Corporate Rebellion

This past weekend on a BBC World interview titled “50 Cent: Money Machine” the eloquent 50 Cent was able to summarize his career in one sentence: “On an artist level, the musician is a marketing tool.” Great. I’m not sure if this makes him a genius or an idiot. I could care less about making that distinction, he’s obviously been in many a record company meeting about how to reach out to the 18-34 year-old male demographic. It’s reflected in his use of the word “artist.” I can’t deny anyone the use of the third person. Doris likes to do it every now and then, too. However, where, when, why, and how (most importantly) can 50 Cent get away with calling himself an “artist”? I most definitely will not accept that. Perhaps my definition of artist is too narrow. For me in the music world, an “artist” is someone who doesn’t need a music video to be successful. True, I lean towards independent music regardless of genre. But I can and do appreciate a well-done pop song. Thanks Hillary Duff.

I see 50 cent as a corporate rebel, a term Courtney Love used to describe Eminem, coincidentally 50 Cent’s maker. Eminem has managed to fool many people into believing he is a rebel. He’s on glossy magazine covers, topless, buff, and stone-faced whilst showing off his two middle fingers. He takes easy shots at homosexuals to reinforce his masculinity. But he’s not really rebelling. He’s not questioning the corporate label supporting him. Or taking shots at real issues like insecurity among rappers that’s manifested in homophobia. He’s rebelling in a way that makes him cool and sexy for the youth. Exactly the type of cookie-cutter rebellion that makes music corporations wealthy. So it’s no surprise that 50 Cent was cast in the same mold: starring in 3-minute music videos, which are really 50 second commercials for his merchandise as he stated himself. He’s dumbing down his audience by speaking grammatically incorrect English. He objectifies women and men. He promotes a shallow and expensive club lifestyle that lacks accountability and true social change. He has shackled the minds of my generation by making them slaves to his lame consumerism. When I hear people like 50 Cent and his vulture-ilk of marketers so eager to understand my purchasing practices and get my money, I shrink away and spend nothing. It’s a game of control and it’s unfortunate that given an international forum, 50 Cent appears as nothing more than a “money machine”, a puppet, a boring corporate rebel.

So what can appease these sour grapes? Why, some compassionate grapes, of course.

In the past two months...

...I saw Manu Chao in concert and was sadly disappointed. Can such elaborate and layered studio albums translate into a live act? March 24th was not going to be the day to find out. Manu was too stoned. The audience was too stoned. Songs began in reggae and ended in punk; though none of these genres apply to Manu Chao's music. No worries. Seeing U2 was enough of a live act experience for a lifetime.

...I celebrated my 25th birthday over a period of 5 days. A night out at my favorite pub, followed by wild dancing to American pop in a Chilean club called "Boomerang." I bought myself pearl earrings, wore a pink/glittery crown all day, and enjoyed a barrage of emails from my friends.

...I traveled to Bariloche, on the outer edge of Argentina's Patagonia, with my RH. We ate yummy food, drank artesanal beers, and slept in late. I was outfitted like I never thought I'd be in my life: hiking boots, a fleece, and a rain jacket. I loved every minute.

...I bummed around May, waiting for my work life to start. Came face-to-face with the self-esteem crusher that is being an English teacher abroad and I triumphed. I worked on my special "grad school project" and watched the Immigration issues in the U.S. with intellectual interest; I emailed Mel Martinez again.

...right now I'm listening to "Rapid German: Part One." Basic German phrases put to techno music. All in preparation for my trip to the World Cup in Germany. So exciting! The closest I'll ever be to Michael Owen.