Globalization

Globalization is defined by merriam-webster's dictionary as "the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets". It is defined by wikipedia as the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. Music is the world's most universal form of communication. If you listen to songs in different languages you might not understand what the lyrics mean, but you can understand the emotion behind it. Now take music and combine it with images and you'll have ideas for anyone with eyes and ears to adopt. Japan is known for its ancient traditions as well as its modern technological empire and perhaps its most popular export, anime. Anime started in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century when Japanese filmmakers experimented with animation techniques that were being explored in the West. In the 1970's Japan's anime grew to look differently than its western counterparts and then became mainstream in Japan by the 1980s. The popularity of anime in the U.S. in the late 90's and early 2000's came from shows that were adaptions of anime novels called "Manga". Fans could read ahead in the storyline while waiting for the release of the english version of the anime. For more impatient fans there were released Japanese versions with sub-titles. Along with other popular exports from Toyotas and Hondas to Nintendo and PlayStation, Japan had left its mark of western culture. However globalization is not a one way street and western culture has crept its way to the land of the rising sun. Hip-Hop culture has taken Japan by storm prompting some of the younger generation to take on the fashion and music originating in the South Bronx.

History of Japanese Anime

Buffalo Soldier

68 years ago Cedella Booker gave birth to Robert Nesta Marley. 18 years later Bob Marley and his friends formed the Wailing Wailers. 9 years after that they sign a contract with Island Records. Marley and the Wailers sold over 20 million records throughout their career. Their union was brought to a tragic end 32 years ago with Bob Marley's death May 11 1981. He death was caused by a skin cancer known as melanoma. Marley's music was posthumously released after his death in the form of an album named Confrontation. Today marks the 30th anniversary of the album's release May 23 1983. The album contains 10 songs compiled from unreleased material. The most famous of these songs is "Buffalo Soldier". The song was Marley's homage to the U.S. Cavalry's African-American regiment who fought in the Indian Wars in the late 1800's. He felt that his life's journey was relative to their fight for survival. The album's cover depicts Marley's version of the tale of St. George and the Dragon. The dragon is meant to represent "Babylon"(corruption), which Marley is slaying with his music. Though he died at the age of 36, his legacy lived on through his friends and his children. Marley had 11 children, 3 of which followed in their father's footsteps and gained notoriety. Those three are Ziggy, Stephen and Damien Marley. All have inherited their father's love for music and for Rastafari and taken their family to the status of royalty in Jamaica. Reggae is one of my favorite genres. The way it sounds and the messages it preaches can bring people of any race, gender or creed together. That was the mission of the late Bob Marley. That's the message of the surviving Wailers and of Marley's sons, and that's a message worth spreading.

MTV :This Day In Music We Remember Bob Marley

Not A Real Job?

When I finally decided that music would be my life's work, I was very careful about who I shared that information with. There were two reasons for that: One because I hadn't planned it out in detail , and two because people don't really see working in the music industry as an obtainable career. When I first brought the idea to my mother, her reply was something along the lines of "There's no guaranteed money in that". She was right. The life of a musician is tough when you're trying to make it on your own and trying make ends meet because you get paid according to how many shows or "gigs" you do. I gave this a great deal of thought and I came up with phase one of what I knew would develop into a master plan. I figured since I'm talented in the area of composing, why not combine that with honing skills in songwriting and production. More recently after doing a bit of research I decided that it would be better to try and build an entertainment company from the ground up instead of trying to get discovered by a major label. Major labels have a music monopoly going and the only music they are endorsing is the materialistic, decadent side of rap music. I think fans are getting fed up and up and coming artists are starting to push the genre in another direction. Now that I am a college graduate I can focus on a career in music but it's going to require a lot of hard work and dedication. I searched the web to look up the salaries for different occupations in the music industry and i found a career guide from Berkeley College of Music in Boston, MA. An A&R representative makes between $25,000 and $85,000 a year. They are responsible for scouting talent and trying to sign the prospect to the label they work for. An audio engineer makes between 25,000 and 150,000 a year. They are responsible for helping with planning how an artist's project should sound. A Record Producer makes between 25,000 and 1,000,000 a year. They are responsible for assisting an artist with all details of a project. 

These were just three of the many jobs in the industry that aren't your typical 9 to 5s. My advice to anyone with a passion in music is to aim high. You never know, people may aspire to be you someday. 

Berkley Salary Guide

Planning The Future: IAR Vs. SAE

Institute of Audio Research

School of Audio Engineering

Graduation two days ago meant two things for me: One, my summer job orientation was breathing down my neck and, two, it was time to solidify the next step in my education. I entered St. John's University as a psychology major, and after taking an intro class I decided that my interest in psych was not a passion. My freshman year was a time I considered to be the greatest of my life, but it also turned out to be the most painful experience I've ever had. I started off like a majority of young men in college. I was just looking to have fun and I wasn't looking for a serious relationship, but I met a girl in my english class who captivated me and unlocked a side of me I never knew possible. I became so comfortable with her I didn't realize I was suffocating her by being around too much. Unfortunately she never communicated this with me and instead chose to break up with me, and immediately after she started dating her best guy friend from high school. I took the end of the relationship pretty badly and I had to rebuild my social life from scratch. First I had to deal with the overwhelming storm of emotions and the only way I could do that was by composing and writing. As a sophomore I used music to propel me forward and it was then that I decided to switch my major from psychology to communication arts. As a junior with the help of Mass Communications chair Dr. Monteiro I found out about an audio production class I could take through St. John's at the Institute of Audio Research. I enrolled in the class and got an A. To fulfill the requirements of my major and graduate on time I had to take 18 credits each semester until graduation. For my final semester I hoped to be able to take 5 classes at IAR for 15 of my 18 final credits. Unfortunately, in order to receive credits from IAR I would have been required to complete their 30 credit program. That door to my dream had been closed but not locked. Now I find myself a college graduate looking to further my knowledge and hone my skills to get into the music industry. My two options: IAR and SAE. Last Saturday I went to the School of Audio Engineering for an open house which consisted of a tour and a chance to ask questions about financial aid. When campus director, Michael Morrell introduced himself he explained their programs and provided a great deal of useful information, but he came off a bit cut throat. He seemed to emphasize the school's reputation and how they quickly expel students whom they feel can't handle the work load. He even said he wouldn't recommend having a job and taking classes full-time.  Over all I like what the school has to offer, but I didn't get the right vibe. I then turned to a place I was familiar with: IAR. When I called IAR to inquire about admission I spoke when a rep named John Lupo. He was very engaging and animated and he made me want to come in and discuss applying. We had an appointment today and after a conversation with him I felt like he believed in me just from my explanation of my goals and aspirations. The two biggest reasons I'm leaning toward IAR are because I love their familial vibe and their tuition is 17,000 dollars less with textbooks and materials included( SAE tuition is 24,400). But before I choose I'll study both schools in more detail. I would recommend either one for those interested in a career in music. 

School of Audio Engineering Info

Institute of Audio Research: Talk with a Studenf

From St. John's to Midtown: An Alumnus' Journey

"Born Sinner" [Album Cover]

J.Cole's Logo

"Born Sinner" [Deluxe Edition Cover]

As I sat outside in continuous rain from 9am to noon this past Sunday, restless grunts from my peers and brisk wind distracted me from the biggest moment in my life to date, my graduation from St. John's University. The forecast was originally supposed to be partly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. Mother Nature, on the other hand, had a different plan in mind. Myself along with the rest of the Class of 2013 expected to have favorable conditions for the celebration of our achievements, but instead we were administered one last test, a test of patience. Of the six schools within the University, my college, the College of Professional Studies, happened to be the last to be conferred degrees. After about an hour of waiting, I finally walked across the stage and became a part of an exclusive group of individuals, I became a St. John's Alumnus. 6 years ago a young man from Fayetteville, North Carolina by the name of Jermaine Cole walked across the very same stage. Cole came to Queens, NY chasing a dream many deemed to be far-fetched, a career in the music industry. Despite outside skepticism,10 years later he finds himself less than a month away from releasing his sophomore album "Born Sinner". His debut album "Cole World: The Sideline Story" received gold certification in December 2011 selling over 650,000 copies. After the two year wait, Cole's fans will finally get their hands on the music they've coveted for so long. "Born Sinner" was initially supposed to be released in January 2013, but it was pushed back to June 25 due to sample clearance issues. On May 20 J.Cole confirmed via Instagram that the album has been moved up to be released June 18. He also released the album cover along with an alternate cover for a deluxe version. This created quite a buzz on social networks as June 18 is also the release date for other artists such as Kanye West and Mac Miller giving Hip-Hoppers a variety of new music all in one day. Another topic of discussion was the deluxe version of Cole's album. It depicts a small child with horns and a halo-crown drawn above the child's head. Many people deem this to be a satanic message, but anyone who is a fan of J.Cole's music knows that his logo is a set of horns and a halo. The significance of this symbol is Cole's belief that there is a devil and an angel inside us all along with the fact that there's hell before there's heaven. In other words, things tend to get better before they get worse, and Cole's taste of heaven is just beginning as his patience is now being rewarded. The 28-year-old rapper now lives in an upscale apartment in Midtown.

J.Cole Interview with New York Magazine

Man on the Street: Soft Drink Ban

Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposes ban on 32oz soft drinks. St. John's Track and Field athlete Rikka Lovely weighs in.

 

  Supreme Court Rejects Soda Ban

Photo Essay

Brooklyn Bridge (Close up).

Brooklyn Bridge (Far away).

Me on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge Historic Plaque.

Walking behind my girlfriend on the Brooklyn Bridge (In Motion)

From left to right: Jackson Willis (Second Cousin), Kathy Willis (First Cousin), Rob (Kathy's husband)

Mahalia Willis (Second cousin). [Group photo at Christmas]