thInQ: The Art of the re-Purpose

Ebuyer.com

A couple of weeks ago my friend Maree said to me “Welcome to planet earth. You are here to create. You are safe. There is no need to worry. There is no need to be afraid. Enjoy yourself and have fun.”

After she said that we both giggled and were a bit in awe of the moment. It was brilliant.

I’ve reflected upon that conversation several times since. What she said is true. Everything we do is an act of creation. The process never stops. Nothing stays the same, everything evolves.

Two weeks ago, I posted the Glass Tiger’s Diamond Sun as the Song in My Head. I love that version; the collaboration, the different languages, the addition of musicians, the inclusion of the spoken word, and the lyrics that delivers a simple yet powerful message.

I pondered what Maree said while listening to it this past Saturday; and considered other artists who at first glance we think of as “one hit wonders” but in reality, they are quite smashingly bright. They merely re-purposed what they already created. Flexing their artistic muscles, taking what they have accomplished and breathing new life into it; deeper, wider, and more expansive.

   

Artists like Vanilla Ice and Cyndi Lauper are two that came to mind immediately. Marilyn Mason, The Tenors, K.D. Lang, and Disturbed have their respective musical genera and they too have all done this successfully. 

Their ability to do this comes from practicing their skills, or betterstill playing at the things that make them feel alive and being open to the risky evolution and expansion of their craft. 

We all do this, in everything we do.

Welcome to planet earth. You are here to create. thInQ.

Baby, It’s Ice - Blog Off

In 1990’s Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice was the first hip-hop song to hit the top of the Billboard Charts. (refresh your memory here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-is6S_b_g)

I remember when it hit the charts and to be truthful didn’t understand it. Even more I had a hard time dancing to it. Break dancing looks like it could hurt. I do admire, however, anyone who can spin on their head without getting hair burn or breaking their necks! At the time Rap/Hip Hop seemed harsh, bullish, and angry moreover it was different.

Just how different?

The song Ice Ice Baby became the catalyst for a much needed shift in mainstream music and modern culture. He wasn’t a black person trying to break into “white culture.” In fact it was the exact opposite. I wonder if he understands the true value of the impact he made not just on the music industry, but on the world.

Vanilla Ice wrote the lyrics to Ice Ice Baby when he was 16 years old. It was about his experiences growing up in South Florida which included of all things a drive by shooting. The latter, is something I cannot relate to, which could be why I did not connect with the music in the first place.

Life for Vanilla Ice was not a glamorous Hollywood success story. He produced other albums with minimal success and tried acting along with a realty television show appearance. He struggles with drugs and at one time attempted suicide. All that aside, there have been those like Justin Timberlake who re-recorded this 1990’s hit.

There has been a great deal of pressure on Ice to produce another hit. He doesn’t need to. Vanilla Ice has done exactly what he had to. It was the right song at the right time, and as a result of his creative efforts other musicians from all over the world heeded the call, allowing their own creative force and ideas to come forward making rap and hip hop part of main stream culture. Barriers broken.

And that is the story of Vanilla Ice. The road less travelled sparks a whole new movement. How many people have there been in our life time who have brought forth these kinds of gifts? Lots actually. Think about it.

This past January the Irish duo John and Edward release a single mashop of the classics Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby) listen to what has been inspired:

This talented duo didn’t just do a re-mix – they re-created it.

Twenty years later I get it, and so do these young musicians. Call me crazy but I hear something pretty cool here. Baby, It’s Ice - always changing, evolving, and creating new experiences and different colours every time you see it - and - I love it.

Be sure to visit Busty's response to my picture http://bust-a-blog.blogspot.com/ you'll like it.