Exposing the Power of Radical Social Change through Music

MTV isn’t particularly known for producing meaningful television shows, rich with profound experiences and dialogue. In the reality TV era, programming such as “Teen Mom” has edged out other shows like the groundbreaking “True Life” documentary series. Hopefully, that’s all about to change with the addition of “Rebel Music” to MTV’s affiliate network, MTVU.

According to MTV, “Rebel Music is a powerful new six-part series that looks into the lives of young people who are using art and music to ignite change around the world.” Each episode will feature the stories of courageous, “rebellious” youth who are fighting injustices with fervent creativity. The show was designed to expose viewers to the experiences of young people in Egypt, Mali, Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, Mexico, and India, who are faced with social, cultural, and political injustices that they protest against using art and music. “Rebel Music is a portrait of those risking their lives today in the pursuit of a better tomorrow,” explains the popular television network.

The series is executive produced by graphic and street artist Shepard Fairey, whose rebellious works have received critical acclaim. In this series, young people from many cultures are presented as bold, powerful, and rebellious, as well as passionately involved in the arts. It’s definitely an edgier, more radical take on the lives of young people around the world, and a welcomed departure from the beer-guzzling, intellectually devoid, bratty American youth that MTV seems so fond of portraying.

The first episode aired on November 18^th, but it’s still unclear whether or not “Rebel Music” will be successful, and some critics are incredulous. “As compelling as these stories are, it’s unclear whether MTVU’s audience of 9 million U.S. college students will be ready to receive them,” explains Lydia Dishman of the Fast Company, who is skeptical about the show’s more captivating intent. It’s certainly a far cry from the alcohol-fueled, messy antics of most of the network’s “reality”-based programming; here’s to hoping this the show’s success will inspire MTV to produce more genuine, groundbreaking television for young people.

Go to www.rebelmusic.com to learn more. 

Images: rebelmusicdoc via Instagram

How Mary Lambert Continues to Steal the Show

As predicted, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards were everything we could have ever hoped for (and some things we didn’t hope for, courtesy of Miley Cyrus’ tongue). There were long-awaited reunions, such as the highly anticipated live performance from ‘NSync, over-the-top fashion choices, racy and jaw-dropping numbers performed by the likes of ahem, Ms. Cyrus, and a whole lot of love for the best music videos of the year.

Everyone predicted that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis would take home the Moon Man for “Best Video with a Social Message” for their song “Same Love,” but few imagined the impact that up-and-coming songbird Mary Lambert would have on the music industry. Lambert is the female cameo part who sings the profoundly touching chorus in “Same Love,” and her performance at the VMAs was truly one of the highlights of the evening. Through exposure from the now famous song, which many consider to be a sort of “LGBT anthem,” Lambert has also become an important gay rights activist and supporter within the music industry.

After “Same Love” was released, the singer produced an extended version of Macklemore’s political pro-gay song called “She Keeps Me Warm.” Lambert’s version is a more in-depth look at a lesbian love story, a sweet glimpse at a relationship beginning to unfold. Her beautiful vocals paired with an important message about love and equality is what will make Lambert’s music career endure and excel far beyond her famous cameo on “Same Love.” The singer has now breached multiple genres while unobtrusively singing about human relationships and the importance of justice for LGBT people whose love is, as everyone participating in and watching the VMAs can agree, the same.

About being gay, and an artist, Lambert says, “I think that when you’re gay and you’re in a gay relationship, it’s inherently political whether you want it to be or not. You’re creating music; you’re writing from your experience; and if your experience is being in the gay community, that’s going to affect the way you write. So whether or not you want to be a gay artist or not, you’re going to be a gay artist. It’s just, whether you want to be an activist or not.” Lambert has definitely become a prominent gay rights activist, and a role model to those her music reaches. The music industry, as well as the LGBT community, is lucky to have her. 

Images: marylambertsing via Instagram

The Music World is Buzzing in Anticipation of this Weekend’s VMAs

MTV’s annual Video Music Awards are definitely one of the biggest celebrity gatherings of the summer. Music industry heavyweights flock to the awards show to honor one another in a night of musical and visual celebration. The fashion choices at these shows are notoriously outrageous; the hordes of entertainers have a little more expressive leeway at the MTV event than they would at say, the Academy Awards (remember when Gwen Stefani showed up at the 1998 VMAs with blue hair, braces, and platform flip-flops?). The musical performances are over the top, and the awards themselves – MTV’s iconic Moonman trophies – are given to those who most influenced the music industry and popular culture over the last year.

This year’s Video Music Awards are happening this weekend, and the world of entertainment is buzzing in anticipation for what’s to come. Lady Gaga is reportedly opening the show with a live performance from her newest single, “Applause,” and you can also expect appearances from Bruno Mars, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Miley Cyrus, and many, many others. Perhaps what most people are getting excited about is a performance from the beloved boy band ‘NSync, who is reuniting, if only for one night, to perform together at the VMAs. Despite the band’s members going on to pursue other avenues after their 2002 break-up, it is indisputable that singer Justin Timberlake has achieved unparalleled success, which is evident in his multiple VMA nominations in 2013.

Timberlake is tied with Macklemore for the most nominations at this year’s awards show; each performer has 6 nominations in a variety of categories, although many predict that Timberlake will take home the most wins. Not only can he hold his own as a solo performer, the singer has succeeded in Hollywood and in fashion. He can dance, sing, act, and market himself remarkably well, although some are still most fond of the days he fronted ‘NSync, emerging as a leader and true superstar early on. This year at the VMAs, Timberlake is set to perform, to potentially win as many as six Moonmen, and to be awarded with MTV’s prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. The Video Vanguard Award is MTV’s version of a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Timberlake is receiving it because of the profound impact he has made on MTV, music, and popular culture throughout his career.

Make sure to tune in this weekend for the MTV Video Music Awards airing live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn! 

 

Image: Kenny Chang via Flickr CC

Image: Edward Kustoff via Flickr CC 

50 Cent Fights Hunger

It’s always good to see celebrities giving back to the community. 50 Cent is certainly well-known for his music and has seen stunning success in his career. He isn’t someone who suffers from hunger or poverty, but he stepped it up this week when he chose to help out those who aren’t so fortunate.

On Wednesday, November 21^st, he joined Feeding America, the Food Network, and SMS Audio handing out Thanksgiving dinner to struggling New Yorkers. Whether they were down on their luck because of Superstorm Sandy or for other reasons, they were able to get at least one hot meal around Thanksgiving.

The rapper served up turkey dinners at the “Our Table Is Yours” event at Cipriani Restaurant in downtown Manhattan. He’s also been donating proceeds from his SK Energy Drink and SMS Headphones to those who would otherwise go hungry. Showing his charitable side at the meal event in Manhattan, 50 Cent told MTV, “I’m able to provide meals for victims of Sandy or other people in New York that don’t actually have food.”

When we think of people going hungry, we often think of starving children in Africa and other developing nations. It’s completely accurate to think of those people, too, but we shouldn’t forget that we also have millions of people here at home who are going hungry as well. “It’s a world issue,” he said, “it’s not a third-world issue.”

“One in six Americans are actually going hungry,” 50 Cent explained in his interview. “You got kids that’s surviving based on their school lunch and more than one out of five kids are experiencing hunger.”