In my opinion music is a very powerful instrument that is able to change a person's mood, inspire, and change one's day. Many students use it while studying, professionals use it while working, and athletes use it while practicing. This is what makes music universal. It is able to touch anyone in the planet even if the lyrics are in an unknown language (take the example of "Gangnam Style"... lol just kidding). Lyrics in some songs can be very powerful, however an instrumental song can be just as powerful or even more powerful than one with lyrics. Having said this I will show you three artists that their music has touched me in different but meaningful ways. These three artists are from different music genre, nationalities and backgrounds; all characteristics that mold and shape the work of an artist.
1. Rubén Blades
The music of this Panamanian born songwriter, lawyer, singer, actor, and aspired politician was presented to me by my dear father, a self-proclaimed "cocolo", as we say here in Puerto Rico. It seemed that every time my family went for a ride around the island by car, dad had a CD of Rubén Blades playing. His music is packed of powerful lyrics that tell the story of political, social, and moral situations. Besides sending a good message, Rubén Blades' music is able to put anyone to dance with its catchy rhythms and salsa beats. Seeing him in concert is a must as his music reaches higher levels of energy when performed in front of an audience. For you who are not familiar with his music, there are a few sites on the internet filled with pictures, lyrics, and information on the artist.
A. http://www.rubenblades.com/
The first is his official website: The fun thing about this website is that it is filled with current news about the artist himself, such as where his new concerts will take place and what political movements is he affiliating himself with..
B. http://www.rubenblades.com/
This website is really cool because it lists his most popular songs in descending order. plus it has videos of him singing at concerts!
C. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rub%C3%A9n-blades-mn0000296024
Allmusic.com has all his CD albums, songs, and awards listed for you to see. In addition, It has sort of a "Pandora" section where it demonstrates artists related to Rubén Blades' music.
The video posted below is from one of Blades' concerts, singing to one of my favorite songs "Amor y Control". In this song he tells the story of a dysfunctional family he is observing. The dad is standing by his son even though he is a thief and a drug user. Blades sings about how even though the father knows that what his son is doing is wrong, he will not shun him and will do everything he can to help his son.
The music of this Panamanian born songwriter, lawyer, singer, actor, and aspired politician was presented to me by my dear father, a self-proclaimed "cocolo", as we say here in Puerto Rico. It seemed that every time my family went for a ride around the island by car, dad had a CD of Rubén Blades playing. His music is packed of powerful lyrics that tell the story of political, social, and moral situations. Besides sending a good message, Rubén Blades' music is able to put anyone to dance with its catchy rhythms and salsa beats. Seeing him in concert is a must as his music reaches higher levels of energy when performed in front of an audience. For you who are not familiar with his music, there are a few sites on the internet filled with pictures, lyrics, and information on the artist.
A. http://www.rubenblades.com/
The first is his official website: The fun thing about this website is that it is filled with current news about the artist himself, such as where his new concerts will take place and what political movements is he affiliating himself with..
B. http://www.rubenblades.com/
This website is really cool because it lists his most popular songs in descending order. plus it has videos of him singing at concerts!
C. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rub%C3%A9n-blades-mn0000296024
Allmusic.com has all his CD albums, songs, and awards listed for you to see. In addition, It has sort of a "Pandora" section where it demonstrates artists related to Rubén Blades' music.
The video posted below is from one of Blades' concerts, singing to one of my favorite songs "Amor y Control". In this song he tells the story of a dysfunctional family he is observing. The dad is standing by his son even though he is a thief and a drug user. Blades sings about how even though the father knows that what his son is doing is wrong, he will not shun him and will do everything he can to help his son.
2. Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer who has composed music for over 100 films. You might recognize his music from films such as The Lion King, The Dark Night, and Gladiator to name a few. However, my interest in his music emerged after watching the romance comedy named The Holiday starting Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Jude Law. The soundtrack to this movie is filled with inspirational works of art that include "Maestro", "Gumption", and many more. To me his music can go from placing tears in your eyes beautiful to downright inspiring. I listen to him every time I need a pick me up and am feeling kind of depressed since his music gives me a relieving sense of hope.
A. http://www.hans-zimmer.com/
His (almost) official web site is filled with an incredible list of all the soundtracks to movies he has recorded yearly!
B. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001877/
For being a renowned film composer, Hans Zimmer has his own page in the International Movie Database website. This page is filled with pictures of him and with pictures of the movies he has composed of. This will be very helpful when you don't remember the name of the movie he composed for but do remember the actors in it.
C. https://www.facebook.com/hanszimmer
What better to get to know someone than through facebook! Well Hans Zimmer has his own facebook page where you can post questions about his newest works, comment on his past music, and share videos and links of his interview videos.
Hans Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer who has composed music for over 100 films. You might recognize his music from films such as The Lion King, The Dark Night, and Gladiator to name a few. However, my interest in his music emerged after watching the romance comedy named The Holiday starting Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Jude Law. The soundtrack to this movie is filled with inspirational works of art that include "Maestro", "Gumption", and many more. To me his music can go from placing tears in your eyes beautiful to downright inspiring. I listen to him every time I need a pick me up and am feeling kind of depressed since his music gives me a relieving sense of hope.
A. http://www.hans-zimmer.com/
His (almost) official web site is filled with an incredible list of all the soundtracks to movies he has recorded yearly!
B. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001877/
For being a renowned film composer, Hans Zimmer has his own page in the International Movie Database website. This page is filled with pictures of him and with pictures of the movies he has composed of. This will be very helpful when you don't remember the name of the movie he composed for but do remember the actors in it.
C. https://www.facebook.com/hanszimmer
What better to get to know someone than through facebook! Well Hans Zimmer has his own facebook page where you can post questions about his newest works, comment on his past music, and share videos and links of his interview videos.
3. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's music is fun, upbeat, and different (not to use the word weird). Her music and outfits have brought back the element of drama that was missing in pop culture since the dawn of Madonna. Gaga's music videos are filled with controversial images and story lines that are sure to capture the audience's attention. On the other hand, Lady Gaga's music also sends a social message, most of it being on homosexual rights, this is very notable in some of her songs such as "Born this Way". The photo to the left is me dressed up for her concert from last year in Puerto Rico. Did I say it was AMAZING?! Everything from the dancers, to the background to the lights, and props were just spectacular. That woman really knows how to put on a show.
A. http://www.ladygaga.com/applause-video
Her official site is filled with artsy pictures of Gaga and ways to give to charity.
B. https://www.facebook.com/ladygagapr
The facebook page known as Lady Gaga Puerto Rico is a good one to stay in the know of what Gaga's "little monsters" in the island are up to. The page is filled with photos of her concert here for those who did not have a chance to go see it.
C. https://twitter.com/ladygaga
What better way to stay in the loop with Gaga's tours, personal projects, and thoughts than through Gaga herself! Her twitter page is full of tweets that say when she will appear in a show as a guest like in Good Morning America and where her next concert will be.
The video below is the short version of Lady Gaga's "Telephone"; her real video is approximate 10 minutes long, but VEVO won't let me post it here. Like I said I like this artist a lot because she puts a story into every single of hers when she makes these crazy music videos. In this single, Beyoncé is a featured artist and makes the song and video even better.
Lady Gaga's music is fun, upbeat, and different (not to use the word weird). Her music and outfits have brought back the element of drama that was missing in pop culture since the dawn of Madonna. Gaga's music videos are filled with controversial images and story lines that are sure to capture the audience's attention. On the other hand, Lady Gaga's music also sends a social message, most of it being on homosexual rights, this is very notable in some of her songs such as "Born this Way". The photo to the left is me dressed up for her concert from last year in Puerto Rico. Did I say it was AMAZING?! Everything from the dancers, to the background to the lights, and props were just spectacular. That woman really knows how to put on a show.
A. http://www.ladygaga.com/applause-video
Her official site is filled with artsy pictures of Gaga and ways to give to charity.
B. https://www.facebook.com/ladygagapr
The facebook page known as Lady Gaga Puerto Rico is a good one to stay in the know of what Gaga's "little monsters" in the island are up to. The page is filled with photos of her concert here for those who did not have a chance to go see it.
C. https://twitter.com/ladygaga
What better way to stay in the loop with Gaga's tours, personal projects, and thoughts than through Gaga herself! Her twitter page is full of tweets that say when she will appear in a show as a guest like in Good Morning America and where her next concert will be.
The video below is the short version of Lady Gaga's "Telephone"; her real video is approximate 10 minutes long, but VEVO won't let me post it here. Like I said I like this artist a lot because she puts a story into every single of hers when she makes these crazy music videos. In this single, Beyoncé is a featured artist and makes the song and video even better.
Clearly all of the three artists I chose are VERY different. Nevertheless, their lyrics, melodies, choreographies, music videos, and the messages they send are all made with the same goal: that goal is to express themselves. Weather it is Lady Gaga's extravagant and controversial music or Ruben Blade's political music, these people are expressing themselves in creative ways. I belief we should all follow their footsteps and search for creative outlets that convey our emotions.
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