Do you feel relevant?
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for checking out my blog. This is the first of many weekly blogs that I’ll be posting. My goal is to use this blog as a means of expression and bringing up topics that evoke positive, and progressive discussion amongst readers. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m asking if you feel relevant? Well, I was having a discussion with one of my close friends about the buffoon music genre that we call commercial hip-hop. Then the conversation took a sharp left turn and she said, “what are you talking about? You aren’t even relevant”. She said this with a smug smirk in a condescending tone that would make Gollum proud. At first, I was surprised, and then I got defensive, then I felt like making remarks about her Anthony Davis eyebrows, and her sideburns are curlier than Wolverine. But I remained quiet because opinions are like assholes; everyone has one. Furthermore, I make it a habit not to feed trolls, but that statement did inspire me to make it my first post. What is irrelevance? Is it an age thing? Or is it a lack of awareness of pop culture or trends? Or is it someone who is non-progressive socially? Or maybe it’s one of those things or a combination of all? How do you stay relevant? Technically, anyone could just copy or repeat anything that’s trending on Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.
But that would just be someone being a poser. People could usually recognize a poser or a try-hard from a mile away. In the entertainment industry, executives clearly decide who gets pushed or is relevant. For example, Hollywood will have an actor like Channing Tatum and decide he’s the next big thing. He’s young, and the ladies love him, so the media will create a buzz (positive publicity) and put him in big budget movies with an A-list actor. But c’mon, ladies, let’s speak the truth and shame the devil. He’s a good looking dude, but he couldn’t act like he’s burning if he was on fire. And real talk, a lot of you ladies wouldn’t watch his movies at gun point (unless his shirt is off in the movie). Then you have the legendary actor, Robert DeNiro; he’s a great actor but because of his age, he doesn’t get the push Mr. Tatum does. The same thing goes with the music industry; they’ll say Justin Timberlake or Jason Derulo is the new pop superstars but say that the late Michael Jackson is “irrelevant”, yet he sold out 50 shows at the 02 Area in London in a matter of hours. I highly doubt any current pop artist can do that now, period. So my conclusion with that matter is that the entertainment industry sets the tone with who’s relevant and who’s not (this usually works in America). But overseas (i.e., Europe or Asia), certain artists will always be relevant.
With myself, now that I’m in my thirties, some things are different now. For example, I use to be able to run fast but now, when I “try”, I find that I’m pumping my arms as hard as I can. And I’m lifting my knees as high as they could go, but I’m still not moving faster. Also, I use to be able to jump out of the gym, now, I have a vertical of a pop tart. Also, I use to listen to a lot more hip hop, but I find that really hard now. Although, I do like the fact that everyone collaborates, and rappers aren’t beefing over garbage as much. But if you listen to some of the bullshit these artists are saying, you’d probably be turned off too (unless you’re a coon). People always tell me, don’t listen to the lyrics, focus on the energy and the generic fruity loop computer beats. But I’m naturally an observant person, so I take in the beat, chorus, lyrics, melody, etc. With that, I do know if I’m either older (irrelevant), or if I’m just maturing and I have the lower patience for ignorant shit.
But there is one dude who defies all logic of relevance, and that’s Grammy-award winning singer, rapper, and producer, Pharrell William. I know some people will say there are other people his age who are considered relevant like Sean Combs. But with him, I just see a middle-aged Somali dude dancing and rapping off beat. Then there is Jay-Z, who is still relevant but when you have money like him, and you have Beyonce, you’ve already won…checkmate. Then there’s LL Cool J, but when he ran out of Chapstick and cocoa butter, he became irrelevant. But back to Pharrell. When I first heard about Pharrell, he was making hits with producing partner, Chad Hugo (the Neptunes), and he had mad hits with The Clipse, Kelis, Usher, Noreaga, and Justin Timberlake, just to name a few. Then he started rapping; I was like, alright, he has his label, he can do what he wants. Then he started singing and at first, I thought he sounded like a castrated Curtis Mayfield, then dude started going toe to toe with Mary J. Blige, and I was like, whoa!
Pharrell is 41 years old, and he doesn’t look one day over 27. It’s now 2014, and Pharrell has defied all odds and has become a brand and a very successful mogul. He sells everything from clothing and sunglasses, to Adidas shoes. He’s doing this all with a Smokey, the Bear hat, and I know people shit on Pharrell for his fashion sense. But look at his performance at the 2014 Grammy awards, look how he moves the crowd (and not just regular fans, either) the Beetles, Beyonce, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), etc. Dude is a superstar performer, and a fire marshall at the same damn time! Even LeBron James gives him props (at first, I thought this was his most last scheme to cover his absentee hairline. But I realize he’s giving Pharrell props). The bottom line is Pharrell is talented, confident, and charismatic, and that’s what makes him relevant. His personality and music transcend through all walks of life. If you are confident and comfortable in your skin, you’ll always be relevant.