Eminem

As I was watching the Grammy's last night I could not help to notice that one artist that most people have forgotten about lately is Eminem. Most people don't know him for his politically charged songs but he has quite a few. Eminem is a perfect example of a musical artist that has definitely fought the status quo. From talking about his personal drug problem to murdering his wife in his songs and fighting the Federal Communication Commision's censorship of him. Eminem really is the parent's nightmare. I remember when I was in middle school I had to make a real effort to listen to any of his music because of my parents. They, like most, strongly disapproved of Eminem and anything he had to say. Two of his most popular political songs are "Mosh" and "Square Dance." "Square Dance" was released after the September 11 terrorist attacks and is very critical of the Bush Administration's response to it. "Mosh," a much more popular song that you may have heard on the radio, is another song very critical of the Bush Administration. "Mosh" was released on the internet for free just before the 2004 presidential election. It calls on voters to vote George Bush out of office.

Elvis Presley

Elvis would have been 75 this month. He is yet another person who, through his music, challenged the way things were. Elvis contradicted the ideas of racism and sexual conservatism previously popular in the South. When Elvis' "Thats All Right" aired on a Memphis radio station many listener called in asking for it again and assuming the singer was black. From Elvis' beginning to his national fame he always showed a great amount of respect for African American singers in disregard of the norms of segregation and racial prejudice. Elvis even attended an amusement park on what was a designated "colored night." For actions like this many white adults came to dislike and condemn his music. Elvis' handsome and photogenic looks were widely acknowledged. This performance style had much to do with his sex symbol image. Lester Bangs credited him as "the man who brought overt blatant vulgar sexual frenzy to the popular arts in America." He dated many of the Hollywood stars of the time. Elvis' on-stage gyrations will always be remembered as a first because of the ways it challenged society's norms. Read more.

Never Forgotten

Today we remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King lived a life that will never be forgotten and we see the effects of his actions for civil rights every day. There are many songs by many famous musical artists that commemorate the life of Dr. King. One in particular is called "I Have a Dream" by Common. His main message in this song is to speak out against injustice rather than looking the other way. I find that when I think about Dr. King and the legacy he left behind, the first thing that comes to mind is Bloody Sunday. On Bloody Sunday a large group of protesters held a march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery. During the march local and state police use tear gas and nightsticks to stop the march at a bridge in Selma. When the whole ordeal was done seventeen protesters were hospitalized. The attacks by the police were televised nationwide and roused much more support for the civil rights movement. Because of all the violence on this Sunday it has been referred to as Bloody Sunday. Let us never forget all the people who sacrificed their livelihood for Dr. King's cause.

Me

Hi, my name is Dalton and here is a little bit about myself. As far as music goes I listen to country the most with my favorite singer being Toby Keith. I like almost all other types of music also except for rap. I am an avid sports fan, especially of the Saints. The economy is one of things that drives me crazy today, not because of the recession itself, but the actions taken by our federal leaders attempting to solve the problem.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground

Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili ...

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