Let's debate that musical question. I missed Rhiana and only became aware of her when she was assaulted by Chris Brown. It turns out I was enjoying "Rude Boy" and "Shut up and drive" not knowing that was her. I ran across a picture of her and made it my screen saver. Then along came "Bitch better have my money." Tonight I just came across the sultry duet with Drake called "Work."
All I can say is wow.
Her concert near Detroit last week received very high marks. The only negative comments were that it was only 85 minutes long with no encores. I don't care much for her music but that's just me.
I am not a Rhiana; it could well be for a lack of knowledge of whatever talent she might possess , I would invite you however to reconsider the "masses are asses" statement. Music we consider now great were often derided by the intellectual elite... while the masses were enjoying them. It often takes some far-out thinkers to bring the so-called intellectual elite to speed. Such music include Jazz or several forms of what we came to call "Classical". Examples abound ...
@everyone
I will take the time to listen to Rihanna more seriously.
I don't find Alicia Keys particularly talented by the way. Erika Badu? Yes! Jill Scott? Absolutely!
I am not a Rhiana; it could well be for a lack of knowledge of whatever talent she might possess , I would invite you however to reconsider the "masses are asses" statement. Music we consider now great were often derided by the intellectual elite... while the masses were enjoying them. It often takes some far-out thinkers to bring the so-called intellectual elite to speed. Such music include Jazz or several forms of what we came to call "Classical". Examples abound ...
@everyone
I will take the time to listen to Rihanna more seriously.
I don't find Alicia Keys particularly talented by the way. Erika Badu? Yes! Jill Scott? Absolutely!
There is so much great music [not necessarily newly written] that there just isn't time to listen seriously to music that I don't care for to see if I will eventually come to enjoy it. The "classical" forms that were crap then are still crap despite who listens to it. John Cage is a good example of that rubbish.
I am not a Rhiana; it could well be for a lack of knowledge of whatever talent she might possess , I would invite you however to reconsider the "masses are asses" statement. Music we consider now great were often derided by the intellectual elite... while the masses were enjoying them. It often takes some far-out thinkers to bring the so-called intellectual elite to speed. Such music include Jazz or several forms of what we came to call "Classical". Examples abound ...
@everyone
I will take the time to listen to Rihanna more seriously.
I don't find Alicia Keys particularly talented by the way. Erika Badu? Yes! Jill Scott? Absolutely!
I'm going to have to disagree with you Frantz. Alicia Keys is a classically trained pianist, has a wonderful vocal range and interpretive style and writes all of her songs, either solo or as a collaborative effort. Most of the divas of today sell sexual imagery, which is one reason you don't hear too much about Miss Keys...she's got class and focuses on her craft.
I'm going to have to disagree with you Frantz. Alicia Keys is a classically trained pianist, has a wonderful vocal range and interpretive style and writes all of her songs, either solo or as a collaborative effort. Most of the divas of today sell sexual imagery, which is one reason you don't hear too much about Miss Keys...she's got class and focuses on her craft.
That she is Classically trained means not much in the big scheme of things... Julliard likely churns tens of them every year... Some of them with talent and some with not so much so .... At one point she was all the noise then she got to be some media ambassador or consultant for Blackberry and then.. her star dwindled...
@gary
Jazz was considered as crap by many then ... Just saying ...
I don't have any problem that you don't like a genre. Calling it "crap" is quite different.
. . . . Jazz was considered as crap by many then ... Just saying ...
I don't have any problem that you don't like a genre. Calling it "crap" is quite different.
Regarding the crap, we'll see after time elapses how genres like rap and hip-hop fare. My estimation is, not so well. I don't think the likes of John Cage make such wonderful music either. Yes, some things he does are clever, but clever doesn't necessarily make for good music.
I rate things by my own standards. I really don't consider whether someone else likes or doesn't like something when I give my opinion on a topic. I come to my own conclusions. Jazz is a mixed genre. Big band jazz is great, "smooth [mindless] jazz" is crap, I mean not so musically interesting or appealing to me .
That she is Classically trained means not much in the big scheme of things... Julliard likely churns tens of them every year... Some of them with talent and some with not so much so .... At one point she was all the noise then she got to be some media ambassador or consultant for Blackberry and then.. her star dwindled...
Well, I suppose like any artist we can pick them apart all we like, and you certainly have that option (as you pointed out and made clear). I don't happen to share your view.
Regarding the crap, we'll see after time elapses how genres like rap and hip-hop fare. My estimation is, not so well. I don't think the likes of John Cage make such wonderful music either. Yes, some things he does are clever, but clever doesn't necessarily make for good music.
I rate things by my own standards. I really don't consider whether someone else's likes or doesn't like something when I give my opinion on a topic. I come to my own conclusions. Jazz is a mixed genre. Big band jazz is great, "smooth [mindless] jazz" is crap, I mean not so musically interesting or appealing to me .
ALL composers from ALL genre of music have used folk (aka as popular, also known as masses ) into their repertoire. SO very often "crap" is included into Masterpieces.. that is what we call Talent or genius and they come from all places. There is no doubt in my mind that Biggie or Tupak Shakur are geniuses .. So were Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane or Thelonious Monk and so were Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Satie, et all.
Hip-Hop has made its mark. Rap and Hip-hop are World-wide phenomenons. They have permeated everything from singing to fashion. Their influence is too entrenched in our lives to even be noticed. You may not like it , they're however omnipresent. They have influenced all music genres. From Jazz to , yes, Classical which has also influenced , yes, hip-hop. I find it interesting that the Pantheon of Classical Composers happen to be similar to that of the most sampled Composers by Hip-Hop artists