Where Has All The Talent Gone? by Rambling Raven
By APOOO • Jun 7th, 2010 • Category: Rambling Raven •
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Where Has All The Talent Gone? by Rambling Raven
Someone please help me out here. Let me know if I am getting too old or if I am on to something here. Why is it that every time I turn to the popular radio stations here in Chicago, I end up screaming? I have to turn off the radio or tune in to an “Easy Listening” or “Adult Music” station to bring myself back to sanity. Where the hell has all the talent gone? Seriously, can anyone sing or rap anymore? Ugggh! When we live in a world where Beyonce is the best out there (and don’t get me wrong, I do like her), then it is time for us to reevaluate what we consider music.
Does anyone have an original sound, anymore? For example, let us examine this Lady Gaga person. Who is she first of all and what makes her famous? It can’t be the look, and the outrageous, provocative outfits. Didn’t Madonna do that like say two decades ago? And it really can’t be the music, like I said, didn’t Madonna do that decades ago.
You know it is bad out here when the music (which is almost, always computer generated), sound better than the musician. I don’t get it. Do kids these days not know what original music and real singing sounds like? Is no one pulling out the old Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston (the pre-crack days) Jodeci, Luther Vandross, EnVogue or Teena Marie CDs. Goodness even a Patti LaBelle or Gladys Knight CD would be enough to teach tone, melody and harmony?
Rap hasn’t faired that much better either. I missed the political rap of Public Enemy, the silliness of Digital Underground, the depth of Tupac, the “stories” of Slick Rick, and even the butt shaking rap of Rob Base and D.J. Easy Rock. Where is the variety now? The kids have Little Wayne and Eminem. One thinks he is an alien and the other appears emotionally disturbed to me. Why all the anger? You’re a freakin millionaire the only mess you have to deal with is the crap you bring upon yourself. Oh, my nephew reminds me that there is Nikki Minaj. Well what can I say about that? The only thing I can think of to say is—SERIOUSLY? Then again I am not an 18 year old boy, so I guess I just don’t get it.
My seven year old niece loves the Disney channel and she likes the kids from the shows there like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. If I am not mistaken, these kids aren’t supposed to be considered real musical acts, are they? No, I am not trying to be stupid here, but do anyone beyond the age of ten take these people seriously. Take Justin Bieber for instance. Ummm, first of all is he a creation of the Disney people? He seems to fit right in with that crowd over there. Is he supposed to be the next Donny Osmond or something? I guess I am too old. I don’t get it. The boys from New Edition didn’t have the fluffy hair and not all of them were even cute, but those boys could sing. They didn’t have to rely upon a cute smile and gelled hair. All I am saying is I would take an ugly boy who could blow me away by his singing, than one whose songs hurt my ears. And I am supposed to over look it because he is cute. No thank you.
You see I LOVE music. It relaxes me, and takes me to a different mental state. I can chill out, dance, or have a good cry depending upon the song. I can’t do any of that with the stuff out here today. All I can do is sit, shell shocked and shake my head in disgust. Sometimes I run from the room screaming with my hands up to my ears (I only do this in my own house so don’t worry), because the music is so void of any real depth. None of it speaks to my soul or arouses any of the senses. I usually just end up saying to myself—WTF.
I guess I should get down on my hands and knees and thank that guy who invented the iPod. What would I do if I didn’t have my own play list to listen to? I guess I would either read more books or watch more television. I sure in the hell wouldn’t be listening to the radio. Hey, maybe I should start a “Bring the Music Back” campaign. You know, one of those grassroots organizations that would call for more support of singers who can sing and not just look good with hair gel. We may get some less than Beyonce like sex appeal but dang blasted at least we would finally have something to tap our feet to.
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