Did y’all already talk about this?

If not, I’ma just leave this here:

Billboard: What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

Me’Shell: What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.
From Billboard: Meshell Ndegeocello Talks Revisiting R&B Gems for Covers Album & Why Bruno Mars Is 'Karaoke' https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Here’s a fun take from The Root:
https://www.theroot.com/meshell-ndegeocello-is-right-about-bruno-mars-being-kar-1823615904

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

------------------
One Hundred.

I love Me’Shell but I don’t agree with the implication that Bruno is not sincere. Obviously, he is taking A LOT from the people she mentioned. It pains me that Mint Condition, who were not mentioned in the article but still came to mind, haven’t received their props but is that Bruno’s fault?

I’m not a Bruno stan, by the way. Still haven’t listened to his albums.

Side note: I’d love to get Questlove’s take on this. What has he said about Bruno in the past? Did he weigh in on the Thicke and Gaye situation?

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

Covering songs, especially in a non-predictable manner, is not comparable to creating new songs that aren’t nuanced in how they reveal musical influences

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

>Covering songs, especially in a non-predictable manner, is
>not comparable to creating new songs that aren’t nuanced in
>how they reveal musical influences

>>Covering songs, especially in a non-predictable manner, is
>>not comparable to creating new songs that aren’t nuanced
>in
>>how they reveal musical influences
>

Dah well. I only heard her cover of "Waterfalls," which is the TLC song I dislike the most. It was overplayed when it debuted and I haven't recovered.

When I watched the video of Me'Shell's cover on YouTube, I immediately thought that it was a non-predictable cover in the sense that she was not trying to mimic the production of Organized Noize. It's a completely different vibe.

I wasn't in love with it but the production clearly deviates from the original...

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

The same old coffee bar routine that every person with a youtube channel does. Two ingredients required.

1. Acoustic Guitar
2. Slow down the tempo

Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjRzCjbROPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEo4wyiRZzQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKYeWm_j71I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NHQUTewquQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0NybPDEQxg

Need more?

________________________________
There are dozens of us! Dozens!

>The same old coffee bar routine that every person with a
>youtube channel does. Two ingredients required.
>
>1. Acoustic Guitar
>2. Slow down the tempo
>
>Examples:
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjRzCjbROPM
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEo4wyiRZzQ
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKYeWm_j71I
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NHQUTewquQ
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0NybPDEQxg
>
>Need more?

I don’t watch or listen to covers of “Waterfalls” so I wouldn’t know how her cover compares to others. Also, I don’t listen to much acoustic coffee house type of music*.
Finally, my comment was speaking to the genre from which her cover derives. Her version, like I said, does not borrow from the 1990s R&B/pop sound Organized Noize used for “Waterfalls.”

*Hmmmm. Maybe this is why I disliked Lauryn Hill’s MTV Unplugged joint

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

Oops. I just realized I may have misinterpreted your comment.

If you’re pointing to the fact that she’s trying to gain publicity: yep, your point is well taken.

If not, and you were noting irony: see my original response.

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

These covers are really interesting and executed really well...but at the end of the day, IMO, writing your own music (no matter how derivative) is still more artistic than just doing covers (unless your Nina Simone).

i agree with Meshell but I don't think its a lack of sincerity or talent. Bruno is kind of like the r&b version of Lenny Kravitz.

I remember one critic saying that Lenny seemed to be someone who was overwhelmed by his influences.

All artists borrow and steal but when a song comes on and you first think of the artist they are stealing from its ventures into karaoke land.

and for the record I can appreciate Lenny and Bruno for what they are but no one is confusing them for the real deal.

dude

https://i.imgur.com/MfCgb1F.jpg

________________________________
There are dozens of us! Dozens!

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Well done.

This post was paid for by the following.

www.twitter.com/13Rose
www.debunkthemyth.org
http://dashaunworld.wordpress.com/
www.mothergreen.com

Remember MJ The Great!
PSN: ThirteenRose

That's what folks don't understand. There may be black artists out there making new jack swing, but how many writing songs as catchy as Finesse ?

Same thing with any winehouse. People like Rehab because it was a good ass song, not just because it was some fake Motown shit.

At the end of the day, you got SONGS or you don't and if you don't being white won't save you (see: Iggy azalea)

-------------------------------
If life is stupendous one cannot also demand that it should be easy. - Robert Musil

So he ain’t Stevie or Prince.

That’s ok.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

He took out his drum machine/keyboard and it said Bank 470:New Jack Swing and he didn't change a damn thing.

I mean I'm not an asshole. I'll dance to him at a wedding. But I'd rather hear the real shit he's biting so hard.

that this site is just about fucking DEAD.



Anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg
http://Tupreme.com

The fact people are regurgitating this crap means they are washed. Me'Shell barely has or ever had a listenable project lol one of the most over hyped shit ever talked on this board just cause she was an OK Artist.


----------

IG @h_n_z

Anti-gentrification, cheap alcohol & trying to look pretty in our twilight posting years (c) Big Reg
http://Tupreme.com

She barely had a listenable project?!

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

One of the worst of ?uest’s suggestions lol


----------

IG @h_n_z

Oh look the dude who desperately needs a psychitrist.

Good music is good music. I don't care who or what culture it's from please stop trying to bait me or my opinion into a race issue I'm not the one.

The only stupid shit about race being said is anyone's expectation of what type of music an artist SHOULD make based on the race or culture they are. Grow the fuck up.

----------

IG @h_n_z

>Oh look the dude who desperately needs a psychitrist.
>
>Good music is good music. I don't care who or what culture
>it's from please stop trying to bait me or my opinion into a
>race issue I'm not the one.

most people who appreciate all genres of black music wouldnt say "Me'Shell barely has or ever had a listenable project"



>The only stupid shit about race being said is anyone's
>expectation of what type of music an artist SHOULD make based
>on the race or culture they are. Grow the fuck up.
>
>----------
>
>IG @h_n_z

What because I think her overall fucking albums kinda suck that means I don't like black music?!? Bwahahaha

Other than her love and basketball joint I never liked her music. So that means I automatically don't appreciate black music? LMAO what are you a crazy ass Lefty or Righty? If I dont like one thing I'm against all of your beliefs? Get your Mean Girls mentality ass away from me fucking loser. Aren't you a music journalist? No wonder you are so sensitive about your opinions on music. What a loser.




----------

IG @h_n_z

>What because I think her overall fucking albums kinda suck
>that means I don't like black music?!? Bwahahaha
>
>Other than her love and basketball joint I never liked her
>music. So that means I automatically don't appreciate black
>music? LMAO what are you a crazy ass Lefty or Righty? If I
>dont like one thing I'm against all of your beliefs? Get your
>Mean Girls mentality ass away from me fucking loser. Aren't
>you a music journalist? No wonder you are so sensitive about
>your opinions on music. What a loser.

*shrugs*

I'll just be over here unappreciating black music via some Bruno Mars songs in your honour. Bwahahaha. You are a special, special, special kind of loser. I DO appreciate THAT.




----------

IG @h_n_z

you dissed an artist who gets a lot of respect from music lovers, I asked how much you were into black music outside of rap

then it got really weird on your end. keep at it though

Cool. Love this logic.

Another typical move by you LOL Your weird victim issues explain a lot. A. Lot.



----------

IG @h_n_z

I never said or implied anything about you and enjoying Bruno Mars' music

you just brought him back up above between name calling, cursing, and taking personal shots that dont bother me in the least

none of this exchange paints you in a good light, but dont let me stop you while you're ahead

Pretending your follow up questions are just random general questions. Nobody beleives you when you do that. I dont get how you dont see that. Either you are admitting your general questions dont mean anything about the convo or that you are insinuating a new point in your argument LOL you cant have it both ways just because you get called out on it. And we all know what you are doing becasue you do it in every post. Name calling and cursing LOL again playing victim again. Grow a set.
----------

IG @h_n_z

people who appreciate black music are generally into this artist that you arent into

you seem pretty offended by my line of questioning

If you liked that song you would enjoy her album, Bitter, that the song is from. Are you familiar with her music?

******************************************
Falcons, Braves, Bulldogs and Hawks

Geto Boys, Poison Clan, UGK, Eightball & MJG, OutKast, Goodie Mob

Like 1 song like the whole album. Usually how it works lol



----------

IG @h_n_z

She got some really good songs.

First album was fiyah but Bitter, whew...

and live? She is a beast.

She wrong as fuck tho when it comes to Bruno.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

human jukebox ass mf'er but he won't own it. he cuts the checks and calls it original. it's not. even if she is totally washed (which she isn't), that doesn't mean he isn't slickly packaged, glorified karaoke

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

it was floundering and then it got swallowed whole by hip hop. most r n b today is either "adult contemporary" type shit, obscure, or both.

i am not saying dude is unlistenable but he is background music for a shitty TV presentation or the cereal aisle at the supermarket, just like most pop music today

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

tired of once very good acts turning into bitter ole windbags and she ain't had a hit since Blues Clues was bumping.

she been on the down slide since the 00's. Bruno is a better songwriter than her and he can play and if she was half as hip as she pretends to be then she would know he started out as a elvis Presley Impersonator.


she needs to do stop doing cornball tyler Perry covers of 'Tender Love".

she still bitter that Brian Mcknight took her song
and made it a hit and legit.

drops the mic. and for the record and I do respect her talent,however she takes a "L" on this

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

she can play bass and she plays that better than he does guitar and Piano on a whole to me. however she got nothing else over him
and she knows it.

she just madd because while she has had songs that i dug and those first two albums that i liked, she is for the most part a never was.


Bruno got jewelry and stats and also got respect from respected artists from various eras.

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

>Bruno got jewelry and stats and also got respect from
>respected artists from various eras.

turkey you can't get fingerhut half off to co sign you

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

This dude said a Finger Hut half off! SMH

This post was paid for by the following.

www.twitter.com/13Rose
www.debunkthemyth.org
http://dashaunworld.wordpress.com/
www.mothergreen.com

Remember MJ The Great!
PSN: ThirteenRose

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

.
.

"I cannot see how nature could have created itself. Only a supernatural force that is outside of space and time could have done that. ~ Francis Collins

.
.

"I cannot see how nature could have created itself. Only a supernatural force that is outside of space and time could have done that. ~ Francis Collins

You're not being a nice person
.
.

"I cannot see how nature could have created itself. Only a supernatural force that is outside of space and time could have done that. ~ Francis Collins

Bruno done did 2 Super Bowls, she be lucky to pack a backyard Pot Luck Bowl Party

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

Eh, in D.C., New York, LA, ATL, etc. I bet she could.

A few years ago, she had a show with the now-defunct duo, Chargaux, in D.C. I think that was sold out.

As an aside, she doesn't strike me as the type of artist that would want to perform at the Superbowl. Like, the fuck would she perform?

That's more of a pop stage, and she's not a pop artist...

--
"Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume

"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib

she was signed to Madonna's Maverick records a major label for a decade

and she had a hit with john Cougar mellencamp which would have worked on a Episode of "Friends"

she wanted it, and she is doing that drunk whiskey cover album she got out now.

she can play and I liked her first few records however she wanted to hit
and she failed and badly. she would rock a S Curl if Bruno Mars get on this stage with me in a New York Minute.

why is she so pressed over him?

nobody in the real world knows 5 of her songs. she is like that drunk aunt who can play and yet got stories from 1998 and can't tell you a story past 2001. anybody can pack them places she played at.

she taken a Major "L" on this one

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

>nobody in the real world knows 5 of her songs. she is like
>that drunk aunt who can play and yet got stories from 1998 and
>can't tell you a story past 2001. anybody can pack them places
>she played at.
>


ROTLF


.
.

"I cannot see how nature could have created itself. Only a supernatural force that is outside of space and time could have done that. ~ Francis Collins

defend dude on his own merit. he is a great entertainer but he is also a swag jacker. he does to dozens of artists what you've claimed prince did to rick james and well beyond.

And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

and Meshall Nedecello can't talk because her new album is all covers.

bruno never pretended to be all original.then again how many are?

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

>he does to dozens of artists what
>you've claimed prince did to rick james and well beyond.

~
~
~
~
~
Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

>he does to dozens of artists what
>you've claimed prince did to rick james and well beyond.

~
~
~
~
~
Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

>he does to dozens of artists what
>you've claimed prince did to rick james and well beyond.

~
~
~
~
~
Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

prince was a opening act for Rick James and aside from i wanna be your lover he didn't have any other half coin piece hits. Bruno was a songwriter who hit off the gate before his solo career took off.

Prince on his first couple of albums aside from his image was like a Broke MJ, Steve, Brothers Johnson, Sylvers,ray parker jr,Smokey Robinson,etc.. basically a dime a dozen act with a Broke Nod to Sly stone and Shuggie Ottis. truth is "Dirty Mind" forever changed Prince's career and even that didn't connect all the way as what Controversy and 1999 did. remember it took Prince longer to get his voice, music and sound all done. Bruno is held to a different standard however he didn't come into the business as the Next MJ, Stevie or Jim Hendrix, Sly as Prince. big difference and Prince was jocking a whole bunch of folks.

nothing to be ethered there about.

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

All you're doing is talking about how their eras differ. Major labels could afford for artists to release a grip of moderately successful albums and keep those artists around before the download era. Now we have all these cookie cutter, copycat artists, because those labels need hits out the gate and don't wanna take chances. Essentially, you're just describing WHY Bruno is doing karaoke. You say it took longer for Prince to "get his voice, music and sound all done" but how do you know when Bruno hasn't gotten his own done yet and just copies others like the Jay Pharoah of music? Like I said elsewhere in the post, holla at me when he finds his own sound. I look forward to him being great.

~
~
~
~
~
Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

as a songwriter because he wrote hit songs and was turned away big time.
Prince was average at first and he wasn't the songwriter that he would become. Bruno was a better writer at first on others.

then his thing hit. vocally Bruno got his thing,musically he is still searching. however he ain't no karoke at all, because He can play and sing. you up here listening to a Act who ain't counted since the mid 90's a and is bitter and is now hawking a Cover Album on QVC without anybody wanting to buy it.

if Bruno covered "tender love" it would hit, Me'shall singing "Tender Love" and that mess might make a Cerio Killer come out of hiding and turn themselves in.

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

>
>if Bruno covered "tender love" it would hit, Me'shall singing
>"Tender Love" and that mess might make a Cerio Killer come out
>of hiding and turn themselves in.

i laughed.. not sure if the misspelling was intentional

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

I mean look at the Finesse video. He's purposely telling us that this is taken from another era and unoriginal. I know alotta people here loved it purely due to nostalgia, but that doesn't mean it was creative. I actually thought the whole thing was a cheap gimmick. We know he's a pop artist doing this for hits. Finesse wasn't the best song, but throw in some nostalgia for old folks and you have built-in support. I don't think all his music is garbage, but the old school feel + marketing is a very important part of getting a bigger audience for him. It's not like he's making older people like and respect newer styles of music like true geniuses have done in the past. I definitely don't think he's trash as a singer or writer, but the critique of his approach as a cheap gimmick is very valid at this point.

~
~
~
~
~
Days like this I miss Sha Mecca

hit since 1992, arguably 1993. That's an era that is rarely ever sampled or covered, when you think about it. Even Uptown Funk wasn't a shocker because the early 80's Jheri Curl sound has been around all decade.

But NOBODY seems to acknowledge NJS as a whole...aside from 8-10 songs, you rarely hear NJS on the radio...when's the last time most folks heard Dreamin, Here we go, Honey dip, Don't wanna fall in love remix, etc. etc. on radio?

For Bruno to even love that era enough to make a song in the exact vein of it....like. The last time I can even remember a moderately big song sampling NJS was Nick Cannon taking "Poison," and that was 12 years ago. I don't count "Piece of my love" which is sampled a lot, because it's more of a slow jam/midtempo track. But yeah...to make a single with actual swinging drums is bold as hell, and he pulled it off. If it wasn't as well written and produced, it's no way a single person woulda cared about it. The execution was flawless overall.

------------------------------

50+ FREE Mixes on www.DJR-Tistic.com!

Twitter and Instagram - @DJ_RTistic