English 1101 JR

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"Dear White People"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l9CtWmHRGAYmCUhmwwgHFWIUdMtUSD_npZGDBKlduaE/edit?usp=sharing 

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Thoughts on Blogging

Throughout my time in this class, I never would have thought blogging was going to impact me as much as it did. Due to all of the assignments blogging ultimately helped me organize and bring all of my thoughts together. Brainstorming, storyboarding, and even making an outline is somewhat of a challenge I face, but being able to blog with no boundaries excites me and I look forward to doing it. I learned that blogging is a tool used to share ideas with others without the backlash you might feel from sharing your point of view in class. As I blogged, I felt that it was overall very productive because it allowed me to take down the wall I built in front of my ideas. Blogging made it easy to focus on the topic at hand and comfortably communicate with other in the class. Being able to comment on other’s post was also big because we were able to have non-dismissive arguments and converse without their being a right or wrong answer.   

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Annotated Bibliography

On September 13,1996 the drive-by shooting and murder of West Coast rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur has been, and still is today was one of the most mysterious cases in Hip Hop Culture. After attending a boxing match in LA at the MGM Grand Tupac got into a fight with a group of Crips, which escalated to the drive by shooting. After being rushed to the hospital Shakur, a leading rap artist at Death Row Records, was pronounced dead. The East coast West coast uproar, stimulated by Vibe coverage, was simmering down during the late 1990’s, but the question still remains “Who killed Tupac?”. Shakur’s death revealed the hatred and envy those felt towards him and his success. During his time Tupac left behind a great legacy of heartfelt music that expressed African-American culture through rap. Tupac used his music as a way for people to feel free and let loose and not have a worry about the struggle and hardships they were facing. Shakur’s outspoken ways made him uncommon in the music industry, his lyrics were unfiltered which made him one of the greats. 

Shakur, Tupac. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 7:49 Oct      15,2014 from http://www.biography.com/people/tupac-shakur-206528

This article discusses the background of Tupac Shakur’s early years and life in a brief overview. I used this article to gain a clear understanding of the minor details of Tupac’s life. I came to an understanding that he was a strong individual raised by his mother a Black Panther Activist. While living in New York he attending Baltimore School of Arts and took acting classes and even ballet. After moving from New York (East Coast), to the California (West Coast) he gained an interest in rap and didn’t let that opportunity pass him up.

 Selby, J. (2014, May 23). Tupac Shakur death: Last words 18 years later. Retrieved October 16, 2014. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/tupac-shakur-death-last-words-of-the-rapper-revealed-18-years-after-his-murder-9424622.html

This source discussed the reactions officers that responded to the murder felt toward the situation. They were able to express emotions and reactions people were feeling at the time especially the CEO of Death Records Suge Knight who was the driver of the vehicle Tupac was murdered in. The last words of the rapper were nothing short of a Tupac response “F you” he gurgled out.

 Reed, R. (2014, May 23). Tupac's final words revealed by police officer on scene. Retrieved October 17, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/23/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/tupac-last-words-rs/

This source also discussed the final words of Tupac. I compared and contrasted the two because I felt as though the information needed to be clarified and looked over thoroughly before researching.

 Suge Knight has not been arrested for Tupac's Murder. (2012, May 8). Retrieved October 16, 2014, from http://www.vibe.com/article/suge-knight-has-not-been-arrested-tupacs-murder

Suge Knight became a leading suspect in the mysterious murder. After following up multiple leads and even witnesses Knight’s name became to come up a lot. Due to the allegations a warrant was set out for his arrest for questioning but later in the trial he was not charged and was set free to leave. Many different sources pointed the finger at Suge Knight but not enough evidence can pin him on the murder.

 Broomfield, N.  (Producer), Michele D’Acosta (Producer) & Broomfield, N. (Director). (2002). Biggie and Tupac (Motion Picture).  United States: Lions Gate Entertainment.

This powerful documentary discussed the how the media and outsiders made the public view the murder of Tupac. I used this documentary as a base for my resources while it gave me the most insight and major details on the crime.

 Shakur, T. (August 1996). Hail Mary (Tupac Shakur).  The Dom Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Death Row Records. Interscope. (August 1996).

 Hail Mary one of Tupac’s top hits was recorded in just under an hour. This video featuring The Outlaws was filmed in a jail scene and cemetery scene. The strong lyrics and intense beat makes this song one of his best.

Lazin, L (Producer). Lazin, L (Director). (2003) Tupac: Resurrection (Motion Picture). United States: Paramount Pictures.

Tupac Shakur Resurrection was ultimately a compilation of interviews and different home videos that took place before Shakur’s death. As I watched this documentary I compared and contrasted it to the other sources that I have listed and they all coincide in many different ways. The original footage and firsthand documents made this source one of the best that I was able to use. 

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Annotated Bibliography: Death of Tupac

Link : 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12NtnlubJAgNaUjll0MqA3EksA_6EVSO-g3NR2uQPcpM/edit?usp=sharing 

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"Anaconda" -Nicki Minaj

            In the quote Dr. Sexton provides a clear outlook of how women as a whole are below men and can’t step out of the stereotype of a typical housewife that stays in the kitchen without being called out of there name. Exploitation is used as a weapon once the female body is revealed to the public, even if she had nothing to do with it she is portrayed to be something that she is not. The society feels rage and anger toward Nicki in this video because she chose to show off her assets and that is not something most women do willingly. “Anaconda” is a feminist music video that allows Nicki Minaj to break barriers that only she could attempt to surpass. While critics and viewers judge her by her big behind shaking while doing explicit dance moves they overthink and don’t see the point of the video.  While Nicki Minaj is one of the only female rap artists embracing and showing off her assets she also faces the most lashing critiques. Imitators such as Iggy Azalea and even Miley Cyrus have tried to cross this double standard of the big butt and outrageous outfits but they just come of as trying to hard or unnatural. Power and control is evident in this video as we watch the scene where Nicki is seducing and giving Drake a lap dance, it proves that he can’t just reach out  and touch her butt without her approval. She swats his hand and gets up and struts away.

            The female body is a prized possession but once it is revealed to the public by the being, she is automatically considered a slut. Being considered a failed role model or even a sellout is the least of Nicki’s worries. She is a carefree person that will always put her thoughts and point of view before anyone else. One question that I asked myself as I watched “Anaconda” was, “should Nicki Minaj change her image due to critics?” I strongly feel that she should not become apart of the typical persona of a female or what people think women should do in front of a camera.  

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[1egndary]

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First watch “Picasso Baby” and read Janell Hobson’s piece in The Feminist Wire. Then, explicate the following quote relating it to “Picasso Baby.” What is Hobson arguing about Jay Z’s performance here?

In Jay-Zs' music video "Picasso Baby" he clearly captures the essence of a performance art music video. Due to the different color schemes and black and white shots it really make us think about colors and other aspects. This video is not your typical synced voice over while staring into the camera, he grasp other concepts like the dancers and audience he was performing in front of. 

Hobson is arguing the fact that Jay-Z is "authentic" but we still have plenty of questions that need answers. As I watched the "Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film" we can tell that Jay-Z is a force in the music industry that is one of a kind. 

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"Tupac Compare these two covers from Vibe magazine. How does the cover on the left construct? What about Biggie in his cover? How do they differ? Provide details of mise en scene and framing to support your analysis."

Between both artist Tupac and Biggie, they have different images that they are portraying in each cover. Tupac (West Coast) was more symbolized for his outgoing lyrics and different image that set him away from the crowd. While intelligent off of the camera he was portrayed as this obnoxious and flamboyant character on camera. Biggie (East Coast) was a bit flashier as he enjoyed the better things in life such as the nice cars, mansions, and women. He valued his presence a bit more and kept his image subtle but still "hard". The two covers both collide with each other in very different ways and speak volumes to all communities. While Tupac's cover is a closeup and focuses on his intense jawline and glasses he possesses they tend to make him look subtle and easy to approach. In comparison Biggie's cover shows off the glitz and glamour of his appearance. The loud neon colors and angle of the picture takes our eyes on a maze to his jewelry and seductive woman holding onto him (Faith Evans). 

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