St. Louis Beyond the BeatSt. Louis is known for its Gateway arch, cultural heritage and Nelly with his St.Lunatics. The city tends to have a high crime rates and remains underrated for its talent. Tables are beginning to turn for St. Louis natives and lyricist. Through underground battles and cyphers, Yung Ill is beginning to show lyrical talent, creativity, and originality to the rap game and market the city for raw artist. His signature, “who is this N****,” phrase has audiences on the edge of their seats anticipating what could possibly come next. Known for his word play, comical edge, and energetic freestyles, he’s determined to show the significance of St.Louis and change the rap game while doing so. Check out one of St. Louis’s finest.
Spiritual But Not Religious
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mohandas Ghandi’s words echo in the minds of many who have experienced apostasy for the sake of more organic spiritual living. Deities held in high regard within various religions have rarely been deemed as “major problems,” rather, the issue has always been caused by the followers within religions. Misunderstanding, Misrepresenting, misquoting, and misguiding in the name of their “religion” has caused a reckless abandonment by parishioners and observers who were once devote and loyal to what they thought was, “the way.” Now a culture is giving up on “religion,” and untheological dogma to consider their spiritual journey and expression with a God who is not exclusive to one particular religion as we would like for him to be due to our finite thinking. More interfaith dialogue is taking place in small groups, discoveries regarding historical sacred text are being made, and more people are seeing a need to call on a God who is the maker of us all. We were given a spirit; man made religion. May we learn to engage in spiritual practices that benefit humanity, rather than religious practices that benefit a particular sect.
Worthy of Being Called A Singer
Finally, there is an artist who can actually sing and give a great performance without the use of auto tune and hundreds of dancers on the stage to distract audiences from their lack of real talent. Jessie J has lyrical substance, stellar vocal abilities filled with riffs and trills, and is not afraid to use her theatrical background to bring a unique sound to her music. She has wooed audiences with youtube videos showing off her humor, talent, and desire to make music that matters. It is only right that she was recently asked to guest appear on Saturday Night Live as the only artist to perform on their stage without having an album released for purchase.
Jessie J, and other UK artist, make us question mediocre talent that continues to get praise in the United States. The “top 40” and radio rotation entertainers who are paid to provide us with escapism and relevancy tend to have similar sounds, lack of real musical ability and are in need of enhancements of some kind. They are dressed and beautified to paint a perfect image of a false self as they boldly show case their lack creativity that was once in the sound of singers and musicians found in previous generations. In all honesty, they are undeserving of anyone’s cd support or concert ticket purchase in the name of “music.” Much of what is being accepted is due to a mind set of people believing, “this is all we got,” and labels playing into the laziness of consumers who will not demand quality anymore.Perhaps some of our entertainers should consider being called “models” or “place holders,” who are paid to amuse audiences while music executives take time finding vocalist who can sing and make real music again.
Thank you Jessie J and Indie Artist who give us something worth listening to.
The Black Church; One Large Funeral Home
There has been a decline in the relevance of the black church as it pertains to ones holistic well being. What was once a place of spiritual empowerment, social involvement, and economic strength is now a masquerade show for the masses and an institution that is allowing its congregants to die due to ignorance.
Millions of African Americans gather at their local churches weekly to engage in a religious experience that is looked upon as a social norm within the culture. In most recent studies, denominations such as the Church of God in Christ and the African Methodist Episcopal church, are responsible for the largest number of attendees per week. Across pulpits, common sermon topics include,” freedom from the oppressor, ” “the struggle is over,” “loving your enemy,” and the all too popular, “prosperity gospel.” A glorious scream and shout are expected to conclude these services as congregants return to their lives and await another camp high experience that their over-powerful, lavishly dressed and over paid clergy man/woman will usher them into.
(Full article available upon request)
