My life revolves around music. From a car ride to in the gym or even pregame routine, I turn to music. I am fan of all music but for some reason, rap is what puts me in the right state of mind. With my last blog post of Music 111, I am taking the opportunity to focus on rap and one of it’s hottest but most controversial artists. That artist is Tekashi 69, also known as 69 and 6ix9ine.

I insist you watch this video to give you a general concept about Tekashi 69.

 

Tekashi 69 was born Daniel Hernandez on May 8, 1996  in Brooklynn, New York [5].  His father passed away when Tekashi was 13 forcing him to find jobs to help his mother. He first began as a bus boy but as time went on he would have multiple hustles like slinging weed and opening a bodega. His love for music was inspired by heavy metal bands and RondoNumbaNine but I believe it was this life of crime and gang activity where he focus his sound [5].

Before we begin to listen and view a few of his music videos, I believe it is important for viewers to know what you are about to listen to if you have never heard of this artist.  Upon listening to 6ix9ine’s music, it is clear his inspiration is gangster rap with lyrics focussing on gang like activity and sex. He favours controversial beef with other artists and is usually the instigator in most of those altercations. He has also run into repeated issues with the law and is currently dealing with criminal charges. 6ix9ine takes a full-throated and hyper-aggressive musical approach to his craft and in addition to his colorful appearance and unique themed music videos, has propelled become one of the hottest rappers in the last couple years [2].

The First Hit

6ix 9ine’s first major hit was “GUNMO”. Released on October 8, 2017 and entered the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at number 12 [5]. “GUNMO” hit gold status Jan 11, 2017 and then eventually reach platinum status March 5 [1]. Gold status means the track sold 500k units and platinum means it sold 1 million units. Another important stat to consider is that the “GUNMO” musical video currently sits over 250 million views on Youtube. However, at the time of the release, reportedly pled guilty to three felony counts of using a child in a sexual performance [2]. It is uncertain if the criminal charges had any affect on sales or the “popularity” the artist but it very impressive to reach platinum with your very first official release.

Though he has been claimed a “fake-ass blood” from a rapper named The Game, it’s clear he takes pride in being a “blood” [1]. The video displays 69 dressed in red and centered among an entourage of  Blood members, displaying hand gestures that of gang relations. After watching the official “GUNMO” music video, it is obvious the focal point is gang activity.

The Latest Hit

6ix9ine released a track named “FEFE” on July 22 featuring the current Queen of Rap, Nicki Minaj. In a matter of two days, the video accumulated over 28 million views [3]. After 7 days, the video reached over 70 million views. On it’s debut, “FEFE” ranked number 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and was ranked number 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. By August 6, “FEFE”  turned Gold [6]. As you can see, “FEFE” was an instant hit and skyrocketed.

What makes the track unique is the timeline of the release. First off, the launch of “FEFE” occurred after 6ix9ine was released on a $150k bail for allegedly choking a teenager in a mall a few years back [4]. On the same day of the release, it was reported that 6ix9ine was kidnapped, pistol whipped and robbed. three robbers made off with over $750K in jewellery and up to $20K cash.

Conclusion

6ix9ine is one of the hottest rappers in the game today. Hs rainbow hair, hard-hitting aggressive lyrics, and criminal activity have brought a sort of publicity in which has amplified his stardom and it seems like it will continue to break records.

Bibliography

[1] 6IX9INE’S “GUMMO” GOES PLATINUM. Accessed August 9, 2018. http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/03/6ix9ine-gummo-platinum/.

[2] Kellman, Andy. 6ix9ine. Accessed August 9, 2018. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/6ix9ine-mn0003687460/biography.

[3] Miss2Bees. 2018. TEKASHI 6IX9INE’S ‘FEFE’ SURPASSES DRAKE’S ‘IN MY FEELINGS’ ON APPLE MUSIC CHARTS. July 26. Accessed August 9, 2018. http://thesource.com/2018/07/26/tekashi-fefe-drake/.

[4] Peters, Mitchell. 2018. 6ix9ine Drops New Song ‘FEFE’ Featuring Nicki Minaj: Listen. July 22. Accessed August 9, 2018. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8466460/tekashi-6ix9ine-drops-new-song-fefe-featuring-nicki-minaj-listen.

[5] Teka$hi69 (6ix9ine). Accessed August 9, 2018. https://everipedia.org/wiki/tekashi69-6ix9ine/.

[6] Zaynab. 2018. Tekashi 6ix9ine & Nicki Minaj’s “FEFE” Single Is Certified Gold . August 6. Accessed August 9, 2018. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-and-nicki-minajs-fefe-single-is-certified-gold-news.56725.html.

 

 

 

I think it is appropriate to say that I can assume everyone knows who Elvis Presley is. And for some strange reason you don’t, do you live under a rock? Elvis Presley was the king of rock and roll, the KING. So impactful in fact that today’s musicians are still influenced by this rock and roll icon. Spotify’s Elvisulization [5] chart allows one to see the exact path where Elvis directly and indirectly influenced musicians. Using this chart, I am going to follow the path of Elvis- Led Zeppelin- Papa Roach and try to identify any iconic musical or visual influences.

 

Elvis Presley

 

 

He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935 and rocked the earth until his early death August 16, 1977 [1]. Elvis was most known for his charismatic stage presence and sensual hip swings with a revolutionary modernistic musical take on the times blues and country genres. An absolute heartthrob, Elvis delighted listeners with sexual intrigue, sung expressive and dramatic, and would deliver sweetness one time and danger the next [2]. The following videos of Elvis Presley help show the sort of inspiration he had on his audience and how he would forever inspire future generations of music.

 

 

Elvis Presley established himself as a musical rebel, and his Rockstar bravado and modernizing rock music influenced Led Zeppelin.

 

Led Zeppelin

 

*please do not take the time to listen to the full 3hr video, or do, whatever pleases you*

 

It is evident the similarities between the rockstar bravado and musical style of Elvis Presley and Led Zeppelin. The first and foremost similarity between the two groups is the rockstar bravado, the visual influence. The drugs, the partying, the women, the iconic-ness, the symbol of being a rockstar. Elvis revolutionized rock and roll and opened the door for more of these Rockstar and their lifestyles to thrive and find popularity among younger audiences. Another similarity that may be influenced by Elvis was Led Zeppelins music. Though having a unique heavy metal musical style, the groups music was influenced by early rock and roll, psychedelic rock, blues, folk, Celtic, Indian, and Arabic music [3]. Led Zeppelin music was raw and powerful with exaggerated vocal style filled with distortion and emotion, much similar to Elvis style. Heavily influenced by the music of Presley’s time (early rock and roll, blues) and the use of emotion and dramatic expression it creates obvious musical lines of influence between these two icons.

 

Take a look below to understand the what I mean by rockstar bravado and the exaggerated, distorted lyrical music exemplified by Led Zeppelin.

 

 

 

Led Zeppelin, icons of the 1970’s rock and roll era, revolutionized the industry much like Elvis Presley influencing later generations like Papa Roach to continue on the head banging rock and roll standards.

 

Papa Roach

 

 

Finally, an era of music I am more acquainted with. Papa Roach, formed 1993 in Vacaville California, is millennium band carrying on the rock and heavy metal roots. Primarily a darker side to punk rock, Papa Roach packaged rap and hardcore rage into melodic pop music [4]. When compared to Led Zeppelin, we can uncover influences they may have had on Papa Roach’s music. First, Papa Roach is a continuance of rock and roll and foremost heavy metal.  As well, both Led Zeppelin and Papa Roach contain similar cores. Drums, bass and electric guitar and vocals. The heavy use of electric guitar adds similarity between the two bands which may have been influenced by Led Zeppelin. Between these two iconic bands, Led Zeppelin may have had significant musical influence on Papa Roach.

 

 

*try to listen for heavy use of electric guitar*

 

 Overall

Quite simply, Elvis Presley revolutionized music. His influence can be witness throughout the generations that came after. In this case, Presley’s heartthrob dramatic lyrics, charismatic attitudes and sensual presence can appear to have influenced Led Zeppelin’s rockstar bravado and their emotional distorted heavy metal music which continued on to influence the heavy metal punk rock of Papa Roach.

 

Thank you for reading!

 

Bibliography

[1] Elvis Presley. Encylopedia. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/elvis-presley.

[2] Elvis Presley. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/elvis-presley.

[3] Led Zeppelin. Britannica. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Led-Zeppelin.

[4] Papa Roach. Encyclopedia. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/papa-roach.

[5] The Elvisualization. Accessed July 13, 2018. http://static.echonest.com/insights/elvis/elvisulization.html.

 

Hello everyone. For my first personal blog post in Music 111, I have chosen to write about Jelly Roll Morton, an important individual in the early history of pop music and jazz.

 

A pianist, composer and band leader, Jelly Roll Morton was not only considered a major influence on the genre but a fore father in the development of jazz [1]. Legally born as Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe, Jelly Roll was born on Oct 20, 1890 in New Orleans Louisiana, and passed away on July 10, 1941 in Los Angeles, California [2]. At age 10 he learned to play the piano and within a few years was playing in bordellos where he earned his nickname Jelly Roll [3]. Being a son of creole parents, Jelly Roll Morton remained true to his African, French and Spanish roots with his ragtime and minstrelsy dance rhythms, which would be known as jazz [4]. Jelly Roll’s “Original Jelly Roll Blues” is believed to be the first published work of its genre. Early 1926, he would then led Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers and earn national hits like “Black Bottom Stomp” and “Smoke House Blues” and later on other tracks like “Kansas City Stomp  and “Tank Town Bump”[3]. Jelly Roll fell on hard times during the Great Depression as did his kind of music and was later found tending a bar in 1938. Early sounds of rock and roll can be detected in his vibrant blues and ragtime pieces and along with his “flamboyant, colorful and exasperating personality”, could possibly make him a grandfather of rock and roll [1].

 

Song #1: Black Bottom Stomp

The first song I chose to write about was “Black Bottom Stomp”, played by Jelly Roll and his Red Hot Peppers. Recorded on September 15, 1926 [6],”Black Bottom Stomp” would become a national hit and one of Jelly Roll’s most well known pieces of music. Eight instruments make up this New Orleans spirited piece (piano, bass, drum, cornet, clarinet, banjo, trumpet, and the trombone) [5]. Throughout the song you can hear the piano and drum as the frontline features the clarinet, trombone and trumpet. I chose to write about this song for the mood it creates. At first listen, almost instant, my foot started tapping and I started bouncing in my chair. The bright and exciting musical texture gives the audience a fun piece to listen to. The song brings a swing feel and proudly demonstrates a New Orleans essence, like a trip to Mardi Gras.

 

Song #2: Jelly Roll Blues

My second choice to write about is Jelly Morton’s “Jelly Roll Blues”. Considered to be jazz music’s first ever published work, an incredible accomplishment in the Jazz industry, “Jelly Roll Blues” obviously holds a historic significance and must be listened too. A foxtrot written in 1910 and published by 1915, it is Jelly’s and the Red Hot Peppers first musical piece and in comparison to his “Black Bottom Stomp”, one can notice how more toned back and not so flamboyant and bright it is. Given it being Jelly’s first song, it is understandable his work isn’t at the intensity you later see in his career.  That being said I do appreciate hearing his musical origins and experience the transformation into his explosive, creole flair.

 

Song #3: Winin’ Boy

The last song I chose to listen and write on isn Jelly and New Orleans Jazzmen’s foxtrot  “Winin’ Boy” of 1939. I chose Winin’ Boy for the purpose of experiment, I wanted an idea of Jelly’s musical transition. In 1941, poor health lead to the death of Jelly so “Winin’ Boy” is one of his latest records. It is interesting to hear the transition of his music as the music popularity shifted, his classic swing shifted to a blues feel. And when I listen to “Winin’ Boy”, I get that blues feeling. I feel the frontmen carry the passion where the piano balances the rhythm, bring that soothing but horn emphasized blue feeling!

 

I hope you enjoyed!

 

 

Bibliography

[1] “Jelly Roll Morton.” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/jelly-roll-morton

[2} “Jelly Roll Morton.” Britannica. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jelly-Roll-Morton

[3] “Jelly Roll Morton.” Biography. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.biography.com/people/jelly-roll-morton-9415945

[4] “Jelly Roll Morton.” Encyclopedia. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/jelly-roll-morton

[5] Molina, Roberto. Black Bottom Stomp. Accessed July 18, 2018. https://blog.mcdaniel.edu/ramolina/2014/02/12/black-bottom-stomp

[6] Winin’ Boy Blog, The. Black Bottom Stomp – Jelly Roll Morton. Accessed July 18, 2018. http://thewininboy.blogspot.com/2012/07/black-bottom-stomp