American Idol Gives Back
This week’s American Idol episode featured a theme of giving back to the community. The show will donate money to help people experiencing poverty in the U.S. as well as Africa.
The six finalists sang “life anthem” songs. My favorite song - not necessarily favorite performance - out of all the songs was Blake’s remake of John Lennon’s “Imagine”…
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
I would have to say that this song is probably my life anthem….Being the idealist that I am, it’s easy for me to believe that anything is possible. Just imagine!
Anyways, Last One Waiting breaks down the latest American Idol episode. Melinda 
Doolittle is still my pick, but I have to say that Jordin came very strong tonight.
Find out more about “Idol Gives Back” at the American Idol website…
Rappers, Hip Hop Artists, and Responsibility to the Community
Well, with the recent remarks of Don Imus about the Rutgers women’s basketball team, it has brought the spotlight on rappers and hip hop artists as well. As much as I love hip hop and rap, I feel that their lyrics are filled with negativity about their own people - which is why I listen to about 10% of their music nowadays.
Oprah has been shunned by some rap artists because she won’t have any of them on her show, but she has a valid reason. I completely side with Oprah on this one. However, that did change yesterday when Oprah brought on a panel of some of the leading figures in the hip hop community: Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and Grammy-award winner, Common. I only saw a small clip of the show, but it was enough to know that changes will start to be made. I know it.
I’ve heard the argument before - rappers are just expressing what they see in their neighborhoods, but if that’s all you are going to focus on then nothing is going to change. What about creating lyrics that inspire people in the ‘hood to want to make a better life? After all, these are the people who are listening to your music. Music affects people in many ways. As an music artist in the spotlight, you have a responsibility to the community. Don’t you want to take things to the next level?
Memories of Michael Jackson
“Ben” was one of the first songs I learned to play on the piano and as I was browsing through YouTube tonight, I came across this video of a very young Michael Jackson. Wow - he looks so different. I’m digging the bright and colorful suit he has on 
Speaking of - I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. I remember a road trip my family and I took to the Bay Area where my mom bought me this purple (my favorite color) and black wallet with Michael Jackson’s face on it. Oh, the good ole days…when you get excited over a wallet!
I did a search to see what he’s been up to and found this article that says he may be in Vegas creating a show with a 50-foot robotic replica of himself?
