Heartless Music -

If you’ve been watching America’s Got Talent this season, you obviously know of the amazing and outrageous act named Prince Poppycock. Don’t get confused, he has nothing to do with the candied popcorn that you may have been enjoying. No, no, Prince Poppycock is far from your ordinary…anything. He’s an extreme measure of talent, exquisite presentation, and pure entertainment bundled into one package that merges the worlds of classical opera and…drag.

Yes, drag. Prince Poppycock at basic level a drag queen, but he’s not your ordinary drag queen. This guy is an amazing singer. He has hit every nearly-impossible note in the classical opera songs he’s performed throughout the competition, and landed in the top four contestants of America’s Got Talent, which was voted upon the 15th. Although Poppycock didn’t win the grand prize, he still made an enormous statement across the country that two worlds can collide and make something magical, and I can’t help but think he has sent the younger audience of the show to their computers to download music, perhaps of some of opera classics that he performed.

His real name is John Andrew Qual and he’s 32 years old. He first discovered his talent when he was eleven years old. Four years ago he was asked to perform an opera song with a wig on. Taking it a bit further, he invented what we now know of Prince Poppycock. A glamorous diva of an opera singer with magnificent makeup and costumes that Broadway would gawk at.

From his audition in New York where he performed Largo Al Factotum, to La donna è mobile in Las Vegas, to Pagliacci in Hollywood, to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody during the semi finals, National Anthem and Yankee Doodle Boy, and then ending the competition on the finale night with Nessun Dorma, each of his stunning performances bewildered the audience and everyone watching at home.

Here is a compilation video of Prince Poppycock’s performances during the competition:

Heartless Music -

When Linkin Park came to the scene back in 2000 with their debut album Hybrid Theory, they were immediately accepted into mainstream culture. The first successful hit, Crawling, even won the band a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Also off this album came classic hit In The End which was successful on all charts and popular amongst pretty much everyone, if you don’t know them you can get free music online and listen to what all the fuss is about . Although they’re not really of a rebellious nature, I’m mentioning them here on Heartless Music because as a group they managed to infiltrate rock music into pop culture’s fan base and appeal to the masses, something that most rock groups don’t care to do, or could never come close to achieving. They succeed in merging several different genres of music including rock, punk, hip hop, rap and alternative. They broke ground when they performed their song Numb with rapper Jay-Z.

Here is the video for the collaboration of Linkin Park and Jay-Z usually separated genres with the song Numb/Encore:

During an interview posted on Music OMH, band member Mike Shinoda explained:

When the six of us get together and make music, there are some things that just naturally come out. And that’s part of the Linkin Park sound that you hear on the album. We wanted to step outside of the box, so we used some live strings, piano. We used a traditional Japanese flute, which is called shakuhachi. We played with time signatures, different tempos.

After their sophomore album in 2003 called Meteora, and their 2007 album titled Minutes To Midnight, the group will be releasing their fourth studio album titled A Thousand Suns this month on September 14th, much to the anticipation of their fans. Last month, they released the first single off the album called The Catalyst. Yesterday I read a review about the 3D laser show in Los Angeles that served as a promo and teaser for the new album, and the author was blown away. You won’t get to see these laser show effects while listening to the album, but the reviews of the music played were just as positive (read more). The favorite tracks to anticipate are Robot Boy, Waiting For the End, Blackout, When They Come For Me, and The Messenger.

Here is the music video by Linkin Park with their song The Catalyst:

Heartless Music - Bob Dylan is by far one of the most legendary musicians of the 20th century. Why I consider him a music rebel enough to put him here on Heartless Music, is his originality, his resistance to conform to the norm, his pioneering of a new kind of folk music, and even his protest and activist songs of the 1960s. There’s plenty of reasons why he can be considered a rebel, albeit a passive one.

He would become known for his less than ideal scratchy singing voice, but also for his amazingly talented literary skills, more specifically his poetic song writing, evident in classics like Mr. Tambourine Man, the meaning of which has been debated by many for decades. His integration of poetic construction into acoustic sounds were revered and segregated him from other musicians of the time. Throughout his career he has written countless songs not only for himself but for many other bands and musicians as well. There are so many artists he’s either written for or influenced, if you download music you’re sure to have something of his in your collection.

Two of Bob Dylan’s most famous protest songs are The Times They Are A Changin’ and Blowin’ In The Wind, which was famously sung with Joan Baez. That song, regarding the unforgiving Vietnam War that burdened peace-seekers for nearly twenty years from 1955 to 1975, protested in a very soft way, almost crying for the end of the war. It has been featured in many movies, and held close to the hearts of many. The lyrics are plain and simple, easy to understand, a message for the government to open their eyes and see what damage they’re doing:

Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky ?
Yes, how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry ?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died ?
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

Dylan would also break into the rock music scene with electric guitars. He would attempt to move forward with rock & roll, but would not find the same acceptance. Many fans disregarded this rock & roll era, while some critics declared it was a significant step back in Dylan’s career. Either way, he took a chance and tried something different.

Here is a video of Bob Dylan performing his song Blowin’ In The Wind with Joan Baez:

Here is a video of Bob Dylan performing his song Tangled Up In Blue:

Heartless Music -

I thought it was obviously fitting to write about Kanye West here on Heartless Music: he’s obviously had some moments where he disregarded rules and manners (therefore obtaining the title “rebel”), and he fittingly has a hit single titled Heartless.

Grammy Awards 2005

Although he was featured on Jay-Z’s 2002 The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse album, Kanye wouldn’t  release his debut artist album until 2004 called The College Dropout.  A year later, his 2005 album titled Late Registration, would have an even better reception by fans and critics. Download free music from these first albums and tell me if you think they’re worthy of awards…because at the 2005 Grammy Awards Kanye would receive eight Grammy nominations, and win three including “Best Rap Album” (for The College Dropout), “Best Rap Song” (Jesus Walks), and “Best R&B Song” (You Don’t Know My Name with Alicia Keys). The following year, the album Late Registration would also win three Grammys.

Two years later he would release Graduation, which would also (roll eyes at repetition here) win three Grammys at the 2008 awards ceremony. Yet to break the cycle, Kanye did take home four wins that night, the last being for his duet with rapper Common for the track titled Southside.

In 2008 at the MTV Music Awards, Kanye would perform and use an auto-tone device in his microphone, creating an awesome effect on the vocals for his track Love Lockdown. This would eventually become a trademark that would be used in other songs that fans love. That year’s album 808s & Heartbreak, and this year’s Dark Twisted Fantasy have both been massively successful.

Here is Kanye’s video for Heartless (which also uses the auto-tone technique):

Forgetting To Obey The Rules

Unless you’ve lived in a cave the last year, you’re well aware of Kanye’s behavior “mishap” during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Although he apologized later on for being completely out of line, disrespectful, rude, arrogant, etc. etc., I still have less appreciation for him as a person since then. The world does not revolve around you Kanye, and although you may think your opinion is superior to the rest, you have no say in the righteous recipient of any award.

That being said, whether or not he’s totally “heartless” because that incident can be debated. But a year before that happened, in 2008, he was arrested at LAX airport for physically destroying the camera of a member of the paparazzi. In fact, the charges were felonies for vandalism. The charges were knocked down to a misdemeanor.

Is Kanye a rebel? Do you think we have more to see from his naughty side? Let’s hope so!

Heartless Music - Although not the first punk girl to make her way into the spotlight of the music industry, Pink (also known as P!nk, and born Alecia Moore) would be that figure of the 2000s , or noughties. Hailing out of Pennsylvania, she would burst onto the scene with her 2000 debut album Can’t Take Me Home with singles There You Go, Most Girls, and You Make Me Sick, which are still available today as free music downloads.

Her in-your-face lyrics and punk style was instantly a hit and brought a new edge to the typical pop icon. In an interview on musicOMH she stated that when she was younger, rebellion was in her nature, claiming:

“I was an idiot. I still am, kind of. Someone said I’m a magnet for that shit. Whatever. I just like to have fun. Fuck rules.”

Claiming she was brought up in a house with a tough dad and rarely any female companions, she gives her tough upbringing credit for making her who she is today:

“I think it definitely has a lot to do with that. I was always the only girl, usually looked at as one of the guys, raised by a man who is a complete fighter. I’m not just a bullshit artist. I’m not here to impress people. I’m here to make a difference.”

Her song titled Just Like a Pill, off her 2001 album Missundaztood, shined a light on a dark side of Pink, darker than just being a hard-edged rocker or punk. Her song Trouble, off the 2003 album Try This, was more of the same, hinting at a story line of illegal activities and fighting. Off her 2006 album titled I’m Not Dead, her song Dear Mr. President is a perfect example of her rebellious nature (and I respect her 110% for putting it out there, and even performing it live). It is an honest questioning of why President Bush had failed so badly as leader of the American people, directed to personally to him. Not many artists would refuse to sugar coat lyrics of a protest song.

Watch the video Pink performing the song Dear Mr President live:

And let’s not forget that she’s not afraid to admit being too drunk to give an acceptance speech, as did happen at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, where she won for Best Dance Video and Best Female Video for her party anthem track, Get This Party Started. Of recent news of her portraying the life of Janis Joplin in an upcoming film, Pink says she’s qualified because she doesn’t really have to act.

“I don’t know how to depict it, I relate to her a lot and I know a lot about her life. She was a white girl singin’ the blues and so was I, and it wasn’t widely accepted. I hide my pain, that’s why I’m always laughing, and she was kind of like that. She was very funny ‘cos she was in a lot of pain.”

Pink is in no way shape or form your typical girl, and she’s made a permanent mark in the music industry, and more specifically pop culture. She made it clear and known to the public that being different is a good thing, and being true to yourself is even better. Love her or hate her, it’d undeniable that she is an icon and a rebel in every sense of the word.

We all know Snoop Dogg for his entertaining raps and famous duos with Dr. Dre that put out the most memorable  songs of the nineties and his most identifiable voice. Being brought up in Long Beach, California, he was exposed to and surrounded by crime and gangs from a young age. Shortly after graduating high school, he was arrested and jailed for six months for possession of cocaine. It’s rumored, although never proven, that Snoop was a member of the Crips gang of Long Beach, California.

Heartless Music - Snoop would soon be discovered by established rap icon Dr. Dre, who brought him into the studio for recording. Shortly after he’d be collaborating on Dre’s debut album The Chronic as well as producing his own debut album, Doggystyle, that would possess instant hits like Who Am I (What’s My Name)? and Gin and Juice. The album would feature Dr. Dre, Warren G, The Lady of Rage, Nate Dogg (Snoop’s cousin), Tha Dogg Pound, and even George Clinton. Download music off this album and reminisce Snoop’s introduction to the game, and when gangster rap was thriving.

In 1993 Snoop and his bodyguard would be arrested for the shooting of gang member Philip Woldermarian, but were both acquitted based on self-defense when the case settled 3 years later. The same year of his arrest, Snoop would release Doggystyle, and no doubt acknowledge some of the success was due to the recent soaring of publicity.

Snoop with 2Pac

In 1996, Snoop would produce and release his second album titled The Doggfather, however, the album would only reach sales of two million. The lack of success could be credited to the lack of Dr. Dre on the album, or more probable the recent shooting and death of West Coast rap icon and friend of Snoop’s; Tupac Shakur, or 2Pac.

In 1998, following a growing hatred for Death Row Records, Snoop would go to Master P’s label under Priority Records. He’d release three albums, one a year from 1998-2000: Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told, No Limit Top Dogg, and Tha Last Meal. In 2002 he released Paid Tha Cost to Be Da Boss, which was success with the hit track Beautiful featuring Pharrell. Although never leaving his hard-knock lifestyle from his heart, it became apparent that Snoop would be rapping more and more about females and weed than the gang lifestyle of his earlier records.

Snoop would release three more records, including his most recent Malice In Wonderland, which was released in 2009. Keep in mind that his relation to weed would be prominent in his acting roles as well, which would include an enormous list of 37 titles!

Although we’re well aware that celebrities have wild and usually illegal party lifestyles, Snoop Dogg was one of the first stars to ever become directly associated with an illegal substance, that being marijuana of course. It seems that in ever interview Snoop gives, he’s asked about his extracurricular activities, and always seems more than willing to discuss it.

I found this hilarious clip of him live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon:

And even on Martha Stewart, Snoop visited to make “green brownies”:

There’s a plethora of videos and footage of Snoop rapping, smoking, laughing, and just being Snoop. It’s nothing that would surprise any of us, really. What has surprised me though, is Snoop’s most recent appearance in the music industry. Snoop agreed to provide a rap verse for pop star Katy Perry’s latest track California Gurls. Now, I’m not saying a rapper has never paired with a pop star before, but I find it an extremely unlikely duo that would most certainly never have collaborated otherwise. Or perhaps it’s a sign of changing times, are genres crossing over more and more?

Below is video of Snoop Dogg and Katy Perry with the song California Gurls:

Heartless Music - I wouldn’t normally classify Biz Markie as a music rebel, or a music anything for that matter. But I do have to say that he didn’t conform to the typical hip-hop and rap world, and in doing so brought us a new form of music that integrated comedy into a genre almost always filled with serious and dramatic lyrics. It’s similar to what Will Smith did with his songs that incorporated humorous lyrics (without profanity) into the hip-hop world.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Live

Heartless Music - Hailing from Los Angeles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in 1983 with a pure funk that California held dear with the decline of Disco music. In the early years of the band, the original line up would throw in rock and thrash which gave them an entirely unique flavor that nobody had heard before. To this day, nobody comes close to replicating the Red Hot Chili Peppers in terms of their sound. To some, they’re considered the “Led Zepplin of Cali,” in reference to their inadvertent way of creating their own genre.

Unfortunately the early days for the band weren’t that easy. RHCP has had 14 members to date while retaining the original count of 4 at any given time. Only two of the original founders remain, Anthony Kiedis, the frontman and lyrical mastermind, and Flea, the signature bassist with what he dubs his ’slap-happy’ style of play. Dealing with the death of their original guitar player Hillel Slovak from a heroin overdose and the departure of their drummer, the band adopted different musicians styles of play. Anthony Kiedis has stated that their influences blended with the direction of the band helped form their genuine appeal, infusing punk rock with their homegrown love for funk music. This plethora of styles resulted in the record now available as free music downloads Blood Sugar Sex Magik, which although it was their 5th album, sold over 15 million copies to date and introduced the world to the band.

Dave Navarro

In the following years, RHCP would recruit Dave Navarro, guitarist of Janes Addiction, to record One Hot Minute. Though a reputable album with a bit more rock power, it didn’t perform nearly as well as Blood Sex Sugar Magik, so Navarro went right back to Perry Cantrell and continued his career in a different direction. The band wouldn’t see a similar sort of success from their 5th album until completing Californication with guitarist John Frusciante, who had left the band previously after succumbing to a heroin addiction. After hits like Scar Tissue and Californication ate up the airwaves over the composition team of Anthony Kiedis and Frusciante, the band had nothing but success.

Their most recent album, Stadium Arcadium, has given the band their first American #1 album with tracks such as Dani California and Snow. Though they lost John Frusciante again as he wanted to pursue a solo venture, RHCP remains strong with relentless touring and a positive outlook for the road ahead. They have one of the rockiest histories for a successful band, but continue to prevail with flying colors. They are determination incarnate.

Here’s a personal favorite from Californication and a fun video encompassing the feel of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Can’t Stop:

Heartless Music - In 1973 in the town of Akron, Ohio, DEVO was born. Known today for their crazed antics, unique sense of style, and their staple in New Wave music, DEVO became an icon for those transcending out of Disco Fever and into a new synthetic revolution of music.

Their name is short for their satiric view of society. DEVO is short for de-evolution as the members and devoted fans believe that instead of evolving, society as a whole is de-evolving. If you ask for proof, they’ll tell you to just observe American society as it is today.

One of the most iconic objects in New Wave was created by DEVO, this being the energy dome. Normally red (however recently it’s become blue), this item was worn during their famous music video for their most reputable single, Whip It. Whip It came in at #14 on the Billboard Charts, but through relentless touring and a cult following, DEVO outlasted the rest of the New Wave rockers without adapting their sound to the changing times.

In fact, DEVO still tours today. They’ve recently dropped a new album (where the energy dome is now blue) and just completed a leg of their 2010 tour in San Diego. I just love to download music by Devo and their latest album Something for Everybody is my new personal favorite.

For more information on DEVO, check them out at their website.

Watch the most famous  Devo in live action, as the perform Whip It on Jimmy Kimmel: