Category: Famous Person

Milton Glaser was an American graphic designer who was born on June 26, 1929, in a town called the Bronx, which is situated in America, in New York City. Milton Glaser was aged 91 when he sadly passed away on June 26, 2020.

Milton Glaser started making his art in the USA. He produced some of his artwork in the city of New York in a studio called Push Pin Studios. Then he decided to make a public action design firm which he called WBMG. The art movements which Milton Glaser practiced were called psychedelic and Art Nouveau. An example of his work in the psychedelic art movement includes a poster of Bob Dylan, another art piece that uses the art movement called Art Nouveau was a poster called ‘Mad Men’, which was used for an American drama television series named ‘Mad Men’.

A few pieces of artwork that Milton Glaser created were called ‘Together’, ‘I Love NY’, ‘Mad Men’, ‘World Health Organization’, and ‘XIV Olympic Winter Games’. Firstly, I really like the art piece named ‘Together’ because Milton Glaser uses all different colors to show people that we should stand together in a crisis. This artwork inspires me to spread the message to people to stand together in hard times and not spread hate. This artwork was created during the Covid-19 pandemic when everyone had to stay indoors and isolate themselves to not spread the virus. This pandemic, as well as the recent death of a black man, may have influenced Milton Glaser to make this art piece. The assessment of the situation at that time inspired Milton to create an art piece that presents togetherness and the end of racism and to try to battle the virus. I also really like the artwork named ‘Mad Men’ due to the fact Milton Glaser has used many colors which makes it vibrant. It inspires me to use vibrant colors in my artwork. Events such as Ebola were happening at that time, but not of the events influenced him to make this poster. Another art piece that he made was called ‘I Love NY’ – a nice art piece that inspires me to use different typefaces. The thing which influenced him to make this was that at the time the city had a fiscal crisis, so he made this piece to increase tourism and increase the spirits of New Yorkers. Also, Glaser designed a poster for the World Health Organization; he was influenced by the disease happening in the world, which was AIDS. I like this poster as it is simple and effective due to the fact it sends a message. It influences me as I know that a poster can be simple and effective. The fifth piece of artwork which I really like from Milton Glaser is ‘XIV Olympic Winter Games’. This piece of artwork influences me to be creative as we can clearly see that Milton was creative when making this art piece. Nothing was happening at the time which could have influenced him to make this piece of artwork.

Summing up, Milton Glaser was a great graphic designer. Compared to other artists, of course, he was different, but this only added to the uniqueness of his works. I can confidently say that his art has influenced the way I apply creativity in my artwork.

Pelé was probably the best soccer player in the world. Some people even think he is the greatest athlete of all time. He is a hero in the soccer world.

Pelé was originally named Edson Arantes do Nascimento after Thomas Edison. He got the name Pelé when he mispronounced the name of the Goal Keeper Bile, pronouncing it ‘Pelé’. To get some extra money he was a tea shop waiter. Since he didn’t have enough money to buy a soccer ball, he was known to play with a sock filled with a newspaper.

Pelé played indoor soccer a lot when he was a kid. This helped him with dribbling and speed. He also played on a minor league soccer team. They were coached by a guy named Waldemar de Brito. Eventually, Waldemar de Brito convinced Pelé’s parents for Pelé to try out for Santos FC. He made the team and started playing left forward. Soon, he became the top scorer in the league. People thought he was about to be a star player.

You might be wondering why Pelé was good at soccer. He was very good at accurate and powerful kicks. He also was good at deciding where to pass. This is a very good combination of skills for a soccer player. He was also good at predicting people’s moves.

Pelé soon got drafted to play for Brazil in the World Cup. He helped them win 5- 2 against Sweden by scoring 2 goals. He was awarded the second-best player in the World Cup that year. After the World Cup, Brazil made Pelé a national treasure to make sure Pelé wouldn’t play for European teams.

Pelé eventually retired from Santos FC in 1974. However, he started to play for the New York Cosmos soon after. This is important because he made soccer popular in America. In 1977, the New York Cosmos won the North American Soccer League. After that, he retired. His last game was the Cosmos against Santos FC; he played for both teams. He didn’t stop getting awards there.

Pelé won many awards after he retired. He was awarded Player of the Century by FIFA, and the Olympics. He also won the International Peace Award. He scored the most goals for a player from Brazil. Of the 1363 games he played, he scored 1281 goals. That means he would score about 94% of the time.

Pelé shaped the way we think of the game. He inspired the USA to play soccer. He created the famous phrase “the beautiful game”. From my point of view, Pelé is truly the greatest soccer player who ever lives.

Louis Armstrong and Bruce Springsteen are both well-known and highly respected musical artists. They are both gifted song composers whose works have been listened to by multiple generations and have remained popular through many decades. Armstrong and Springsteen individually achieved significant worldwide popularity, though they performed and composed music that differed in type, style, and rhythm.

Louis Armstrong is a well-known jazz artist who lived in the 1900s. He was born on August 4th, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His single mother raised him in a risky and unsafe neighborhood called the “Battlefield”. Growing up, Armstrong’s childhood was difficult and he was at times, in trouble with the law. He dropped out of school in the 5th grade to get a job and help support his family. He eventually was sent to Waif’s Home, a place for African American juvenile delinquent boys. There Louis learned to play the cornet under the guidance of his guardian and professor, Peter Davis. The Waif’s Home had a brass band, where he became the band leader. After Louis was allowed to leave Waif’s Home in 1914, he decided he wanted a career as a professional musician. Louis Armstrong became well known for playing the cornet as he played in numerous brass bands. Jazz music was becoming very popular, especially in New Orleans where he lived. In 1922, Louis Armstrong began composing records with King Oliver, a well-known cornetist. By 1925, he had developed enough experience to recognize his own talent as a music writer and composer. Armstrong died in 1971 at the age of 69.

Bruce Springsteen is a rock n roll artist who is well known throughout the late 1900s through the present day. He was born in New Jersey in the town of Long Branch on September 23, 1949. His nickname “The Boss”, was given because he was known to share the money he received when playing with his band mates equally. Bruce grew up in a middle-class family with his mom and dad. He started playing music roughly around 1965 and has not stopped. Bruce became interested in rock n’ roll music when he saw Elvis Presley on television as a child. His mom took out the money from the bank to buy Bruce his first guitar when he was 16 years old. In the late 60s, Bruce performed with multiple groups in Asbury Park on the New Jersey Shore. Bruce is known for his popular band called The E Street Band, with whom he has performed on and off for more than 40 years. Today he is well known as a very gifted guitarist and composer. He still tours and performs regularly and recently brought his music to Broadway in a one-man show.

The American Novelist John Updike was an accomplished poet, writer, and critic. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica) He had won many awards for his excellence in writing. John had a great childhood, an outstanding education, and an impressive career in literature. He once said, “Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.”(John Updike).

John Updike had a great childhood. He was born on March 18, 1932, in Reading, Pennsylvania. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica) He was raised by his parents, in which his mother supported him to write. John was an only child and live with his grandparents and his parents. (“John Updike”) His childhood town was Shillington, Pennsylvania. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica) He attended Shillington High School and later become president of his class and also co-valedictorian. After high school, he spent his time working for The Reading Eagle. During this time he earned himself a scholarship to Harvard University. At Harvard, he wrote for the campus magazine, Harvard Lampoon, and later become president of the magazine. He married his girlfriend in college and afterward graduated from Harvard. After Harvard, he started his writing career and become extremely successful. John and his wife, Mary E. Pennington spent time in England and later returned to the United States. (“John Updike”) They went to Manhattan and later to Ipswich, Massachusetts because his family was growing. John had four children, Miranda, Michael, David, and Elizabeth Updike. In 1974 he and his wife got divorced. He remarried a woman named Martha Ruggles Bernhard two years after the divorce. His final home was the town of Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. In the later months of 2008, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on January 27, 2009, at the age of seventy-six..(“A Storied Life.”)

John Updike’s education was excellent. He was a hard worker and excelled in high school. He graduated from Shillington High School as a co-valedictorian. John spent some time off school and worked for a newspaper organization and was offered a scholarship to Harvard University. His major was English. He moved to England and studied at Oxford’s Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art. After he returned to the United States, he started writing for The New Yorker. After he started writing, his career flourished. (“John Updike.”)

John Updike’s career was an accomplished one. He won many awards and gained notoriety all around America. He was a fiction writer and wrote many poems, short stories, and novels. Some of his first works were The Poorhouse Fair and The Carpentered Hen and Other Tame Creatures. His more renowned works are Rabbit, Run, The Centaur, and Rabbit at Rest. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice, something that only two other writers had done. In 1989, Updike was awarded the National Medal of Art by President George H.W. Bush. Later in 2003, he was also given the National Medal for the Humanities by President George W. Bush. In the same year, Updike published a collection of his early stories named The Early Stories, 1953-1975. (“John Updike.”) The article “John Updike Jefferson Lecture” says how people saw him and the long-lasting effects of his works:

“He is known to many first as an author of short stories, with dozens having graced the pages of the New Yorker before being published in collections. Many other readers know his shorter fiction either through the O. Henry Prize Stories or anthologies of American literature, where they would have entered into the at times sad, at times triumphant thoughts of, say, a certain check-out clerk at the local grocery store; “A & P” serving as a model of dramatic irony for at least two generations of English literature teachers.”

This is a perfect example of how impactful Updike’s stories were. He was also a great critic of literature. He won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction two times and wrote essays on his criticism. (“John Updike Jefferson Lecture”) Updike was also a fantastic poet. He worked on many poems but only published a few himself. The other poems were published posthumously. Most of the poems published after his death have a central subject which was his own death. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica)

John Hoyer Updike was an outstanding novelist, poet, writer, and critic. He had acquired many awards for his works and was a famous author. His works are still used today and will keep being used for many years to come. His childhood was great which lead him into becoming a great author. He had an excellent education by studying at Harvard and later became a distinguished writer. In his life, he won countless awards and was cherished by many. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica) He once said, “Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity. Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.”.(John Updike)

‘Education is one of the most valuable gifts a parent can give to their child’, people say, who do we thank for this valuable gift? In this essay, I will be speaking about one person in particular who has contributed greatly to education and has helped shape educational practices in past years. The key figure in critical and creative thinking that I have chosen to speak about is Bell Hooks. Hooks is a very renowned professor, author, and writer. Bell Hooks was an American author, feminist and social activist. Bell Hooks has published over 30 books and has appeared in documentary films. She has addressed many issues in these books such as race, class, gender, and importantly education which she has a profound effect on. Through Hook’s effect on education, she focused on certain key concepts for example critical pedagogy and empowerment which will be discussed in this essay.

The first key concept from Bell Hooks that will be discussed is Critical pedagogy. “What is critical pedagogy”? one might ask. Critical pedagogy is a philosophy that “applies the tenets of critical social theory to the educational arena and takes on the task of examining how schools reproduce inequality and injustice” (W. Ian O’ Byrne, 2019). It is evident from Bell Hook’s research that she speaks about interactions between teachers and students in a learning environment for example the classroom, she speaks about this through critical pedagogy. From examining the finding it is clear that Hooks observed the “overwhelming boredom, disinterest, and apathy that so often characterize the way professors and students feel about the teaching and learning experience” (Florence, 2019). This teacher and student learning experience can become extremely repetitive. The way students are taught in schools is not a sustainable way of learning. It is not interesting it is exceptionally mundane. The way students are taught in schools is through notes and textbooks. Students are taught to learn pages and pages of notes to be able to say information from the top of their heads but not actually process this information they are learning. Therefore the work becomes awfully tedious for both the students and the teachers, this puts a strain on the teaching and learning experience for both the students and the teachers. This results in there being no interest from the students in their work, and the teachers being frustrated with the students for not having an interest and participating in the class and voicing their opinion.

Throughout Bell Hook’s career, she has taught in many schools. Hooks has taught in both privileged and disadvantaged schools. She learned many different things from teaching in such diverse schools. When Hooks was teaching in the more privileged schools the students there had a sense of entitlement. These students had better facilities, and better opportunities overall. This was compared to when Hook taught in the schools of a disadvantaged area. Hooks students from disadvantaged backgrounds had many more responsibilities in comparison to the students from the more privileged schools, for example, they had children, jobs, and other responsibilities that molded their expectations of the future. “The issue is students from Harlem were any less brilliant, the issue is that they exist in a reality where the education system only deemed to provide them with the basic “tools” to get a job than to enhance their lives in a more profound way” (The other sociologist, 2019). It can be argued that the students who are more privileged take their education for granted compared to the students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is also generally agreed that students that go to a privileged school, attend a better university after school and therefore get a better job after it for example a doctor, and then have a better standard of living, compared to a person from a disadvantaged area. The person who was in the disadvantaged school is only set up to get a job after school and might not ever get the opportunity to a third-level education, as shown from Bell Hook’s research. “Hook notes that critical thinking can enhance not just these students whose choices are constrained. Critical thinking is just as important for them as it is for both the middle and upper-class people who are materially privileged but, who are experiencing a personal crisis. Critical thinking is about knowing the language and frames of reference to examine one’s life in-depth as well as the world around us, so we can ask questions about the things we take for granted” (The other sociologist, 2019).

The second concept that will be discussed is the idea of empowerment. “Empowerment: the act or action of empowering someone or something: the granting of the power, right or authority to perform various acts or duties” (Merriam-webster.com, 2019). It’s clear that Bell Hooks is a strong feminist and social activist. From a young age Hooks was a feminist and strongly believed in women’s rights and equality. “Hooks found that historically women of color often found themselves in a double-bind” (ThoughtCo, 2019). Bell Hook’s main aim was to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression which still occurs around the world to this day. Hooks discusses the role men play in feminism. Hooks does this by discussing patriarchy. “Males as a group have and do benefit the most from patriarchy, from the assumption that they are superior to females and should rule over us” (Pluto Press, 2019). The concept of patriarchy still exists to this day it has not died out. Years ago it was tradition that men were the head of the house, every decision made would go through the man. The man of the house would go out to work to earn and the women would stay at home to mind the children, cook and clean. It has taken many years of women fighting for equality for these roles to change, for it to be acceptable for women to work outside the home and earn as well as men. It has also taken many years just for women to be allowed to do such a simple thing as a vote. Some men still to this day prefer to keep patriarchy intact. “Bell Hook’s idea is men do not let go and still have not let go of patriarchy because they are not certain what will happen to the world they know most intimately if patriarchy changes”(Pluto Press, 2019). Empowerment has had an effect on education because through women standing up for their rights and equality women are now entitled to an education where before they didn’t have the opportunity to have one.         

As a rock music star during his time, Jimi did not just play music but also improved its image. While it is the dream of every artist to make a contribution through his/her work and performance, not all of them successfully make their dreams come true. Through his singing and performance, Jimi is today acknowledged for the impact he had on rock music; he moved rock to a higher level. Some of his major contributions to rock music are he improved the styles that were used to play the guitar thus flipping the music upside down as well as influencing other singers on how they would sing and play the lead at the same time. During that time, a rock band only consisted of at least two people, a separate player for the lead and a singer. However, Jimi changed this trend by singing and playing the lead at the same time. This attracted many musicians of that time and as a result, they practiced it thus changing the look of rock significantly.

How might rock have been different without them?

Without Jimi’s contributions, the rock would still be at its grassroots. His innovation and energy in performing boosted the music industry and moved it to a higher level. For instance, it is he who introduced the system in which one person would sing and play the guitar and the lead at the same time. Without him, rock artists would hire a large group of people in their bands which would be more expensive.

Did the area that this artist hailed from have a significant effect on their musical development?

The area in which Jimi was born and brought up has some significant effect on his musical development. Jimi was hailed in Seattle where he did most of his guitar practices as a little boy. Seattle also had several studios from which music concerts were held. Jimi would sometimes go to these concerts where artists such as Elvis Presley were performing. Jimi was also given a chance to perform at the Arena in 1968 after he became a star, an opportunity that developed his musical career. It is therefore in these concerts that he became motivated and learned the basics of how to play the guitar and eventually performed all on his development ladder.

Did the artist have any formal musical training?

As a successful musician, most people would think that Jimi had some formal training in music before joining the rock band. However, he did not have any formal training but he leaned and identified his talent through self-training. He started training when he was still a young boy. He had been given an old ukulele by his father which he loved so dearly and used in his practices. He later purchased a used guitar and practiced at home during his free time. After one year, his father bought him a used electronic guitar which was presented as a gift. He did not have an amplifier of his own thus he was forced to practice from his friend’s homes (Doggett 17). Besides, Jimi had little formal education since he dropped out of high school and could not even read music. Thus his knowledge in music; writing, playing, and performing are attributed not too formal musical training, but to his own effort, determination, and self-interest.

How Jimi Hendrix was unique and innovative?

Throughout his performance and production, Jimi displayed a sense of uniqueness that influenced the way rock music is played today. His style of guitar playing was different from any rock artist that lived before him thus taking rock guitar to new levels. The magnified the vocabulary of the electric guitar and coaxed all manner of unanticipated sonic from his guitar with innovative intensification experiments that produced roaring distortion and excellent feedback. The most controversial nature of his style is characterized by the loud and sharp sounds he produced from his guitar as they were accompanied by the imitated sounds of screams, bombs, and gunfire. To begin, Jimi’s basics of playing were totally different from everyone else; he did not play with the C Major Chord like many guitarists would, instead he did it outside the box. Besides, Jimi used the wah-wah pedal constantly, a feature that made him unique from all other guitar players (Evans 1).

Another surprising thing about Jimi is that he was left-handed yet he used right-handed guitars. This is to imply that he played it with the strings upside down. He removed the strings, replaced the guide, and restrung them in a unique fashion. Thus all his guitars had some substantial adjustments before he could use them. With his recurrent hurricane explosions of noise and stunning showmanship, Jimi would play the guitar with his teeth while it was behind his back. Thus it is widely accepted that Jimi had a unique way of playing the guitar; an aspect that was motivated by his spirit to do what he wants, play what he has in his head, and strive for that quality sound. This took rock guitar to greater levels and consequently made him one of the most significant musicians of his time.

Jimi Hendrix’s major contributions in terms of important recordings, songwriting, and live performances

Apart from the social contributions that Jimi Hendrix made to society, there are also other contributions that he made in terms of important recordings, songwriting, and live performances as well. Through his songs, important records have been kept since it was during his time that rock and roll made a new turn and was revolutionized into what it is today. His time will be remembered for great innovations in the music industry; something that earn him several rewards. Some of his recordings include; Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland, and The Cry of Love which became among the top five songs on the best songs charts of the United States and the United Kingdom. In terms of songwriting, Jimi’s songs were exceptional despite the fact that he could not read music. He composed his songs from what he had in his head and as well as the events that were happening then. Songwriting, therefore, got a new look since the belief that music composition and writing were only for the literates was disapproved.

Jimi also contributed greatly to how music was performed. While it was like a custom that rock was performed by a lead player and a singer, Jimi did these two tasks alone. His live performance inspired many people who consequently improved the way they performed. In other words, Jimi Hendrix has acted as a tool in bridging the gap between the rock music before his time and that which was played after him. He brought a totally new start to rock music and the music industry at large. His music has been emulated by many and the improvement in sound, songwriting, performance, and guitar playing is attributed to his innovations and the uniqueness of his talent to sing, play the guitar, and lead at the same time.

Did charisma, image, or promotion play a role in the popularity of this artist?

As is the trend for most musicians and performers, popularity is a product of charisma, image, and promotion. Throughout his life, Jimi had a good personality and related well with other people. He believed in teamwork, a personality that made him work with groups, and eventually formed his own band. Despite the fact that he had some differences with Little Richard, his charisma was admired by many and that is the main reason why he managed to form several bands as he worked with other people as well thus promoting his popularity. The image also played a role in the popularity of Jimi (Bio 1). Following his image as the best performer and guitarist of his time, coupled with his innovative nature, Jimi was spotted by Chas Chandler, the Animals’ bassist, and was convinced to join the band and go to London where he would be recorded as a solo performer in England (Chipkin 98). Chandler was looking for a manager when his band was almost collapsing and he found the qualities he wanted in Jimi due to his outstanding image as a guitarist, singer, and dancer. After playing for several bands, Jimi formed his own and become even more popular when he named his first band ‘Jimmy James’ after his name and the ‘Are You Experienced?’ (Evans 1).

How prolific was this artist over their career, and did their work change in any significant ways over their career?

As a committed artist who did his songs with passion, Jimi was very productive in his career, especially during a time like his when the music industry was still developing. His prolific effort is seen when he produced numerous songs and the awards that he won when his songs and/or performance emerged as the best. Most of his songs made it to the top when competing with other artists (Evans 2). His work was always perfect and it was more of a passion and talent other than a career.

Critics’, contemporaries’ or other musicians’ say about Jimi’s work and influence

Jimi’s influence and work were admired by many and as is usual for every public figure, critics, contemporaries, and fellow artists had something to say about his work and performance. Different groups and individuals expressed different feelings about his work and experience. While there were those who cherished him, others criticized him. However, most of them approved of his performance as they were astonished at how he played his guitar in a style only known to him. For instance, Pete Blecha, the music historian once commented that Jimi had a unique way of manipulating his guitar.

The degree to which Jimi has been influential upon their specific style, other musicians, and rock music in general

Jimi Hendrix has been influential to other musicians and rock music in general in that most of them strive to improve the music industry. He laid a strong foundation for rock music by setting greater standards that only the talented and committed young stars would achieve; his records have been met by very few artists. Jimi has also influenced the way rock music is performed and artists have discarded the old fashion and embraced his. For instance, today the Stratocaster has become an exceedingly popular musical instrument because it was associated with him. Jimi used the Stratocaster throughout and it can be argued that it is during his time that this instrument was the best-selling musical instrument. Thus, his work has not only impacted the artists but the rock music at large.

Introduction to Kanye West’s Influence on Rap

The main reason I decided to choose this topic is that rap makes up the majority of what I listen to. I listen to rap almost everywhere, whether it be in the car driving around, working out, or even just doing homework for my classes. If I was going to research and write about something related to music, picking a topic that I would be interested in learning more about, enjoy writing about, and feel is relevant to my everyday life would be the best option. The reason I decided to examine Kanye West’s personal influence on the genre is that I grew up listening to Kanye West. The first rap song I ever heard was by Kanye and it was “Stronger” from the album Graduation. From the moment I heard that song, I became a Kanye fan and would always listen to his newest releases. I also wanted to research Kanye because he was a pioneer for the new sound of rap with the use of autotune, 808s, and other musical techniques. Kanye has been such a major influence that many of the new generation rappers cite Kanye as the one that inspired them to start rapping. The collection of these reasons is why I choose to examine Kanye’s influence on rap from the 2000s until now.

Kanye West’s Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Kanye West is one of the most influential figures that the rap/hip-hop genre has seen in recent times. Kanye Omari West was born on June 8th of 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. Even though he was born in Atlanta, Kanye spent his life growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. He even spent time in China with his mother while she was working as a professor at a university. West’s mother says that his interest in the arts started to flourish in elementary school. At around the age of 13, Kanye started to create his own musical pieces. Kanye started making musical advances throughout his teen years even when he made the decision to enroll at Chicago State University.1 While attending the university, Kanye started to become more and more engulfed by his musical work, but his education would have to be sacrificed. This is when he made the decision to drop out of school and pursue a career in music full-time.

The Breakthrough: ‘The College Dropout’

After a few years had passed, when he was working with a variety of well-known artists and producing for them, he would go on to drop his first studio album, The College Dropout. This album would completely change the trajectory of his career and catapult him into a league with all of the biggest artists at the time. Kanye is known as a perfectionist and this is clear when looking at when his first studio album was released compared to when it was initially supposed to be released. This album came out about 6 months late due to Kanye West constantly removing certain songs, changing verses on others, and even adding certain instruments to the background to tune the beat. Looking back at all of this, the extra caution and care made the difference as the album would go on to become voted one of the best albums of the year and earn a plethora of awards. Years down the road, The College Dropout would be considered a classic in the rap genre and the start of a legendary career.

One of the reasons that Kanye is considered one of the most influential figures in the rap genre is the long list of other artists that he has either helped rise to fame or that he has helped in continuing to release quality content. In the mid to late 1990s, Kanye produced for many small artists, most of them being from Chicago. Despite this, the start of West’s career as we know it today began when he started producing songs for artists signed to Roc-A-Fella Records.2 It was during this time that Kanye helped produce multiple songs on an album for Jay-Z. This album was called The Blueprint and it would not only become one of Jay-Z’s most popular pieces, but it would become one of the most iconic rap albums of all time. Due to the popularity of the album and Kanye’s efforts on it, his status as a producer skyrocketed. At this point in his career, it was very early, and Kanye had already helped produce one of the most popular and influential rap albums in history.

Kanye’s Role in Shaping Other Artists’ Careers

One way that Kanye helped many up-and-coming artists was through his record label GOOD Music, which he founded in 2004. One of the artists that Kanye helped very early on was Kid Cudi. As a result of help from the record label, Kid Cudi would go on to also become a very influential artist. Another artist that is signed to GOOD Music is Travis Scott, who is one of the most popular and iconic rappers in 2019. Other notable artists that are signed to GOOD Music include; Pusha T, Big Sean, and John Legend.5 It has become evident that Kanye is an icon in the rap scene for a variety of reasons other than his own musical productions.

Changing the Rap Genre: Beyond ‘Gangster’ Rap

Although Kanye West influenced the rap culture in many ways, he changed the actual genre through the creation of his own works. Before Kanye West, rap was considered “gangster” and most of the popular rappers before him were all very similar in the way that they all fell into this image. During this time, most rap music was very one-dimensional as it was very commonly about money, drugs, crime, and women. While Kanye was trying to make the transition from full-time producer to a rapper he was having difficulty in finding a record deal because most of the groups were pointing out the fact that he did not fit the image of these mainstream rappers at the time. They were right because Kanye did not grow up poor, his family lived very comfortably, and he was not involved with crime growing up. On the other hand, no one could have predicted that Kanye would be the one to get rid of this stereotypical image of a rapper. When Kanye became popular, he normalized rapping about things that could be seen as “soft.” Unlike most of the rappers before him, Kanye was not afraid to show his softer side and portray these emotions through rapping. This becomes clear when looking at some of the lyrics from his most popular songs earlier in his career. In “Heartless” from 808s & Heartbreak Kanye says, “Somewhere far along this road / He lost his soul to a woman so heartless.” In this line, Kanye is talking about himself and how a person he was in a relationship with took his heart from him and destroyed it. In a sense, Kanye was a trailblazer because before him many rappers were reluctant to portray their true feelings and talk about things that others may define as “soft.” Kanye did not care about upholding some image that he was a tough guy who did not care about others and felt no emotions. Kanye spoke his heart truthfully through his lyrics with no filter. Kanye also used his music to talk about social issues and bring certain things that he thought were important to life. In “Never Let Me Down” from The College Dropout album Kanye says “Racism’s still alive they just be concealin’ it / But I know they don’t want me in the damn club / They even made me show ID to get inside of Sam’s Club. This is just one example of how Kanye used his popularity to bring attention to certain problems that are still very prevalent even to this day.

Innovations in Sound: Autotune and 808s

Kanye was a pioneer for rap in many ways, not only through the lyrical content as discussed above but also through the actual sound of rap and the production of rap. Kanye was one of the first people in the industry to experiment with autotune and popularize it. Autotune works by correcting the pitch in a vocal recording which can make the piece sound much smoother and not as choppy. Kanye had dabbled in the use of autotune very slightly in the past but really experimented with it during the creation of one of the most prolific rap albums of all time, 808s & Heartbreak. This album heavily utilized autotune and many listeners were surprised as autotune was not nearly as common back then. Through his use of autotune, Kanye would pave the way for many rappers after him.10 One of the biggest proponents of autotune in today’s rap scene is Travis Scott, who is also signed to Kanye’s record label. Travis is extremely popular and is known for his use of autotune. Without Kanye, there is a good chance that Travis Scott and many others like him would not be creating this type of music.

Another musical style that many people give credit to Kanye for popularizing is the use of the 808s. When referring to 808’s, people are talking about the retro Roland TR-808 drum machine. This machine made production much easier because there was no longer a need for a drum sample or even a live drummer. With the machine, producers were able to create their own unique patterns and sounds. Kanye’s the use of the machine was fairly early and therefore many people were surprised when he had an entire album dedicated to it, 808’s & Heartbreak, where every song featured the use of the 808. This was what largely popularized the 808 as many of the songs from that album were extremely popular, such as “Heartless,” “Amazing,” and “Love Lockdown.”12 In today’s style of rap, the 808 is used so frequently that it has become a crucial piece to how rap sounds today.

‘Heartless’: A Case Study of Kanye’s Musical Genius

“Heartless” by Kanye West is one of his most popular songs and an all-time favorite among his fans. This song is the perfect example of all the things that Kanye has popularized in rap, including the use of autotune and the 808 machines. In this song, Kanye is talking about himself in the third person. The song is about a relationship that has gone wrong, and now, Kanye is left all alone and heartless. Kanye uses different figures of speech throughout the song to emphasize the lyrics. For example, he uses a metaphor when he says, “The coldest story ever told”. The story itself isn’t cold nor is it about the cold, but that this female basically left Kanye “out in the cold”. Kanye also uses hyperbole when he says, “Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul to a woman so heartless”. Kanye is exaggerating because obviously, he has not lost his soul, but he was so connected to her that now he feels empty. The song starts off with the lyrics as the center of attention with the beat taking a back seat, this is done to emphasize the lyrics and set the tone for the rest of the song. The beat then comes in and shares the spotlight with the lyrics, however, the beat is fast with a lot of deep notes. On the other hand, the lyrics are sung at a much slower pace which puts the center of attention on what Kanye is talking about. The beat also changes at different parts of the song depending on the context of what Kanye is saying. The effect of the autotune also makes Kanye sound slightly robotic which is how he feels after leaving this relationship, empty and alone.12 This song is just one example of how Kanye uses different musical techniques to portray a variety of emotions and meanings to the listener.

Conclusion: Kanye West’s Enduring Legacy in Rap

In conclusion, Kanye is one of the most influential artists across many genres but especially rap. Kanye changed the culture of rap by breaking the stereotype that all rappers are gangsters and that they all rap about crime, money, drugs, and women. Due to Kanye’s revolutionary style and sound, many of the greatest rappers of today cite Kanye as one of their biggest influences. He is responsible for popularizing many of the musical techniques that are still being used to this day. Kanye was one of the first to experiment with the 808 machines and autotune. As a result, the sound of rap has been forever changed.

There have not been any arguments in the football world as it is today. Every football fan all around the world must support different players based on how they compare those players. Mostly, when it comes to comparison, there’s always the same question, who is the better player between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? It seems to be an endless dissent in the new era since they both share many differences, such as the team they play for, their abilities, and the physical attributes they own.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have started their careers in different clubs for more than a decade. Starting his career in the Sporting team in 2002, the Portuguese man, Ronaldo, has played for many other clubs throughout European countries. In 2003, he joined one of the best English teams, Manchester United, and then joined Real Madrid, a Spanish team, in 2008. He was playing there for almost a decade. Currently, he is playing for the Italian football club ‘Juventus’. Unlike Ronaldo, the Argentinian man, Lionel Messi, started his career in 2004 in Barcelona, Spain, and continues playing there until now. As mentioned above, they both once played in the same league. At that time, their names were being chanted and debated confidently since both of them had had noticeable careers drawing comparisons to each other.

Two of them might come from different clubs, but one thing for sure they do have in common is their scoring abilities. Since the appearance of both of them in the same league, the trophy for top scorer was competed actively from season to season. In Barcelona, the Argentinian man scored 472 goals in 476 matches since his debut in 2004. On the other hand, the Portuguese man netted 450 goals with 438 appearances. Both have different abilities in terms of goal scoring. With his great header and strength, Ronaldo is a perfect poacher in front of the goal and often makes an impact on defenders. At the same time, Messi is the best for his free-kick because of his ability to find a spot and a route to that spot, eluding all opposing players in his way. He is also an incredible dribbler with lightning speed that enables him to enter a crowd of players and score goals. Both Ronaldo and Messi are their special skills that make them perfect.

Not only do they have different great abilities to score goals, but they also have different physical attributes. Ronaldo joined football when he was a thin teenager, but from time to time, he developed his pace, strength, and physique to better himself from other players. With that impeccable body, he can deliver the ball quickly and powerfully, making him one of the best players of this generation. However, diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at 11 years old, Messi is unfairly compared to this characteristic, and yet with his exceptional talent and intelligence, he outdoes his rivals. Most of the time, he creates lots of chances by dribbling the ball and passing to his teammates. Both are amazing athletes – one is hard-working and the other is born with talent.

Just as everyone has their own uniqueness, both the Argentinian man and the Portuguese man have their special abilities to be the best of our generation. We should neither compare nor should we judge them. By that, we should appreciate and support their existence in our era.

Introduction

Throughout history, certain figures have emerged as charismatic leaders who embody the spirit of their nations and shape the course of their countries’ destinies. In South America, one such leader stands out: Simón Bolívar, often referred to as the George Washington of South America. This essay explores the life, accomplishments, and lasting impact of Simón Bolívar, highlighting his role as a revolutionary leader and visionary statesman who fought for the liberation of multiple South American nations.

Early Life and Education

Simón Bolívar was born on July 24, 1783, in Caracas, Venezuela, into a wealthy aristocratic family. His education was diverse and comprehensive, influenced by Enlightenment ideas and the principles of liberty and equality. Bolívar’s exposure to European thinkers and his own experiences in South America would shape his vision of a united and independent continent.

Revolutionary Spirit

Inspired by the ideals of the American and French Revolutions, Bolívar became deeply committed to the cause of independence for his homeland and the broader South American region. Witnessing the injustices and exploitation under Spanish colonial rule, he embarked on a mission to liberate the nations from the shackles of colonialism.

Military Campaigns

Bolívar’s military campaigns played a crucial role in the struggle for independence. His brilliance as a strategist and his determination to free South America from Spanish control led to a series of victories that secured the liberation of numerous countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Bolívar’s military achievements earned him the nickname “El Libertador” (The Liberator).

Political Vision

Beyond his military prowess, Bolívar possessed a profound political vision for a united and independent South America. He advocated for the creation of a federation of states known as Gran Colombia, envisioning a union that would promote collective defense, economic cooperation, and social progress. Bolívar believed in the principles of republicanism, constitutionalism, and the separation of powers, emphasizing the need for strong institutions to safeguard democracy and ensure the well-being of the people.

Legacy and Impact

Simón Bolívar’s impact on South America cannot be overstated. His leadership and military achievements were instrumental in securing independence for multiple nations and shaping the political landscape of the continent. Bolívar’s vision of unity and regional integration laid the foundation for modern-day South American cooperation and alliances. Despite facing challenges and internal divisions, Bolívar’s ideals continue to inspire leaders and citizens alike, reminding them of the importance of liberty, justice, and self-determination.

Conclusion

Simón Bolívar, known as the George Washington of South America, left an indelible mark on the history and development of the continent. His commitment to liberty, his military genius, and his vision for a united South America made him a revered figure and a symbol of liberation. Bolívar’s legacy extends far beyond his military victories; it encompasses his belief in the power of self-determination, constitutional government, and regional unity. Today, Bolívar’s influence can be seen in the aspirations of South American nations for cooperation, social progress, and a brighter future. As the George Washington of South America, Bolívar’s legacy reminds us of the transformative potential of visionary leadership and the enduring impact of those who fight for freedom and justice.

The majority of composers from the Classical era lived a life full of struggle and hardships. It was not common to have a comfortable life and still earn a profit. They used their traumas as inspiration and found ways to incorporate them into their style and sound of composing. This was not the case when it came to Franz Joseph Haydn. He lived a very comfortable, happy, well-off life that most could only dream of. He grew up in a healthy household with plenty of opportunities to express his musical talents. Known as the “Father of the Symphony”, he wrote 107 symphonies, 83 string quartets, 45 piano trios, 62 piano sonatas, 14 masses, 26 operas, and countless other scores.

Franz Joseph Haydn was born on March 31, 1732, in a small-town called Rohrau, Austria to a wheelwright and a local landowner’s cook. He is more commonly known as Joseph Haydn as he did not go by his first name. Although neither of his parents could read music, Joseph grew up in a household filled with music. His father, Mathias, often played the harp while he was accompanied by vocals from his wife Anna. He was first known for his incredibly talented voice which helped kick-start his career. As a young child, his voice was recognized by Johann Franc who was a school principal and choir director for a church in Hainburg. He requested that young Joseph come and live with him in order to further his study in music. His parents happily accepted as they hoped he would eventually amount to something as they knew the chances of him doing so in their small hometown were slim to none. Although his living conditions were poor and he often went hungry, while living with Johann, Joseph primarily studied music but he also learned Latin, writing, arithmetic, and about many religions. He also learned how to play the harpsichord and the violin. This portion of his childhood mainly consisted of studying and singing in church choirs. Unfortunately for Joseph, this was short-lived as he lost his talented voice when he went through puberty and was eventually upstaged by his younger brother, Michael.

After he was dismissed from the school at the age of 18 he went on to earn a living as a freelance musician. He was also able to share his learnings and teach music and compose at the same time. This was the period in Joseph’s life when he struggled the most financially. There were often days when he was forced to sleep outside before he was taken in by friends. His first steady job came at the age of 25 when he was hired on to be a music director for Count Morzin. In the time while he was working for Morzin, Joseph composed 15 symphonies, concertos, and his first two string quartets. Then in 1759, he began his career with one of the wealthiest families in the Hungarian nobility, the Esterhazy family, and he was heavily compensated. This is where he spent the next 30 years of his life working as a vice Kapellmeister. As each year passed his salary increased from the already high pay as his ranking in the court rose too. With the security of this new lavish position, he married Maria Anna Keller on November 26th, 1760. Sadly, he and his wife did not get along and they never had any kids. There is speculation that he did have a child or two with a singer within his place of work that he had a long-term affair with. While he was working for the family he lived on their estate but he often visited Vienna. It is in Vienna that he met and befriended Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In 1779 Joseph came to a new agreement with the Esterhazy family where he was legally allowed to accept commissions from other patrons which meant he was no longer strictly bound to just serve their family. In the following decade, he wrote “The Seven Last Words of Christ” which was an orchestral work with nine movements. He also wrote his six Paris symphonies which were very popular and commissioned by a French director.

A few years later Joseph went and spent four years in London outside of the royal court to compose music. This is the most fruitful point in his career as he earned more money in one year than he did in almost twenty years with the Esterhazy family. It was also when he wrote his most famous works including Symphony No.100, “Military”. While in London he also met Ludwig Van Beethoven and spent some time mentoring him when he returned to Vienna. When he finally returned to London a few years later where he debuted a few new symphonies which were warmly accepted by the audiences. From there he spent the rest of his life in Vienna mainly composing vocal pieces such as masses. Without the stress of multiple deadlines accumulating at once, he was able to put more time into his work. This brought out “The Creation” in 1798 and “The Seasons” in 1801. These were a direct reflection of his questioning of the meaning of life and his purpose as a human. He spent over a year composing these pieces and it began to change how other composers worked and the time they spent composing. This mindset became the norm in Classical composition. It was in 1804 that Joseph retired from his work with the Esterhaza family. Unfortunately, he was struck with an illness that prevented him from composing anything else. He passed in his sleep on May 31st, 1809 at the age of 77. During his funeral, Mozart’s Requiem was performed.

Franz Joseph Haydn is one of the most famous composers from the classical period. He produced more than 100 symphonies, 60 string quartets, a dozen operas, and countless other works. He lived a comfortable life that was apparent in his work as it was bright and cheerful compared to most. He is known as the “Father of the Symphony” and the “Father of the String Quartet”. Unbound by the influence of other composers, he was able to create his own sound and style that was original in itself. Known for his love of practical jokes he was known for his lively sense of humor and love of life. A devout Catholic, he often finished his compositions with “Laus Deo”, or praise be to God. We study his music as he laid the foundation for the classical style that helped shape the musical style of the era. He also helped develop the sonata form that became a driving force in how people approached and thought about classical music.