The Untimely Death of a Musical Diety

Michael Jackson passed away in the afternoon on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

That felt so weird to type out, let alone to even begin to digest. That Thursday afternoon was essentially the start of my trip to Miami (which was tons of fun may I add) and here I was rushing from work to go home, pack and make my way to Maryland to stay over a friend’s for the night before we flew out earllllly next day. As I was driving in my car, I hear the daily radio programmers interrupting the usual R&B crap we hear…that I admittedly dance to when I am out and about. And they said Michael Jackson had gone into cardiac arrest and was transported to the hospital.I was shocked to say the least. Because, well, cardiac arrest is no joke. Rarely does anyone survive from that and continue to be fully functional. BUT, I figured okay, this is Michael Jackson, c’mon this isn’t happening to him. Not now at least. So I untill I could get home and turn to CNN I relied on my blackberry and specifically, ubertwitter to help keep me posted. And twitter I gotta say kept me abreast, but it became way to much to digest. And having turned on CNN upon arrival at my house I became even more…well nervous really. And once TMZ reported he died (again I saw this via a tweet on Twitter), I refused to believe it.It started to feel like one of those moments where everything slows down to a halt.It almost felt like time  actually stopped. Pretty bold statement to make perhaps, but it really felt like someone really close to me had just fallen ill and I had no clue what to do and how to find out factual information about it asap. So like most other folks, I waited till CNN told us. I figured they were the most credible and respected news network…or at least to me and surely a huge chunk of the world…so if anyone was going to break this news to me..then dammit let it be them.

And damn they did.

It was true. To me, It does not matter in the end who broke it first. Or who had what pictures or images of Michael either that day as he was being transported to the hospital or even this last rehearsal video that’s surfaced as of late.

In the midst of trying to digest the news of his death that afternoon, I tried to busy myself with packing and tried to go on the entire weekend avoiding this ever so present and growing sense of sadness and sorrow.

Now, for the record, I am not the emotional kinda person. Hell, I rarely ever let anyone even see me cry. Yes I do cry but just privately and try to keep it to a minimum. Perhaps a bit strange, but thats me. And I generally have a delayed emotional reaction to these sorts of things, perhaps its because I just don’t know how to deal with them really. So sure I got sad few times when I was out on vacation, especially when every dj at every bar and club in Miami felt the need to do a MJ tribute set. The flight to Miami had XM radio station dedicated entirely to MJ. All the papers had cover stories about it. All the network news talked about his death and of course all the controversy surrounding it and will likely continue to surround this incident.And then there was BET awards trying to somehow sprinkle in MJ tribute performances…although honestly speaking, I thought the show didnt go too well, but I understood and appreciated they tried considering his untimely death. And don’t even let me get into how saddened my family, especially my sister, was about his passing.

But it was not untill I was in the airport awaiting for our flight back home that I began to really read (via my trusty blackberry) and start to digest everything. And I think what hit a nerve and finally had me really feel something was when I saw Janet Jackson speak at the BET awards show.

Now she didn’t say a lot, but the little she did, spoke volumes to me. If that makes any sense.

Fast forward a few days, or well rather a week, that I really began to feel and accept that he was actually gone.

But I still couldn’t pin point why I was feeling so saddened about the death of a man I really had never met in person, unfortunately never will, and never really known. Was it because I love his music? Yea, sure. Was it because he was sucha huge international icon? Yea, sure. Was it because he was one of the first and for a long time only BLACK international icons? Yea, definitely.

But that still didn’t explain entirely what it was that made me so sad about his passing. Yes, Ed McMahon died night prior, Farrah Fawcett died morning of. And Billy Mays died that weekend after MJ passed.

However, I am sorry to say, but the news of his death unquestionably usurps all of theirs and still does. I don’t know If I will ever understand, at least now, why it is I feel so moved by his passing. But I feel like John Mayer stated it well: Michael’s career spanned over 3 generations of people. Myself included. So when Michael died, it is as if a part of my childhood died too.

The musical diety himself is no longer physically present . His death was a sobering reminder of our mortality. And even the greatest, most talented and iconic of them all will pass. Despite all the controversy surrounding his lifestyle, he still was and is loved by all for what he gave to the world through his music, style, personality and overall presence.

So yes, everytime I hear his songs, a part of me mourns a little bit, and I believe always will, but I find refuge in knowing I was witness for many years of musical greatness and history being made. We all have memories of where and what we were doing everytime he premiered a new video or new song or how we wanted to be IN his epic theatrical videos. In the end, despite the questionable physical changes he underwent or the many allegations he faced, I loved Michael Jackson, and always will.

So lets continue to rejoice knowing, that he has left us with all his great music reminding us of how powerful and moving music was and still can be. So thanks for the memories Michael.

Blessings to all,

Selamawit

EDITOR’S NOTE: A Year Later…

Things never go as we would like them. So let go, let flow.

After much delay for a number of reasons, SHADE MAGAZINE is back. Few changes taking into effect:

1. The site looks different. I had to make that move to wordpress. Sometimes keeping it simple from jump is best thing to do.
2. Secondly, content is changing…for time being. It will still cover Social and Arts scene. So Shade will only cover Music, Visual Arts(fashion & art & related events) and Social issues. And will mainly focus on DMV area but I will be posting different pieces on current affairs and arts news of other areas in nation and world.
3. Thirdly, most of the writing will be done by myself, Editor-in-Chief, Selamawit. So it will be more on the blogger side of things, BUT thats not to say that you should never see anything from other contributing writers. That’ll still be in effect, so take a look out for the other great contributors that will surface on this site from time to time.

I know you are thinking, Why should I bother reading anything here, right? Especially when there are other sites with ten million things to offer you. Well heres what I realize has been slacking on a lot of sites. Too much focus on the whats and whos but not nearly enough on the whys. I want you, as a soon-to-be faithful reader, to understand not only who and what you should be up on but why. So yes you are getting a subjective why but nonetheless its a why. And also I want you to walk away feeling like you learned something new and took something away from the site.

So I hope you will stay tuned. Keep reading. PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS! I want to read your feedback! Also if you have a topic, music, or anything really you would like covered on here. EMAIL ME at editor.shademagazine@gmail.com

Blessings,

Selamawit

If I were a boy…I’d put a ring on it.

If I were a boy is critically acclaimed to be Beyonce’s best vocal performance to date. “The song is one which fits perfectly into her growing repertoire and features a stellar vocal performance” (About.com).

Consequently the indie influence is the same song, If I were a boy, originally written and sung by BC Jean almost a year ago. BC Jean’s story is seen all around underground and indie circuits far to often. When record deals fall through for unknown artists there songs are, often times, shopped around to record companies for established artists. Personally, I feel Beyonce’s vocals were carefully controlled and then forced at the end. She didn’t seam to capture the natural singing ability that BC Jean has.

BC Jean – If I Were A Boy

Bottom Line: If you’re looking to connect emotionally to this song, BC Jean’s raspy voice adds realness to the track.

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) is an extension of the style indicative of Get Me Bodied from Beyonce’s previous album release B’day. If nothing else this song offers something fresh and not comparable to anything on the charts or radio right now. It’s indie counterpart is not quiet the perfect match but it’s just as infectious. I know your girlfriend hates me by Annie is a song that will go in one ear and never out the next. It will have everyone singing “I know your girlfriend hates me/I can see it in her eyes,” without it ever being over played on the radio.  

Annie – I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me

Bottom Line: Listening to Beyonce’s Single Ladies will be a forced addiction aided by radio stations and music channels. I know your girlfriend hates me provides a nice change to welcomed musical addictions.

Britney Spears is making a come back with her new single Womanizer. Aided by the delicately placed staccato beats, robot vocals and dark synths, Womanizer whimsically falls into the ecltro-pop footsteps. The song is catchy enough to hold your attention before you switch the radio dial, but it’s just as easy for this song to turn dull after a few listens. Its indie influence is Erica Jayne’s Rollercoaster. Upon listening to this song you will recognize some electro-pop beats that have been recycled time and time again by established artists including Britney. You will also note the similarities in vocal delivery of the two artists.

01-erika_jayne-roller_coaster_(eric_kupper_clean_radio_edit)

Bottom Line: Music producers go beyond being influenced by the beat of music. They also borrow vocal techniques and time measured song delivery of certain genres like electronica.

This review isn’t just about the single ladies, but also a single gentleman crooning to those independent ladies. Ne-Yo’s new single Miss Independent, is an infectious song with stretched out vocals over a fast paced beat, which is the complete opposite to its indie counterpart. Almost a year ago, Stargate, producer of Miss Independent, worked with indie artist Lil Bit and produced a song for her called Forget about me. The song is a slower version of Ne-yo’s with more emotional clout than Miss Independent.

Little Bit – Forget About Me

Bottom Line: You can’t listen to Forget about me objectively without constantly thinking about Miss Independent.

Prosperity is Relative

The African nations that comprise the 2^nd largest continent in the world have been aiming for prosperity in all sectors of society since the independence era of 1950s. Has much changed? Some argue no, others argue yes. In my opinion, the answer is all relative. Geographical location, Geopolitical importance, economics, cultural values, religion, health, and history are the key factors that determine the answer to such a question. There are arguments that claim that colonialism is also worth noting. However, that is a topic of discussion which I will not divulge into, yet. For this specific piece, I want to examine the current state of a specific country that has been in the news recently: Zimbabwe. The general history of Zimbabwe is not that different from that of the other 51 countries comprising Africa. However, there are key differences that have brought the country to its current state. The key issues that led to the occurrence of the events from the last 2 weeks are: colonialism, land reform, and African political traditions.

Why was there such uproar the past few months in Zimbabwe over Mugabe’s refusal to turn over power? Perhaps it is the displacement of natives from their wealthy, fertile lands by the black natives. Perhaps it is a very complicated statement to say the least. In my opinion, the answer is all relative. As are most issues that plague us day-to-day.

Recently I had a very heated discussion with a group of people about the current political climate in my native country of  Ethiopia. There were prominent business men, students, blue-collar workers, and the unemployed amidst the crowd. We discussed the current food crisis, effectiveness of previous administrations, role of the upper-class and gender rights. We argued back and forth for several hours; sometimes it escalated into shout matches amongst the seven of us. However, in the end it was clear that there was no clear resolution; the progress that an up-and-coming business man from a prominent background sought was drastically different than the one envisioned by the young radical student. Progress for some meant support the current administrations usage of corruption, money laundering, and U.S. appeasement as a necessary towards widening the country’s foreign investment, expanding its export/import market, and deepening the pockets of the few and privileged. Progress for some meant criticizing the current administration meanwhile supporting the national church that remains silent in times of social upheaval and injustice and for the few of us left, progress meant reacting and implementing change.

Initially I remained quiet as the discussion progressed over time, mainly out of exhaustion, but also because this type of discussion is what I live for, what I studied, what I really know (but not limited to). In addition, I knew in this specific discussion, I would be the radical; the militant, the extremist, the feminist, the idealist, the Marxist, the socialist, etc I could go on and on about what labels you could tag to my shouts and cries of injustice. Personally, I don’t mind these titles. I think it suggests that you’re not afraid to think differently and more importantly you’re not afraid to commit and implement the change necessary to bring life to these words. And as I tried to gather my thoughts, feelings and frustrations at the comments made throughout this group discussion, one specific word resonated in my ears: prosperity.

What does that even mean? As it was blurted out of one person’s mouth because he was arguing that the country was prospering and things were better than they have been in hundreds of years, comparatively speaking, I thought about what the other 72million people thought of such a statement. Hell, even I agreed with him to some extent. Things were better in some ways and devastatingly worse in others. But then I removed myself from the circle and looked at everyone. The same person who made this comment was a prominent business man, whose wealthy well-respected father built the foundation for him to have the success he has today; person of his position is allowed the ability to reap the benefits of a corrupt government that poorly manages its national funds and schemes the world into giving it more “aid money” to fatten their pockets a little more as the poor and destitute are starving and ravaged by disease.

And how did they view me? Well, they saw me as the Americanized unknowing young radical who was too-educated and empowered, perhaps for her own good; a young woman who could never understand the way things were and would “always” be in African realm of politics. I was the outsider.

So at that moment, I became even more enraged and helpless than I already felt at the onset of the discussion.

And in my anger, I blurted out: Ignorance is bliss. And it is. Sometimes, it really is. But I pressed on, as in my eyes; it couldn’t have been that simple of answer for why no one addresses all of these issues.

So, I started shouting out questions to everyone, as to whether they voted in elections, they donated to charities, they adhered to international labor laws, they had food drives, sponsored a child, or helped fundraise to rebuild a school or clinic . I could go on and on what I thought they could do to give back. What was I met with? A mixture of murmurs and shouting, as everyone was grasping at an opportunity to either avoid my questions or completely dismiss me again as the ignorant-judgmental-slightly ethnocentric outsider. Completely unaware of the day-to-day life struggle in the city and countryside faced by the masses. And as the discussion progressed and they provided their own personal day-to-day problems of living under corrupt and difficult times, I realized that I too was feeding into the very ignorance I slandered their names with; that I was enjoying a little bit of this same bliss being here in the US.

So where did it go from there? Well, there was no real agreement met on anything except that things were different in Ethiopia, that whether life was better or worse was relative to each individual citizen. That even the very nature of how we engaged in this discussion is display of how African politics play out: great initiatives suggested but minimal to nonexistent cooperation and implementation occurs. It’s this idea that life goes on, and it really does. Whether the deaths of the masses are seen as a form of population control (pc) or a result of ineffective economic development policies seems irrelevant at this point. I share this story with you, not to rant on and on about what movement needs to develop, or what changes need to occur to create some utopian world, but rather to be a soundboard of thoughts, opinions, and initiatives.

As the author of this article, I didn’t intend to go on a tirade about the injustices of the world and how a revolution of sorts will be televised, because in my opinion, it won’t, (at least not all at once) because much of the world is full of talkers and not doers. Many speak of progress and desire for change, but yet they are the same people who don’t exercise their right to vote or even make the attempt to register. Many speak of ideals but fail to practice them in their day-to-day existence. We all are a part of this human chain linked across all seven continents; the relative prosperity felt in the favelas of Brazil, does determine and effect the standard of life in Accra, Ghana and wraps around all the way to Manila in the Philippines.

So back to the first statement regarding prosperity: yes, prosperity is relative. And yes, ignorance is bliss, sometimes. But this relativity is dependent on the type and manner of action and initiative we take towards that very progress and development we so desire. So experience, grow, and act, because if not, there’s no guarantee that you won’t meet the same fate as this guy:

Art Under the Stars

Every Friday at dusk they convene at Sankofa, a place owner and noted filmmaker Haile Germia describes as “liberated territory for independent thinking”. They come armed to the teeth with their rhymes, chants, poetry, notepads, drums, guitars, beats and most of all love. Their experience is whole-istic, where the mind is nourished by those that have come to share, the soul feeds of the positive energy, and the cafe takes care of their appetite. Their rules are simple, share material that is family oriented, give some love to those who share, contribute one line to the community poem to be read at the end, and most importantly wave at the riders of the 70 bus because you know they need some love! So who are they? They are children, adults, elders, mothers, fathers, students, professionals, revolutionaries, thinkers, listeners, philosophers, musicians, singers, poets and writers.

They are YOU.

They are the creators of art under the stars.

“Art Under the Stars” Open Mic is from 7pm-9pm, Fridays @ Sankofa Cafe, located on 2714 Georgia Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001. This is seasonal event, generally held during the summertime, but contact the cafe for more information!

Contributing Writer & Photographer- Gezaw Tesfaye

Good Girl…Disturbed: Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad delves into the Indie World

Based on Rihanna’s past releases, Music of the Sun (2005) and A Girl Like Me (2006), the music industry began to label her as a one hit wonder. However, with her latest album Good Girl Gone Bad, released on May 30, 2007 and re-released on June 2, 2008, she’s been able to turn things around and prove the industry wrong. So far this album has had seven successful singles with three reaching the top ten and three holding the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the release of her most recent single, Rehab, I can’t help but ask…What makes this album so much better and different from its predecessors?

One reason could be the abandonment of Rihanna’s Caribbean and Dancehall-infused music that dominated her past albums. Also, with producers and writers such as Timberland, Ne-Yo and Stargate, Rihanna had no need to contribute to the creative process of her album and instead let them steer her into an unexpected genre that’s beginning to creep into mainstream music. Her sole contribution and only credit on Good Girl Gone Bad is singer. After listening to Good Girl Gone Bad in its entirety I couldn’t buy into the mainstream hype. There was virtually no uniqueness in the production and composition of the album. In every song I was able to isolate an indie musician that’s done Rihanna’s new found style better and harder. For the sake of article length I have reviewed two un-released singles and two current singles, Disturbia

“Out my life out my head…Feels like I’m going insane”

This song squarely falls into the synthpop/electronica genre with a hint of gothic lyrics. Written by new beau Chris Brown, the song was originally considered for the re-release of his album Exclusive. To date, the song has reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100 and is very much a mainstream success.

Roisin Murphy – Ramalama (bang bang)

Its indie counterpart and one of the artists I consider influential to Disturbia’s writers and producers — Brian Kennedy, Andre Merritt, Robert Allen and Chris Brown is Roisin Murphy with the lead single off her debut album Ramalama (bang bang). Although Roisin did not pioneer the combination of electronica and pop, she is one of the most successful indie artists to perfect the craft. After listening to Ramalama (bang bang) I would suggest playing Rihanna’s Disturbia and take note of the rapid succession and bass drums that steals your attention and hinders your ability to listen to the underlining beat. As a result, it may take at least 3-4 attempts to break free from Disturbia and enter Rehab.

“It’s like you were my favorite drug…The only problem is that you was using me”

Simply and most graciously put this song is the girl’s version of Justin Timberlake’s What Goes Around Comes Around. Rihanna’s 8th single, it should come as no surprise to anyone, that both Timberland and Justin wrote and produced this song.

For a soulful smooth R&B song/artist listen to Jeremy Greene’s Never . The main difference between Rehab and Never is the way both songs are presented. With Rihanna’s Rehab her vocals are lost in the beat and natural flow of the song. You miss the meaningful lyrics and her attempt to connect to the song. Whereas with Jeremy’s Never even though there is a 15 second instrumental introduction, you are drawn into the powerful way he delivers his lyrics. There is a real emotion behind every word that falls short of Breaking Dishes,

“I’m roasting marshmallows on the fire…And what I’m burning is your attire”

Breaking Dishes is a rare song on Good Girl Gone Bad where Rihanna steps outside of her comfort zone and tries to push her musical envelope. This song is in the running, along with Rehab, to be the 8^th single off the album. In contrast, if Beyonce were singing this song it would have been a lead single simply because of her ability to deliver aggressive songs with grace (Déjà vu and Ring the Alarm). Rihanna, however, massacres the song so much so that it’s too angry for listeners to enjoy.

This clearly was an experimental song in dance punk influenced by indie bands such as The Faint, Liars, Radio 4 and most notably The Sounds‘ Song With A Mission. It’s not a new idea for mainstream musicians to take big band punk and add pop beats and aggressive lyrics but sometimes it just doesn’t work. However, mainstream beat and melodic listeners will make Breaking Dishes successful which is a shameful feat. Ultimately in the end Rihanna will truly manifest into her album title track Good Girl Gone Bad.

“Trying to get enough drinks in her system…Take it to the tele and make her a victim”

The title track on the album is a lyrically cautioning song that talks about the consequences of breaking a girl’s heart. Unsuprisingly, it has the same melodic burn in your brain lyrical content as Beyonce’s Irreplaceable and the same twang as Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris.

More than anything, I wanted to find an indie artist who sung with the passion Rihanna often lacks. A song with lyrical content that makes you stop and get enthralled in the message.

Ironically enough, I found that in Brandon Hines When a Girl Cries. Singing a smooth R&B song with a message is always a safe bet on an album that runs a big risk by releasing punk and electronica songs to make it appealing to mainstream listeners. Rihanna is known to take the easy way out vocally but sometimes her risks do pay off when she acts tough and catty especially on Push Up On Me.

“Let’s play a game, I won’t be a tease…I’ll show you the boom, my sexy little thing”

Reminiscent of SOS, Push Up On Me is Rihanna’s second attempt at a sultry 100% 80’s pop song that has a hint of Whitney Houston’s I’m Your Baby Tonight percussion. Written by Lionel Richie and inspired by 80’s pop music with modern synthpop technology the only thing missing is 80’s big hair to complete the package. This song was by far the hardest to critique and equally as hard to find an indie counterpart for. It’s obvious her inspiration was popular 80’s dance pop music and she stayed in her comfort zone with the delivery.

Although the 80’s are over, there are still 80’s indie bands that have modernized the genre and are worthy to go into head-to-head combat with Push Up On Me. Such bands include Information Society, Cause and Effect and Cetu Javu.

Situations by Cetu Javu stuck out most to be an actual song that Rihanna’s producers would have sampled to compose Push Up On Me. A quick listen to Situation would reveal that all you would have to do is speed up the tempo and feature the synth instruments with a harder recourse.

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When it’s all said and done Good Girl Gone Bad is an international best selling album that has already been certified double platinum in the United States. There are no lingering puzzle pieces to pull together to understand that this album was a mainstream success. However, could it have been an underground success? If Rihanna had been an indie artist herself, would she rise to fame using the same material? We’ll never know the answer to that question but it is enough for me to continue walking down narrow alleyways slipping into a tucked away, but not secret, door of indie music.

“Mainstream comes to you, but you have to go to the underground” -Frank Zappa

Contributing Writer: Dee Windt

The Introduction Issue I

From the Editor

Selamawit Worku

As a child growing up right here in Northern Virginia, I was, admittedly, the different one in the neighborhood. A very bizarre mix of the foreigner, the awkward tomboy, the secretly aspiring fashionista, a free-stylin’ guitarist and a militant in the making. Back in those days, I plotted and plotted, what my cause, my love, my passion would be and it occurred to me that perhaps I would have to, at some point, make that tough decision between my love for art and my love for change. So in the years that followed, between moving neighborhoods, experiencing the harshness of adolescence and applying for college, I became determined that I would never force myself to make that decision. I would combine both worlds. I was going to have my cake and eat it too.

So I absorbed everything, I spoke to everyone, and I grew up. All the plotting and scheming I did since I was very young was falling into place and life was happening. And I was excited. So fast-forward to the last year of college, after finally regaining consciousness from the lack of sleep, over-studying (yes, that exists), and recreational activities, I began to build my doors, waiting and listening for opportunity’s footsteps at my doorsteps.

After much thought and planning I decided, it was time. So I began researching, reading, and journeying into the art world around here. And I was kind of lost, sometimes on purpose, but I felt that I was being directed to too many different places, and I wanted it all, at once, in one place. Now this journey into the magazine world, was nothing new for me, as I was always reading, sucked into the words and images of various publications such as Rolling Stone, Reader’s Digest, National Geographic, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, W, The Economist, Harvard Business Journal, Time, etc. I could go on and on, listing and naming all the magazines that have drawn my interest whether for their designs or witty arguments. But, I decided there needed to be a magazine that had it all, in one place, all at once. And I decided that I needed to do this. And I needed to do this now.

When I began my journey, planning how I wanted Shade to be and what I envisioned, I referred back to my childhood memories, the lessons I learned in school and outside of it, and I became certain that Shade needed to be that medium between art and change.

My perception and vision of the world around me has always been quite different than most. Sure, I had a pair of rose-colored glasses, but, I also had a pair in lavender, black, grey, sienna, royal purple, teal and every other color in between. I see the world in color. I see endless possibilities in everything. Call it idealism, Call it naiveté, call it whatever you want, but there is truth and honesty in this vision. Having a polarized perception of issues, people, places, and times is counter-productive and even paralyzing. There are shades of differences among us all. Our skin colors, ethnicities/backgrounds, upbringings, locations, occupations, genders and classes but regardless we manage to find some common ground, interest; a desire for movement. A desire for change and growth. It is the very desire for enlightenment that makes us move away from the coolness, comfort, secrecy, and mysteriousness of the shade; towards the light to have our eyes opened, to learn, to grow, to be a part of a movement, more importantly to be our own movement. With Shade Magazine, the user/reader is suppose to be exposed to everything and anything that will expand their human experience and make them a part of this movement toward change and growth.

As Shade begins its journey on the world-wide web, clearly not the conventional method of starting a magazine, as most start in print and transition to the web, it allows us to question, test, and create new ideas, discussions, methods, and initiatives before we transition into print. I welcome and invite you to read all the articles. Subscribe and create your own profile, make comments, ask questions, and engage yourself.

Till next time,

Wit.

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