Special Education is the latest single from the upcoming album“ Age Against
This Is Your Brain on Music( Review by Heather Jones)
“ Special Education” Goodie Mob ft. Janelle Monae
Special Education is the latest single from the upcoming album“ Age Against
The Machine”. This track is the epitome of what I would picture the album to sound like. Goodie Mob and Janelle Monae are using an Afro Futuristic approach in connection with a Dubstep sound. Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London, England. The music generally features syncopated drum and percussion patterns with bass lines that contain prominent sub bass frequencies. When listening to these sounds all you can think of is machines and technology. It’ s like listening to a fight during a Transformers movie.
What I love most about this single is that the message is one of importance in a time where so many are trying to reach success by emulating what they see. In the music industry, especially for African Americans, too much of the influence has a negative spin on it. The hook that Janelle Monae sings has powerful lyrics that one could consider to be a part of the Afro Futurism Movement. She says:
“ I don ' t wear the clothes you wear I ' m just different and I don ' t care It ' s kind of sad and it ' s a shame Everyone wants to be the same If you are listening here and now I ' m sure I can show you how It ' s okay to be afraid Don ' t you want to be special”
This Is Your Brain on Music( Review by Heather Jones)
Afro futurism in one definition is to believe in the power of a positive future for blackness. It is to say that the stereotypes so many people conform and make into norm will not be what the future holds. It seems that it has now become popular to be like everyone else or to embrace the ignorance one group may have placed upon another group. Goodie Mob is trying to, in an Afro futuristic way, make this ignorance and current way of life more transparent that others may see through it and break out into originality. It is ok to like and admire other things around you, but to change your ways and who you are, to be a part of it is where the problem lies.
In the song it says that VIP stands for Very Insecure People. What better way to say it? Everyone trying to be in VIP, trying to be in the limelight, trying to make sure everyone knows their name. But for what? What are they bringing to the table that hasn’ t been done before or what are they improving on to build a brand with solid foundation? In the words of Goodie Mob,“ No one ' s original, Attack of the Clones Invasion of the swagger-snatchers, Aim for the dome.” Special Education.
Here’ s the link to preview for yourself: https:// soundcloud. com / blackice-bell / goodie-mob-special-education
16 JUL-AUG 2013 ResponsibleARTistry. com Issue II