If Taylor Swift was the typical country artist would Kanye West still have said “Beyonce has the best video”? Because, Taylor Swift isn’t the typical county artist. In previous country interviews she has said “When I was 16 I used to open my shows with a cover of Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself,’” Swift said, “I was just this young girl playing a guitar so to get myself noticed I would come on and rap. And it worked – people remembered me.”
Taylor is still doing covers of urban music to “be remembered” and bring herself out of country music into mainstream pop…Regardless if she is doing it from a genuine love of urban music, or if it is way to set herself apart from the sea of country artists and pop artists (marketing strategy) is somewhat unclear. Because, when she was in front of these very artists that helped establish her career and versatility as a country artist, she didn’t say anything. And, when Beyonce gave her time to Taylor – the first thing Taylor did was launch into her thank you speech, she didn’t even really say Thank You to Beycone in the mic. I mean she gave her a hug, but how about some words??? It was almost like she expected it. Shouldn’t thanking Beyonce been the first thing out of her mouth? Beyonce didn’t have to give her time to her. Beyonce did it because she listens to her heart (you know where you soul come from – which is why Beyonce can sing like that).
Taylor Swift is a sweet girl, but she is still part of a group of people (white) who have a track record for using non-white culture to benefit themselves. And, once they are established, don’t give back. Some have even conveniently forgot where their inspiration came from and started thinking it came from them, and just stole ideas, identities and soul.
Why is this acknowledgment so important? Remember what Chris Rock said about his neighbors in his Kill The Messenger: “My only three black neighbors are Mary J. Blige, one of the greatest singers of all time, Denzel Washington, one of the greatest actors of all time, and Jay-Z, one of the greatest rappers of all time.” His white neighbor? “A dentist. And he isn’t like the greatest dentist in history either. I had to host the Oscars to get that house — a black dentist in my neighborhood would have to invent teeth.”
No one can deny that this is true. Things haven’t been fair for awhile, and until recently in music and in politics have we seen change. And, because of american history and these circumstances, it’s common heart sense to honor and pay respect.
Taylor Swift can easily be viewed as an icon for “having things easy” – and if she would have used the VMA awards to say some of the things she has said in other interviews, then it would have been easier to say if what Kanye West did was for the wrong reasons. But, she didn’t, not even the second time she was giving her thank you speech, and I have yet to hear anyone ask Kanye to explain himself. So, should there really be so many people “casting stones” at him?
Kanye does have a ugly huge ego, but he is also part of a movement that was needed. Hip Hop is sacred because of what it has done…it has restored some balance to an America that originally was suppose to be a beautiful melting pot of justice and culture. Posted below is a song I really love by snoop, Dre’s lyrics illustrate clearly what an impact Hip Hop has had – and just how sacred it is. These reasons alone, are every reason why an icon of “having it easy” (regardless if it has been easy or not) needs to acknowledge the very things that have made her country music not so nashville. That would be genuine, that would be respect and make it not seem like you were using it as a way to launch your career and have people remember you.
Dre’s Lyrics from Snoop’s song “Imagine”:
Imagine it never happened
Imagine no rappin’
Imagine niggaz trapped
Imagine it havin’ action
Imagine how niggaz could be actin’
If we never got this shit crackin
Imagine life’s so hard
You can’t imagine it’s like livin’ in city of god
You feel me
Imagine life on the yard
Or tryin’ to get that dollar on some shitty ass job
Imagine Biggie with his son
Imagine Pac gettin’ call pop by one
Imagine a mother struggling
Dealing with a system that don’t give a fuck about who shot her son
Imagine life when you can’t win
When you get out of the ghetto and go right to the pen
When you get out of the pen you go right to the jen
So if you get back to the streets you go right back in
Imagine Russell still strugglin’
No Def Jam just another nigga hustlin’
And aint no rocks on them fellaz
Just rocks on them fellaz
Just try and keep it bubblin’
Imagine niggaz just stuck
From the east to the west coast, everybody fucked up
I can’t imagine no less
But it don’t take imagination
To know niggaz been bless with
HIP-HOP
Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.
Hey Mali,
I see u’ve been busy
This is a really good post and topic. I noticed Taylor’s privileged attitude behind the smile and timidness. She’s a little USER. Kanye’s behavior makes more sense now, but I think he’s ego is so bad it threw him off and he forgot why he did that to Taylor.
Another example of how races use other races without proper acknowledge of each race and culture’s contributions to the ONE FAMILY – the human race. Taylor’s neglect should of to been brought to mainstream awareness before ppl rallied behind her like she was the victim in this. Hip-Hop was the victim here!
~sum kaya wove
Taylor is the new Elvis. Wolf in sheep’s clothes. Perfect way to call her on her shit!
- It gots to be real or why bother
I agree with you Kaya, but I feel Taylor doesn’t mean any harm. She just doesn’t know the history of the African-American experience in “White America”. Although it is her responsibility to understand something she plays around with because it’s very easy to offend a culture you know nothing about.
A-game
Hi Alice
I can see where ur coming from with Taylor meaning no harm, but I think that when a person uses something given to a group of oppressed ppl to benefit their already privileged social position, that person isn’t as innocent as they appear. I feel life gave Hip-Hop to certain struggling individuals, which happens to be predominantly Africa-American as a means to balance the playing field by place more of an ignored race in the upper social class. I also know that this is why specific individuals have the ability to deliver music in the most appealing urban expression – “Black”. Eminem has this ability, but as we all know there’s a big difference between Eminem and Taylor Swift. This difference is why Taylor sounds horrible in her “Str8 Outta Compton” video performance.
I think she’s a sweet grrl who needs to be careful of how foolish she can come off.
sum kaya love
i second that ron
@ Alice – so true – have 2 be careful when influenced by other cultures – especially because of the history behind us – some days it can feel like we still have a long way to go – especially when it seems like what
@Kaya said is right – there has and is unfairness and natural ability does feel like a divine way of balancing things out
i don’t ever wanna seem like attacking anyone – but i am about recognizing where ideas originate from – and really it’s about giving credit where it is deserved – especially like Kaya said – when the ideas came about because of a connection that only comes from having to endure bad things- ya know
pe@ce
Wow, I like your post !
I was studying something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically opposed to what I read earlier. I am still pondering over the diverse points of view, but I’m tipped heavily toward yours. And no matter, that’s what is so good about contemporary democracy and the marketplace of thoughts online.
Hi – really great site you have made. I enjoyed reading this posting. I did want to issue a remark to tell you that the design of this site is very aesthetically sweet. I used to be a graphic designer, now I am a copy editor for a merchandising firm. I have always enjoyed functioning with computing machines and am attempting to learn computer code in my free time (which there is never enough of lol).
I listen to Taylor when I go to school and it really brightens up my day. I love her! Taylor dresses like no-one else. Girl can really pick the best looking clothes for her! She is not like the other psycho party girls in Hollywood because she acts like a lady. Haters are just jealous green-eyed monsters who do not know her in person. God is nice enough to give us Taylor and we shouldnt be wishing the worse on her.
Hey mate, when browsing at your site i see some sort of weird codes all over the page, in case it’s important I just thought I’d let you know it says this with all sorts of other stuff after it: “Warning: Cannot modify header information
Yes, your thoughts are very coherent! I’m absolutely agree with the way you think, it’s quite rare to find someone like you. I’m currently thinking about the same topic with you, would you care to find out and share about your opinions? Thank you!
I don’t like Taylor Swift. She’s overreated. Her live performances are just awful, her voice is shaky and the moves she does on stage are just ugh. Her songs are about as dull as an episode of “Full House”. There’s about 3 different ways her songs go: 1) I love him, but he’ll never know. 2)He done me wrong. 3) Happily ever after. Her attitude is not so much “country gilr”, more “OMG! girl” Like you, know, the “oh my gosh, i broke a nail!” type. I think she’s a good pop singer, horrible country singer. Although, her songs are catchy, I often find myself scolding myself for absent-mindedly singing her songs. I”m not trying to be a hater, or whatever, because you can put just as much effort into hating someone as loving them.
Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.