Makes Me Smi)e

In this weeks class we talked about the different characteristics of rap music  - such as Rhyme, Flow,  Metaphors, Subliminal messages, Slang, Bragging, exaggeration,  Story-telling, Rhyming battle, Collage,  Recycling , Indirection, etc -  in which we focused on two  Humor   and  Vulgarity

    "Humor relieves tension - when in a bad situation,  the only thing that remains is to laugh: it liberates yourself from powers that oppress you because you laugh about it.

     

       This phrase made me think about a video I watched once of two of my favorite graffiti artists: Os Gemeos - I mentioned them on my last post. Os Gemeos are these Brazilian twin brother who are famous worldwide. They make graffiti paintings in the most unexpected places around the world, such as castles and financial districts. They bring color and humor to people's ordinary's lives, not by music, but by their drawing. People forget about their daily routines  and their problems when they see a colorful piece made by them in an unexpected location. Their characters are humoristic and put a smile in people's faces :)

          Graffiti in Boston's Financial District

The Graffiti Project on Kelburn Castle 

_________***_________

   Humor in Music - Gabriel O Pensador (Gabriel, the thinker) is a Brazilian rapper, compositor and writer. In his musical style rap prevails with influences from pop, hip hop, rock, funk, samba and even reggae. He often uses satire, irony, humor, metaphors and even paradoxes  in his songs. Some of his themes are social inequality, corruption, freedom, religion, poverty, violence and racism. His work criticizes behavioral concepts that have become accepted standards of adult behavior. Its main "targets" are stereotypes of "playboys", which are kids from the upper middle class who depend on money from their parents to live and who make no attempt to achieve something on their own; he also talks about "dumb blondes", who are very  attractive and  are successful in life because of their appearance. 

         Gabriel O Pensador-    LoraBurra (Dumb Blonde) 

_________***_________

        

      Purpose of vulgarity – Rappers use vulgarity many times in a humanistic way. It is a way of opposing society. Same concept as in humor:  a carnavalistic context!

         

       In  Brazil we have one of the most popular Carnavals in the world. People work all year long to have 4 days of fun and forget about their problems. They dress up in costumes and  a lot of times, they don't even dress up at all and go out naked to the streets and to the Parades. But somehow, this is not considered vulgar. It is a way to liberate yourself and move out of the ordinary everyday life. Just like in rap, they use "vulgarity" in a humanistic way. In a way to have fun. 

Carnaval Sao Paulo, Brazil - 2012

Nicki Minaj in a Carnavalistic Context

      This Nicki Minaj song includes elements from Carnaval - uses vulgarity but in a humoristic way.