Interesting enough today has been a flash back to the middle school days. While driving to lunch Lacey, Jana and I dicussed the awful realization that college students these days don't appreciate the brillant music created by JaRule and Nelly. Why do you ask? I am not sure. I mean who can resist the lyrically amazing songs that they have provided us? Such as Hott in Hurr, Shake Your Tailfeather, Murda, and Thangs Gon Change. I mean we can't deny the fact that the boy band era of the 90s ended and these men took center stage. Yet they had been around for a few years during the boy band craze, it was when the boy bands decided to call it quits, when they decided to take the lead. Genius. I still remember the summer I let go of my boy band crushes (however I've had a constant respect and love for them since) and thought it was time to branch out of that stage of life not knowing I would come back to it years later. I was embarking on the 9th grade and I was on my way to the summer only event know as the Fair Dance at the Ross County Fair. If you didn't make an appearance there you were absolutely a nobody. (so glad life doesn't work that way anymore) I heard Nelly for the first time and yes at the tender age of 13 I fell in love. There was just something about that voice of his. And then when he released the song Dilemma with Kelly Rowland, I was done, completely sold. I will possibly never understand my adoration for this man but that voice just gets me every time.
Now, Ja Rule on the other hand. He was always the other man invited to the party. I mean who could possibly attend a party without dancing to I'm Real but of course you have to give credit to JLo for allowing him to be apart of that song. That deep voice.
I would like to dedicate this blog entry to the fallen men that we're a vital part of my middle school and high school years. They are as follows:
Nelly
Ja Rule
Ludacris
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dog (not always my favorite but thought I would give him some credit)
Ice Cube
Chingy
Sisqo (oh that thong song)
Lil Bow Wow (soon to drop the "lil", I suppose because it made him feel older at 18)
Lil Romeo
Murphy Lee
Ying Yang Twins
Baby Bash
P Diddy
Jay Z
Dem Franchise Boys
50 Cent
Usher
T.I.
Akon (I know you just said .. Akon and Young Jeeezaay)
I'm postive I have left out a few fallen soliders and all of these men could quite possibly still be writing and selling records (I know most are) but I will forever associate them with... dare I say it? The oldies of my generation.
I want to personally thank each of them for corrupting my mind and teaching me words that I had no idea what they meant until I watched their music videos on MTV. I commend you on your rhyming skills and ability to create a cool beat.
I raise my glass to you for getting me through the transition in my life between the 90s and discovering what Real Music is ... Cheers!!
