Assignment 1-3

The article that I selected for this assignment is called, “The Funk Era and Beyond: New Perspectives on Black Popular Culture. “ The word funk can be traced to the Ki-Kongo word lu-fuki which means body odor. But funk is not a dirty word. In African-American cultural expression, funk has come to represent a certain honesty and integrity that comes with working up a sweat. In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, funk as a musical genre cleaved from soul music and created a harder edged, more definitely working class aesthetic.” (Bolden, 2008). The collection of essays uses funk music, and what editor, Tony Bolden terms the “funk impulse,” to explore black popular culture in the United States. Funk has been an understudied genre in comparison to the much more prolifically investigated fields of blues, jazz, soul, and hip hop, and this collection starts to bridge the gap.” (Bolden, 2008)
The reason I chose this article, was that, ”funk” was very influential in the time period and era that I was growing up. I feel that the article was meant to be for the general audience, because funk music will always be around, and people of all generations still listen to it. The funk music era has surpassed decades, and became a part of the music genre that teenagers, young adults, middle aged, older people, and senior citizens. You know now 40 is 30, 50 is 40, and 60 is 50. I also like the style he wrote his journal in, because it was easy to read. I let my grand-daughter read it and she is 16, so I feel that it was suitable for all ages to understand his concepts. She liked the article, and actually learned what the meaning of funk meant.

I believe that “funk”, shaped and molded popular black culture today, and introduced “funk” into our popular white culture also. When I think of “funk”, I think of one person, and his group, “The King of Funk” himself George Clinton, featuring The Parliament Funkadelics. This music is what my whole family listens to today, from ages 11 to 50. His music from Atomic Dog to Flashlight, lets not forget We Want The Funk, gotta have that Funk. These songs will live on and on, from decade to decade. I know personally that the funk era will never die, even when they are gone, because it is legendary. I personally never thought that I could go to a concert with my children, and we all enjoyed it and had a great time together, Funkin with the master himself.

Written Weekly Analysis 5

My weekly analysis is the continuation of the Death of Michael Jackson (The King of Pop). When we started this class 5 weeks ago, it was the beginning of a sad story, about his death and it is still continuing on, to this day. His death is still one of the most talked about subjects in the media today. His death affected the world of music, more than anyone I can recall in my lifetime. The focus on his death now is that he was possibly murdered, by his private doctor, so now there is an ongoing investigation in that matter. I just had recently heard that his mother (Katherine) has worked out a deal with his children’s mother to have permanent custody. You wonder what kind of deal? I wonder when will it ever end and Michael can finally rest in peace.
They talk about his drug addiction to pain killers, and how much he was paying this man, to be his personal doctor. In my opinion, he did whatever Michael said to do, even if it was not in his best interest. This is heartbreaking to know that he could still be alive, if not for his constant need for painkillers. I wrote about this subject, being a recovering addict myself, for quite a few years, this really hit home. Because of the choices that we make in our lives, it affects so many others as well. For me, when I was using, I was very selfish and I thought my addiction would only hurt me, but in reality, it hurt everyone of my friends and family, most of all. My heart still goes out to his family, and I know I will miss him like so many others.

Written Anaylsis 4

My weekly analysis is about how CBS is introducing gay relationships in the soap opera world. They began with, “As The World Turns”, with Luke and Noah. Now Guiding Light introduced lesbian relationships, and now the “Young and Restless”, has had a few scenes with the attorney (Raf) and Victor & Hopes son,(Adam) having a kissing scene. I know soon the other networks will follow. My daughters watch another channel, and they told me, they began a storyline with a gay couple, and eventually they wrote it off. I wonder if it was pressure from viewers. I commend CBS, for holding their grounds and not giving into pressure, which I’m sure they have gotten, from viewers, that are not so open to this.
I was surprised that they made Luke and Noah, such an open loving couple. As I think about how my grandmother and mother would have reacted, I wonder how the older viewers feel about this subject. Although my older brother was gay, and we all knew it, it was a closed subject. You knew, but you did not say anything.
In today’s culture so many subjects are more open. I am from old school, and the way I was raised, things were done different. I also like the way, they introduce real life issues, that are a part of the real world, such as breast and ovarian cancer, obesity, mental issues, etc.

Assignment 3-1

My weekly analysis is the concert that we had at Nationwide Arena this week featuring Elton John and Billy Joel. This is when you love going to worl. The atmosphere there at the arena was electrifying. these are two of the greatest music icons in the world, on stage together. They opened up together singing, " Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me", the crowd was just screaming. It actually gave me chills. After that Elton John performed first, and then Billy Joel. The staging was so great, even the people in the press level ( nosebleed section) had a perfect view of the stage/ The backdrop was a black see thru glittering material, so the view qas great for all those ticket holders. I actually feel their view was as good as some of the higher priced seats, which ranged from as high as $225.00 on the floor level.
One of the best highlights of my evening was I was able to take one of my group members on the floor and she got to see Elton John up close. She was so close that she was able to see the sweat drip off of hima dn she started to cry. She was so happy and thankful, she kept saying thank you over and over again. I don't think I realized how star struck I was when I was down there. I have seen a lot of concerts their and this one was one of the greatest. I thought Faith Hill and Tim McGraw was the best, but this one came awful close. They both came back out together and concluded the concert with the all time favorite "Bennie and the Jets".

Assignment 2-2/Icon Analysis

The 3 Icons that I will be identifying are: 1)President Barack Obama, 2)BeYonce, 3) Hannah Montana
1) President Barack Obama made history as being the 1st Black American President ofthe United States. This was one of the most historical moments in the history, and I was a part of it. I personally thought I would never see a Black Man, become President of the this country, I knew it was time for a change, but this was big. I also would have loved to see the 1st woman President, too, but maybe that too will happen, in my time era. I feel his nomination to this office, made people hopeful, that no matter how hard the struggle,we can overcome whatever obstacles that are put in our way, and go forward.God Bless You, President Obama, and family.!!!
2)BeYonce, what a remarkable young lady. She is known all the world, for her talent. She has definitely made her mark in the music industry. I have never seen one person make so many different videos in number breaking time. She also gives back to the community, her time, money and motivation for other stars to do their share. She is also married to another great icon Jay-Z., that is a lot of talent together. Her greatest performance to me, was when she sang at the Inauguration Ball, it brought tears to my eyes.
3)Hannah Montana) also known as Miley Cirus, another great music icon. She has every young girl, wanting everything that revolves around her, including my own cousin. Although she is one of the biggest young stars, I got to meet her,when she performed here at Nationwide Arena(one of the perks),and she was so nice, especially when I did not know that she was the same person,
and asked her where was Hannah Montana, to ask her a question about some of the requests she had made, and she just laughed.

Assignment 2-1

My weekly written analysis is on a Reality TV show called "So You Think You Can Dance." They audition contestants from from all over the country, to compete to see who can the best. These contestants have all different types of dancing techniques, and they are judged according to their skills. The contestants are chosen from hundreds of potential dancers, but onlythe top 20 get to compete for the title. Each week they dance indivually and they are coupled up,and each week someone gets voted off. This is done by the judges and the TV audience. They are challenged each week with different dance routines , that they are normally used to dancing, which really shows off the dancing knowledge, and I feel it makes the dance competition more exciting and challenging. My daughters have been watching this show, from the 1st season, and I happend to be in the same room, as they were watching it, and now I to am a fan.

Assignment 1-4/Weekly Written Analysis

THE KING OF POP

My weekly analysis for this current pop topic, will be the untimely death of Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson has been a part of my life, since I was a little girl. I was always impressed, because we were born in the same year, Michael and I, and I followed the Jackson 5, was president of their fan club, then their was the Jacksons, which included Randy. The news of this death was very heartbreaking, not only to me, but as you know by now, millions and millions of fans, just like me. He was definitely an pop icon. Their was no where on this earth, that did not know about Michael Jackson. His life and music made it possible for so many artists to achieve their goals. I personally have all his albums (WOW), you never know, but I have everybodys from back in the day(Old Skool). I kept all my albums, because I still have a turntable, and play them. I personally saw him twice, when they were the JacksonFive, they performed at The Ohio State Fair, and when they came together and did their Reunion Tour as a group again, I was right their, front and center. No matter how negative the media, has tried to take away from his greatness, I personally have alsways felt he was not guilty, but exploited for the way he expressed himself. He was a great indiviual that changed so many people lives, and I personally would like to say Rest in Peace, and my prayers are with his children and family.

Assignment 1-2/Popular Culture Blog

What is popular culture and what does it mean to me?
To me, this means everything that is going on now in this era. Popular culture involves everything from current events with the STARS, television shows such as all the different types of reality TV, which makes you an instant star, BET Awards, MTV, movies (for instance TRANFORMERS, I was never interested in that kind of a movie, but after you see the graphics and the new technolgy that had come about, you can't help but be drawn to it, the internet is popular culture to me, cell phones, My Space, Facebook, Blogging, until this class I personally never have to set up nothing like this, I feel that this is a diary(something that we wrote in, in my day with a pen and paper), the different types of music (hip hop, rock, gospel, modern day funk), for instance George Clinton and the Funkadelics, they are old school, but they music is popular with the younger generation.
Why is understanding of popular culture relevant to you in the business world. You have the younger generations purchasing just as much as the older generations. I feel I have an advantage, because with my girls ages are from 25 years to 34 years old and it gives me an advantage to know what the younger generation interests are.
My pop culture artifact would be none other than the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson. It states in our Action Items to be able state why, he life is a combination of the artifacts that are listed. This is why I chose him for my assignment 1-4