Trending and Pending...

I really do sit around at times and try to predict the direction music is going to take, or what new form or type of music will emerge. It's crazy, in this Post-Modern age where everything is sampled and convoluted, it's hard to tell.

What I've noticed lately, though, is this willingness from those in Hip-Hop to adapt this "Rocker" persona. I think we saw glimpses of this when "Party Like a Rockstar" came out, or when various rappers linked up with the famous Travis Barker, and it could even be argued back when Run DMC did their sample of "Walk This Way" originally by Aerosmith --but it's a different intention nowadays. Whereas, there was a distinction still being made between the genres, ie. party LIKE a rockstar, not trying to be a rockstar, but now there seems to be a movement to make the rockstar and rapper one. Let me use Lil Wayne as an example, the biggest of the big right now. His latest album, Rebirth, totally has rock influence through and through which wasn't an accident.

Interesting.

Although Wayne is "mainstream", I think he's also visionary and is willing to push the game to a new level. Maybe he recognizes that's where it's at--the combination of Hip-Hop and Rock--the love child would be...

Well I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I think we sorta see it in Mashups and Mixes, and the likes of TheHoodInternet. You know, sampling rap songs and other well known songs (usually ballads/anthems) and putting those together...I find it awesome. And I also find it sorta ironic--not all but many Hip Hop songs are created due to sampling (and thanks to Kayne many more Hip Hop songs can be added to that list--but I'll admit, Kayne is a "classy" sampler). And now Hip Hop songs themselves are being sampled or diced up in order to make some new dish.

Well, already this post is way longer than I intended, let's get to the main reason why I started writing it...

It's Rhianna's aka Rhi-Rhi's latest videoo! Those who know me, know that I've never been a huge fan of Rhi-Rhi (and any true Beyonce fan would know why) but I have to admit I like some of the stuff she puts out. As of late, her Rudeboy single took off, as expected...but her latest single Rockstar is really piquing my interest:

See this is why people think Jay-Z & friends are Masons. I wouldn't put it past them. After watching this video, you can only assume you were receiving subliminal messages...

Still some "New Level" ish in my opinion. Line of the year, "I'll never play the victim, I rather be a stalker"--Rhi-Rhi is definitely tapping into her darkside. *Ra-Ra-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ahh-Romaa-Ooo-La-LAAA!*

I'm not saying since Rhi-Rhi is singing that she's a Rockstar and is fiddling around with a guitar in her video makes her a burgeoning Rocker, moreso, this Pop princess is getting a headstart on what I think will be the next music revolution. Just as soon as Autotune dies out.

Bomb.

-Bootzilla Babay;btrilogy