Silence

I feel like I constantly have music playing. Everywhere I go. Work, driving, between classes, home, doing homework, driving, driving, driving, driving.

Last night, me and my friend that I haven't seen in a really long time were driving to the jacuzzi. And his radio was broken, so there was no music.

But it sounded SO good.

I don't think we realize it because I think as people, we are constantly in communication with others, we are constantly surrounded by noise, and to just get away from it for a second is something we need every once in awhile.

The silence allowed for conversation. For genuine conversation. It allowed for us to catch up and just talk. I love music. It's a huge part of my life. And sometimes it could express the things going on in my life a lot better than I can myself. But sometimes, I think I would just like the chance to do the expressing.

We didn't need the background of music to fill any awkward moments, (cause there weren't any,) and we didn't need music just to fill the air. It was very clear and open. I just really enjoyed the feeling.

XOXO

Lauren

-Stripped-

So this past weekend was probably the most exciting weekend I have had in a long time, but not in a good way. Had to let go of someone I love that has been a huge part of my life for the past 3 years because he can't keep his junk in his pants.

On a lighter note, what have I turned to besides my therapeutic ranting talks with family and friends...music.

I was looking through my CD case and found Christina Aguilera's "Stripped" album, that is one of my all-time favorite CD's. It's got a good mix of different styles of music. This album is one of those that you can put in your player and just belt out to the songs. God knows I'm not the best singer, but I forgot how good it can feel to sing super loud by yourself in your car to music that is explaining everything you're going through and feeling. (I know I probably sound like a huge dork right now, but it has been one of those mornings.)

Her song, "Impossible," is a collaboration with Alicia Keys playing the piano, and Christina just belting out with her powerful voice. As much as I love my hard beats and good hip-hop songs, I think it is nurturing for the soul to take it back to the more soulful music that can really touch on your heart and what is going through your mind. Her lyrics of "Impossible" pretty much explains the relationship I got out of and the toll it has taken on me. It's almost as if you need to listen to that kind of sad music to release more emotion so you can just drain yourself of the negative and be able to move on. It made me feel lighter.

So thanks Xtina :)

"Stripped" doesn't just contain the sad heartbreak songs, it contains those songs that can put you in a sexy mood, that can assist you in celebrating something good happening in your life, and I'm sure every girl knows and the music video that every guy can remember, "Dirrty."

XOXO

Lauren

LiL Wayne: Behind the Music

I was watching on VH1 today "Behind The Music" (which, by the way, I am super excited they are bringing back.) And it happened to be on my favorite rapper: Lil Wayne.

I think he is a musical genius. There is no other rapper out there with his style and his swagger. I don't think he tries to be this gangster/baller image that a lot of them do. He's real and he is talented. And I learned a lot about him from watching this episode.

I really respect the fact that he doesn't even write down his rhymes or thoughts. It's all improv. He just listens to the beat and comes up with the rhymes in his head, then goes into the studio and lets loose. He did one album from written rhymes. And after that album he never wrote again. I'm sorry, but I don't think there is ANY other artist with that magnitude of intelligence, passion and creativity. It's amazing.

I hear a lot of people say how annoying/played out Lil Wayne is because he's on every track you here, remixing and collaborating with different kinds of artists. But I think that is what makes him amazing. He can team-up with any style of music artist and make it work and put his own spin on THEIR song. This makes him smart to expand his type of audience and reach out to other types of music. Keri Hilson, Jason Mraz and other hip-hop artists like Drake and Fat Joe have all taken a partnership with Lil Wayne at some point or another.

I find him to be refreshing that he isn't just another rapper. He's driven. He's good at what he does, and whether you like him or not, it seems as though he is not stopping any time soon. So enjoy his work ladies and gentlemen.

XOXO
Lil Lauren (haha)

The VMA's...

So I didn't get to watching the VMA's last night, but on my way to school this morning I heard PLENTY about it.

On KIIS FM, Ryan Seacrest was playing clips from the award show when Kanye West decided to be his really cool self and interrupt Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for her winning "Best Femael Video."

Since Kanye thinks he is God's gift to the entire earth and that it revolves around him, he decided to get up on stage in the middle of Taylor's speech and express his opinion on how he thinks Beyonce should have won for that category.

UMMM HIIIIII you tasteless bastard, WHO DOES THAT!?

I didn't even need to watch the show to be shocked. I think that is so ridiculous and who do you think you are KANYE? Are you trying to get the whole world to hate you and no longer respect you as an artist and person? So dumb. I am by no means a fan of Taylor Swift, but seriously, can someone ELSE have a moment other than you?

And I would be slightly embarrassed if I were Beyonce. Why is Kanye trying to stick his nose in somewhere it doesn't belong? He needs to go away. But as classy as Beyonce is, when she won "Best Video" award, she called up Taylor Swift and let her have her moment that was taken away from her earlier in the night.

XOXO
Lauren

Before the Millennium...

So I was driving to work the other day when none other than TLC came on the radio with "No Scrubs."

I might be the biggest dork ever but I still love them. Was saddened when "Left-Eye" passed, and I still get super excited when I hear their music. I was a huge fan when they came out.

I started thinking then how far music has come along, how the sounds have changed, the style, the beats, and what is big now compared to 10 years ago. So I did some research. 10 years ago, these are the artists that blessed us, (or lack there of,) with their talent:

-We saw the first (but definitely not the last) of Slim Shady a.k.a Eminem. I personally hated him when he first came out, because his songs and voice were super obnoxious. It wasn't until he became angry that I liked him :)

- Destiny's Child was still a threesome and not just Beyonce.

-We could find Blink 182 running across our TV screens naked.

-Both Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears came out with their first songs...

-Will Smith was trying to make us "Get Jiggy Wit It" at every school dance/birthday party/bahtmitzvah that we went to

AND

-Justin Timberlake was rockin' his bleached-blonde curly-Q hair. He sure has come a long way.

BACK TO THE FUTURE:

-Our rap music isn't so gangster these days as it was in the '90's. It has more of a "pop" feeling to it, and I don't think any of the artists are true gangsters like Tupac or Ice-T were.

-Our pop music isn't so "bubblegum teeny-bop" as it was in the '90's either, (except for the likes of Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift, but who really listens to them anyways?)

-House music has evolved and become really big. It's often played in clubs and can be found remixed with hip-hop on the radio as well. (LOVES IT!)

I just thought this would be a little fun to compare/contrast how our music has changed. I am sure there is a lot that I missed considering all the "really cool bands" we have.

But now I have to get back to my life :)

XOXO

Lauren

"dRoP iT lOw"

So sometimes I feel like listening to the radio is torture because I sWeAr they have the same 5 songs on repeat. It's soooo frustrating.

So when a new song comes out, especially a good one, I find it refreshing!

I'm sure you have all heard it, but "Drop It Low" by Ester Dean ft. Chris Brown is my new song. It has all the elements of a song that I find enjoyable:

Good beats, fun lyrics, it can make my feet move, and it pumps me up :)

I enjoy dancing to hip hop so when I find a good song with a beat that I can choreograph to and has a lot of energy to it, it's exciting! It makes for good car rides, especially if I am stuck in traffic like let's say...ON THE WAY TO CLASS!

And not to mention, Chris Brown's voice brings this sexy, masculine tone to the song. OoOoO LaLa!!!

SoOoO when this comes on in the club ladies, "drop it drop it low girl" ... And boys ... enjoy the view! :)

xoxo

Lauren

InTrO

Hey guys!

So this is my first blog ever. My name is Lauren and I am 22. I'm a senior at CSUF and seriously can't wait until May when I will be done with school forever :)

I decided to do a blog about music because honestly, music obviously hasn't, and never will go out of style.

When no one else is there for you, music is. It can boost your mood if your bummin' about something, or it could mellow you out and help put you to sleep.

Music doesn't talk back. It doesn't flake out on you. And you have complete control over it...what more could a girl ask for!

Hope you guys like my musical choices for my blogs.

XOXO
Lauren