I wrote about the dustup over the song “Old Town Road” as debate about the song’s “country-worthiness” took place on social media. I remain perplexed about why country music gatekeepers would deem the song not country when it is, in fact, as country as anything I hear on radio stations or anything I see on the TV channel that airs country videos. In fact, Lil Nas X the rapper has produced a song that’s more country than most of what I hear these days. Continue reading “Lil Nas X on a roll as Keith Urban covers ‘Old Town Road’ (on Twitter)”
Tag: Twitter
Genius of Lil Nas X: 20 year old rapper topped country charts, then controversy burned
Because of technology, we live in an age where, if you’re an artist, you can’t just be talented or hard-working. You also have to know how to work the system. A rapper from Atlanta, 20 year old Lil Nas X, did all of the above, and now he’s the topic of many a conversation in the music industry. How did a rapper get a song to the top of country Billboard before it was removed from country? Was this racist? Continue reading “Genius of Lil Nas X: 20 year old rapper topped country charts, then controversy burned”
Buzz explodes for ‘The Joker’; naturally Twitter is ground zero for gold
Once the trailer for the new film The Joker was released, fans emerged with enthusiasm. Well, not all fans. Some on Twitter bemoaned what media are calling a “character film”, perhaps to explain how the Joker became a villain.
One individual, Alan Zilberman, self-described as a “Tattooed freelance film critic”, found gold in his comments about the film no one has actually seen yet. Overall, as with many matters, Twitter became Ground Zero for buzz about The Joker. Continue reading “Buzz explodes for ‘The Joker’; naturally Twitter is ground zero for gold”
Will social media chaos benefit arts communities in 2019?
At present social media like Facebook and Twitter are experiencing chaos. This was predictable. When you have massive numbers of humans from around the globe interacting, you have a landscape akin to the ‘Wild West’ of yore. Toss in bots, insert human screeners who make decisions to block people like a famous pastor (his page was restored), and media who snark among themselves like tweens on a middle school playground, chaos is no surprise. What’s next in 2019 when it comes to arts communities? Continue reading “Will social media chaos benefit arts communities in 2019?”
Via Twitter, a brutally honest and laugh-worthy bipartisan political ad
Twitter is a cesspool as I’ve often said, but there are nuggets mixed in with the slime. One such nugget surfaced today via James Woods’ account. Woods got it from a funny political site where dogs are the top stars. That site appears to have gotten it from YouTube. If this sounds entertaining, it is. All manner of celebs Tweet, and there’s plenty for politics groupies to enjoy regardless of your preferences. Continue reading “Via Twitter, a brutally honest and laugh-worthy bipartisan political ad”
Cody Wolfe dustup indicates gatekeepers not interested in finding new talent
~~Update July 31, 2018: We will expand this story with new information, and the update will be published by Monday, August 6.~~
See the 8/6 update: Flip side to the dustup between Cody Wolfe and Cat Country
A Tweet by rising country star Cody Wolfe revealed something many of us already knew. Gatekeepers at radio stations aren’t very interested in finding new talent. Wolfe published an account of remarks allegedly made by program/music director Joe Kelly with radio station WPUR 107.3 in Northfield, New Jersey. In those remarks, the director also allegedly dissed Luke Bryan. While the dustup is the focus on social media, there’s a troubling message embedded in the remarks. Continue reading “Cody Wolfe dustup indicates gatekeepers not interested in finding new talent”
What ‘Twitterers’ are resources for artists and their supporters?
I’ve often called Twitter the cesspool of social media because of the abundance of trolls, bots, and unhinged people. While I believe that’s true, I’ve also told many musicians they should use Twitter to help get the word out about their work. That doesn’t just apply to musicians, but to other artists as well. Whom do you follow to keep up with the arts? I have no idea about your follow list, but I can share some of my own, and I hope you’ll find these pages useful. Continue reading “What ‘Twitterers’ are resources for artists and their supporters?”
Beware the perils of Twitter
I’ve often said Twitter is social media’s cesspool. Now that another celebrity has hit the Tweet button and blown up her latest opportunity, the only thing we can count on is who’s next. While heavyweights like Rob Reiner (no pun intended) and Jim Carrey can pretty much say what they want about anyone, and get away with it, most of us can’t. Continue reading “Beware the perils of Twitter”
As Pharrell promotes Adidas collection, ‘cultural appropriation’ rears its head
Of late, many media have focused on what tribalists of all ilk call “cultural appropriation.” The thinking goes that if you venture outside your artistic bounds to compose a work including aspects from another culture, you’re guilty.
Pharrell Williams is drawing criticism from some quarters for his new Adidas items comprising “The Hu Holi Powder Dye Collection.”
What is Hu Holi, what does it have to do with sportswear, and why is Pharrell drawing fire? Continue reading “As Pharrell promotes Adidas collection, ‘cultural appropriation’ rears its head”
Angela G deserves gold for Valentine’s Meme
Check out your nearest social media and you’ll see lots of messages and posts about Valentine’s Day. Some posts praise a lover. Other posts offer support to those who are single.
Still other posts show how some countries want to ban the day when we in the US celebrate love. And, if we purchase something for a loved one, capitalism.
I found a lot of pretty bad poetry. I also found some posts that made me laugh. Continue reading “Angela G deserves gold for Valentine’s Meme”