Tyga: Careless World Album Review.

“Life without you is like a broken pencil. There is no point.” – Tyga

Review of Tyga, Careless World: Rise of the Last King.

I must confess, when I heard another Young Money artist was releasing an album, I immediately deflated. Between Lil Wayne selling out faster than the new iPads to Nicki Minaj's tasteless rap verses, I was sure Hip-hop was dead for good. The Rap genre was been on a downward slide for years now and its only been getting worse. Lucky for us there's an actually recovery taking place in the rap game. From Hopsin to Black Cobain, I believe there's still hope out there.

Now Enter Tyga.

Careless World's recording took place over a period of three years and it shows. The first song is the title track, which starts with Tyga talking about his rise to kingdom with a mood-setting beat playing in the back. "Faded" is the typical Tyga club song that we're all use to hearing on his usual mix tapes. The next song that jumped out at me was, "Black Crowns" which started out with a sexy hook, perfect for those sunny days with the windows down. The last jump out track was "This Is Like ft. Robin Thicke", which paints a picture of his travels all over the world with his lady.
 
Overall, I was very much impressed by the album and I hope to see Tyga De-throne Lil Wayne for good in the near future.

Bow down.

The Wrath of the Otaku.

How heavily does Japan actually influence America?

As with most things, there's always a nay-Sayer to the group.  Especially when it comes down to Americans who take interest in Japanese culture.  Phrases such as, "Stick to your own country you wanna be oriental!" or "fake American!".  I shouldn't even have to explain the ignorance that follow that statement.  I shall show and explain one of the Japanese cultures that have found their way across the seas.

Anime

Anime is an animated show featuring body characteristics ranging from close to realistic all the way to downright abnormal.  Usually it focuses on a younger protagonist chasing after some stupidly overpowered enemy.  Usually incorporating supernatural events and super powered characters on the same level such as that of Superman.  Heroes and villains alike, more than not, carry a power known only as BS.  Seriously.  Watch 3/4 Anime series and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Typical Anime artwork consisting of young characters in school uniform.

 

 If you'd like to know more about Anime, check out this link right here--->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime

 One of the most popular by far is Anime, or Japanese animation.  Check above for description.  Now, in light of the aforementioned description, a lot of people have got it in their heads that all Anime is the same.  
They think it usually features women with ridiculous breasts or some form of inappropriate material, and automatically assume the fan base of these shows are all the same and generalize them to the extent that they've even come up  with a name for them.

 Otaku.

[Actual definition: Otaku-someone who feels very strongly about a certain hobby or has an obsession.]

With that being said, your stereotypical moron would say something along the lines of, "Ur a faggot, u watch anime! u prolly watch hentai 2, pussy. get a life".  I'll let the idiocy speak for itself.  However, this is the most common reaction we see in America when someone else takes an interest in Anime.  That, or

"watch regular cartoons at leest, fag."

 

It's understandable, I suppose...seeing as how American's weren't raised on Anime or brought up around it so that they may build an understanding, right?

WRONG.

If you go to any child who was born between the years 1990-2000, and ask them their favorite childhood cartoon, I am willing to bet dollars to donuts you get the same answer at least 60% of the time.  Almost every one will most likely answer with at least one of the three major shows popular in that time.

Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-OH!

Some of you might say, "but...but...but...those are American shows cuz they speek english, rite?!"

WRONG.

...again

Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and Yu-Gi-OH! were all originally Japanese Manga series (Japanese comic book) that were adapted into an Anime and then translated and dubbed (re-voiced) in English, for an international audience.  

 Awp, here he comes.

"but, but, i didnt watch doze shows cuz i thot dey were stoopid n for kidz!"

 Well, regardless of what a lot of people may say now, statistics say that over 70% of children born in the 90's watched at least one of the three regularly.  In fact, Pokemon was so popular they've had more than 4 cartoon spin offs, countless games, toys, dolls, movies, a trading card game and conventions based solely on it.  Yu-Gi-OH! and Dragon Ball Z are no different.  Both creating such a splash in the US that they inspired countless new generations and revivals of the old classics.  ALL of which originated in Japan.  These shows even aired on the biggest TV stations in America, such as Cartoon Network, Disney, and Nickelodeon.  How many people in the US watch Adult Swim?  How many watched Toonami?  Good old fashioned all-American cartoons, right?

WRONG!

man, don't you ever get tired of being wrong?

Toonami, and Adult Swim both featured a line up mostly comprised of Anime.  Classic cartoons such as Gundam, Code Lyoko, Code Geass, Sailor Moon, Ronin Warriors, Tenchi, The Big O, Zoids, .hack//Sign, YuYu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin, Inuyasha, and One Piece.  ALL Anime.  Okay, now that I've got you thinking, I'll hit you with what may be the biggest mind-fuck to some of the less informed readers.

  Ready?

I want you to name one of the most popular cartoons out right now.  As of 2012.

.

.

.

Chances are, one of your answers was this...

"but that's american! thats not anime right? its on nickelodeon."

 RIGHT.

for once.

Don't get too cocky just yet.

"haha so that means it has nothing to do with anime. :) take that."

  

WRONG!

told you not to get too cocky...>.>

Now, while it's true that Avatar: The Legend of Korra, and it's predecessor Avatar: The Last Airbender are not Japanese productions, and therefore technically not Anime.  It WAS, however, greatly influenced by Japanese animation and drawn in the same art form. 

"..."

Even now, Anime still has a MAJOR influence on the cartoons presented in America.  The current lineup on Cartoon Network even, supports this, carrying shows such as Beyblade, Bakugan, Yu-Gi-OH! 5D's, etc. (I can't even keep up anymore. -.-).  While all of the shows shown may not be strictly Japanese made.  ALL carry a strong influence from Anime.  

"well...whatever. eventually the shows will end and itll be over. they cant last that long..."

*sigh* Do I really need to say it?

 

If you take a look at shows like Naruto, Bleach, and even Dragon Ball Z, (I don't have to count the obvious Pokemon and Yu-Gi-OH! which both ran for over 400 episodes. -_-), you can see the true length a show can run for.  Dragon Ball Z had two different spin offs.  Dragon Ball Z itself was a spin-off of Dragon Ball.  Then there's GT.  Collectively it ran for over around 10 years.  The first two, Naruto and Bleach, are STILL going.  Naruto started around 2005 and is still only about 3/4 of the way through...The original, Naruto, ran for 220 episodes.  The second coming, Shippuden is still running and is currently on episode 274.  The manga is a different story.  I think the last chapter to have been released was 597, and is still going.  So, if you think one episode and one chapter a week.  Then times that by 597 and 494, respectively, you start to get a scope of how long a show can actually last.  With that being said, you'd think America would have gotten a more profound understanding and respect for them, right?  Sadly, this is not the case.  While I'm fully aware that as long as we live, we'll never experience a day of mutual respect throughout the country, I can at least try and put things in perspective...

I think I'll go ahead and end it at that, considering I've said quite a bit and you still need the ability to ponder on it all.  Anymore and your brain would just give up.  I hope I at least cleared things up for a couple people out there.  If not, at least I said what I felt like needed to be said, and at the end of the day that's all you can ask for.  

Remember everybody, stay open and stay thinking.
Sayonara, mina-san.

What The Failing Economy and Popular Music Have In Common.

DISCLAIMER: Before we begin, I want to stress to you that I tried to avoid and stall this topic as long as I possibly could. Also, I would like to state that any anger generated by the following article will be ignored because, your opinion just doesn't matter...

The president has failed us, the economy is torn asunder, and your parents have switched house roles. Lets face it. Life sucks right now but... at least you can find that magical place in your music, right?

Real men come out. Men like Lil Wanye.

WRONG.

If there's one thing we need to fix in America, it's who we rank in the charts every week. The economy can wait. I'll point a finger to today's rapper's. If you "talk" over beats and all you say is @#$@! or talk about @#$@!$ and how much more money your getting, then you're not much of a rapper nor are you a role model. You're a menace to society. Most Hip-Hop artist couldn't define music if they had it tattooed all over their bodies and faces. To them, having a false persona that defers from the real you, shows your "Swagger" and "Balling" attitude. Not all of your rap "heroes" are who they claim to really be... For example.

So Fuck The Police, Huh?

There's no need for me to cover any of the other artist out there, because their actions speak for themselves. Do you really want your children listening to the likes of Nicki Minaj, Lil' Wanye, Justin Beiber, Miley Cyrus, and all the the other puppets of the music industry, who only care about their albums going gold and not the influence of said music on your child's psyche?

I would like to end this article by saying that popular music, is not always the right music. Do research, before you start bowing down and worshipping these frauds. Take care.

Religion: Debate or War?

So, with the wagons upon wagons of trends being banded upon these days, another popular trend to have surfaced, is religion.  Of course, religion has been around for hundreds and thousands of years, but it seems to have gotten a kick start as of recently.  So as not to discriminate towards anyone's beliefs or religion, I'm going to speak generally.  I'll try not to focus too greatly on any particular belief.  That being said, the two major beliefs I see first hand, are a belief in an all-mighty, omniscient, holy creator.  In other words, God.  On the other side of the ring we have Atheists, or a group who doesn't believe in any holy spirit, who strongly believe in the theory of evolution.  Now, the difference between these two beliefs is not the main conflict here.  I strongly believe beliefs are something every human being should have.  In fact, beliefs are what define us as individuals.  Without them we'd be no more than androids.  Beliefs are not the problem we're faced with, however, It's the label we assign these beliefs with.  Labels such as Christian, Atheist, etc.  This poses a question...what is the necessity for these labels?  Why do we have the urgency to pick sides thrown upon us by not only the media, but figures of authority as well?  I was under the impression we were raised as free thinkers, were we not?  Do we not, as humans, each deserve the right to believe a certain way without having to commit or confine ourselves to a certain guideline?  The moment when you declare one of these labels, you're automatically assigned these set of rules that follow with it.  This is the very thing that halts our progression as a civilization.  If we're not prepared to question the possibility of other existences or at the very least come to an understanding and a mutual respect with those of different opinions, how will we ever learn more than what we do now?  Beliefs are only glorified opinions, if you get right down to it.  However, has having an opinion ever stopped you from exploring before?  Just because you don't like one rap song, or one rap artist (Lil' Wayne), does that prohibit you from listening to the genre as a whole?  I would guess the answer is no.  So, the question is, why would it be any different in this particular situation?  Just because you are more inclined to not believe one way or the other, does not mean you should shut yourself off completely.  What I'm saying is, we should be more focused on open mindedness and exploration than categories and labels.  Whether you believe in God or not, that should not stop you from exploring another persons opinions.  If we are to survive as a civilization, we have to work together.  As long as these labels are assigned and chosen, however, we'll be held back.  A great video to watch about this very topic is by a man named Neil deGrasse Tyson.  I found the video exploring bigthink.com.  It's titled "Neil deGrasse Tyson: Atheist or Agnostic?"  It's a great video I HIGHLY recommend you take a look at.  Here's the link if you would like to watch it, http://bigthink.com/users/neildegrassetyson#!video_idea_id=43539

I suppose that's it for this time.  Stay thinking, and stay open everybody.
Sayonara, mina-san.