J Music – Beyoncé: Audio Visual, Audio or Visual, Visual and Audio?

J Music – Beyoncé: Audio Visual, Audio or Visual, Visual and Audio?

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I didn’t originally plan to write a post on Beyoncé’s self-titled album, figuring by now everyone is “Beyonced” out, but a comment I made to a friend earlier today led to a few questions I want to pose to the universe…

As consumers we have grown somewhat accustomed to hearing music before we see the videos, TV specials, documentaries, etc. and the music has to stand on its own.

I mentioned to her that I felt my opinion of the music was biased because I had chosen to watch the stunning visuals first, prior to listening the audio portion alone (a decision I struggled with). Now, it would seem, my thoughts of the music are instantly tied to my opinion and understanding of the visual piece.

That brought me to the question — what is the “right” way to consume an audio visual album? When you go to listen to the music for the first time, should it always be accompanied by the visual?

After watching the video Beyoncé released on her Facebook shortly after the album hit iTunes on Thursday, it would seem she would answer “yes” to the latter.

“I see music,” Beyoncé said in the video. “It’s more than just what I hear. When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an emotion, a memory from my childhood, thoughts about life, my dreams or my fantasies. And they’re all connected to the music.”

The questions I struggle with based on that assumption: should the music be able to stand on its own, and does it? Isn’t a part of music allowing the consumer to paint a picture with your words — is she cheating us out of an experience by providing a packaged picture for us?

After I finished “watching” the album, I felt (and feel) an attachment to what the songs means to her, and her experiences, but I wonder if I will ever be able to make my own connection to the deeply personal and reflective elements showcased on the album.

Thoughts?

J Music: The 20/20 Experience Tour (Hartford, CT)

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What you didn’t get with the Legends of the Summer Tour, you get 10x over with the 20/20 Experience Tour. As far as overall production — full-band, choreography, spectacular visual element, set list and design, ebb and flow — only show that almost touches Beyonce’s I Am… Tour (the best show I’ve ever been to two snaps). The show didn’t end until almost 12 a.m. in Hartford (on a weeknight) — the arena was still at capacity, with fans on their feet, until the end.

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J TV: Black Girls Rock! 2013

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I could kick myself that it took me so long to get to Black Girls Rock on my DVR.

People do a lot of complaining about BET, but I am so grateful that they have taken the time and resources, again, to put together this inspiring, heartwarming and inspirational show for blacks girls of every size, shape, shade, age, geographic background and religion — they truly embraced the diversity and significance in all of our individual and collective stories.

Last year my favorite moment came from Janelle Monae.  This year, though all the award-recipient highlights were phenomenal, I really gravitated towards Misty Copeland’s story; it’s not too long ago that I was a young girl in ballet class, and I was the only one. Despite the odds stacked against her, Misty served as the first, and only, African American female soloist with the American Ballet Theatre for 10 years.

Right after I finished watching the show, I texted my mentee to make sure she had watched the show — she did.

Find additional video from Black Girls Rock! 2013 here.

(To not give negativity too much shine, let’s be clear — it is possible to uplift and affirm one group of people without demeaning or undermining another.)

Related Articles:

Janelle Monae is Young, Gifted & Black!

Halloween Pumpkins

How To: Rhythm Nation Halloween Costume

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I hope everyone had a great Halloween weekend! One of my favorite holidays, I started planning early to out-do my BB Homemaker costume from last year. I wanted to keep my theme of black, iconic female musicians going so I couldn’t pass up the chance to dress up as Ms. Jackson!

What you need:

  • Black Turtleneck Long Sleeve Top
  • Black Highwaisted Pants
  • Black Combat Boots
  • Black Gloves (short or long)
  • 1 Silver Square Cake Board
  • 4 Silver Buttons
  • Black Ribbon
  • 1 Silver Hoop Earring
  • Silver Chain
  • 2 Large Safety Pins
  • Needle & Thread
  • Pencil & Paper
  • Scissors
  • Hot Glue Gun

So let’s start with the basics —hopefully every girl has a pair of black pants, a simple black belt and some (combat) boots in their closet.  This keeps the costume relatively inexpensive.

To recreate the jacket-look, I decided to get the Capezio Women’s Turtleneck Long Sleeve Top on amazon.com for $20. (Because I would be sewing on the buttons and pinning the accessories, I did not want to use a shirt or jacket I planned to wear again — any black turtleneck crop top will do. I went with the reviewer comments and got the top a size bigger — it was a perfect fit and great quality.)

A trip to Walmart should cover all the materials for the accessories. In looking for a durable silver material to cut out the pendants, I came across a 4-pack of silver wedding cake boards ($4) and decided to give them a try. (I would suggest something more durable, but it served its purpose.)

I created stencils by drawing the accessory designs on paper and then transferring the design onto the cake board before cutting it out. I did this for the shirt pendant, the key on her earring, the “1814” earring and the pendant on her hat.

For the “1814” earring I attached the cake-board cut-out to a Cousin silver fish hook earwire (36-pack for $2) with silver sewing thread.  For the key accessory, I made sure to poke a hole and strung it through my hoop earring.

With the right chest pendant (in the photo of Janet), I was able to take a short piece of the Cousin 50-in Chain ($3) and simply connect it to the bottom of the pendant. For the left chest pendant I found a Cousin Design By Me silver and red heart that would do the trick. Though it was meant to be used as a necklace, I was able to attach it to a rectangle cut-out of the cake board with black string.

From here, I would suggest doing something a bit differently than what I did — I had last minute glue gun problems! Glue a safety pin to the back of boths pendants (in the center). Cut 4 pieces of ribbon that you can use to connect the chest pendants to the shirt. Glue two pieces of ribbon on either side of the back of the pendant, and glue the other ends to the shoulder blade of the shirt (for both pendants) — that way the pendants will be held on by the safety pin, but also by the ribbons.

You can also use a glue gun to fasten the pendant/silver cut-out on the black hat (I got my black twill hat from amazon.com for $5.95.)

Last step —sew on four silver buttons to complete the top!

J Music: Stacie Orrico Performs First Show in Five Years

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Exciting news!

Following the 10-year anniversary of her hit singles “Stuck” and “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life,” Stacie Orrico has announced she will perform a 30-minute set via online venue Stage It. The ticket is pricey — considering most Stage It concerts are “pay what you can” – and during most people’s evening commute, but if you can get to a computer you will witness her first performance in over five years!

(Sidenote: I know she has drifted toward more of a jazz sound after stepping away from the industry, but I am hoping she performs her pop, R&B-influenced classics — I want to hear “Is It Me” and “I’m Not Missing You”!)

Stacie Orrico Live from the Nomad in NYC | 70 “notes” (or $7) | 5:00 p.m. EST
Buy your ticket here.

Her official announcement from the show venue, the Nomad:

J Events: Austin Mahone at the Big E

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I had a true flashback moment to my days as a crazed B2K fan after attending Austin Mahone’s hour-long set at the Big E on Saturday, September 28. I definitely learned the differenence between a fan and a mahomie.

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Read a full review of his performance here: Concert Review: Austin Mahone performs at the Big E