Paul Urban

9.14.23

 

Skinny – https://open.spotify.com/track/0FQdtRiCxLGnXkYR8hn4Hy?si=1c60f7ba1c4e4030

Skinny – Song House & Emmy Russell (live session) Performance, and what became a viral clip on TikTok.

 

Aint Livin Right- By Juice Wrld, Future, and Gunna – https://open.spotify.com/track/0JR7iZZ6Ql79sXW3rbiS3F?si=239e8d6f3c7e4cd6

https://genius.com/Future-and-juice-wrld-aint-livin-right-lyrics

 

Consider what it is about the songs that intrigue you, that you are curious about, that makes you want to learn more about them. (Don’t just write that you have always loved the song—really engage it critically.) Are the songs too obvious or will they be challenging (challenging is good)? Discuss what makes them protest songs and what they are protesting against, and/or the social justice issue being raised. As stated above, the songs must have been released during your lifetime, either as an original recording or a re-interpretation of an older song.

 

What intrigues me about the song Skinny, is the message behind it. I discovered it recently through a clip on social media. The clip of the visual performance caught my attention, and to be honest, made me cry. I know that eating disorders and body shaming are extremely prevalent in today’s society and affect many people. I know one thing someone says to you can change your whole life. But I want to dive deeper into this topic and really try to understand and advocate for eating disorders and battles with body shaming. It’s a touching song which to be honest I just heard for the first time about 2 weeks ago and don’t know much about it. Protests body shaming and how fake social media is. While showing people they are not alone, and it’s not fair how society’s standards affect people. Empowering differences, body positivity, and being in it together.

 

Ain’t Living Right by Future, Juice WRLD, and Gunna. This song comes from an album titled “Wrld on Drugs” as in “World on drugs.” It gives a take on the world’s state right now with drugs. This was released in 2018 and is in the midst of a terrible pill epidemic. Rappers Juice Wrld, Future, and Gunna are all featured on Ain’t Livin Right. These are three of the most famous rappers in the past decade. They all have gone gold and or platinum multiple times within the past 7-8 years. Some of the highest respected talents and most followed rappers around the world. Their perspective on their own battles with pills, stress, and wondering if they are living their life correctly ?? Protests doctors giving out prescriptions, not humanizing or thinking of the personal patient. Protests ever taking them at all. Both have ruined lives. World on Drugs album, and this song sheds light on addiction, and life questions. 

 

Second, where do you think the songs will lead you, in terms of research and other music? How do the songs exhibit the characteristics of their genre? How do they connect to a particular moment in history? Skinny- reflects eating disorders in America. Body shaming. How social media influences this. There’s a lot to research about “Skinny.” Many starve themselves. Eating disorders are very real, very scary, and very prevalent. The social media era has heightened this pandemic. 

 

“Aint livin right” would be awesome to dive into. It would lead me to explore the opioid pandemic, addiction, depression, and how to live life in general. It’s a song with great perspective, with a lot to relate to our world. Three of the biggest rap artists of our whole generation, all on this one song. It also brings up self-doubt, depression and how to try to fight through that and live the best you feel YOU can.

 

Third, I would like you to consider what the songs mean to you, personally. Why do you think they are important? Are you willing to dedicate 10 weeks to studying one or the other, which will mean listening to it over and over and over again?

Eating disorders are very important, they affected my girlfriend earlier in her life. In 7th grade, she was told she was fat, and bigger so she did not eat for like 10 days straight. Resulting in her being rushed to hospital. One thing someone says can have a lifelong effect. She’s very healthy now thankfully but it’s traumatic and sticks with you forever.  Song really opens up about body shaming, body weight, and eating disorders. I love this message and think it’s important to talk about. One that is not discussed openly or talked about in general enough. 

 

I think this is so important because Fentanyl is the number one killer of all Americans under 50. Number one. So Wrld on Drugs sheds light on that. Getting your favorite artist to open up about addiction is very touching and we can learn a lot from it. They also discuss prescriptions, how doctors give out prescriptions and then they capture you for life. So a lot to touch on with addiction, the pill problem in America, and world drug issues. Addiction, prescriptions, and fentanyl pandemics that have swept America in recent decades are very important to be talked about.

Fourth, I would like you to discuss what concerns you have about completing the project.

The only concern is having enough time to record and edit the audio. I don’t know much about eating disorders. But I know I could do a great job on either one and truly care about the issues they present.