Jay-z Supporting President Obama & Gay Marriages

Recently President Barack Obama made an announcement to support gay marriages. Everyone has their own views on this subject whether they are personal views or religious. Sometimes we question how much effect music has on politics or how much of a voice artists have on political issues. We have seen artist write songs on world issues urging people to make a difference. We have also seen artists make public service announcements asking their fans to make sure they register to vote.

This week Jay-Z was interviewed by CNN about his announcement to host “Made in America” Festival in Philadelphia. He was asked his thoughts on the President’s announcement and did he feel it would affect his votes during the election. He stated that he felt the President made the right choice in supporting gay marriages, that it was the right thing to do as a human being. He also stated that even if it did cost him votes all that mattered is that President Obama did the right thing. Jay-Z has a lot of fans that he influences through his music, by him backing the President’s support on gay marriages it lets his fans know where he stands on the issue.

As human beings and as residents of the United States we all have rights and beliefs. No one wants anyone to take away his or her rights, especially the right to love someone. The country has been torn on this issue for years with some politicians trying to stay as far away from the subject as possible. Some have voiced their concerns that when President Obama was running for office in 2008 he was against gay marriages and now his views have changed. This leads to some questions on whether you feel he was forced to do so or if his views really changed and he formally wants to make it known. The main question is “Do artist such as Jay-z have influence on voters to affect the way they vote in the upcoming election?” and if they do the next question will be “Will other artists come out against President Obama supporting gay marriages?” and “What affect will that have?”. 

Rolling Stone's Change to the Top 500 Albums List

Just recently Rolling Stone revamped their Top 500 albums list. While the Beatles still dominate the top 10, new additions like two albums from Radiohead and 3 albums from Kanye West. Kanye came out on top for the new additions with the most added and his Late Registration album at 118.

Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums List

CNN’s Brooke Baldwin interview Rolling Stone editor Christian Hoard about the list and who put it together. There are a few people that don’t agree with the list and wonder why more new music is not in the top 10. This leads to many questions about the kind of music that is being created now and the type of people picking the list.

• ¨     Are artists still making great albums?
• ¨     Are the people picking the albums in tuned to different genres of music?
• ¨     What really makes a great album?
• ¨     Are albums now just going with the status quo or are they daring to be different?

      CNN - Top 500 Albums

       Now the reason why Kanye West has 3 albums in the top 500 is because they all are different in content. College Dropout was his first album and is was something different than what other rappers were doing at the time. He was not trying to be a thug or former gangster; he was being himself a college dropout. He also show that he was not going to let anything stop him recording Through the Wire with his mouth wired shut. With his album Late Registration he showed his level of musicality.  He also went back to his roots of Chicago with his songs Hey Mama and My Way Home with fellow Chicago native Common. The third album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was his way of showing his fans and critics that he still had it in him to make great music.

Rolling Stone overhauls album ranking, Kanye stars (Reuters)

There can be debates going on for days or weeks on what everyone considers a great album. Everyone has their favorite artist, their favorite albums and even their favorite genre of music. So do we know if the people picking the list have a wide range of musical taste? No matter whether you agree with the list or not, there some great albums on it and greater albums to come.