Sound Brand

If you think that the celebrity endorsements during the 2012 election run has died down since the 2008 celebrity bandwagon, you probably haven’t been paying much attention.

Yep, voting is the new black, and our favorite music artist have definitely been keeping us posted on their endeavors to keep up with the trends. Jay-Z and Bruce Springsteen came together to rally up support for Obama, Katy Perry has been wearing a collection of awkward Obama appreciation outfits, Diddy is still telling us to Vote or Die (but not necessarily in those words for some reason), and even Snoop Lion (aka Snoop Dogg) gave us an insightful list detailing why he was voting for Obama and not Mitt Romney.

Not to be outdone Mitt Romney gained support of music artist from a few differing genres himself. For instance Kid Rock showed up and showed support for Mitt Romney. He spoke on how he was proud when Obama became the first black president but was disappointed that Obama:

“… didn’t do a better job.” - via The Huffington Post

A lot of confusion surrounded some carefully chosen (publicity seeking?) lyrics from Nicki Minaj, when she seemed to imply her support of Mitt Romney, but then later on showed her support for President Obama.

While, music and politics don’t always mix, politics and propaganda (my undergraduate professor would kill me for referring to public relations as propaganda) go hand and hand, and thus, these varying celebrity endorsements have surely influenced a great number of voters.

Long gone are the days when a rapper’s voice on political matters was simply a form of conscience rapping, it’s become much more than that for these music artist—a plea for attention, a CSR/credibility boost, a sincere desire for change? Who knows?

I hope that these artist truly care about their fans and their fans social needs, but sometimes it just seems that these artist go to extreme lengths to prove their loyalty to a politician.

I will say, however, I was so looking forward to a remix to this…

… just kidding!

- Shervin Bain

It seems that celebrities have been linked to just about anything scandalous since the day of my birth up to today. Yet, gossip, like everything else, has to progress and sex scandals, while still relevant, are just not enough to tidilate the ears of gossip folk anymore.

This is probably why “The Illuminati” has become the new black for celebrity gossip! Personally, I blame Tom Cruise and Madonna when they started the whole Kabbalah and Scientolgy craze (fad).

Top artist like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Madonna and even the oh-so-humble Beyoncé have all been linked to the Freemasonry secret society.

Very little has been said by these artist to extinguish these rumors, but some have been bold enough to comment on their alleged association with the Illuminati.

Jennifer Hudson, who was associated with the Illuminati in the past, and has more recently been said to take Whitney Houston’s place in the society, was quoted saying:

“That is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard in my life. And it’s offensive because basically what? The people that are here today don’t deserve to be where they are? What, we didn’t work for it?”

Other artist, like Lupe Fiasco, who is in the industry himself, has all but confirmed the conspiracy theorists’ talk by stating his belief in this inner circle of the Illuminati within the industry.

“…they control the world, you know what I’m sayin’? It’s already there…”

Now, with all these accusations and rumors flying around, I can’t help but wonder… Why do these music artist insist on playing into any of the Illuminati gossip by adding any of the imagery to their celebrity brand?

From music videos, to magazine spreads, it seems like all these top artist play into the symbolism as though it was in high demand.

From simple eye covering which almost all major artist can be seen doing, to the more blatant Baphomet ring worn by Beyoncé, or the insane exorcism performance by Nicki Minaj (or Roman; one of her many personas).  Jay-Z, well known for his association with the Eye of Providence/the All Seeing Eye, stepped out of the box with his “On To The Next One” video. Lady Gaga fueled blogger talk about her (and her lack of a grasp on reality) when she released her “Marry The Night” music video/short film. Oh, and let’s not forget the issues that Rihanna was going through during her “Russian Roulette” debacle.

Does it relate back to the old farce that “There’s no such thing as bad publicity”? Is it good to be associated with this inner circle of elite celebrities? Does it create a sort of iconic status that these music artist strive for?

Or are these music artist really part of the Illuminati, gaining their success through extreme personal sacrifices to the well connected?

I have no answer as to why, I am simply aware of the fact that these celebrities (and their publicists) are privy to the rumor mill and continue to let the associations be made with them. I think it’s unnecessary, but if it is all a ploy to gain publicity, then I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more ritualistic music videos, dark/gory photo-shoots and an ever intrigued/confused fan base.

- Shervin Bain

I decided to start this blog off with a look at an interesting story.

You see I’ve never personally been a huge fan of Taylor Swift specifically, simply because that isn’t my taste of music. I think she’s very talented and clearly beautiful, but that alone is not making me run down to Target to buy her latest album.

But, recent events have caused me to look at the young woman quite differently… and in a very good way.

Taylor Swift, former “girlfriend” (if even that) of John Mayer, took to her natural talent and released a song entitled “Dear John” where she sings face slapping lyrics like:

Wondering which version of you I might get on the phone tonight 
Well I stopped picking up, and this song is to let you know why

And…

But I took your matches before fire could catch me, 
so don’t look now: 
I’m shining like fireworks over your sad, empty town

Clearly, this girl has been through some pain, and she finds some creative lyrics to express that emotion. 

I don’t consider myself a fan of John Mayer, although I am in love with his song “Gravity”. The thing that keeps me from listing to more of his music is some of the derogatory comments he’s made in the past. 

In an interview with Playboy Magazine, in 2010, John Mayer (32 at the time) was asked about dating black women, where he stated:

“I don’t think I open myself to it. My d*ck is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a fu*kin’ David Duke c*ck. I’m going to start dating separately from my d*ck. …I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous.

Now, while I think it’s ridiculous that people can still have a general dating preference against an entire race, I am aware that John Mayer isn’t the only individual with this mindset. But to use David Duke as an example of how far against you are having sex with a black woman is ridiculous, on top of that, to taint the name of Holly Robinson Peete by mentioning her in such a racist statement is nothing short of stupid, immature and should’ve been career-ending.

I applaud Taylor Swift for calling John Mayer out on his recklessness and teaching him that there are consequences to being a tool, especially when his mindset behind the song is ”I didn’t deserve it.”

Dear John, Karma is not going to be your best friend anytime soon. The idea that he feels he didn’t deserve a song written about him after he broke a girl’s heart is pretty ridiculous. She’s a girl, and she’s a songwriter; Wake up! As a song writer you should know that you write about your experiences. Suck it up and roll with the punches that should’ve hit you below the belt rather than in the face.

In regards to the song, he went on to tell Rolling Stone:

“I was really caught off-guard, and it really humiliated me at a time when I’d already been dressed down. I mean, how would you feel if, at the lowest you’ve ever been, someone kicked you even lower?”

Sorry, call me heartless, but he gets no empathy from me.

The song gives me a new perception of Taylor Swift. A person who I thought was once too innocent to step on an ant, I now see as just a sweet girl that isn’t totally oblivious to the world around her. John Mayer might think it’s “cheap songwriting” because his pride is hurt, but I think it’s touching, thought provoking and eye opening. I have a new appreciation for the young woman and I’m now curious to see what the future holds for her. This song is a good look for her career. It shows her stepping out of her pink walled room filled with teddy bears and venturing out into a real world where the rest of us live.

You can listen to the full song and read the lyrics here!

- Shervin Bain