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Let’s talk about Michael Jackson vs. Chris Brown

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Musically, I like Chris Brown. I understand that his personal life makes him essentially the most problematic star we have ever had, but given his artistry, I’m a fan. He can sing, dance, act, rap, write, etc. He’s got the entire package, perhaps even greater than Usher Raymond, who has been the gold standard of R&B for years because the late 90s. Usher’s catalog is healthier than Chris Brown’s; I do not think that is debatable, but they’re each great at what they do. Chris has something extra, though, that makes the Chris Brown vs. Usher discussion price listening to.

And then there’s Michael Jackson. You’ve heard of him. Another problematic superstar (all of them appear to be) who was probably essentially the most famous man on Earth for a time. Michael Jackson could sing, dance, act, understood theatrics, and had an unassailable catalog. Michael Jackson has several of the best-selling albums of all time, and for good reason—Off The Wall and Thriller are incredible works. Period.

When Mike (any longer we are going to call Michael Jackson Mike) died in 2009, his glory days were long behind him. He still attracted attention, as evidenced by ticket sales “This is it” list of live shows he was speculated to play in London in 2009 and 2010. But even a slowed down Mike was a category above the remaining. He simply was. Do you understand how significant and good you’ve gotten to be to have the worldwide status of 1 name under the name “Michael”? Mike was the very best of all of them. He may not have had the very best voice, but he was a fully amazing singer and his live shows were legendary. I attended a “Bad” concert in West Germany in 1988 (I do not remember which city we saw it in, but I used to be living in Frankfurt on the time) and I still keep in mind that concert vividly. As much as I keep in mind that concert, I also remember listening to the album time and again, together with hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of other people.

That’s why I’m all the time amazed by the Chris Brown vs. Michael Jackson arguments. Again, I’m a Chris Brown fan (and in his favor he closed (“the next coming of Michael Jackson” talk). Recently, chatting with Stephen A. Smith, R&B singer and podcaster Tank said that Chris Brown is healthier than Michael Jackson, indicating that it is solely a matter of evolution.

I do not agree with Stephen A. Smith as much as I would really like to, but his response was appropriate, not simply because the statement was crazy, but since it’s simply not true. Chris Brown, I might argue, is a generational talent and some of the complete artists on the market at once. And I feel Brown has reached his plateau. His run-ins with the law and his destructive actions, combined with the era during which he’s making music, make it difficult for an artist like him to achieve his full potential unless he really decides he desires to achieve this. Chris Brown has megahits, but I do not think he’s had an album that is on par with any of Mike’s albums. That’s not even a criticism, but somewhat a feature of that era of music; a variety of people consider Usher’s Confessions to be the last great, noteworthy R&B album — which got here out in 2004. Music artists invest heavily in singles, and the algorithm that ensures a song explodes in streaming. Chris has a little bit of middle child syndrome, which J. Cole references in his song the identical namewhich talks about the issue of being an artist who bridges eras. Chris has been around long enough to have all these amazing videos, award show appearances, and truly iconic songs under his belt. But his catalog of music is where the argument loses steam.

In comparison, most individuals who know Michael Jackson can name his albums because they were influential after they were released and are still in rotation. Mike’s music and albums are here to remain. “Thriller,” for instance, will outlive us all. In the era that Michael Jackson was making music, the album was the first unit of measure. Artists may not view them the identical way today, but they still make and release full-length albums, so that they still matter.

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Mike also benefited from working with Quincy Jones, who found a approach to refine Mike’s sound and goals into what became Mike’s profession (and thus fame), very like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis helped Janet Jackson reach her creative peak. I don’t know if Chris Brown had one producer who really had the ear in a way that allowed him to search out a singular sound and vision to create a legendary and everlasting body of labor. I’ve looked through the credits for all of Chris Brown’s albums, several of which have incredible songs, and the list of producers reads like a who’s who of the most popular producers. Coupled with the indisputable fact that the albums were less R&B and more of the rap/R&B fusion that dominates the sound of R&B today, his music has its highlights, but do any of his albums keep on with your ribs in a way that stands the test of time? I’d say no.

And that’s the actual divider. Chris Brown, like many others, was influenced by Michael Jackson and understood the pressure of being seen because the rightful heir to the throne. Chris Brown’s performance, presence, prime quality entertainment and musical offerings are clear indicators of why comparisons to Michael Jackson are made (same goes for Usher). I’m sure Chris is even honored by this, while maintaining a humble attitude, knowing that Michael was truly an alien, considered one of a form, a standing that Chris may sooner or later achieve with some work.

Do I feel Chris Brown could catch as much as Mike? I do not think so, but that is not Chris’s fault. I feel Michael Jackson was too big for too long with albums that may outlive us all; I’m undecided ANYONE could top Jackson. Not Chris. Not Beyoncé. No one. Talent-wise? Sure. Chris has every talent you can want in an individual. I used to say that adding Chris Brown to any record immediately improved it – his presence and vocals alone were enough to raise any song. I still think so. I just think Mike is an unattainable goal and truthfully, it isn’t price trying. I doubt anyone could top the space Michael Jackson has in my lifetime.

Maybe someday it’ll occur, but I would not be surprised if in 100 years persons are still trying to search out the subsequent Mike.



This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Natasha Rothwell Talks About Her Connection With Reesy Teesy’s Story ‘Who Did I Marry?’

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Natasha Rothwell Reesa Teesa, Natasha Rothwell Who TF did I Marry, Who TF Did I Marry on the TikTok show, Who TF did I marry Reesa Teesa theGrio.com

Natasha Rothwell is ready to tackle latest role as ‘Reesy Teesy’.

As theGrio previously reported, the actress is ready to star in a TV adaptation of the viral TikTok saga “Who TF did I Marry.” While fans reportedly envisioned her starring in a Hollywood adaptation of the viral 52-part series, Rothwell says producing the show was the final thing on her mind.

“I devoured it on the spot,” she said. People Magazine, recalling the primary time she watched videos on social media. “(I didn’t think) ‘Oh, how can I do this?’ I did, (but rather) ‘I want to do everything I can to help this woman get flowers,’ because it was the most vulnerable act of honesty (and) radical vulnerability I’ve ever seen.”

Earlier this yr, social media couldn’t stop talking about Tareasa “Reese Tees” Johnson and her compelling story about her marriage and divorce from the person she calls “Legion.” Sharing candidly the small print of her complicated marriage to “Legion,” who she says is a pathological liar, Johnson’s videos have racked up greater than six million views on social media. So Rothwell wasn’t surprised to see “very competitive” negotiations in Hollywood for Johnson’s story.

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But unlike other producers and executive directors, Rothwell had a singular vision for adapting Who Did I Marry?

“It wasn’t her trauma that interested me and[made me]want to throw my hat in the ring,” she explained. “It was her — who she is as a person, how she survived all of this — and the viral fame, how she survived that. I was like, ‘Oh, this is where I lean in.’”

Having spent nearly eight years developing her recently released Hulu show How to Die Alone , the actress and producer says she took the same approach in negotiations with Johnson. Ultimately, her “if it’s meant to be, it will be” attitude paid off when she was notified that the viral TikTok storyteller desired to work along with her.

“My team called me (and said), ‘She wants to work with you specifically. You saw her in the meeting. She felt seen. It wasn’t opportunistic,'” she added.

But just as Johnson felt seen, the How to Die Alone actress felt seen when the duo met for dinner earlier this month. Feeling like she had met her “twin,” Rothwell compared their interaction to being in a “mutual bubble of love where we just enjoy each other and understand each other and learn about each other.”

“I’m definitely looking forward to approaching her story in a 360-degree way, and not just… telling the story that we’ve all been consuming. I think it’s a lot more interesting than what happened to her,” she said, revealing that the series is “in its very early stages.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Kanye West’s Wife Bianca Censori Ignores Kim Kardashian’s Demands, Goes Braless Around Rapper’s Kids

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Kanye West

Kanye West’s wife Bianca Censori is choosing revealing and skimpy outfits despite being warned to be moderate in her wardrobe selections when round her husband’s children.

The couple have been spotted in Japan and China in recent weeks, sometimes with the rapper’s 4 children on board. West has daughters North, 11, and Chicago, 6, and sons Saint, 8, and Psalm, 5, with ex-wife Kim Kardashian.

The former couple divorced after a lengthy process that dragged on until November 2022 after Kim filed in 2021. They were married for seven years amid rumors of marital tensions dating back to 2016. The “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” rapper married Australian-born Censori in a personal ceremony in December 2022, although an official marriage certificate has yet to be released.

Kanye West's Wife Doesn't Wear a Bra
Kanye West’s wife goes braless during a family outing with the rapper’s sons, despite strict rules imposed by his ex-wife. (Photo: Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

On Thursday, September 19, the couple and their sons were spotted shopping in Tokyo. The Yeezy’s Architecture boss wore a nude top, sans bra, and a pair of gray capri leggings.

When the recordings and photos from the trip appeared on the web, one person he tweeted“Very rude to Japanese culture. Disappointing from Ye. Japanese culture is all about manners! He has nothing terrible to do in front of his children. How will he feel when North dresses like that?”

Censori, 29, has been accused of being her husband’s fashion muse, very similar to the SKIMS businesswoman once was. But despite claims that the 2 women have a cordial relationship, there have been rumors that Kardashian disapproves of Censori’s risqué clothing.

According to a report in February, an alleged insider claimed that “Kim instructed Kanye to never let Bianca dress like that in front of their children.” Daily mail“She’s really surprised Kanye let his wife leave the house in that condition,” a source told the tabloid.

“Kanye did the same thing he did with Bianca, with Kim throughout their marriage. The difference is that when Kanye dressed Kim, he was respected as a person, as an artist,” they continued.

While West is usually seen in black sweatpants and hoodies, Censori is never seen together with her butt, chest, and other body parts hidden from view. “Sheer clothing is silly at best, like Bianca Censori is hot, but she usually looks like someone’s idea of ​​a joke,” we read. criticism her fashion selections.

Similarly, while watching the Tokyo shopping trip, a post comparing Censori and Kardashian’s love of skintight outfits began circulating. “Are they both in a costume contest, I wish they could model something else,” we read tweet.

The post shows each women wearing white leggings (Censori wore lace leggings) and a white bodysuit, which caught the eye of onlookers who noted her cleavage.

However, amid accusations that the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star was copying and controlling West, stylist Laura Beham revealed that every outfit is a piece of Censori’s own imagination.

“Bianca knows exactly what she would wear and we execute, bringing the vision to life,” Beham said. Complex in March. She also noted that “Bianca wouldn’t wear anything on the street if she didn’t want to. … It’s shocking to people, but innovation is always shocking at first.”

Censori is not afraid to point out off his daring outfit selections, but some are hoping he’ll make higher decisions within the presence of the rapper’s family, his friends, and even his circle of relatives.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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On Rapsody’s “Loose Rocks” and the Remorse of an Alzheimer’s Survivor — Andscape

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September 13 on ESPN was mine “Rhapsody moment.” Talking about my mother, who has Alzheimer’s, on national television for the first time was cathartic. It was also directly inspired by the North Carolina MC and her song “Loose rocks”, which deals with dementia, a form of Alzheimer’s disease.

Rhapsody said that “(allowing) myself to be human” was a brand new, out-of-body experience on her deeply personal recent album, y. But the quaver in her voice on this song was all too familiar.

“,” she told her Aunt Dale, whom she calls her “second mother” in the song.

“I remember when I was myself,” my mother told me last week. “I just don’t know how to be myself.”

As we have fun World Alzheimer’s Day, the emotions expressed in these two quotes are part of my life story.

On “Loose Rocks,” the Snow Hill, North Carolina native peels back the layers of her aunt Dale’s dementia diagnosis. “She raps, ‘In the hundreds of conversations I’ve had with my mother since her diagnosis, this is her greatest fear. She forgets a lot these days, but she doesn’t forget the things she’s most afraid of losing. There will come a day when she doesn’t recognize who I am. When she doesn’t remember everything we’ve been through as a parent and a child. But most importantly, when she doesn’t remember the grandchildren and daughter-in-law she’s always prayed for. It’s hard to know what to say when these conversations come up, and honestly, I haven’t figured it out yet. I don’t know if I ever will, because how do you tell the person in charge of your life that the very essence of who they are won’t be a memory? They’ll never know they ever existed.’”

“Loose Rocks” isn’t an exact replica of my life. But the anger, sadness, and fear expressed in the song are only as palpable. At some point in the past two years, becoming a parent, essentially my mother, became an inevitable part of my life. Paying bills, scheduling doctor’s appointments, filing taxes, talking to lawyers to rearrange wills—it’s hard to assume all of that becoming a component of life. And yet, it’s even harder to assume life without it.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a couple of days before Christmas last 12 months, and symptoms began appearing no less than two years earlier. The consensus I’ve gotten from countless individuals who have reached out to me since this piece is that their family members have lived with the disease for 4 to seven years. How much time do I even have left with my mother? How do I prepare for the emotional burden when it inevitably gets worse? How do I live in a moment after I can’t stop serious about the whole thing? And what did she do to deserve this? These are only a snapshot of the questions that paralyze me day by day.

My mother’s stroke and automotive accident were clear signs. I’ll all the time imagine that the quarantine and the coronavirus pandemic did irreversible damage. She kept saying, “I feel different.” Or, “Something is wrong. I just don’t know what.” A natural extrovert, she was forced into isolation. That isolation modified the woman who raised me. Physically, it’s still there. But looking into her eyes, you may see it is a woman fighting to carry on to the pride that made her who she was — but it surely’s a disease that feeds on itself, emotionally crippling her patients and family members. She can still do some tasks on her own, and her commitment to, as she says, “beating this thing” is inspiring. Her indecision is painful now. Her confidence sometimes ebbs and flows by the hour. We communicate day by day via FaceTime, phone calls, and texts. But seeing her misspelled words, especially after spending her life as a teacher, creates a burden that may’t be ignored. The image of him sitting at the kitchen table practicing writing along with his left hand is burned into my brain. Writing with the “non-active” hand helps with cognitive function, or so the doctors tell us.

My parents divorced in 1988, and from there my mother and I moved to my grandmother’s house in central Virginia. They have lived together ever since. At 93, my grandmother, who resides with breast cancer, is quick to inform me that she doesn’t have one other 93 years ahead of her. She recently returned from the hospital after a gentle stroke that she doesn’t remember. My grandmother continuously jogs my memory about the checking account she arrange that may pay for her funeral and burial costs, and “whatever is left, you’ll make the best decision.”

Like RhapsodyMy father and I never had a relationship. I wore our lack of connection almost like a badge of honor. The feeling was greater than mutual, if he didn’t need a relationship with me. Lately, though, I felt offended and resentful.

My mother all the time tells me she’s afraid of being alone. In the future, I’ll sell the house I grew up in and move her into an assisted living facility. I’m wondering what that may do to her Alzheimer’s. Will it speed it up? Will it slow it down? But the query I ask most frequently is pointless. Why did my father’s actions a long time ago ultimately leave my mother alone in a spot she doesn’t know?

The questions we cannot answer are the most difficult.

2023 study by the University of Exeter and King’s College London examined the impact of the pandemic on the brain health of people over the age of 50. Published in the journal, the study found that older people’s memory deteriorated significantly in the first 12 months of the pandemic (and even after quarantine), regardless of whether or not they had contracted the virus. The study found that cognitive decline was exacerbated by aspects reminiscent of loneliness and depression.

During the pandemic, my mother continuously spoke about how lonely she felt and how often she cried about not having the ability to see her family. As an outgoing and extroverted one who was all the time shuttling between Washington, D.C., Virginia, and wherever her beloved South Carolina State Bulldogs were playing football, the change in lifestyle during the lockdown did irreversible damage to my mother.

The most crippling reality of Alzheimer’s/dementia is the stripping away of an individual’s dignity. The person isn’t who they’re or who they may eventually change into. My mother struggles to take care of the independence she has proudly carried throughout my life. But the effects are visible. In the same conversation where she asks the same query five times in five minutes—like when her next therapist appointment is, or when my daughter’s birthday is so she will write it down on her phone—she may offer you the lyrics to her favorite Luther Vandross song or anything related to her college alumni chapter.

Karen Marshall and her grandson Huey visit the Children’s Museum of Richmond in Virginia.

Justin Tinsley

I took her and my son to the Children’s Museum of Richmond this summer. She did nothing but push a stroller while her grandson played with toys, but the joy in her eyes jogged my memory of the woman I’ve all the time loved. As we drove home, she said, “Thank you for making me feel like a real grandma today. I needed this more than you know. I know I won’t get to do it again, so I appreciate it.” That positivity didn’t fade even when she got a phone call a short time later and was told she needed a checkup for her surgery the week before. In that moment, all she wanted was the peace she’d spent years trying to find. Alzheimer’s would eventually rob her of that feeling, but not then. That smile on her face is something I’ll always remember.

What is so bad is how Alzheimer’s takes away time. This stress has affected every part of my life, including marriage and parenting. The conversation with my friend on Wednesday might have been God speaking through her.

“Justin, knowing what I know about your personality, you can’t be everyone’s Superman,” she told me. “You’ll break down and it’ll take years to get back on your feet. You can’t afford that luxury with kids. Or marriage. Because they remember you the way they remember you.”

In a world dominated by Alzheimer’s, being here and now is difficult because I’m clinging to the past. The woman she was once. The relationship we had before all the things turned the other way up. The life she fantasized about but never knew. But it isn’t fair. Not to me, my children, my wife, and even my mother. What matters is the future. I can not lose my mother and family to Alzheimer’s. She would never forgive me for that.

I still have not come to terms together with her diagnosis and there is a likelihood I never will. Her love stays the same, but I see that the disease is already taking away the one one who has known me longer than I even have known myself.

Every day, every hour, with one and all, this type of emotional theft is depressingly fruitful. Money is all the time needed, but somewhere along the way we realize that experiences are the strongest currency. Experiences create memories, and that’s all we will take with us.

It’s hard to say whether “Loose Rocks” will likely be the best song of 2024. But I can say that there probably won’t be a more essential song to me. This song makes me take into consideration what was, what’s now, and what could occur in the next few years. I could never have imagined a world where my mother couldn’t be the grandmother she all the time embodied, and that’s a reality I struggle with each day. In life, we control the things we will control and let all the things else play out the way it does. I can’t control my mother’s Alzheimer’s the same way Rapsody can’t control her aunt’s dementia. “Loose Rocks” isn’t only a painful song. It’s a stupendous song. But it’s also a reminder of responsibility and blessings.

If we’re lucky, we will see our parents get older. Visits mean more, and phone calls change into ornaments that we supply with us for the rest of our lives. Nothing in life is fair or free, because even happiness has its price.

Cover notes

Justin Tinsley is a senior culture author at Andscape. He believes that “Cash Money Records takin’ ova for da ’99 and da 2000” is the most influential statement of his generation.


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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