Crown

Reign,
Like a queen on her throne,
Seated on cherry red cushion
Of sweat and tears of passion feigned

Half-cup like milky moon of silver goblet
Between relentless fingers
Your turbulent heart seeks solace

In the most solemn placid twilight
When the lounging crown rests off the midnight locks
When the ornaments uncling themselves from you

But dearest, my beauty, by graceful-
Your highness
You think the thoughts of fortune,
The very same a subject would

I am still waiting.
I don't know how much longer I can withstand this....

If ever a time...

If ever a time you walked the halls feeling empty, I hope you realize the spaces around you. That such emptiness is only an illusion to the vastness of beauty, concealed from the eyes for the heart to see. If ever a day you feel alone, I hope you're comforted by the presence of others. If nobody is there, and you're still all alone, may you find warmth from the soothing of your comforter, and be reminded that  the Greatness will always be there...

Inked.

Write it on my wrist, she says
So I'll never forget,
Write, by the green broken glass beads
Below the crevice of her palm

Write it, so I'll remember what we have
The unseen, is a promise
Write so the memory of-
Even after the smeared ink smudges
& fades-
I'll remember the essence of it

Write it to prove this is real,
That when the tip of the black pen
Gently kisses her skin,
She'll finally see your thoughts
Translated into a single word.

Write it, that I find clarity.
For the beauty.
Write it so she knows.
For your thoughts unwritten
Will only make her forget.

The Little Prince

When I was in sixth grade, my homeroom teacher made us read Antoine de St-Exupery's The Little Prince. In grade eleven, I re-read the book but in French for the second time. I found myself relating to the little Prince, a ten year old who possesses maturity beyond his age.

But today, as I am sitting between studying for my Issues in Pop Music, and being distracted by the smell of the rain outside my window...I find myself resembling the little Prince's rose.

The vain and naive, who gets left behind.

Globalization and Cultural Transmission

The music industry is fairly concentrated in power. Or what Adorno claims it to be subscribing to the model of vertical integration. Think a fish tank, with one fish essentially controlling or monopolizing the resources of the entire fish tank from the other fishes. The commodification of popular artists transcends from profiting off songs to the associated images, style and symbols attached through the objectification off the individual persona.

Culture is defined in 2 ways. The first pertains to works and practices of artistic and intellectual activity. The other is defined by a reference to a way of life. The music industry is linked to a form of culture (or subcultures) in its social context. All in while, globalization occurs through transmission of music (from the music industry), influencing culture in a very large scale.

According to Wallis and Malm, there are 4 patterns of cultural transmissions:

1. Cultural Exchange (fairly equal in relations)
2. Cultural Dominance (involves a powerful imposing on a subordinate)
3. Cultural Imperialism (involves a exploiting off the resources from dominating)
4. Transculturalization (involves worldwide marketing network and spread of technology, from transnational corporation established)

Now if the music industry is vertically integrated, which out of the four patterns of cultural transmission is being practiced with the occurring of globalization? In other words, is it possible for globalization to occur with cultural relativity? Or is cultural representation in globalization (socially and in the music industry) a mere facade, veiling the exoticizing, and exploitation that occurs systematically? While we enjoy Bob Marley and he sings of "One Love" and Knaan who sings of "Waving Flags", who is really profiting, and asserting power, controlling the images we internalize be transmitted? Do we really believe in diversity in music and culture, or are we disillusioned by the standardization that occurs....that we have all become, really passive?

What does your 'cultural' popular music and the 'dominant' popular music have in common? Chances are they both subscribe to a particular genre. Because the mass consumes a specific type or category. Therefore, does the supply influence the demand, or the demand influences the supply chain? Or both?  =S

There's a reason.
I just have to wait a little bit longer.
Mama says,
He rewards those who are patient...
I guess will keep waiting, if He so wills.