humanity
Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of music professionals, amateurs, inspiring students, celebrities, lifestyle influencers, and general feel good human stories in the music sphere.
Art and Music
Humanity, the collective will or expression of human unity, has birthed many great works of paper and tempo. It is in art and music that humanity has found its heart and soul. For countless years we have delved within ourselves to understand not only the nature of reality, but of thought itself.
By John Ames Birch7 years ago in Beat
Talk of the Town
I've spent the past eight years of my life chasing a dream around the world of playing professional basketball. A dream that has taken me to all different countries, places, and environments. From Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Vladivostok, Russia, and all kinds of places in between. I was an unlikely candidate to become a professional player, to begin with, at 16 years old, standing five foot, four inches, and less than 100 pounds. But like the beginning stages of any great dream, I always felt like I had a chance.
By Jimmy Gavin7 years ago in Beat
Chasing the Dream
I’ll start by saying that my name is Russ Burchell, and I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12 years old. I’ve played in a few bands, and I’ve been blessed mostly with emotional success through the years, and rarely, if ever, made any money. I’m 44 years old now, and perform three hour gigs with my 18-year-old daughter at a rate of almost two shows on average weekly. I love music, and everything that goes with it. The late nights... the travel... the hope that one well-written song can make it to the right person, and the radio, and then may even get licensed to a major movie blockbuster... But, if you’re reading stories in this section, you know the drill. It’s a dream, and a cross to bear, but you keep at it, because it’s part of your very soul. You also know the heartbreaking disappointment when things aren’t going as you dreamed they would. This happens often.
By Russ Burchell7 years ago in Beat
Ibeyi: A Musical Representation of Pan-Africanism
Black people have been pioneers, movers, and shakers in the music and entertainment world for decades. From the creation of the Blues and R&B, to the origin and development of hip-hop and rap music, which continues to break the mold and inspire intense musical discussion. It often acts as a way for musical figures to talk about their own political opinions, family history, and to otherwise voice their opinions and concerns. Fast forward to 2014, when Ibeyi entered with the release of their first single, "River."
By Azaria Brown7 years ago in Beat
Music: Lifeline of Our Souls
Music has been a vital element in human existence since before time. On a spiritual level, music was before time. In heaven, the heavenly choir was singing music with Lucifer leading the choir consequently, which is why is an integral part of our life. So it should come as no surprise that music also is tied to our souls. Music is what makes humans alive. Music has always been a life force that, no matter what color or race, connects people. I truly believe that music has been the driving force in the creative force of humanity. From the beginning of time, music has always been a force as it’s been a part of the human experience for centuries from the Psalms in the Old Testament to the birth of Christ to old Gaelic stories. Music in America has been no different. From the American Revolution to Slavery to Disco, music has inspired revolutions, overcame oppression, and celebrated good times. I feel that music has always been vital to human existence and a 1,000 years from now music will be vital to the human experience. Also, music is very symbiotic to the spirit of humans. Music is a force of the universe that connects with humans on a spiritual and mental level. our bodies are rhythmic machines. That is why we are so connected to music because our heartbeats, breathing, walking is all a rhythmic motion. Therefore, music is the one defining trait that connects us and the one component that is uniquely human. Music is not something to be easily dismissed or taken for granted. Music has great power to it and like with any powerful entity, it can be used for good or evil. Music, when used in a productive way, can uplift, inspire, storytelling and spark change in society. Likewise, music used for bad can degrade, divide and speak death and destruction. I feel that when you play music as a DJ, you have an awesome responsibility to not only know what you are playing but what to play. Music is a very emotional and spiritual force. Music can be felt through your bones, blood and spirit in way few other things have the ability to. Music is also uniquely human but individually felt. Music has the ability to be heard by all but understood by very few. When music is played, you have an instant reaction to the beat, the melody, the lyrics. As a DJ, music is a very special tool that when in my hands. I take that responsibility very seriously. In my experiences, I have seen how music increased the energy to the point of fever pitch in a positive way, conversely, I have seen how music has increased the energy in a negative way to the point of violence. That is why I state that music is very interrelated to the human condition. Also, I have seen how music can decrease to the point to where any energy that was present has been drained to the point of the event being lifeless. I always say that music is a very powerful force in the universe. Music has the power to teach love, to teach hate, to divide humans and to unite humans. Music has the power to heal, soothe and our bodies and minds. Music is one of those elements in the universe that has such tremendous power, but the acknowledgment of its power is greatly underestimated and often overlooked. I hope that what I have explained about music will give you a greater appreciation for music and it is an element in the universe that cannot be used or taken lightly. We as humans have an obligation to our existence to revere music and the power it holds. As with anything powerful, music can be a great asset or a dangerous weapon. In this story, I have mentioned where music came from, how it’s connected to the history of man, and it’s power. In closing, music is a very important piece of humanity and our hope is that future generations will value the history of music and continue to spread music to the whole world. Finally, music is the heartbeat of humans and the lifeline of the universe.
By Awlstylz DJ7 years ago in Beat
Freddie Mercury Broke Me
I grew up in a time when "men were supposed to be men." I often heard my father say, "stop your crying or I will give you something to cry about." Emotion was something to be squashed and tamped down not worn on your sleeve and let out for the world to see. Emotions and emotional outbursts were a sign of weakness. I soon imagined that I couldn't let him or my friends see me as weak or I would be mocked and ridiculed. Avoiding situations and circumstances where I may get emotional became a standard procedure. I missed so much, bypassed so many opportunities and dismissed so many overtures to protect myself. I wasn't always successful, but the effort it took to be removed was exhausting.
By Remarkable People7 years ago in Beat
Crazy, Weird Love: 5 Love Lessons from Weird Al Yankovic
So, love is pretty weird. It doesn't make any sense half of the time and can drive you mad. It's, well, complicated. Yet, this doesn't take anything away from our desire to explore and express it no matter how confusing or silly it sometimes might come out. In fact, that's probably why so many musicians literally sing about nothing else. That's also why I figured that in order to better understand this confusing driving force of human psyche, it might not be such a bad idea to learn from someone who specializes in exploring silly.
By Art-Peeter Roosve7 years ago in Beat
