The Spotlight. (None) 1980-201?, March 16, 2012, Image 6

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Too Much of Bad Minaj Alysha Phanord Forum Writer “When I’m asser tive I’m a bitch, but when a man is asser tive, he’s ‘bossed up’. No negative conten tion being ‘bossed up’ but lots of negative contention being a bitch.” If you ever watch Nicki Minaj’s documentary “My Time Now” on MTV, you would’ve heard her ranting about the inequalities and double standards that women face. It was quite a shock for me, to hear that same Nicki release a song entitled “Stupid Hoe”. How could that same woman, who asked, ““Is that wrong for wanting more for myself, wanting people to treat with respect?” release a song so demeaning to women. Well, I have an answer to your question about respect; generally people don’t respect people who have to bring others down to get themselves to the top. In the offending song, the phrase “stupid hoe” is used approximately 37 times. The use of the term itself is offensive, but what happens to be more disturbing, is that the song is supposed to be performed by one of Nicki’s alter egos “Roman Zolanski”, a male persona that Nicki has adopted. I find the alter ego business itself dis turbing, but does this mean this how how a male is talking to a female? BET also refused to air the video on its network, while BET has de clined to offer reason ing for its decision, Minaj tweeted why it wouldn’t air, tweeting ““Can’t premiere on a network b/c it’s im portant that my art is not tampered with or compromised prior to you viewing it for the 1st time [sic].” This contro versial song and the bad publicity that has been consis tently accompanying might actually prove the old Hollywood adage “There’s no such thing as bad publicity” false. On YouTube the video has accumulated over 29 million views (as of 2/14/12) but it also has more than 370,000 dis likes (more than the 181,000 likes). Her Grammy per formance, where the concept was to exorcise her alto ego,Roman, has also left her fans con fused. It has also angered the Catholic League. Many just don’t understand her intent, other than to spark controversy and increase publicity. One person tweeting “Wished Kanye had come and interrupted it [her performance]”. Another general consensus was that tweeter thought Nicki Minaj was “trying to hard to act like Lady Gaga”. If this is what Nicki Minaj has in store for her fans when Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is released in April, than I for one, do not want any part of it. xxxxxxoooooooc <X>000<X><X><X><><><><><X><X><X><><>0<>0<X>0<><><X><X><>0<>C><X><>00000<><><X>0<>000©<><X>0©©<>00^ yun i run run k 1 Tristin Travis Arts and Entertainment Writer For her wisdom and talent and a beautiful personality to match Whitney Houston was found in a Beverly Hills hotel, she appeared to have drowned. As we know Whitney Houston, was a wonderful woman with talent for days. She touched the lives of musi cal artists from all genres and walks of entertainment. Artists from the likes of Bob Marley to Amy Winehouse and paved the way for what we know as real music today. Lately there have been touched with numerous deaths of many lives throughout the musical industry. From actors to singers across the world fans across the nation have learned to cope with all these losses while still adjusting to the new era of music we are exposed to today. With true talent, especially within the music industry dying off to unfor tunate causes and health issues where can we turn for artistry and positive touching and influential talent. It seems like there are new artists on the come up everyday in the music industry. From local artists to those across the waters there’s a new era of talent emerging right before our eyes. But is it talent?Or just another way of making fast, money? Less than a month ago we also learned that two special figures in music Soul train host, Don Cornelius and world-renowned singer, Etta James also passed away. Don Cornelius run created the path for many careers and opened doors for singers, actors and other performers throughout the 70’s and 80’s. He intrigued us with his creative themes and flavorful taste in music, as he helped expose and inform us to the different artists that we look up to today. Many artists can truly say that Soul Train was the show that inspired them to move forward in the entertainment industry and sculpt them into the talented people they are today. But now we must ask ourselves who can we look at for music? Real Music? Who is wor thy enough to hold the torch for real Music? Sound with purpose, substance. Artists like Beyonce, Adele, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Chris Brown have all mentioned being inspired by different musical lyricists and talented artists. These artists like many oth ers obtain the talent and creativity it takes to standout and survive as the music legends we look up to. Now we have artists that seem to be more focused on partying and having a “hit” record as opposed to feeling the music and telling a story through the lyrics. Entertainers like Rich Kids, and F.L.Y. with songs like “My Potna dem”, and “Swag Surfin’’ have fallen into this realm of entertainers because they make music not to create a healthy person able fan base and possibly change lives, but to make money off of the audiences they create at a party. Parties have a tendency to make songs popular because it brings a lot of people together. When people are in big groups the songs that are playing can create a certain atmosphere or vibe making the audi ence like or dislike the songs. Lately because of the lack of passion for music I believe that Party songs have really taken over the music industry. Hopefully upcoming artists can fo cus more on their talent and more personable music as opposed to just, making money! Un fortunately we lost another talented musically influential artist; hopefully this generation is able to look past the fame and parties to make real music, keeping the legacy of those who made the music we love. Edito’i in Chief Kirstin C. Evans Executive Edito’is Kelly Harper Brittany Fennell Ekts &, (Entertainment Edito’i Brittany Abrahams Wash ion &, Beauty Editor Chelsea Cardell Jo’ium Edito’i Rabiah Elisa Jlayout Edito’i Keya Elie oCifestyle Edito’i Charmaine White flews Edito’i Faith Porter Photography Edito’i Eric Ross Public Pelations Chair Briana Nneka Nwbobi Ehts and Entertainment Writers Margaret West Tristan Travis Ain Ealy tfashion and Beauty Writers Aaliyah Nurideen Adrienne Porter Sasha Jones Cfo’ium W’lite’is Marjani Ruth Hall Kamron Taylor Amiri Lampley Ariel Smith Alysha Phanord Jlayout Jbesiyne’is Cameran Botts Lauren Holloway Jlfestyle W’lite’is Taylor Wade Jazmin Tillman Lauren Hawkins flews W’lite’is Jasmine Ellis Ayanna Runcie Maya Dixon Business fflanage’i Michaeline Frazier Public Pealations PI earn Kendra Mills Lauren Halloway Chelsea Cardell Michaeline Frazier Community Service Chak Jazzmine Trotman -Jldvisol Dean Kimberly Ferguson Would you like to write for the Spelman Spotlight or contribute an L article? Please Contact: Kirstin C. Evans Editor-in-Chief via: kevansl4@scmail.spelman. edu THE SPELMAN SPOT LIGHT Spelman Spotlight Staff 350 Spelman Lane, Box 1234 Atlanta, GA 30314 Albert E. Manley College Center ■ ■ i