What comes to mind when you think of the concept of propaganda? Old wartime posters? And maybe more specifically, the very famous and eternally iconic “Your country needs you” poster? Yeah, me too. But with a little more thought about the true definition of the word, you begin to realise that propaganda is all around us, and in many ways more prominent now than ever before.
The British Library is currently hosting an exhibition of a journey through propaganda, from it’s origins around the 17th century to the present day, showing how governments have attempted to persuade people in many different ways to do, think or feel many different things. Continue reading →
Last Friday Kanye West premiered New Slaves, the first track to be heard from his forthcoming album, Yeezus. Instead of releasing the song online or putting out a trailer or film of some sort, the song was presented to the world via video projections on 66 buildings across 10 cities, including numerous locations in our own city.
Set against a moody and dark sounding beat, the track, as the title suggests covers themes of a somewhat political nature with Yeezy providing commentary on racism and consumerism:
My mama was raised in an era when / Clean water was only served to the fairer skin
Doing clothes you would have thought I had help / But they wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself.
You see it’s broke n*gga racism / That’s that, “Don’t touch anything in the store”
And this rich n*gga racism / That’s that “Come here, please buy more”
What you want, a Bentley? Fur Coat? A diamond chain? / All you blacks want all the same things
Used to only be n*ggas now everybody playing / Spending everything on Alexander Wang
New Slaves
And cue all the over-the-top articles and tweets of admiration. While it is commendable that Kanye is finally attempting to say something again (it’s been a while), I’m not sure it’s as “deep” as the kids on a Yeezy hype would want you to believe.
Yes he touched on controversial topics such as the private prison system and perhaps by doing so, has introduced a bleak reality to groups of people who before hearing New Slaves were blissfully unaware – but how many people actually go on to research topics they hear in a song? Especially one put out by an artist whose own famously excessive lavish and extravagant lifestyle contradicts the very issues he is meant to be highlighting? New Slaves could indicate a new direction for Mr. West but the way his work has progressed over the years, I doubt it, this is, after all, the guy who wrote Diamonds in Sierra Leone before having his whole bottom set of teeth replaced with a permanent diamond grill. The guy who during the Watch The Throne tour encouraged the (mainly white) audience to feel free and make use of the “N-word” when singing along regardless the connotations or implications. And the same guy who also tirelessly complains and lashes out at the paparazzi but still pursued a relationship with one of THE most transparent and shameless fame loving “attention seeking whores” ever to walk the earth.
It’s all a bit too hypocritical for my liking and what this song coupled with his actions do is highlight his double standards and that of the music industry. I’m not saying he needs to give all his money away to charity and dedicate his entire art to the struggle but the point is, if you want to promote awareness and bring about change, which would seem to be the point of expressing ideas such as those aired on this track, you would need to check yourself and ensure an element of truth can be seen in the way you conduct yourself and live your life. Otherwise people will question whether or not you even care about what you are saying. I’m not suggesting that the content of the song was any less important because it was Kanye who wrote it, and I’m not denying the fact that Kanye will reach many many more people than certain other, more underground artists with similar messages could. My point is that he seems to be saying one thing and doing another, trying to portray himself as profound with his words but indulging in a lifestyle which is vulgar in comparison and a complete contradiction to them. And all that does is promote and justify hypocrisy and lead people to think that it is acceptable to live your life as a slave to consumerism, just as long as you reflect on it every now and again. How will this attitude ever bring about any change?
Ultimately, I think the release was alright but to those who really loved it I say, all Ye did really was raise the bar of performance art and introduce us all to another dimension of his creativity and possibly the future of promotion and music marketing. The soundtrack for which just happened to be New Slaves. I guess we will know for sure what the deal is around June Eighteenth right?
In the meantime, check out the videos below of one of the projections here in London and also his fiery performance on SNL the night after and make up your own mind:
Yesterday marked the birthday of one of the greatest leaders and activists of our time. May his legacy live on and his words continue to inspire. RIP El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz AKA Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965)
I’m in no way a dance/house aficionado but gravitated that way this week. My favourite finds:
Moko – Hand on Heart
Kicking off this week’s Fresh Friday edition is Moko, an artist from South London who definitely deserves more attention. This week she released the visuals for her latest track, Hand on Heart and it is a straight banger! She captures the best of that nineties soulful dance vibe without trying too hard. Actually, if someone were to tell me that this was from that era, I’d believe them. So pleased to have discovered her and you will be too once you have a little listen (after the cut).
These two are not as bad as that Mustang Wanted guy who for sure has some kinda insane death wish (you must have seen the shots, click here if you haven’t) but still, this video had me clenching my butt cheeks and almost turning purple due to all the breaths I wasn’t taking all the same. Especially the moment one of them says “f*ck, this is slippery” but continues to step across a wet looking beam a million feet from the ground without any form of a safety device anyway. The lengths some people will go to for their art eh? I wonder if their mothers know.
A few more images and the mini documentary, part of HUB Footwear’s Challenge the Obvious spring campaign, after the jump.
A little something we’ve put together for those of you who have been asking us about which London poetry gigs are best to attend. Don’t know about all of them of course but you can start with these events listed here. Includes performance dates this month from some our favourites including Anthony Anaxagorou, Raymond Antrobus, Dean Atta and George the Poet. Click on the posters for more information / to be redirected to a site where you can purchase tickets. Everything after the cut.
So the visuals for Kendrick’s much-loved single dropped yesterday. Took ages before we got what was going on. You need to watch it until the very end to get the message which references the latest “in” drug.
Loved Mike Epps’ cameo (he is too funny!) and the reference to Kendrick’s Swimming Pools (Drank) also, check it out for yourself:
