Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
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Dating Services – The Way to the Future
Dating Services – The Way to the Future
A few decades back, the traditional way to bring two people together is through a hook up. Your friend arranges a blind date between you and her friend, or her boyfriend’s friend. Now we all know how tragic a blind date can be sometimes. That is why we seek help from professional matchmakers. These companies provide what we call dating services.
What are the different kinds of dating services available? The most common one is called online dating service. This works by filling out a registration form, creating a public profile, and browsing through the database for possible dates. These may also involve exchanges of messages or emails, and a few days or weeks to wait. While online dating may be fun, it is still wise to exercise caution in giving out personal data to other people. They may seem trustworthy, but we can only hope that we know them well enough for them not to use this information for bad reasons.
Another kind of dating service is through phone. Since the mobile phone has become widely available, the phone dating service has dramatically grown over the past years. It is faster, more convenient, and relatively cheaper. While websites which provide internet dating services can charge high fees, phone dating services are often free. What you would have to pay for is the standard rate per text message that you send. Because your cell phone is obviously smaller than a computer or laptop, it is easier to access your profile and check messages from prospective dates.
Still another kind of dating service is through video. These services are the ones that are often advertised on TV. Here’s how it works. You go to the office of the video dating services company and make a personal ad. How you project yourself would have to depend on your preference. Your video shall then be viewed by other clients, who’d then contact you through the phone company or service provider.
There is also what is called as speed dating. Here, a group of men and women are made to interact with each one for a fixed short time. After meeting everyone, each of them shall fill out a form to indicate which ones did they connect with the most. If the answer is the same for any two people, then they are made to meet again, perhaps to talk or plan for a real date.
What are the sources of dating services? You may find these dating services companies in the yellow pages, through their ads on TV, or online. Of all the sources, it is the internet that is most important. This is because of the wide scope that it encompasses. But precisely because it is wide in scope that makes it more attractive to scam artists. Beware of people who ask for money.
The bottom line is, dating services will continue to change the dating scene radically. In the past, while most people shun the idea of asking for professional help with regard to dating, the same is not true at present. Because things are moving rather fast, we need to keep up with the times. That is why dating services and professional match making companies continue to multiply as the days pass. So what are you waiting for? Find the dating service that would best suit you.
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Dating Services for Married People: A Phenomena of Today
Dating Services for Married People: A Phenomena of Today
The internet caters to all things imaginable in this world. Researching, online shopping, freelancing, money making, and several other opportunities have long been made possible and all out convenient by the internet technology which has gained wide popularity all through these years. And now, the dating services are likewise available.
What are these dating services all about? For people who have already realized the need for them to find their respective partners and enjoy life while it lasts, the dating services made available by the internet world are their comforts. Looking for a perfect partner to match your taste and standards is now easy with the dating services that you may avail of via online surfing.
The truth is, dating services as offered online has grown into one multi million dollar business industry. And not only that, these dating services cater to several needs—ethnicity, race, and civil status. This industry is not solely restricted to the singles but for the married individuals as well. There are varied niches of dating services. Among of which are the Big Beautiful Women, ethnic dating services, and of course, those dating services for married people. Yes, the dating services offered online extend to the opportunity of committing to affairs which are outside the bounds of marriage. Both the wedded men and women can partake of the features offered by the dating services for married people.
As most married people would claim, being tied up in a commitment does not guarantee lifetime happiness. There are certain circumstances that leave them unhappy and unfulfilled. Thus, there is the large population of the people who may be described as married yet looking. At about a scale of fifty percent, there are these individuals who seem not to find their happiness, feeling of being loved, and contentment within the confines of their abode. It is no longer rare to know that these people find what they are looking for in the online ads. Thus, the situation of being involved in extramarital affairs, be it a married man or a woman, has long created its mark in the history of mankind.
The following reasons suggest why the dating services for the married people have become well known through time.
One of the main reasons for its popularity is the outbreak of the fast paced world of the internet. Clearly speaking, almost anything under the sun can be accessed by using the internet.
Second reason is that, anything is possible with the internet. Nobody may know who you really are and so, you can play with identities and explore several avenues. The end point is that you can say whatever you wish to, create a personality which is not really yours, and find happiness in the excitement that envelops you throughout your venture.
There is no difference between the operations of the dating services for married people with the rest of the common online dating services. With the features reserved for the married people, you, as the participant may conduct your searches basing on the proximity, gender, body features, marital status, age, interests, and many more. By keying in the necessary details, you can get the results in no time at all.
Dating services for married people may not be condemned as wrong and malicious. Most of the times these are the scapegoats of many individuals who wish to bring back the excitement, love, and happiness into their systems.
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Free Phone Dating Services – How Do They Work?
Free Phone Dating Services – How Do They Work?
If you are too shy to approach someone you like, the mobile phone is the way to go. Through a text message, you can send out your love without fear of rejection. For this year alone, nearly 4 million subscribers have accessed these dating services. Phone dating services have grown massively over the past years, some service providers claiming that their services are for free. When you see ads of phone companies that say “free phone dating services,” you can’t help but wonder if this is true. In these advanced times where practically nothing is free, one can’t help but wonder what the catch is.
These phone dating services have similar functions. They ask you to register, whether online or through text. Here you choose a user name and give some details about you such as your age, gender, location and interests. This information is sent to a database where other members can access. They can then send messages to the username, and vice versa. This method is practically safe because you are able to communicate without necessarily giving out each other’s numbers.
In reality, these dating services are not absolutely for free. What they really mean is a free registration or a free trial of the service. After all, it takes one text message to join and register. After registration, any text message or call that you make to a potential date shall be charged, depending on their standard rates. For instance, if you want to make a search for females within your locality for a certain age group, you will be asked to send a keyword or message to a specified number. When the information that you asked for is sent back, these phone companies, more often than not, charge you for that.
There are some mobile phone dating companies that operate in another way. Instead of just sending text messages through the phone company, you can make a direct phone call to someone without revealing your number, or the other person’s number. While these companies claim to provide free services, the mobile phone company will still charge you. In effect, the service is not free, as you are still made to pay after all.
For some areas and mobile phone companies, there is what they call proximity dating services. These companies alert you if someone whom you might be interested in is within a certain radius from you. You are then able to send messages to each other, and maybe plan to meet.
Phone dating services are more convenient than online dating services. You don’t need to log in a computer just to check your messages or email. You can read your text message within a few minutes or seconds from the moment it was sent. That is why more people are into it than internet dating services.
When you see companies that claim to provide free phone dating services, look closer. While they may not charge you for the service, the mobile phone company may still charge you with the standard rates of a text message. But nevertheless, it is a more secure and practical way to meet new friends and build new relationships. Ask your mobile phone company if they have phone dating services. Or you can visit websites of these service providers. The person you are looking for may just be a text or phone call away.
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Protect Yourself from the Dangers of Internet Dating
Protect Yourself from the Dangers of Internet Dating
One of the major contributions of the internet to the dating scene is internet dating. While the idea was frowned upon by most people in the past, now we see more and more people getting into it. Among the hundreds of internet dating sites, a particular site arouses the interest of most people. These are the sites which provide free internet dating services. These sites, however helpful, continue to have some negative feedback from people who had bad experiences out of internet dating. How did this happen and how do we protect future online daters from these?
The concept of internet dating services is rather simple. You register, make your profile, and then find other members by browsing through their profiles. If you are interested in a particular person, you send a message. The other person then responds. Or someone who might be interested in you would send a message that you’d respond to. Anything beyond that, such as meeting in person, exchanging of particulars, and others, would be your call.
Because these sites are free, practically anybody can be a member. And because of the large membership, it would be hard for the website host to monitor, more so regulate, the individual activities of their members. Rarely do they perform background checks or screenings of new members.
Now this is where the dangers usually lie. It is part of human nature to trust other people. The problem is people can be too trusting at times. For example, during the first meeting or date, the girl invites the guy to dinner at her place. The guy turns out to be an ex-convict or serial killer. Take note of internet dating rule number 1: for the first meeting, always meet in a public place. That way, you can easily ask for help just in case things you need it. Friends can also be there to serve as “lookouts.” This is not to scare you, but there are some horror stories of date rape and even death as a result of online dating. That is why it is important to be careful at all times.
Another kind of internet fraud is to pretend to lose some money in any way imaginable, such as by robbery or hospitalization. He or she then asks for money from the other person. Never give money or credit card information to anyone, even if you think you trust the person enough.
To avoid these, here are some things that you can do. First, never post personal information in your profile. This should be reserved when you’ve developed a level of confidence and trust with the person. Also, take note of any changes in attitude or behavior of the person you are talking to. Erratic changes in behavior and mood swings are some symptoms of serious mental disorders.
Free internet dating services can be safe venues to meet and get to know people. But like everything else in the internet, do not take everything based on face value alone. Conduct some research about the website. See if there are any negative comments from past members. Take note of the safety precautions and keep the danger signs in mind always. Whether for free or not, internet dating would still be risky if we don’t know how to avoid its perils.
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“Hooks To Hits: The Key to Writing Songs That Sell”
Title:
“Hooks To Hits: The Key to Writing Songs That Sell”The ingredient distinguishing a respectable “album track” from a hit song is the presence of a killer hook. But if hooks like that were easy to create, we’d all be millionaires! How can you enhance the impact of your songs’ hooks to appeal to both audiences and the People Behind Desks? Read on!
To make this article more useful, gather up your 3 strongest or most recent titles, hooks or choruses, so that you can apply what we’re discussing to the “real world” of your material.
Tap Into Your Personal Experiences For “Nuggets of Truth”
It’s my firm belief that the old adage, “write what you know” is applicable to songwriting as well as prose. Although some of us prefer to believe we can write about anyone and anything, our most meaningful and successful songs usually spring from “real life” experiences, and our responses to, and interpretations of, those experiences. Each day we spend on the planet, observed through the prism of songwriting, offers innumerable creative possibilities. The seeds of brilliant songs often lie just beneath the surface, but the writer must be willing to nurture their growth.
Let’s say you’re starting with a blank slate: germ of an idea brewing, recording device turned on, and instrument, voice or blank page ready and waiting. How do you go about extracting the proverbial Killer Hook from your precious “nuggets of truth”:
• First, ask: what is true, real, intensely felt RIGHT NOW in your life? Be attentive to those flickers of realization, your “aha! moments.”
• What experiences do you have a burning yearning to share?
• What contribution do you want to make to the world?
• What makes your angle on life unique, compelling, interesting?
• In the movie “Walk The Line,” Sam Phillips asks Johnny Cash what song he’d sing if he was dying in a ditch on the side of the road and only had 3 minutes left. What hook would you sing in that situation?
• How can you arrange words and/or musical notes to get your “soul” down in song?
• Get crazy, be bold, bare your deepest truth or your silliest notion.
• Your job as a songwriter is to express what others can’t express. Go overboard!
Now take a few minutes and blurt out what comes up for you. Really dig in there and fearlessly sing, write or play something, anything, as long as it rings true. This is a great exercise to try any time you have 10 minutes to spare.
Next, start to put that spark of inspiration into song form. Stay connected with the essence of your personal experience as you begin to experiment with lyrics and music.
Ways to Enhance the Impact of Your Song’s Hook(s)
In the Verse/Chorus song form — the most common form these days — the chorus, and especially the hook, is where you “deliver the goods.” It’s the equivalent to the summation to the jury, the punch line of the joke, the revelation on the mountaintop. Every verse, every pre-chorus, every bridge, every line and every note leads up to this ultimate payoff. A great hook (and chorus) is packed full of meaning, fun, passionate intensity… or all three! It can’t be overemphasized that your hook has to really Rock Their World. But first, it has to rock YOURS. It has to ring true to you.
• Boil your Big Idea down into the smallest possible expression of its essence: your hook.
• Stay simple-yet-elegant. Less is usually more.
• Don’t pussyfoot around. Be bold and risky. Always take a strong point of view!
• A great line bears repetition. If it’s worth saying, it’s usually worth saying again.
• Make your song move rhythmically. People want to be SWAYED in more than one way by your song.
• Think of it this way: your hook is the hub of the wheel, and the other song elements are the spokes.
• Marry your melody to your lyric so that each intensifies and deepens the other.
• If you are thrilled by your hook, “they” probably will be too. And if you’re holding back, they probably will too!
• Show off your “money” note, your slammin’-est groove, your cleverest line, your most unusual concept in your hook. Aim for the bleachers, emotionally and creatively.
Give Your Hooks Mass Appeal
Singles are distinguished from album cuts by their catchiness, accessibility and freshness. And the hook is the key to that mass appeal. Most listeners and People Behind Desks couldn’t sing all of a song’s verses back to you if they tried. But most CAN remember a killer hook or chorus. For those of you who are driven by thoughts of financial gain, singles are also where the money is. (But remember: selling doesn’t mean selling out!) When you get to your main hook, hit us with fresh language, chords and melodic movement to wake us up physically, emotionally and spiritually. The might mean:
• An impassioned title or lyrical line: a twist of phrase, an unforgettable image, or an emotional outpouring that rings true
• A peak moment for the vocalist. This could be a high note, a long note, a rhythmically cool pulse or movement, a fresh interval, a repeated pattern or melodic sequence, etc.
• A catchy-as-hell instrumental riff or chordal pattern
• An underlying rhythm or groove that sweeps up all in its path
• Enough repetition to be catchy without becoming boring
• A striking contrast to whatever comes before and after (verses, pre-choruses, bridge), so that your hook stands out in an obvious way
Remember, more Hooks-Per-Square-Inch is better! In this day and age of sensory overload, listeners thrive on intense songs that cut through the clutter. We WANT to be moved on all levels. We’re hungry for depth, for truth, for emotion, for humor. Strive to discover the universal within the personal, the specifics of real life. Make your song paint a picture or create an environment people can live in.
By following these guidelines, and learning from songs that are hits in your chosen genres, you can make your songs more accessible, satisfying and commercially viable.
Happy songwriting!
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What to Remember about Senior Dating Services
What to Remember about Senior Dating Services
As social individuals, everyone has the direct need for companionship. That is why, even the widowed and the divorced ones still find the way to spot another partner in their lives. And most of all, as one truth that clings to the common scenarios these days, even married people still find the urge to look for new companionship. Now the challenge has been taken up by the dating services which have popularized online through time. And now, there is the wide availability of the features of the so-called senior dating services.
The senior dating services work out just like any other dating services procedures. Senior or aged individuals who are still single has found this service the most perfect way of spotting the partner that they so wanted in their lives. For being singles for quite some time, there are these instances when seniors find it awkward to go on with individual dating. Thus, to solve this crisis, one can opt for the club dating or group dating. Slowly but surely is the way on how singles can manage their personal relationships.
Senior dating services make sure that you get the partner that you specify in your profile. They match your taste and standard with those members in their data banks. It is important that you make mention of the kind of person that you want to have as a partner or as a date.
The senior singles should find an efficient way on how they can comfortably meet partners. As a worthy advice to you, it matters that you first develop a certain bond or friendship with an individual. You can do this through chatting, sending emails to a person of the opposite sex, talking over the phone, and the likes. It likewise pays off to get to know the mannerisms of a person especially during conversations. You should also work out on the possibility of a personal meet up. Remember that your effort would only prove effective when you get the person to agree to go out and spend time to get to know you as well.
Senior dating services are at times offered by several internet websites for free. Senior citizens like you may surf these free sites and get your lucky stars working for you. The following are the things that you would have to take note of when partaking in a senior dating service.
Gather as much information as possible. Make sure that there would not be problems that can make things complicated for you in the end.
If you know that what you are accessing is a free dating service website, then be careful in dealing with the prompts which require your personal information and most especially that which asks for your credit card details. It may be one fraudulent site that you are dealing with.
If you are lucky enough, you may chance upon your soul mate through the senior dating services. It is likewise possible that you may find someone who is indeed a good conversationalist to while away your spare time.
Senior dating services are out there to suit your requirements. This can be the chance that you’re clearly after for. What you need is a reliable computer and internet connection. Simply browse for free websites and enjoy the opportunity that comes your way.
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Dating Match Services: Why Consider it?
Dating Match Services: Why Consider it?
Are you fully aware that there are several sorts of dating match services available online in these days? Have you even laid eyes on any of which? True indeed, dating services have created a trend that hooks people—single, committed, or married into its whole system. To top it all, there are the really exciting and fun filled free dating match services that you may come across with. Whatever your standards and specifications are when it comes to ethnicity, religion, hobbies, interests, body features, and many more, you can always find your match through the effective programming system that comes along with these dating services via the internet. After all, would you still deprive yourself of such chance? Certainly, not. Why would you?
Here are some of the major considerations to focus on when looking into the efficiency of a dating match service.
The community size. Look at the profile bank. How many profiles may you access? Is there a variety of options left for you? The conventional dating match services employ forums, message boards, free internet dating email notifications and chat alerts. It would always be best to join a community which features members who share the same nature of interests and are actively participating.
The geographical locations of the members. It matters that your target’s location can make it possible for you to meet up. Your end point is to go out with the person and then allow the growth of a romantic relationship. Yet, if you can make long distance romances work, then you may search from wider geographical areas.
The interest sign up. It is always advisable to include your interests in your profile. These will be the primary tools in matching you with another person. It is often advisable to converse and be matched with people who share the same interest with you.
Since online dating match is becoming a money making industry, so to speak, there is the large possibility that it is turning into a very tiring task. These websites certainly tell all of their clients that they are the best and that they have the number of features that anyone can be definitely happy to enjoy. As the customer, you would be picky when it comes to the services that you would be signing up with. You would want to ensure that it is for the best of your interest.
It is very essential that your chosen dating match services provide you with a pool of choices of prospect people to meet. You would be relying on your service provider with regards to a hopeful romantic encounter and a commitment in the near future. One of the dangers that may confront you is the severity of internet animosity. You can never be assured that the profile that you’re reviewing bears all truthful information.
It is significant as well that you share the same interests, can ride on to whatever common discussion, and some other differences which may contribute to the spice and savor of your future relationship. It is not always preferred to have a partner who seems to be your own clone. There is no excitement to it.
Also remember that dating match services can be challenging. Thus, keep your wits intact and never decide impulsively on any choice of yours.
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‘Things Just Ain’t the Same’: Hip-Hop’s Reconstruction of the Gangster Rap Identity
‘Things Just Ain’t the Same’: Hip-Hop’s Reconstruction of the Gangster Rap Identity
Gangster rap, or hardcore rap, is generally considered a sub genre of the larger category of rap music, which itself is a subcategory of hip-hop. Gangster rap is differentiable from other rap music in that it makes use of images of urban life associated with crime (Haugen, 2). According to the Encyclopedia Britannica definition of gangster rap, the top four images associated with the genre are violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity.
Gangster Rappers as Defining the Hip-Hop Social Group
As the hip-hop movement has gained recognition throughout the United States, it has established itself as one of the fastest growing social groups anywhere. In the late 1990s immediately following the murders of both Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, two nationally known gangster rappers, a propaganda campaign escalated against rap music and the hip-hop culture (Slaughter). Although gangster rap only represented a small percentage of the hip-hop culture at the time, all hip-hop and rap music was instantly stereotyped negatively as being “gangter-like”. Why? Well, this gangster version of hip-hop was the highest selling and most recognized form of hip-hop music among the majority class. And many critics have determined that this is because America is in love with sex, drugs and violence (Whaley).Hip-Hop’s Rejection of Inferior Social Group Status
Henri Tajfel, a social psychologist who developed a theory of inter-group relations and social change, argues that members of a social group deemed inferior by a majority class can either accept or reject their inferior position in society. If a group refuses to accept its inferior position in society as just, it will attempt as a group to change things (Coates, 8-9). A large number of hip-hop artists have used their musical lyrics to reject the inferior social status placed upon them by the majority class.The Reconstruction of the Gangster Identity
I have found that hip-hop artists use lyrics, both musical and poetic, to redefine the negatives characteristics given to their culture by the majority class, and in the process, reconstruct the gangster identity. By examining these hip-hop and gangster rap lyrics as text, I will show ways in which the lyrics attempt to reconstruct the stereotyped gangster rap identity by examining different views of violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity. In the end, one tends to wonder: Who exactly are the real gangsters?Violence
That the hip-hop culture represents gangster-like violence is perhaps the biggest disputed claim amongst hip-hop artists. In order to disprove this claim, many hip-hop artists have pointed to the violence that exists within the majority social group, and how it leads to violence all over the world.
In “Violence”, 2 Pac demonstrates his belief that violence was prevalent long before gangster rap existed:I told em fight back, attack on society
If this is violence, then violent’s what I gotta be
If you investigate you’ll find out where it’s comin’ from
Look through our history, America’s the violent oneHere, the poet points to American society as “the violent one” and that he has to be violent in order to “fight back.”
In “Who Knew”, Eminem showed a similar viewpoint by expressing his belief that violence is a common occurrence in American society, yet not challenged in genres outside of the urban environment:
So who’s bringin’ the guns in this country?
I couldn’t sneak a plastic pellet gun through customs over in London
And last week, I seen a Schwarzaneggar movie
Where he’s shootin’ all sorts of these bad guys with an UziHere, the poet questions the existence of violence in a country that allows firearms and violent movies.
In “Casualties of War”, Rakim blames the United States government, specifically its Head of State, as the group causing the violence in society with their war-like ways:
I’ma get back to New York in one piece
But I’m bent in the sand that is hot as the city streets
Sky lights up like fireworks blind me
Bullets, whistlin’ over my head remind me…
President Bush said attack
Flashback to Nam, I might not make it backIn this text, the poet refers to our country’s decision to go to war as an example of the violence that exists amongst the majority social class.
In “The Watcher”, Dr. Dre redefines the negative characteristic of violence by pointing to the police force as the source of violence, and therefore, referring to them as “gangster-like”:
Things just ain’t the same for gangstas
Cops is anxious to put people in handcuffs
They wanna hang us, see us dead or enslave us
Keep us trapped in the same place we raised in
Then they wonder why we act so outrageous
Run around stressed out and pull out gauges
Cause everytime you let the animal out cages
It’s dangerous, to people who look like strangersHere, the poet accuses the majority class of keeping them “trapped in the same place we raised in” and that the perceived violence is only due to the introduction of “people who look like strangers.”
These are examples of how hip-hop artists redefine the image of violence by showing how it exists or was created within the majority social group.
Drugs
Another common disputed stereotype of hip-hop artists is their use and distribution of illegal drugs. In attempts to redefine this negative characteristic, many hip-hop artists have pointed at the majority social group as the facilitator of drug abuse.In “Justify My Thug”, Jay-Z speaks directly to members of government, raising questions about who has made the availability and use of these drugs possible:
Mr. President, there’s drugs in our residence
Tell me what you want me to do, come break bread with us
Mr. Governor, I swear there’s a cover up
Every other corner there’s a liquor store – what is up?In this example, the poet inquires as to why there is a liquor store in “every other corner” of his community.
In “I Want to Talk to You”, Nas uses the same approach to challenge the notion of drug distribution by asking his representatives what they would do in his situation:
Why y’all made it so hard, damn
People gotta go create their own job
Mr. Mayo,r imagine if this was your backyard
Mr. Governo,r imagine if it was your kids that starved
Imagine your kids gotta sling crack to surviveHere, the poet claims that the distribution of drugs is not only an effect of the poverty that exists in his environment, but also a means of survival.
In “Manifesto”, Talib Kweli actually accuses the government of being the body which allows drugs into the country:
Like the C.I.A. be bringin’ in crack cocaine bailin’ out of planes
With the George Bush connections, I push Reflection
Like I’m sellin’ izm, like a dealer buildin’ the system
Supply and the demand it’s all capitalism
People don’t sell crack cause they like to see blacks smoke
People sell crack cause they brokeIn this example, the poet accuses the C.I.A. of flying drugs into the country, and again reiterates the point that it is a means of survival due to the “supply and demand” of a capitalist society.
In “Damn It Feels Good to be a Gangster”, the Geto Boys fully redefine the negative characteristic of drug distribution by accusing the President of being a drug dealer, and therefore, a gangster:
And now, a word from the President!
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Getting’ voted into the White House
Everything lookin’ good to the people of the world
But the Mafia family is my boss
So every now and then I owe a favor gettin’ down
Like lettin’ a big drug shipment through
And send ‘em to the poor community
So we can bust you know whoThese examples show how hip-hop artists redefine the image of being drug dealers and users by again pointing to the majority class as the creator of the drug problem in this country.
Materialism
Hip-hop music is also seen by the majority class as a genre dominated by materialism. Again, artists point back to the majority class in an attempt to redefine this negative characteristic.In “Respiration”, Black Star points to all the wealth surrounding urban areas, and how it absorbs the lower class in materialism, making them want parts of that wealth:
Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips
For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets
Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin’ class watches
Skyscrapers is colossus, the cost of living
Is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no optionsHere, the poet talks about various materialistic aspects of the majority class, and how the lower class must “play or die” to “stay alive.”
In “All Falls Down”, Kanye West actually blames this materialism on American society:
It seems we living the American dream
But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem
The prettiest people do the ugliest things
For the road to riches and diamond ringsIn this example, the poet blames the “American dream” for materialism, saying it causes people to “do the ugliest things” for “riches and diamond rings.”
In “Los Angeles Times”, Xzibit also blames this materialism on the majority class, claiming that is what the youth are taught coming up in urban environments:
Welcome to L.A.
Where you can see the whole city burning
Cause the cops got Uzis and the dealers keep serving
And your kids ain’t learning it, except this
Sex power and wealth, forget everything elseHere, the poet expresses his belief that certain aspects of materialism, including “power and wealth” are taught to children through occurrences in society.
These are examples how hip-hop artists redefine the negative characteristic of being materialistic by showing examples of how this materialism is prevalent in the majority class, and often created within that class.
Sex
And the final debated stereotype of the hip-hop social class is that they are sexually promiscuous, often leading to disrespectful treatment towards women. The poets also attempt to redefine this stereotype by blaming the core of the problem on society.In “Pussy Galore”, the Roots claim that the country’s obsession with sex is pushed by sexually-driven marketing campaigns:
Lookin’ out the limo window up at the billboards
200 miles, she was the only thing I saw
Promotin’ everything, from the liquor to the nicotine
Cell phones, anti-histamines, chicken wings
You gotta show a little skin to get them listening
For real yo, the world is a sex machineIn this example, the poet retells a personal experience in which he saw sex advertisements as “promotin’ everything.” And in order to “get them listening”, he claims, “you gotta show a little skin.”
In “Get By”, Talib Kweli blames this sexual obsession on what we view on television:
The TV got us reachin’ for stars
Not the ones between Venus and Mars,
The ones that be readin’ for parts
Some people get breast enhancements and penis enlargersHere, the poet expresses his belief that television creates a misconception of what people should be sexually, and that contributes to the promiscuity that is being blamed on the hip-hop movement.
Hip-hop artists have used their lyrics and poetry to influence the rejection and reconstruction of the gangster identity that plagues their social class. This is accomplished through the redefining of negative characteristics assigned by the majority class. In most cases, these redefinitions include pointing to the majority class as the real holders of these negative characteristics. The redefining of these “gangster-like” images through hip-hop lyrics helps to reconstruct the gangster identity by questioning “gangster-like” behaviors and which social class actually has these behaviors. So the question presented is: Who exactly are the gangsters?
Works Cited / Discography
2 Pac. 2Pacalypse Now. Jive Records, 1991.
Black Star. Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star. Rawkus Records, 1998.
Coates, Jennifer. Women, Men and Language. Longman Publishing, New York: 1993.
Dr. Dre. The Chronic 2001. Interscope Records, 1999.
Eminem. The Marshall Mathers LP. Interscope Records, 2000.
Geto Boys. Uncut Dope LP. Interscope Records, 1999.
Haugen, Jason. “‘Unladylike Divas’: Language, Gender and Female Gangster Rappers.” Popular Music and Society: December, 2003.
Jay Z. The Black Album. Def Jam, 2003.
Kanye West. College Dropout. Roc-A-Fella Records, 2004.
Nas. I Am. Sony Records, 1999.
Rakim. Don’t Sweat the Technique. MCA Records, 1992.
Rawkus Records. Lyricist Lounge Volume 1. Priority Records, 1999.
Slaughter, Peter. “Attack on Rap Music.” Barutiwa Weekly News. June 14, 1997.
Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek. Train of Thought. Rawkus Records, 2000.
Talib Kweli. Quality. Rawkus Records, 2003.
The Roots. Phrenology. MCA Records, 2002.
Whaley, Angela. “Hip Hop is Not for Sale.” Colorado State University’s Talking Back: Volume 3, Issue 1.
Xzibit. 40 Days and 40 Nights. Loud Records, 1998. -
Dating Match Services: Why Consider it?
Dating Match Services: Why Consider it?
Are you fully aware that there are several sorts of dating match services available online in these days? Have you even laid eyes on any of which? True indeed, dating services have created a trend that hooks people—single, committed, or married into its whole system. To top it all, there are the really exciting and fun filled free dating match services that you may come across with. Whatever your standards and specifications are when it comes to ethnicity, religion, hobbies, interests, body features, and many more, you can always find your match through the effective programming system that comes along with these dating services via the internet. After all, would you still deprive yourself of such chance? Certainly, not. Why would you?
Here are some of the major considerations to focus on when looking into the efficiency of a dating match service.
The community size. Look at the profile bank. How many profiles may you access? Is there a variety of options left for you? The conventional dating match services employ forums, message boards, free internet dating email notifications and chat alerts. It would always be best to join a community which features members who share the same nature of interests and are actively participating.
The geographical locations of the members. It matters that your target’s location can make it possible for you to meet up. Your end point is to go out with the person and then allow the growth of a romantic relationship. Yet, if you can make long distance romances work, then you may search from wider geographical areas.
The interest sign up. It is always advisable to include your interests in your profile. These will be the primary tools in matching you with another person. It is often advisable to converse and be matched with people who share the same interest with you.
Since online dating match is becoming a money making industry, so to speak, there is the large possibility that it is turning into a very tiring task. These websites certainly tell all of their clients that they are the best and that they have the number of features that anyone can be definitely happy to enjoy. As the customer, you would be picky when it comes to the services that you would be signing up with. You would want to ensure that it is for the best of your interest.
It is very essential that your chosen dating match services provide you with a pool of choices of prospect people to meet. You would be relying on your service provider with regards to a hopeful romantic encounter and a commitment in the near future. One of the dangers that may confront you is the severity of internet animosity. You can never be assured that the profile that you’re reviewing bears all truthful information.
It is significant as well that you share the same interests, can ride on to whatever common discussion, and some other differences which may contribute to the spice and savor of your future relationship. It is not always preferred to have a partner who seems to be your own clone. There is no excitement to it.
Also remember that dating match services can be challenging. Thus, keep your wits intact and never decide impulsively on any choice of yours.
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Interracial Dating Services: Is it Beneficial?
Interracial Dating Services: Is it Beneficial?
What is meant by interracial dating services? How does today’s society perceive the impact of interracial dating?
As defined, interracial dating means there are two individuals who go out for a date. These two people belong to two different racial group or ethnicity, as most people would refer to the term. Such racial difference is visible with the factors like the varying skin complexion, facial attributes, and the values exhibited by one another. The commonly involved races in this particular dating scheme are the whites and the blacks.
A Little History of Interracial Dating
At one point in time, interracial dating was considered a taboo in the United States. The whites then believed that they were solely reserved for their fellow whites and the blacks didn’t have the right to mingle with them. The then very strong racial discrimination existence placed several blacks under a pitiful situation. There were even clear-cut places designated for the blacks. They were not allowed to set foot on the destinations of the white people.
For now that the Americans have likewise fallen in love with their opposite race, the norms of the society started to get reformed. In fact, interracial marriages have become an item for many full-fledged Americans.
The Truth behind Interracial Dating
Besides the interracial dating between the Americans and the Africans, the same procedure takes place among those of Hispanic races or Europeans, Asians, and then Mexicans. As it is most commonly called, the merging of the whites and the blacks is referred to as the salt and pepper dating. Most of the times as well, these interracial dating results to cohabiting and committing to sexual relationships even without the sanctity of the marriage. Now when the couple of different racial roots end up exchanging their vows, the act is then termed as interracial marriage.
The Interracial Dating Services
Several websites offer the interracial dating services either for free, for trial, or for really low and affordable membership fees. People who are in search of love, courtship, companionship, romance, or marriage can readily log on to the websites that feature interracial dating services. These services are not only meant for singles, but also for the married but searching individuals, and of course, the seniors too! Men and women are all welcome to partake in the dating services.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Going for Interracial Dating
The following are the known pros of interracial dating:
Mutual respect.
Getting abreast of another culture and race.
Finding a partner to share your life with.
Below are the disadvantages:
Bias in an individual’s attitude.
Issues to arise between the partner and the other party’s family and friends.
Negativity in the relationship.
The varying values on patience, child bearing and rearing, and stigma.
Some Common Problems with Interracial Dating
It is to be expected that varying reactions from the public may arise. Some may offer comic reactions while there may be those who may react vulgarly and violently. Talk about stereotype and conventional norms.
There may also be problems regarding the values exhibited by any of the partner. Different races impose different values. The couple could certainly reach a point of disagreeing about these.
Submissiveness, as that which is common for the Asian women, may not be true at all to women of other races. And to add to it, some problems on sex and the condition that comes along with it, may also surface.
Above all these, the solution would still rely on how the by-products of interracial dating services would handle their personal business. What matters is that there’s this way of getting into a new ray of culture and race