I love the story behind Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. A traveler from the future comes back in time to save two absolute morons from failing their history class so that they will not be separated from each other (Ted would be sent to military school by his dad) so that they can stay in their band Wyld Stallyns to revolutionize society by the power of their "excellent" music. Will any of the present forms of music have such an effect on future society? Highly unlikely. Although the power of music is without a doubt something that is still a mysterious force, it will probably not be the key to overcome our nasty human habits.
Nevertheless, a particular form of music has had a major effect on modern day society and has spawned a number of very interesting sub-cultures. Yes, I am talking about Hip Hop. It is true that most of the commercial artists, songs and videos of this particular genre are sexist, overly materialistic, homophobic and criminal. At the same time we do have a number of artists out there that still support the core values of the initial movement: creating a cultural platform for youths in the ghettos to express themselves rather than participating in gang violence. Hip Hop in it's roots was a movement by the people for the people, sharing their problems with society and ways to cope with them. The music resulted in the four so called classic Elements of the culture: MCing, DJing, B-boying (break dancing) and Tagging (graffiti). Extended elements are Beatboxing, Hip Hop fashion and the Slang. While most of these elements have been somewhat visible to the main stream, it has been one of the most impressive elements of Hip Hop that has just recently gained the acclaim that it deserves - Beatboxing.
Beatboxing is the art of producing music out of thin air. Beatboxers do not have any instrument to their disposal, however imitate them all with - well their vocal chords, lungs, lips, tongue, throat, nose and anything else that is part of their body capable of creating sounds (without being nasty). The pioneers of this art have been Doug E. Fresh (who we unfortunately lost to Scientology), Biz Markie and the Fat Boys (mainly Buffy, who initially coined the term). Since the 1980's not many people got into contact with this art until it reached the main stream through icons like Rahzel from the Roots, Killa Kela and Kenny Muhammad - the Human Orchestra.
To me the real push of the Fifth Element of the Hip Hop culture into the main stream has happened with the creation of the YouTubes of this world. Online Beatboxing videos spread virally reaching more than millions of viewers. Modern day artists have mushroomed from the ground and it seems that the sophistication of the art from is increasing exponentially from generation to generation.
I had the pleasure to witness the magic of Beardyman the current UK beatboxing champion live and was blown away!
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Friday, 25 April 2008
Citizen Astronauts
Space, the final frontier...those deep and iconic words have been burnt into a generation's brain like the picture of Princess Lea in her golden outfit. Star Trek fascinated generations of viewers around the world with the genius of it's creator Gene Roddenberry and his amazing vision of humanity's future. The stories told, always have a very human component centering around a present day dilemma in a futuristic setting which makes the series ever more appealing. What is most inspiring, however, is the degree of morality the human race shows in overcoming these dilemmas. It shows us how humanity should be without all our eternal vices. As a matter of fact one of the first kisses between a black woman and a white man on television happened between Uhura and Kirk (1968). Quite progressive for back then!
Many people's love for Star Trek spawned their interest for space, the universe and the search for answers beyond religion...like for myself. I'm an atheist which makes looking up into the sky (also admiring everything on planet Earth for that matter) so much more interesting. It is hard to not ask yourself existential questions when looking at the bare scientific evidence that we have so far uncovered. Do we know where we really are at this point in time and space? Far from it. Somehow I believe leaving planet Earth would get me personally a step closer at grasping it all a slightly bit better.
Am I alone in longing for an extraterrestrial experience? I assume not, given all the recent attempts to build out commercial space flight a la Virgin Galactic. Not many humans have had the privilege to leave the planet's orbit. Those that have, describe it as a life changing experience. After being born from your mothers womb, leaving mother Earth's womb is somewhat of a second birth. One that I can hardly wait for.
While we are waiting for the eureka moment in space check out the Space Collective for epiphanies from forward thinking terrestrials.
Many people's love for Star Trek spawned their interest for space, the universe and the search for answers beyond religion...like for myself. I'm an atheist which makes looking up into the sky (also admiring everything on planet Earth for that matter) so much more interesting. It is hard to not ask yourself existential questions when looking at the bare scientific evidence that we have so far uncovered. Do we know where we really are at this point in time and space? Far from it. Somehow I believe leaving planet Earth would get me personally a step closer at grasping it all a slightly bit better.
Am I alone in longing for an extraterrestrial experience? I assume not, given all the recent attempts to build out commercial space flight a la Virgin Galactic. Not many humans have had the privilege to leave the planet's orbit. Those that have, describe it as a life changing experience. After being born from your mothers womb, leaving mother Earth's womb is somewhat of a second birth. One that I can hardly wait for.
While we are waiting for the eureka moment in space check out the Space Collective for epiphanies from forward thinking terrestrials.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Mob Mentality
Monday is going to be the day of deliverance for many die hard fans of one of the most controversial video game series ever created. The newest installment of the franchise will be available in an "Halo-3-esque" midnight sale extravaganza.
Yes, Grand Theft Auto has come a long way from the early days in 1997 when it was a 2d game played from a bird's eye view. But even back then it was somewhat revolutionary. Combining action, adventure, driving and racing elements in one game with a gangster story, topped with extreme and unnecessary violence became instantly gripping. GTA4, the confusingly sixth installment of the series, is at it's core very similar to the first game: you will be playing a reject, an exile from society (this time a Eastern-European thug) returning to his normal gangster habits, trying to make it big by killing, stealing and backstabbing his way to the top. This time set in scene with some amazing graphics, a superb physics engine, extraordinary soundtrack and as always thrilling story a la Scarface.
All this rather violent game play does not come without the respective parental advisory tag. As a matter of fact, the creator (Rockstar) and publisher (Take Two) have been sued over and over for promoting carjacking, hate crimes and violence. It hasn't been helping the game's reputation that many of the twisted US kids involved in senseless shootings have played it before going on their killing sprees. Without wanting to break into an unrelated discussion, it seems to me that the obvious problem does seem to be the easy access to arms - but who am I to question psychiatrists and educators.
As morbid it might sound, much of this controversy has made the franchise even more popular. In fact so popular that Electronic Arts, a leading game publisher, wanted to buy the parent company Take Two before the release date of this new installment. Take Two has successfully delayed the hostile takeover bid to after the release of GTA IV in the hope of an uptake in it's stock price and a subsequently higher valuation. Electronic Arts is still pushing hard to get the deal sealed within the next weeks. No wonder, the word on the streets is that GTA IV will outsell world record breaking Halo 3.
I couldn't care less about any of the controversy or corporate saber-rattling that is happening. All I want is a week off work to kick some ass in Liberty City as Niko Bellic!
Yes, Grand Theft Auto has come a long way from the early days in 1997 when it was a 2d game played from a bird's eye view. But even back then it was somewhat revolutionary. Combining action, adventure, driving and racing elements in one game with a gangster story, topped with extreme and unnecessary violence became instantly gripping. GTA4, the confusingly sixth installment of the series, is at it's core very similar to the first game: you will be playing a reject, an exile from society (this time a Eastern-European thug) returning to his normal gangster habits, trying to make it big by killing, stealing and backstabbing his way to the top. This time set in scene with some amazing graphics, a superb physics engine, extraordinary soundtrack and as always thrilling story a la Scarface.
All this rather violent game play does not come without the respective parental advisory tag. As a matter of fact, the creator (Rockstar) and publisher (Take Two) have been sued over and over for promoting carjacking, hate crimes and violence. It hasn't been helping the game's reputation that many of the twisted US kids involved in senseless shootings have played it before going on their killing sprees. Without wanting to break into an unrelated discussion, it seems to me that the obvious problem does seem to be the easy access to arms - but who am I to question psychiatrists and educators.
As morbid it might sound, much of this controversy has made the franchise even more popular. In fact so popular that Electronic Arts, a leading game publisher, wanted to buy the parent company Take Two before the release date of this new installment. Take Two has successfully delayed the hostile takeover bid to after the release of GTA IV in the hope of an uptake in it's stock price and a subsequently higher valuation. Electronic Arts is still pushing hard to get the deal sealed within the next weeks. No wonder, the word on the streets is that GTA IV will outsell world record breaking Halo 3.
I couldn't care less about any of the controversy or corporate saber-rattling that is happening. All I want is a week off work to kick some ass in Liberty City as Niko Bellic!
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