RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

Rina Sawayama and her 2020 debut album, "Sawayama" was critically acclaimed yet this amazing record still didn't get nearly enough attention by the public that it deserved. But there was one famous fan who was paying close attention: Elton John proclaimed Rina's pop album was one of his favorites of the year. And that lead to a friendship between the two British performers and now a musical collaboration. The veteran artist teamed-up with the thirty year old vocalist for a cover of a track off her album, "Chosen Family". This stripped down version details the importance of having the support of people who may not be related to you but are just as close as any biological family member, something of great significance particularly to queer people.



Here are a few new songs I'm enjoying right now I would like to share:

Indie rocker, Liz Phair decided to create her own path to making music after returning to her family home in Chicago after failing in an attempt to enter the business in San Francisco. Beginning with her 1993 debut, "Exile in Guyville", Fair became a critical darling and a fixture of the modern rock scene. And while Phair has been busy touring and working on projects, she had not released any new music in almost eleven years. That is about to change with the announcement of her upcoming seventh studio album, "Soberish", due out in June, and the first single, "Spanish Doors". The album was inspired by music of the singer's youth which included the sounds of 1980's new wave and art rock. "Spanish Doors" looks at when someone's perfect life comes apart, leaving them unsure of who they are anymore. 

2021 OSCAR NOMINEES FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG

This year's Oscar nominees for Best Original Song features another group of strong contenders with any one of them being a good choice for the award. The Netflix musical-comedy of the annual Eurovision Song contest, "The Story of Fire Saga" has their only nomination with the pop-power ballad, "Húsavík (My Hometown)" which actress, Rachel McAdams lip syncs in the film to the vocals of Swedish pop singer, Molly Sandén. "Hear My Voice", from "The Trial of the Chicago 7", was written by composer, Daniel Pemberton and rising British soul singer, Celeste who also performs the tune. Actor Leslie Odom, Jr. does double duty; playing soul legend, Sam Cooke in the film, "One Night in Miami..." and co-writing (with Sam Ashworth) and performing the nominated song, "Speak Now". R&B vocalist, H.E.R. delivers a powerful anthem, "Fight For You" for the bio-drama, "Judas and the Black Messiah" which involves the tragic betrayal of Black Panther chairman, Fred Hampton by an FBI informant. And there is "Io Si (Seen)" from the feature film "The Life Ahead" which is highlighted by the return of screen legend, Sophia Loren. This ballad was co-written by Italian pop star, Laura Pausini (who also performs the song) and Diane Warren, making this her twelfth Oscar nomination yet she still hasn't taken home the prize.

My prediction is that the award will go to the sentimental favorite, Diane Warren for her well-admired work over her lengthy career. But who knows? Here are the five nominated songs to hear and judge for yourself:

"Fight for You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah" (Music by H.E.R. and Dernst Emile II; Lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas)



"Hear My Voice" from "The Trial of the Chicago 7" (Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyric by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite)



"Húsavík" from "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" (Music and Lyric by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson)



"Io Si (Seen)" from "The Life Ahead" (Music by Diane Warren; Lyric by Diane Warren and Laura Pausini)



"Speak Now" from "One Night in Miami..." (Music and Lyric by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth)

DMX (1970 - 2021)

DMX, the New York-based rapper who found fame and success in the '90's, has sadly passed away on April 9th from complications of a heart attack, possibly triggered from a drug overdose days before. It had been well documented of the artist's struggle with substance abuse and involvement with criminal activity throughout much of his career. But DMX was a bold and thrilling voice in hip-hop who used his complicated life experiences as inspiration for his evocative music.

He was born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York and raised in nearby Younkers. He had a difficult and painful childhood. With his father abandoning the family shortly after his birth, Simmons would suffer from physical and emotional abuse from his mother as a child. It got so bad that he preferred to live on the streets than deal with his life at home. His mother sent him to a boy's home as a teenager and this was when Simmons began his interest in hip-hop and creating music. He came up his future name, "DMX" from the type of drum machine he used at the home.

After spending time in and out of prison for petty theft as a young man, DMX decided to seriously focus on music. He began producing and selling his own mixtapes which helped him build a local fan base around New York. This lead to DMX getting the opportunity to made a few guest appearances on records by established artists like Mase and LL Cool J. All of this buzz helped get him signed to Def Jam Records and with his debut album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" in 1998, DMX became an immediate sensation. The album went to number one on the Billboard 200 Album chart and sold over four million copies with his second album, "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood", released later that year, repeating this success.

DMX's third album, "... And Then There Was X" in 1999 would become the best-selling release of his career (at five million copies) with the single, "Party Up (Up in Here)", reaching the top-ten on the US R&B chart and would be nominated for Grammys for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance. During this time, Hollywood came calling with DMX making his acting debut in music-video director, Hype Williams' first feature film, "Belly" in 1998. He would go on to appear in the movies, "Romeo Must Die", "Exit Wounds" and "Cradle 2 The Grave" along with several television series and reality programs.

But also during his rise in popularity, DMX's difficulties from his troubled past would begin to resurface, creating problems for him with the law. He would face multiple arrests for various charges including animal cruelty, reckless driving, outstanding child support, tax fraud, robbery and drug possession. This would largely distract him from making his art but he still would manage to occasionally produce music. DMX's last release was back in 2015 with "Redemption of the Beast" but he would disavow the album due to disagreements with the record label. 

In 2019, it was revealed that DMX was refocused on his career, having resigned with his former label, Def Jam and working on new music. With the pandemic certainly delaying his plans, it is not only the tragic loss of a gifted talent but also the potential possibilities for his future.

MONTERO (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)

Lil Nas X had been teasing a song called "Call Me By Your Name" since last summer, playing snippets on TikTok videos. The complete song, now called "Montero" (which is Nas X's first name), has finally been released but that's not what has gotten people buzzing.

It is the music video for the song that has stirred up plenty of controversy with it's provocative use of Biblical symbolism. This has raised the ire of several right-wing commentators, claiming that the homoerotic imagery will cause harm to their precious children. But the openly queer, twenty-one year old artist has pushed back, stating he's not catering to kids and what's presented in this video won't hurt anybody.

As for the video (directed by Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino), we first see Lil Nas X (playing all the characters) in a futuristic Garden of Eden cavorting with a male serpent before moving on to a him being imprisoned, dressed in a modern, French neoclassical style, and then executed. Next we see Nas X ascending to heaven before grabbing a stripper pole (with an obvious nod to FKA Twigs' video for "Cellophane") and dropping to the depths of Hell. Nas X confronts Satan, giving him a lusty lap dance, with the video ending with a new Lord of the Underworld. It's been a little while since a pop artist has gotten under the skin of religious groups, especially an out-and-proud gay performer. But Lil Nas X has stated he mainly hopes his video will inspire other queer artists to express themselves, openly and honestly. And I agree wholeheartedly that is absolutely important.