The Music Word 11.12.09: One for Hip-Hop, One for Alice in Chains, and One for Little Old Me

Posted by Leah Jewel Alexander on 11.12.2009

The word is out on Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” Jay Sean and Lil Wayne's hot single “Down”, Chaz Bono’s female-to-male transformation, and Taylor Swift getting into trouble for hanging out with weird bad boys. Rapper N'fa's video for “Cause An Effect," directed by the late Heath Ledger, generates tremendous interest, as well as 50 Cent and Ne-Yo’s, “Have A Baby by Me,” and Alice In Chains’ singles, “Check My Brain,” and “Black Gives Way to Blue,” off their album of the same name.

Welcome to my new column, The Music Word!

Greetings all. In this new column, I'll be giving you my take on a some of the hottest music tracks out today. I'll cover rock, hip-hop, pop, R & B, metal, folk, country, blues, and maybe even a little bluegrass from time-to-time. I think you will find my music tastes to be somewhat varied. In the column, I'll review music, touch on music news, gossip, and follow wherever it leads. Feel free to leave me comments, email me your tips, feedback, suggestions, or questions as time goes on. I'm really interested in getting to know you and your music tastes.

Today's Music Word

Although I'm not from New York, I can best describe how ecstatic and grateful I am about being a columnist here on 411mania.com by comparing it to the excitement that has been expressed by music fans (myself included), at the sight and sounds of the very first performance by a hip-hop act at a World Series game, which took place at the opening game on October 26. R & B singer, Alicia Keys sang it best when she and rapper, Jay-Z totally rocked the stands at the World Series opening game at the new Yankee Stadium in New York City with a mind-blowing performance of their hit single, "Empire State of Mind." As Jigga rhymed in true B-Boy style, the girl with the "S" on her chest sang a resounding, "In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of. These words will inspire you. There's nothing you can't do…"

I was and am still stoked to have witnessed the first hip-hop act ever, to jam at a major league baseball game! What a feat and major accomplishment for music lovers and for hip-hop culture in its entirety! I feel truly honored at the same time, to be realizing a personal dream-come-true as I write this first article for my brand new column on 411mania.com, the online magazine that I have long respected, read about, heard praised on television networks like MTV, VH1, CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC, and dreamed of writing for, for over ten years. This all seems quite surreal, yet timely at the same time. The voice of hip-hop culture is important and valid. The world is listening, engaged, and truly interested. It has been confirmed. Our voices are many, diverse, and we're all over the place, including the World Series, and thus, the world stage. Who would have thunk it? Check out the video below.

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys Perform "Empire State of Mind" at the World Series

As a pop culture critic and music critic, in particular, I'm always excited when rap music, hip-hop culture, and rock get their just due. It's been a long-time-coming, but these genre's just can't be stopped. The fans won't allow it and the music somehow transcends every "ism" imaginable. Not a chance. If "Video killed the radio star," according to the 1979 smash hit song of the same title, by British synthpop/ New Wave group The Buggles, then hip-hop awakened everything else! Believe that.

Lately, I'm enjoying listening to all different types of popular music. I'll use my column here, on 411mania.com to share my views on some of the latest hits and especially my own, personal favorites. Here goes.

Get "Down" With Jay Sean, featuring The Handsome Lil Weezy

First off, Jay Sean's single "Down" is a hit! The song is topping the pop charts for good reason. I want to get up, run to the dance floor, and cut a rug every time I hear the first note of this one! Sean's voice is crystal clear and melodic.



When the very handsome rapper, Lil Wayne hits the scene with his rap vocals, the song goes from good to great, like everything else touched by "The Golden One". Weezy can do no wrong, musically speaking, that is. Check out the beautiful graphics in the video also. Fingers light up like magic from Billie Jean, Michael Jackson magic! Check it out below.

Chaz Bono Becomes A Mister

It's always interesting to find out what's happening with celebrity kids of my favorite music stars of yesteryear like Sony and Cher's daughter son, Chaz Bono. He's all over the headlines these days with her woman-to-man gender reassignment. Chaz says in a released statement via Huffington Post that, "He always wanted to shave. It is a very natural process. For my birthday I got a lot of shaving stuff." There's no doubt. He's a real guy. All the girls I know, myself included, simply hate it! I'm happy for him.



When I think about hit makers that I grew up listening to, I never stop to think, "Hmm, I wonder who's going to transition from one sex to another." But it does happen and it's quite alright, if that's what they need to do to achieve that perfect "ohm". It's usually more about whether they'll end up being great musicians just like their parents and if so, what genre' will pique their interest? Will it be reminiscent of their parent's music? Will I like it?

Taylor Swift and Swastikas? Huh?

What in the world was Kanye West's BFF Grammy winner Taylor Swift doing partying with a guy wearing a painted on swastika? Here's the skinny. She was attending Katy Perry's swank birthday party getting her groove on as celebrities do when she posed for a picture with some oddity. Taylor was better off posing with Kanye. The party's theme was self-painted clothing, but this guy obviously got the wrong idea.



Now you know Swift's representatives swiftly put a statement together, pun intended stating, "Taylor took pictures with about 100 people that night ... she doesn't know who this guy is and she didn't realize what was on his shirt." Somehow, I believe this is true. Hopefully this unfortunate event will encourage the young singer to become more alert and aware of her surroundings and people with whom she poses.

Heath Ledger's Hip-Hop Video

If you haven't seen the new music video by rapper N'fa (stands for No Fixed Abode) yet, then you're in for a real treat! The video was directed by late actor Heath Ledger. It is absolutely outstanding hands down, by all accounts. It's just too bad that Ledger never lived to receive fan feedback, which is definitely bound to be massive. I love this video!



The two artists knew each other from childhood. N'fa is formerly of the Australian rap group 1200 Techniques. This song, "Cause an Effect," marks his first solo effort. The sheer artistry and talent that they both possess is all over this piece. Not only is the music great, but the visual tapestry is as well, as it takes face-painting to a whole new level. I would refer to the geometric shapes and black and white paint choices that are used to decorate the performers' faces and set as complex simplicity. The beat that lays the song's backdrop takes me back to the boom-bap of early days of hip-hop, but it doesn't stop there. This beat has an added freshness with an updated sound.

Check out the video for the single "Cause an Effect" below.

Making The Video/ "Cause an Effect"

If you're like me and you enjoyed the video for "Cause an Effect," you'll love the back-story and making of the video even more. It's really cool because you can get into the artists' thought processes as they created this work of art. Check it out below.

50 Cent's New Single, "Have a Baby by Me," is Quite The Conversation Piece!

The long-awaited video for rapper 50 Cent's single Baby by Me finally premiered on Monday to hoards of fans and naysayers alike. The single is on the upcoming album, Before I Self Destruct, which is due out in stores on November 16. It should come as no surprise that the song is an absolute hot box. The tune is so catchy that I find myself singing it between my ears all the time. What makes this cut different from other 50 Cent hip-hop joints though, is that infused in the "boom-bap" of the righteous hip-hop beat, is a definite R & B flavor. It's quite nifty and adds more juice and swagger to a fellow who really needs no more. Fifty has done a great job of several things. He makes hard-core, driving, hip-hop hits, that's for sure. His lyrics and timing are on point. There's not a true hip-hop head alive who can dispute that.



He also kicks up drama and beef with other rappers who he fears are after his spot in the game. You can see him all over YouTube wearing wigs, pretending to be this guy or the next one, in numerous spoofs and satirical video clips. What ever happened to just making great music and letting it speak for itself? Are shenanigans a part of the game nowadays? If so, then I can definitely kick up some mess! I'll get the rumor mill going if that's all it takes. "Who's that knocking on the door?" It's me and I'm a rapper now!

On a serious note, the video and song is real cool. When I initially heard the song, I dropped to the floor, rolled through the living room, to the dining room, out the front door, and five miles up the freeway in laughter, at the lyrics! No lie. The hook goes, "Have a baby by me, baby. Be a millionaire. Have a baby by me, baby. Be a millionaire." "Honestly," I thought, "Just how ignorant can it get?"

The next time I heard the song, my bills were due and my sentiments had suddenly and drastically changed. I had begun looking for 50 Cent in strange places without even realizing it! Why was I looking for him, you ask? Well perhaps I can better answer this question by singing a few bars from my new single-- the one I'll be making if I do not find the honorable 50 Cent: "Have a Baby by Me, Baby. Be a Broke Man! Have A Baby by Me, Baby. Be a Broke Man!" We can't have this. If you happen to see 50, please let him know that he is a wanted man! Circulate the wanted poster I made it in a hurry. My bio-clock is ticking!

Watch "Baby by Me" – 50 Cent, featuring Ne-Yo

The video was truly wonderful and definitely something new and different from what we normally get from The Fiftster. Classy R & B singer, Ne-Yo's melodies add great style and cutting-edge swagger to this piece, while Fifty's lyrics and deft rap style ties the whole project together, giving it meaning. I must admit that after watching the video, I gained even more respect for the song. Kelly Rowland, of the greatest R & B girl band that ever walked the planet, Destiny's Child, plays 50 Cent's love interest in the video. It all comes together with romantic visuals of a couple who is definitely in love. The ultimate reward for 50's character would be for Rowland's character to not only have his baby, but commit to a solid, romantic relationship with him. Not! We all know the deal. Am I being too presumptuous here? Perhaps.

Alice in Chains Does it Again with Top Single, "Check My Brain" and Album, Black Gives Way to Blue

"Check My Brain," the new single by hard rock/ metal band, Alice in Chains, is hot, dirty, and murky, remaining true to the hard rock and grunge forte' for which the band has become known. This single is on the Black Gives Way to Blue album. The band's vocals are gritty and deliciously melodious, simultaneously. They did it again with this one, creating a hit with guitar playing that pumps out deep, rich sharp notes that drive the rhythm throughout the entire piece. With this one being the band's first studio album since the death of former lead singer, Layne Staley, due to a lethal dose of heroin and cocaine, they hardly miss a beat, pulling it all together just like they always did. Staley happens to be one of my favorite rock singers. To this day, there still aren't many who can match verses with this bad cat.



Long-time fans of the quartet will definitely love this single and will not be at all let down by the new lead singer, William DuVall. His ability to capture the depth of darkness and range that is akin to the band's signature hits, is unbelievable. I had to play "Check My Brain," four times in a row just to ensure that what I was hearing was real. The song took me back to the great rock classics that have somehow gotten lost in so many of the pop-laden tunes that are frequently being passed off as rock these days.

The whole album is truly a treasure-to-behold. The members make sure that we don't forget Staley and of course, we never could. Elton John throws down on piano on the hot single and title track, "Black Gives Way to Blue," which is also a tribute to the former lead singer. I love it.

Tracks Listing for Alice In Chains' Album Black Gives Way to Blue:

1. All Secrets Known


2. Check My Brain


3. Last of My Kind


4. Your Decision


5. A Looking in View


6. When the Sun Rose Again


7. Acid Bubble


8. Lesson Learned


9. Take Her Out


10. Private Hell


11. Black Gives Way to Blue

I have to say that if I could only choose one track off this album as a favorite, it would have to be "Black Gives Way to Blue." Not only is this brilliant piece a lovely rock ballad, with lemon-filled melody, but it actually made me want to cry. The acoustic guitar, blended with the stellar lyrics, and exceptional vocal skill is out of this world. As a poet, I'm big into lyrics, if you haven't noticed yet. Just read them and I'm sure you'll see why I was so affected. Layne Staley was indeed one of the greatest rock singers of all time. A legend, he will definitely be remembered fondly by this song. Now let's have a toast and celebrate in the name of rock music so I can stop crying!

"Black Gives Way To Blue" Lyrics

I don't wanna feel no more
It's easier to keep falling
Imitations are pale
Emptiness all tomorrows
Haunted by your ghost

Lay down, black gives way to blue
Lay down, I'll remember you

Fading out by design
Consciously avoiding changes
Curtains drawn now it's done
Silencing all tomorrows
Forcing a goodbye

Lay down, black gives way to blue
Lay down, I'll remember you...

Enjoy The Video, "Black Gives Way to Blue" – Alice in Chains

The Final Music Word

Thanks a bunch for reading this first installment of The Music Word. I welcome all your comments, look forward to talking music with you, and will try to respond to everyone. You may email me with any feedback, suggestions, or tips, especially hot music gossip and I'll do my best to include it in future editions. Artists may also forward press packets and PR materials to me via email for future reviews.

Let's Connect

I'm glad to be a part of the 411mania family. I'm extremely interested in your music tastes and what you're listening to. Also, please check out my site the other days of the week after reading the other columns, articles, and news reports here. Please check me out at Enspyre 1 American Pop Culture Blog. Let's connect on Twitter and Facebook. Until next Wednesday, please be in touch. That's The Music Word!