high school at the top of their classes making a choice to perform instead of going to college. Neo Soul artists of this genre usually tend to have their music publicized through independent record labels, Internet, word of mouth, college radio, and with community radio. Many artists describe themselves as educators, artists, musicians, or just soul artists. Artist’s that have contributed to the 70’s and 80’s and influenced Neo Soul are Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Donnie Hathaway, and Sade. In the 90’s, Maxwell, Eric Benet, and Erykah Badu paved the way for Chief Kedar Massenburg to shift the direction of music. Lauryn Hill, who has had the greatest impact on its listeners with her 1998 album. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, received five Grammy awards. Other artists who helped to uplift the name Neo Soul include Musiq Soulchild, Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Lucy Pearl, Floetry, Dwele, Bilal, Raheem De Vaughn, India Arie, Goapole, Eric Roberson, Jaheim, and D’Angelo. Both genres have been influenced through African American history. Additionally, each genre is influenced by artists of the past and present with their unique styles. These genres are teaching, informing, and uplifting the African Americans about our culture.
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Sept. 1, 2009, edition 1
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