Kanye Catapults Rap Into the Stratosphere at So-Fi

 Kanye West, now known as Ye, makes an extraordinary  comeback catapulting the Rap genre into the stratosphere with an out of this world light show on top of fantastic stage displays, appearing almost holographic, of planet earth and its moon with amazing performances by himself and guest artists including Lauryn Hill, Zion Marley, Travis Scott and daughter North West before sold out audiences of 80,000 over two nights in one of  LA's largest concert venues. Other artists appearing over the span of two nights on different days were Cee Lo Green, Andre Troutman and YG Marley.

It is estimated that Ye raised a record 33 million from ticket sales alone from what some critics have described as a cultural takeover.

Two of the corporate sponsors decided to bail out when they learned they were backing Ye. Obviously because of his past media antics promoting Nazis, putting down Jews and making outlandish remarks about some of his closest friends and allies like Hova and Beyonce. However, Ye went back to all apologizing, receiving acceptance from a Jewish rabbi, forgiveness from Jay-Z and begging for forgiveness for his mistakes, blaming his erratic behavior on a traumatic brain injury he experienced, the result of a car crash he had been involved in years ago. We all remember that. He had to have his jaws re-wired and could not talk or eat any solid food for months.

For more information on Ye's journey on the road to seek forgiveness for past transgressions that led to his being ostracized by his peers, the Jewish community and allegedly banned from concert appearances in the US,  watch the following Instagram reel by long time friend, Grammy and Emmy Award winning producer  Malik Yusef at this link.

For more history about past incidents that have resulted in Ye being called out on the carpet for his behavior towards fellow recording artists like Taylor Swift concerning a Grammy award win dispute involving Beyonce and ultimately forgiven by Swift see my prior blog post at the following link:

https://cynthiadwilson2.blogspot.com/2010/09/song-for-kanye-its-about-forgiveness.html?m=1

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FOR MORE posts on forgiveness in this blog follow these links:

https://cynthiadwilson2.blogspot.com/2026/03/15-year-anniversary-of-chris-browns.html?m=1

https://cynthiadwilson2.blogspot.com/2007/05/on-forgiveness.html?m=1

Jay-Z to Headline Roots Picnic and Yankee Stadium Concerts Celebrating Anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt and the Blueprint

 

Pharell Williams Wins Dr. Dre Global Impact Award

Iconic producer and humanitarian Pharrell Williams was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards show held at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, California. Pharrell a partner of the production team the Neptunes has been producing hits with icons like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and other notable Rap and Hip-Hop recording artists for decades.

He was Co-Director, a keynote speaker, and among the performing  musicians at the Grace for the World concert held at the Vatican last year in September. Also performing were Andreas Boccelli, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Clipse, Angelique Kidjo, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll and others. Full list of those performing at the Grace for the World Concert  at the Vatican, the concert sponsors, and the occasion for the musical celebration can be found at the link below:

https://share.google/aimode/6tMVmlk3KVI4dlKbC

For more information about the concert, check out the You Tube video at this related post.

Grammy Elegance: Beyonce, Alicia,Doechii, Roan et Al

 

Alicia Keys Global Impact Award Acceptance Speech

Beyonce Wins Album of the Year Award 

The Grammy Awards show last night, I would describe as pure elegance from the set,stage decor,the performances and of course the acceptance speeches, of which the most vibrant were Beyonce, Keys,Doechii and Roan. Trevor Noah excelled again as host.
It was good and was glad to see Beyonce I
(and vicariously hubby Jay-Z) finally get that album of the year award even though Beyonce has won the most Grammys than any other artist ever with 27 wins before she won the coveted Album of the Year Award and a few others last night. Now with a total of 35.Kudos to her and the graceful manner in which she and daughter Blue lvy accompanying her on stage,accepted the long overdue bonus. I say bonus because her range and excellence in the pop music field had been proven time and time again
by her numerous Grammy wins in the past. And, quite frankly it was a shrewd move to go country.

 If Swift could cross over from country to pop and skyrocket up the charts why not Beyonce switching over from pop to country. It definitely paid off in more ways than one. Shaboozey, Lil Nas, Darius Rucker deserve their cross over propers as well and Mickey Guyton for paving the way as well in country genre are all blacks in country. Beyonce did Charlie Pride and many more little known Black country artists proud while elevating the genre in the black community and globally. While showing her country roots Texas style. Savvy move. 

Alicia Keys was simply stunning from her approach to the stage accompanied by one of her children to the dynamic way in which she lauded the artists community for how they were coming together to support one another inserting a well timed reminder in light of recent events by the current administration. She mentioned and I am paraphrasing, about how diversity is a gift and not something to be discarded or frowned upon. It should be welcomed and nurtured.How she reached out to the community of female musicians and opened up doors with. She is in the Music, helped children in Africa with Keep A Child Alive and other programs she initiated and developed over the years. Queen Latifah's introduction of Alicia was beautiful. She lifted her up as a good friend who is always there when you call on her. The camera zoomed in on Alicia returning a warm and appreciative smile for the props.Alicia not only received the Dr. DRE Global Impact Award,but she also received a Grammy for her Broadway bioplay Hell's Kitchen.

I especially resonated with Roans speech and how she in a soft spoken manner. Her slogan,sure to become a popular adage among artists was "labels we got you, but do you have us"?  Well done Roan in an unassuming,yet forcefully gentle way.
She spoke out about the need for health coverage and other financial benefits that often go missing from artists compensation in a multi million dollar industry. Right on Roan!

Link to my podcast episode here for more commentary on the show.

"God Did"- The Evolution of Rap Hova Style

 Not since "Holy Grail" Jay's collaboration with Justin Timberlake has such an incisive verse recognizing and delving into God's impact and presence in rap verses been expressed so eloquently.

In this powerhouse collaboration with rap icons, producers and street credited master poets and hip hop spoken word artists such as Dj Khaled, Lil' Wayne, Rick Ross and others, the Hov's 8 minute verse on "God Did" surpassed expectations. This scene occured at the end of the Grammys and outside of the venue.   The visuals provided by the outside table in the style of the Last Supper with food spread made and rappers rapping made an impact. A veteran rapper keeping up and very much in sync with the spirit of the times in his own singular style of keen street slick and intelligent rap.

Weekend Inspiration: A Bridge of Hope

                              "Avenue "B" Bridge"

Sometimes we have to look at things differently to find hope beyond appearances and seeming limitations. This drawing represents an imaginative perception of a city through a lens of love and hope. Viewed through a lens of love, hope and expectancy, decay and rust can be transformed into building blocks for a brighter day.

As I progressed through what started out as a sketch, it turned into a colorful drawing which incorporates some of the ambience of each of my favorite cities.Under the heading of Avenue "B'" Bridge and the auspices of love, I suppose it could be summed up as a love of city or City Love. Another way of looking at a real city from an imaginary standpoint while showing and hopefully symbolizing the love of urban life as we know it in the USA. I don't think there is anyone around that would not agree that our cities could use some love and devotion.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this is a very timely theme. So let's pump up the volume. Think of something, however small or large,you could do to improve the quality of life in your city.

Have a great weekend and have a good time hanging out in your favorite places with the people you love and enjoy most. Hope you like the drawing. Don't forget to show some city love.

Brings to mind some of my favorite pop/soul tunes including Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City", John Mayer's "City Love and Jay-Z's featuring Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind.

It is uplifting to look at my favorite cities from this perspective. What do you need to look at from a heightened perspective today and perhaps tomorrow?

Have a great weekend and "be" loving and hopeful.

By the way, Happy Valentine's Day!

Cynthia

Scripture reference

I Corinthians13:13:

AND now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love



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