#damianvasquez

Aside from her unfiltered and hardcore interviews talking about cultural appropriation in the music industry, Azealia Banks has really grown on me as an artist. So it was only fitting that I end my six blog entries talking about her artistry, music, and a few things I think she adds to the music industry. Heavy Metal and Reflective is actually the song that was played during her Hot 97 interview where she had a few choice words for both Iggy Azealea and T.I.. As the beat dropped it had so much hype and the correct amount of bump that I had to listen to the whole thing. Her rap style and musical taste in my mind sets her apart from the norm that we now see in music. 

I think that she should be including in the genre of Alternative/Afropunk because I think that she embodies that whole genre. Her puns and writtens (raps) are usually very hard to try to rap to but when you break her raps down she is spittin some fire. 

I be V.I.P I been knew cheddar You be guest list I be PYT You Billie Jean You been that ex bitch! Icy with that cicle WHOA! It's that next shit I be getting several, you be zero Bet you pressed bitch, I be looking very heavy metal and reflective I could get that!

You know how sometimes a song can be so captivating that the visual for it doesn’t quite matter or belong? Twin shadow is giving me an 80′s feel with this song Five Seconds. In a weird way I feel like this song belongs on the movie, The Breakfast Club. The voice in this song is almost similar to Simple Minds - Don’t you forget about me. Twin Shadow really has a distinct soultry voice and it is extremely smooth over this 80′s Rock & Roll type of beat. The chorus was perfectly written because it is catchy and easy to learn.

Five seconds in your heart Straight to the heart I can't get to your heart She said five seconds in your heart I can't get to your heart

Contrary to the message and idea of the song, the video is sort of creepy, it gives me a “Goonies meets Django” kind of vibe. With the motorcycle riding and the beating of people in the woods. Overall I feel as though though the music is good, the visual should or could have been better. Rush the music, but flush the video. 

At first I was extremely reluctant to choose Sade for the Alternative aspect of music but upon listening to this song I think that she most definitely fits this genre of music. Sade proves that sometimes vocal variety, pitch inflection and screaming through a song aren’t needed when your song is simple yet even-keeled. Her voice is a smooth warm tone that is easily visible through the music. Her voice transcends the music and forces your ears to listen and groove to her deep pitch. Sade stays true to herself and produced a body of work here that tugs at your heartstrings with a voice that has been consistent in all of her songs.

I just this song by Shabazz Palaces because it has got a funky vibe too it. The beat is off the chain. The influx of instruments and studio beats definitely flow well. It also reminds me of the Cyrille Aimee’s- Nuit Blanche with the adding of beats and sounds to give the song some flair. At first when I heard the singing in the song I wasn’t really feeling it. The lyrics that she sings are basically talking about her conscience. 

Sneaking in and out of thought Leaving emotional trip caught up Love the funk, the flare I am well aware of the places we've been And I will offer, in time I will share The calculations all point to a connection in space

The disorientation of the beat definitely heightens the emotions in the lyrics, even though THEESatisfaction who sings the lyrics is doing it in such a slow, monotone kind of way. Overall the song has somewhat of a jazzy yet urban feel to it. It definitely brings out a variety of emotions. This song is definitely worth a listen. 

Often overshadowed by her older sister Beyonce, Solange has definitely created her own lane with her eclectic tunes and unique fashion sense. It is very refreshing to me how her music is somewhat urbanized and underground compared to her older sisters, but her music is also a bit more soulful and diverse. Losing you is one of my favorite songs of hers because throughout the song her voice stays the same, but it gives you such a funky yet sophisticated vibe to it. The song is straightforward as in the lyrics are easy to comprehend, she is singing about the thought of losing her significant other for good. Her voice is not overpowered by the beat and she proves that simplicity is key when making music. An artist does not always have to modulate his/her voice in a song for it to be good. Overall her song is great and seems as though it would be a great soul train line song. 

This genre of Alternative/Afropunk has really made me step out of my comfort zone in terms of the musical content that I am used to. The first artist I chose for my first blog goes by the name, SZA, pronounced (Siz-za). Her appearance alone gives me glimpses of Erykah Badu mixed with Elle Varner. For her musical style to be Alternative/Afropunk, her voice is very soft and angelic compared to her unusual contrast of beats.

The song that I enjoyed the most by SZA is entitled, Teen Spirit. I like the song because it was one of the few songs where I felt the music’s lyrical content and also its visual content was in sync. The music in my opinion enhances the lyrics because from what I get from the song is that her conscience or her teen self was a demon that she is trying to grow out of. She states in the hook:

Yeah yeah, I feel you talking Yeah yeah I feel you moving Yeah yeah let's do it already Yeah yeah..

This teen spirit is something that she is running from but can’t seem to get away from. In the video you can see that the video gets blurry around the hook to maybe give an illusion that she is drunk, dazed, or confused. It’s as if a spirit is trying to take over her. I really enjoy her somewhat ecletic style. Her vocals are precise and clear and are not drowned out by the beat. If anything the beat enhances the lyrics and the syncopation only adds to the meaning of the song.