#i cant listen to the studio version i fear

[shuotaizawa]

listening to nct 127’s Kick It is not enough i need a time machine to travel back to the day i attended their concert and listen to it live as many times as i want

[aurora-daily]

AURORA’s Reddit Q&A (July 13th 2021)

Kmilalv: Hello aurora we love you, I'm @ aurora.s_love on instagram ✨✨🥰🥰🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️ Aurora: oh hellooo!!!! Exportmusic: Meep Aurora: meep < 3 Lisxnne: WELL HELLO AND THANKS FOR YOUR NEW SONG! 🙏🌟💕 Aurora: HELLO!! and thank you for being open to it 24681357900: Thank u for making music Aurora: thank you for inviting it into your heart Emergency-Club-7529: This is have some upper case , it's the real Aurora Aurora: yes!!! Helloooooo brunamombach: hello ✨🃏🧚🏻‍♂️🤘🍇🍄🧚🏻‍♀️ when are you coming do Brazil? so glad to see you here!!! Aurora: I think I will be coming to Brazil next year  I love being in Brazil because I feel like it awakens my heart and soul to be there !! Brunamombach: if you were going to an souless island, what book would you bring with you? 🧚🏻‍♂️🍇🍄🧚🏻‍♀️🤘🃏 kisses from Brazil Aurora: I would either take: "The name of the wind" and "a Wise mans fear" or the LOTR trilogy. Or the "Mistborn" trilogy. or "warbreaker" or "the good omens" or "the ocean at the end of the lane" or "Anne of Green gables" or "The alchemist" or just all the books in the world oh no I cant decide

all DanParis: Hey have some karma you cool bean 🤌🏼 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Aurora: thank you < 3 Ok-Estimate8468: Tell us something you can tell us about the second track on the Cure For Me vinyl, “Potion For Love”. I'm very curious...

Aurora: its the song I decided for the B-side of the vinyl, and I will probably release it digitally one day too. Its the sister song to "exist for love" but from the other perspective. where love does not fill you up, but love has left a big hole within you < / 3 Ok-Estimate8468: Did you get a lot of unfollows and hate from bad people due to Cure For Me? Aurora: I got a little hate from homophobes, and also abelist, and racist comments from people claiming there was nothing wrong with their mindset. BUT it does not bother me. and I will never stop speaking up about the things I find important. because.. what else would our meaning on this earth be? if that makes sense. Some people have attacked me personally, but sadly mostly its people defending their own hateful ways of being. I cant even imagine how it really is to be a victim of racism or violent homophobia, so I feel like the least I can do is to try the best I can to show support. and speak up. and be an ally.

So a bit more short - yes, and I really dont mind!!!! unfollow me if you find speaking about equality and the right to live, and love and be loved unsettling <3 thank you for this question! Ok-Estimate8468: How was the process of creating the studio version of Cure For Me? I heard your first acoustic performance and saw that it's much smoother than the studio, so I was curious to see how you managed to create another even more amazing version. Aurora: Me and Magnus just played around, and we really tried to go with our emotions, and to be playful and to not think too much about what was "AURORA" or what was even...pretty! we just laughed! and danced! and did what felt lovely to us.

I think this is why the making of this song is one of my favourite memories, and also I think that is why it sounds so playful! because it is!! it was like playing a game. and I did also play alot around with symbolics in both the lyrics and the way this song is produced. it all has a meaning you see... but of course I will let you figure that out yourself!!

Pingouiin_: What's your favourite mountain around bergen ? Aurora: mine is Løvstakken!! and Magnus loves Ullrikken!! but important to NEVER stop a Norwegian person walking on the mountain. just say. a quick hello and wander off your own mind. become at one with nature Whoamiandallthat: Thank you for existing, I love your art and you inspire me so much 💙 You are one of my favorite artists 😊 And just the other day I found out that you are just two years older than me, and so successful... I'm wondering how it was for you to become so popular, did you feel like people thought you needed a cure? I'm also in the sphere of arts - filmmaking; but I feel like my films are not good enough... I have a YouTube channel with some videos - if you ever see this comment I would like for you to check it out 😊 Aurora: Ive felt through my life like something was a little off, ive never resonated that much with the people or the "system" around me! it didn't bother me so much even though I. was teased a lot for it ( so again I was very lucky) but I never felt like I understood the world and my place in it. or how I. could fit in, in this worlds society and with other people ! and becoming "famous" which I dont really feel that I am, but I guess that I am a little "known" (meep) was very strange, and very hard to handle at first. as impressions affect me a lot, and noises and people etc. but with time I got better at handling all these impressions, and avoid getting a.. sensory overload! and I am so happy now, that I can look directly at strangers and actually listen to them, and understand them, and even love them I guess what I am trying to say, that ive now understood that this is the very thing that connected me to all of you. and now I see my place here on this earth. and I see all of you, and you give my life so much meaning!! Lets_Fight_Dragons: Firstly I wanted to say I recently discovered your music and I love everything about it. I have two questions, I hope that’s ok 1. How do you start writing songs because I’m trying to get into songwriting and I’m not sure how you write such amazing songs 2. What’s your favourite song you’ve released? Aurora: 1. well I dont really know. ( I am sorry!!) but I feel like it started really natural for me.. I. kind of just sat down with my piano.. and then I started playing around with the Keyes, and I figured out I could make an endless amount of melodies by simply pressing the keys in a different order!! remember finding this extremely magical (I was around 6 years old then) and after a while I started adding lyrics, and I just spent time looking into myself, trying to figure out. - what do I want to say? what do. I need to hear in a song? what do the world need to hear in a song? and etc. I always think about songwriting as storytelling. and I always start out by figuring out what story I want to tell, what matter I want to dress, or what pleases me, or annoys me with the world, or what emotion I need help dealing with!! and then I write a song!!! and if you feel like its difficult to come up with melodies, I would recommend finding a song you like, and learn the chords of it (or find an instrumental version. online) and then you make your own melodies on top of that! many of the songs of the world share the same chords, and often the melodies on top is the thing separating them. music belongs to all of us, and its clear that every song in the world comes from the same magical source. 2. I think its the seed. or couples creatures!! or infections of a different kind!! tiffnoir: Our dear AURORA, your b-side A Potion For Love is helping me a lot (broken heart since a few days ago). I wanted to ask (if I can haha) if would it be included at the upcoming album, or maybe a relaxing, vintage video for it? Thanks for helping all of us with your music ^_^ Aurora: thank you som much for letting this song into your heart  after writing exist for love, I figured that I should also make a sister-song that could belong for the ones with a broken heart as well  it will not be on the album, but for you I will try to put it on the deluxe version FedahpWithThisWurld: Hello, Aurora! I'm a neurodivergent person and I have always felt a lot of shame over being the way I am, like I'm not good enough. Your music makes me feel better and it makes me feel that being me is okay. Thank you for that.  I want to know how you manage to be so confident? Do you ever get nervous before a show? Aurora: hello!!!! I have had a lot of similar experiences with myself in this world too.. so I am very sad to hear you've lived your life with this feeling I think after a while I understood what makes me different also makes me special. and special is good. and if you think about it, special isn't even that different, because in one way or another we are all... unique. but of course, some people have had to fight their. way through life more than others.. making it less easy to learn how to love yourself. and accept yourself. I guess, now I've surrounded myself with good people who understand my quirks and sensitivities, people who give me time. and space to be me. I have also been lucky, because I have a family that have always encouraged me to be myself. and to love myself. and I guess that is why I am trying to convey to all of you now, because now we are like al little family. where being who you are - is cool. and you're cool. and were all cool. and I get nervous all the time, of all sorts of things! but I just accept that feeling as a part of being human. its uncomfortable yes, but I know at least it won't kill me! 3charmplease: What was it like recording for Frozen? Aurora: it was magical  and also slightly scary. but it felt safe and good calling at the mountains. and I feel warm thinking about it. especially now. cause my father just walked over to me with five little strawberries in his hand. he gave them all to me. and they were so small, and sweet. im currently sitting in my childhood home, right next to the very piano where I wrote "runaway" and so many other songs. Tiny-Sink-2397: Boom shake shake shake the room Aurora: that was actually during the recording process of Cure For Me! Tiny-Sink-2397: I thought it was!! Seemed like an epic party Aurora: YES Joelynxyzs: what's your favorite movie ? Aurora: Practical magic BUT ALSO THESE: The LOTR triology ALL GHIBLI MOVIES avatar once upon a time in Hollywood Hannah the perfume fantastic MR. fox Star Wars: a new hope rouge one isle of dogs the hunchback of Notre dame! the arrival stypop: If you were to get the chance to work on a sequel to another Disney movie, which one would you want it to be? Aurora: since Disney owns Lucas films I would love to be a part of the Star Wars universe  or to play either a magical fairy, witch mermaid, forest nymph, or a scary beast!! WE WO brisot: The masks in CFM remind me of theater plays, do you ever watch any and how much of an influence for you is the art of acting? Aurora: this era of my life is very influenced by the ancient times where theatre was all they had. no CGI or special effects etc. and I really wanted all these videos to feel very authentic, and down to earth! The shell in "exist for love" was handmade by someone, and I painted all the masks in "cure for me" myself! so I like it when it feels... human Clear-Champion-1833: i love you Aurora:

<3

Jicuhrabbitkim: How do you like your fried eggs cook!! I like it when its very crispy!! Aurora: as long as its from a local farm that has free healthy chickens that walk about freely and eat good food I like my eggs crispy too. GhostReaper3: Hi I have a question as well: How do you keep positive? Many people including myself find this difficult sometimes so it would be good to hear your technique or way of keeping upbeat and positive! Also, thank you for sharing your music with us! Aurora: I know what you mean, i've struggled with it myself at times. but I guess I tried separating in my mind what I can do something about, and what I cant? if that makes sense?? we are all just here on this planet. and though we all seem to be going though the same things we still feel so alone, in our thoughts and in our minds. And I've been very aware that with music, and with this fandom we can all finally connect, and see each other, and know that we are not alone! and if there is one thing I love, it is to dance a little after I've cried. I think its important to. shake these emotions out of our body. like animals do! and then I made CURE FOR ME. because I thought about all the warriors out there feeling. a little crazy... after isolation! or after being depressed! and being l rocked in with their families that might not accept them for who they are.. and I thought I needed to make a song for us all, that felt a little uplifting. and uniting. just so we know where not alone, and just so we know that we are worthy.. of everything! and that we are worthy of celebrating ourselves!! ALWAYS! aniri003: Were the dancers freestyling in the last part of the video Aurora: YES! I told them to put their freak game on. And they were amazing. L_pls_use_revive: Hei Aurora! Apart from inspiring me with your music for emotional people, I also dicovered my love for Norway and the Norwegian language through you - now studying it in my second year at university. Tusen, tusen takk! I want to visit soon when traveling is safe - So which place should I not miss out on? Have a great life! Aurora: I think the whole of Norway is worth visiting! there are so many beautiful places. and beautiful people! I would ofc. recommend Bergen! (haha!) but also places like Tromsø, Trondheim, Stavanger, lofted and The Geirangerfjord and the Northwest!!! HAHA KakSetoKaiba: How's the progress of the album that you've been preparing which will be released after your death? Aurora: its going well, I take one song for every chapter and I put it on my death album instead of the album I'm making  its going well. and im excited about it! maria_fernandez_: This is not a question but I just wanted to tell you that discovering you and your music has been the best thing that ever happened to me. What your music makes me feel cannot be described in words. I love you so much. Greetings from Spain!! Aurora: thank you!!! applepieaurora: Whats your favorite pie? 🐉 Aurora: apple pie  and blueberry pie!! Ok-Potato7244: Thanks for sharing your time ... a warrior here to welcome you...Have some tea...And i don't need a cure for disliking keeping animals in cages...Especially birds...💚... Aurora: thank you pekaraseva: what do you feel when you perform Ioadk or Adkoh for people? Aurora: I feel so full of emotion and love and despair I could almost explode  and its wonderful. I also feel insanely connected to the audience when I sing these songs.. I. think. its because they are such important pieces of my soul targaryenblood02: omg what do you think cure for me would smell like? 🐛 Aurora: like something Brazilian! like Asai! or caipirinha! or Brigadeiro!

sproutingephemeral: Hello Aurora, Thanks for your new song, I've gotten quite addicted to it😊 I have a question that might be a bit difficult to answer. I am a Warrior from the U.S. currently without a clue of where I should be and what I should be doing. I'm done with school, and in the process of moving to a new town with my parents. I'm applying for jobs, but I feel like I can't find my reason for being in a smaller area with not many people my age. I feel like my parents are trying to mold me into a certain person, which doesn't feel authentic to me. I probably should be making more of my own decisions at my age, but I'm a bit scared and confused, if what I think is deemed too unrealistic or out of line with their expectations for me (like a childhood dream?). I tried talking to them about it, to little success. Is there something inherently wrong with me? Or am I just being spoiled or lazy? I read about how you were initially opposed to starting your career until your mother convinced you to change your mind. How do you know whether or not to trust in your parents' plans for you? On a lighter note, do you prefer cookies that are more soft (chewy) or hard (crumbly)? I don't need a cure for...my autism, and tendency to talk regularly to my deceased cat at his grave (??)😿👼 Looking forward to seeing you in New York! Take care❤❤ Aurora: you should ALWAYS. only do what feels right for you. this world is very absurd, and people tend to think they know what is meaningful and what is important. but we all know, money and success isn't important beyond what you need to simply survive. this one life is yours. and you should be just who you want. and do what feels right for you. because its yours. its only yours. drink tea. work hard. be lazy. dance. be shy. laugh, cry. drink wine and eat good bread. be good. fight for something you care about. and either live for your work, or work a little and then just... live. get a garden, grow tomatoes, get a cat. or a dog. or a parrot. life can be so random, and it can be both so little, and so large at the same time. some days were meant to TAKE chances, and live. and sometimes were just meant to exist. and do nothing. you should never feel guilty for not "being enough" because you are enough. just who you are. just how you are. is enough. good luck on your strange journey my warrior, maybe our paths crosses and maybe they dont. but know, when you walk out of your door, that anything can happen! and the whole world is yours. Hippolyte_gray: is the name of the next album hidden in your previous songs ? Aurora: mayyyyyybeeeeeeeee rashadalt: what do you think about your fans who are racist/homophobic etc.? Aurora: I feel sorry for them. because I know I cant be easy l living a life so full of hate. and even spending your precious. time on this world bringing other people down. and I know how easy it is for people to be driven by fear, and how difficult. it can be to have an original meaning and stand up for what you really mean. so I dont judge them, or hate them,

but I do feel sorry for them. and I am also very disappointed in them. because its such a. waste of human potential to live your life in the paths of hatred.

but as long as we face hate with love, we will eventually win. when we show them. we are not the enemy, just people trying to make a better world, I think, and I hope that eventually we can all agree that being able to live, and being able to love is a human right. Brivera726: I noticed you said you would bring LOTR trilogy with you to an island- I’m reading them for the fourth time right now  I feel like if Galadriel sing songs it would sound like you! Anyway I really like your art so yah just keep doing u- love from PFC Rivera, USMC Aurora: this is then est thing ive ever read thank you Aurora: I am. sorry people, but my time here (for tonight) is up </3 but I will probably be back looking at your questions and thoughts because I did really. enjoy this. and I. love you all so. much.

[link]

[sims2bellaswan]

pas de deux VI [Bruno Bucciarati x Reader | Risotto Nero x Reader]

[SFW]

AO3 VERSION

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

You’ve worked your whole life to earn a place in the Rome ballet company, yet everyone seems to work against you.

Between the stress of working to match the other dancers to unforeseen romantic issues, problems just seem to pile up.

Trish’s cigarette hung from her lip as she listened to the other dancers gossip. Her appearance greatly contrasted that at the party the night before; her face showed signs of exhaustion and a hangover. Ballerinas were not permitted to smoke, but that hadn’t stopped any of the girls from doing so on their lunch break.

They spoke, quickly, about many topics. Some pointed out news articles to their wiry, little friends, while others simply gossiped by word of mouth. Trish did not take part in this ritual, too stubborn to engage and far too disillusioned to care. Though, her ears would pick up words of interest when necessary. She was much like her father in that sense.

This afternoon, the girls prattled on about how a famous ballerino’s daughter was put in jail two days ago, how those two dancers from Japan were to get married soon, and how one of the newer company dancers was supposedly sleeping with the ballet master.

That was a word of interest, yes. Trish took the cigarette from her lips, keeping it at knee level between her pointer and middle finger. “What was that?” Her brows creased the middle of her forehead.

“I’m sorry?” The dancer that had mentioned it was bewildered that she was even showing an interest in gossip. The younger prima hardly spoke if it wasn’t a necessity.

“What did you say?” Trish spoke slightly firmer, making it a point that she wanted to hear gossip. Both wildly out of character and not her cup of tea, the other ballerinas paused their conversations to hear the news as well.

“Oh,” The woman laughed, breathlessly and awkwardly, “I had just heard one of the newer members was sleeping with the ballet master.” She croaked like a frog under Trish’s scrutinizing gaze. “I don’t know who, though, no one seems to know which one it is anymore.”

“I hope it isn’t one of the boys.” Another ballerina added, sighing into her palm. “Master Nero is kind of cute, I’d be heartbroken if he were gay or something.” Her friend slapped her arm, then they both laughed.

Trish found this information odd. The conversation continued around her, girls chatting now about which person they found most attractive in the company. Yet, she could only consider how Risotto Nero wouldn’t do something as stupid as that. She had known Signore Nero when he was still a dancer and she was still a child; he worked with, then under, her father for a very long time. He wasn’t the type to seduce a dancer into ruining her career like that.

Evening settled onto the world like a warm blanket. Trish extinguished her cigarette, dropping it in a cup on the windowsill and spitting out the window. Light slowly brightened the city from windows and streetlamps, bouncing off the stone streets and shimmering to the naked eye. The wind slowed down from that afternoon and while it was said that there would be rain, couples still walked hand-in-hand down the street.

Evening for you, however, meant the start of a tumultuous night spent working. You couldn’t go home, eat dinner, and spend the rest of the night lounging about on the couch in your apartment. You had to go dance more than you already have. With a man that you’re certain despises you.

The doors to the company looked more decrepit at night. This was a fact you thought you'd understand, yet as you stood before the large wooden doors, you found yourself shivering. Maybe it was the cooler night air, but something was wrong right now. The vibes felt off. With a start, you pushed them open.

The lights were still on inside. As you walked, you found dancers strewn about the place like dolls. Some slept on their friends’ shoulder, others were arguing over phones or looking up Uber prices. You supposed some dancers stayed later than others. You kept your distance.

Fearful like being caught for a crime you didn't commit, you quietly made your way to the studio room. You opened the door to find your ballet master, mid stretch, in front of the mirror. His form was almost godlike, his flexibility hardly fading with age or lack of practice. You admired in awe for a moment, then cleared your throat. Your phone said 7:02. You hoped you weren’t too late.

He sat up, giving you a quick glance over. You hadn’t kept your leotard on, you thought leggings and a tank top would work fine. He said nothing but his expression wasn’t one you liked. You’d have to get used to it. He stood, clearing the floor so you could change your shoes.

“Wear your pointe shoes. You’ll be en pointe for this.” He stated, his back to you. You were not in the mood to be en pointe, but in this room, whatever the ballet master says, goes. You slid on your shoes, quickly tying the ribbon.

Even without his civilian shoes, Risotto stood at least a head over you. You felt like a child next to him, which was probably how he felt as well, considering how lowly he thought of you. You stood at the ready, in first position, for him to begin his instructions.

“You will be learning the pas de deux from act two of Giselle, understand?” He finally turns to you, watching as you find the center of the studio floor. He finds a similar position behind you.

He says a form, you take it. En pointe, you take little steps backwards, as per his instructions. You knew the Giselle pas de deux, not well but it’s more than nothing. It’s an intimate dance, with lots of lifting and touching your partner. Normally, you’d love to dance the technically difficult piece but with him? You tried to determine his level of seriousness as you finished the move in his arms, hands wrapped at your waist.

You catch the two of you in the mirror, his expression matches yours in it’s solemn nature. You lose sight of yourself as you lift your leg and arms, once again per his instructions. Risotto is quiet for a moment as he spins you, softly. Your head turned away from both him and the mirror, you can’t see his expression anymore, cant check if it's morphed from the sadness he showed to disdain for you. It made you nervous.

“Good,” is the only thing he has said so far, beyond choreography. It imbues something in your chest, whether that be spite or pride is hard to tell anymore. Risotto pushed your torso down, now level with your hips. “Lift your leg higher, straighter.” His voice is quiet. The room is so serene.

You rise back up, your extended leg wraps around his hips and your head falls into the crook of his neck. His firm hand stays at your waist as he flourishes with his free one. You open your eyes again to catch another glimpse in the mirror. He looks so professional, his brows scrunched in the anguish Albrecht felt, lips parted slightly in a frown.

You move away from his chest, extending your leg further. Both his hands on your waist, you move your leg for a moment then return to the ground.

“Ready?” He asks, again, so quietly. You nod, not leaving your position. You know what comes next, you have to nail several lifts, returning to arabesque everytime he sets you down.

Risotto lifts you like you weigh nothing, as you mime a grand jete. He lifts you again, this time completely over his head and you bend your back as much as humanly possible to get your legs as straight as humanly possible. You land in an arabesque.

“Stop.” He lets your waist go. If it weren’t for the balance you spent years perfecting, you would’ve fallen on your ass.

You huffed, slightly, “What was wrong with that? That was the best lift I’ve ever done!”

“No, it was sloppy.” He stands in front of you, between yourself and the mirror. Risotto sighs, he’s tired. “You were so focused on your legs, you forgot every other part of your body.” His tone grew more frustrated as he continued. “Your arms were all over the place. Your bend was too far.” You had to hold back something in you that wanted to punch him.

“So? You can't see my hands and back on the stage, but my legs are on full view.” Your hands flew to your hips. Your own tone suddenly took a frustrated note as well.

He stepped closer to you, emphasizing his words. “So, it’s not correct.”

You bit at the raw flesh of your inner cheek. You were no longer sure if you felt more of a need to storm out or cry. “It was never a problem before.” Your voice firm, your resolve steeled, you felt a wave of confidence flood over you as the words simply left your mouth.

Risotto closed his eyes, “It is now.” Oh, look, there went your confidence, right out the door. He moved back to the center of the floor. “Again. From the top.” You, dejectedly, return to your position and begin again.

He had you do the entire first quarter of the Giselle Act II pas de deux seventeen times. The two minute section felt longer every time you did it. But, each time you did it, he found something different to critique. You think it was the 6th repeat that you caught his eye in the mirror and he had looked away quickly. You were sure you had caught him looking for things to scrutinize.

As even he began to feel tired, the night slowed down. He slowly stopped barking orders at you and actually started to show you what to do. You would stand at the barre, him behind you, and his hands would adjust you slightly.

Finally, the session ended around 11pm. You never wanted to have to do that again, yet somehow you don’t think you’ll get a choice.

You collapsed on to your bed, almost too tired to turn your alarm on early so you could shower in the morning. Sweat could definitely wait for every muscle in your body to stop aching.

The stars shone through the curtain, wind softly touching them and causing a billow across your room. Had you been awake, you would’ve remarked how as a kid you would’ve thought it looked like a dancer’s skirt. It would have been a very creative and astute observation. But, you slept soundly, seeing neither the stars nor the bubbling curtains.

[thomasbct]

business model development

first i researched what was out there. From my experience at a hackathon, we were tasked with a cultural preservation projects for ngai tai ki tamaki. from listening to the kaumatua, it was clear that preserving history using new technologies was a need. research online about other cultures like native American Indians and aboriginals also highlights the importance of knowing ones past. the stories carry mana for the native people, when the mana is forgotten, the people are forgotten, their traditions are lost. this leads to some native individuals straying and becoming depressed and lost in search of something that has been long forgotten. they cant find the missing pieces so they resort to drugs, alcohol and gangs. which leads to crimes that disrespect and destroy the land.  

this articles also supports the importance of historic preservations: https://issuu.com/evanlaydon/docs/w_spectra-2_for_ss__april_2014_.doc 

their are plenty examples of technology being used to help preserve history, for our project we wanted more AR based technologies. heres a link to some technologies we plan to use for a start point. 

https://thomasbct.tumblr.com/post/645770596201922560/studio-week-2

this research helped us identify that our idea is an innovative “push and pull” technology. The demand is out their and the technology exist. all we had to do was simply experiments with what already existed by using the scamper, scrum, agile and IP design tools to innovate a newer and better version.

next i started by identifying where i thought the idea sat on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs -

here i felt the idea was contributing to safety, social and self actualisation values.

knowing that the idea contributes to something more, it was time to design customer persona’s

here i designed an out going customer persona. from here i could dive deeper into their needs and designed a value proposition canvas.

from understanding more about their wants, needs, fears we can design something more user centred.

next i used this data to put into a business model canvas

combining everything gathered we can start to put together business models that are involved in our idea. we could also identify its niche, based on our goal to assist the general public, this means our idea falls into the long tail model. this means because its accessible to the everyone, that makes it common product that is cheaper to obtain rather than something more expensive and self actualised. 

These methods will first need to be explored collectively to gain more insight, ideations and critique. So that we can hope to pin point more accurately our streams of revenue. from their we can evaluate the net worth total of the project.

i hope to show these business models in a informative infographic block style in the future.

[mykpopconfession]

It's long but hey, thank you so much for allowing me to share my thoughts as kpop is something I do enjoy but I like to look at it from other points of view, how it looks to me from various perspectives, not just as face value kpop fans have tantrums every time something isn't right or whenever idol does something so small and irrelevant it becomes a scandal… shocking but idols are humans and won't always perform to the fans standard.

Fans bitch and whine about how the standard of kpop industry is too harsh yet it's not the industry that is encouraging it, it's the fans themselves, they cant accept minor mistakes and everything gets taken out of context while fans claim they know the idols… ie: Jennie's “lazy” scandal.

Yet they don’t scrutinize the idols whenever they are sexist, colorist, ageist, misogynist, racist, because they can “do no wrong” or their fans, will come to save their asses… even the flipping companies encourage it because they want them to be younger. After all, it's more appealing??? but what 25+-year-old fans are going to be drawn to teens in a group? I don't even find itzy, txt appealing and their whole group’s image is directly for those of teenagers and below, the music/dances, the image, it’s all catered that specifically of a younger audience, shame, I would’ve liked them otherwise.

The younger the idols = the better publicity and the higher chances of gaining popularity by getting into “scandals” for the lack of maturity and social awareness nor are they likely to take accountability and just do whatever they please anyway because they’re idols and their fans will still claim that their age isn’t a problem or because they’re a child/teenager/minor then its okay kpop idols are so out of touch with reality that when they have some form of criticism they start banning and suing left right & center… because they live as though everyone is going to fall head over heels for them and blindly accept everything they do because most kpop fans are already blinded by their idols and cant accept when an idol says or does something disgustingly wrong nor can they accept mild criticism without getting their pitchforks out.. its a cult, no denying it. 

As lovely as the choreography might be I don't want to watch the idols if they are doing any of the above: dancing overly provocatively (especially when they may be on the minor age scale), twerking or grinding the stage or anything overly sexual at that. 

Kpop fans lap it up because its socially acceptable to objectify the idols and make them appealing because of their “dancing/performance” when it is turning them into some trend because they “danced” overly sexy/cute, that's all they amount to is the dancing side of it

TBH I found it intriguing at first but now every kpop group tries to have this “sexy” look and it just doesn't work. it’s like asking a foreigner to be interested in kpop when they act cute except its not normal to appear cute over here, it's only going to appeal to those who maybe find it intriguing or different from their own culture. 

Yet cute/sexy is all kpop idols can amount to even if it looks so uncomfortable and unpleasing to watch. alas they are idols, they’re not humans, they can twerk, dance provocatively and act cute all because the fans will enjoy it no matter what it is or who it is… age isn’t even considered but the younger the better they stand a greater chance. 

Which is like bighit canceling everyone of the older generations who maybe possess the same talent but with a maturer image and behavior… its both ageist and sexist, why is it some huge fetish that just boys in or around 1999 only for their new survival show thing i-land? I find it… odd more than exciting or interesting cause I know its just typical for the members to be more younger but less appealing to older generation cause I have nothing that I’d relate too I don't even relate to the TikTok trend because that's all it is, another trend or bandwagon. yet everyone treats it as being this incredible new thing that suddenly acceptable for young folk even though it brings so much disgusting behavior/drama along with it, its a recycled version of the vine but worse, in the same sense this is what kpop does, recycle groups once they’re less appealing to make way for the same groups but look slightly different. 2ne1/blackpink, BTS/txt yet the fans don't say nothing about how it is encouraging the sexual appeal and almost asking for fans to thirst over them because this is what “dance” supposedly should be. sexy/cute nothing in between, it's saying that idols should portray this image cause it’s more appealing than the music itself. if the male idols show their abs/skin even better, females? wear the most uncomfortable looking clothing and ur good to go. 

The kpop sounds now have become about the group's image, level of popularity, as opposed to actual talent, creative freedom and ability to give off a genuine performance that doesn’t include anything generic or robotic image. its got to be loud, bright, vivid because its all for the dance/sexual appeal of both the male and female gender is almost aligned with the concept for it.

The lyrics can be as disgusting as they please because its okay, its only kpop. any lyrics are acceptable, bts got called out for their lyrics in one song yet not in any of the others? same for other groups, so few call out the lyrics because lyrics mean nothing. it's about the visual appeal of the groups and the kind of fame they gather from it alone so you can have the visuals but do the bare minimum and not have much stage presence but be classed as a main singer or dancer, its okay fans will lap it up no matter what it is. also, I’ve noticed the same sound being used across several groups depending on the concept of the song… repetitive much? why does kpop fear change or standing out? why get idols to become something they are not ie: whitening their naturally beautiful dark skin, have idols who don’t need to, lose weight. it's not the company its the idols encouraging it because it's acceptable and normalized to be anything other than thick, natural and healthy. 

Ppl act like trying to shove kpop into the western music genre will make it appeal any better, the fans act like they couldn’t see the racism coming, but that's what happened bts were forced into a culture that had nothing to do with them because in western we generally hop from one bandwagon to the next and just roll with it since it's popular it must be good.

ie: one direction, psy, 5 seconds of summer and now bts… how do so many don't see the pattern nor did they see bts coming? you expect Asian artists to become greatly admired over here too but when you shove it in ppl’s faces and try to get it to become the next big thing, not everyone is gonna see the appeal I honestly feel like it's been forced… not by the companies but by the international fans. now instead of trying to gain popularity in their home country kpop groups try too hard to appeal to the western market… you can’t even deny how vastly generic bts’ music has become SINCE they hit the American music awards or whatever it was. note: they didn’t even win awards for their music, but simply their popularity is what got them there

I loved boyz with fun, despised boy with Luv yet because they’ve been in the American industry’s eyes they put it out what has become popular just using their language… well sometimes, even idol, what could’ve been a great song with a nice meaning missed some marks, as in the overuse of auto-tune has become almost normal for them? vs using natural vocal abilities, I'm no coach but straining one's voice to hit a high note in a slow song doesn’t sound healthy. when all bts have done in the past is upbeat music is why they struggle to maintain high notes in slow songs because they’ve followed the same music style for so long then suddenly changed it so their voices don't match softer songs… which I’d appreciate more of instead of just dark lyrics and over-hyped upbeat poppy music.

ie: I loved the sound for serendipity, but the lyrics weren’t as good and Jimin kinda struggled to sing it well enough both in-studio and live, however its one of my more favorite songs. I’d also appreciate a slower gentle song that isn’t about a relationship too thanks looking @ you euphoria. 

You think it's about the music, lyrical side of it but I disagree, it's merely the concept of yet another boy group that's sadly taken over in the most overbearingly forced way possible and you all act like the racism wasn’t going to occur. nct had an incredibly shit time in America during their tour its because it's not meant for America, its trying force kpop to become something it's not just to fit in with western music taste. I miss when they did full songs in Korean now they do English full versions with hella cringe-worthy lyrics and expect them to blow up or become the next big thing. 

I’ve been walking with the cheese and the queso????? if ur happy and u know it clap ur hands???? theses ones make me laugh more than wanting to listen repeatedly, they throw them in there simply to appeal to western music, no matter if its a bad lyric, doesn't make sense or is cringe-worthy. 

Kpop is built for Korean consumption it's great to see it's expanded however, its in the wrong directions for the wrong appeal. bts did not pave the way when psy also existed the same year they debuted. bts tried to get a following in America but failed because naturally psy was almost made fun of for just being an Asian doing what he does best yet the hype quickly dyed down & everyone moved on until bts came into the scene… so far behind than when they should’ve gone viral years before. not the companies fault but merely the appeal of the image/music wasn’t suited to the western music genre so when they become familiar more with America they switched the songs to sound pop-like… nothing wrong but less appealing than their original image/music, which I prefer, I’d say it started to change with not today era. 

The only reason being bts have stuck around now is because of the boy group concept even if the lyrics aren’t that great when translated into English, they’ve already tried and IMO, failed to push their music into the western music industry and they’ve won awards solely based on the fandom/popularity alone kpop has become less and less about the music, energy of the performances, now it's about if they look right together as a group. how the group as a whole appeal to the fans and what makes the fans blinded by them… which is essentially their sex appeal, whether the idols are grown women or men or even teenagers, who might be uncomfortable with fans lusting after them. whether they’re dancing sexy or acting somewhat cute doesn’t matter because it's become acceptable and a must if you want to be an idol so fans can thirst over them. 

Sorry not sorry but kpop has become much less about the music itself and see what is trendy puts it to music and calls it the next big thing. which is a shame I love the language I love how it sounds in the songs & I also love that it encourages me to learn the language that's more appealing than the group image/songs itself but they’re letting looks matter to the point where groups are mistreated abroad by both media and fans alike all because of this group image concept. nct getting mixed up with bts was pure racist but how can they fail to tell how different they are? wait, no, any Asian boys in a group must be considered to be bts… see its just one hype train after the other, even Astro got mixed and when parasite become popular and rightly won the awards some were racist. Trump's comment was appalling but at least he got the country right, yes, everything that's become popularised in America is from South Korea, gold star for that. 

Its the concept of boy groups. not the music itself. if it were music then day6 would have a similar appeal, gain the same momentum as bts/nct have done, yet because they differ from the typical dance style boy group they won't gain the same effect as their counterparts, bts / nct & whoever else. 

Yet they’re still appealing to the wider international audience and did very well with their tours, same for the rose, they don’t trend in the same way boy groups do but have some form of appeal because it’s a different concept/image style altogether than the way bts / nct, etc are put together but still they don’t have the same effect as some of the more dance-based groups have because its a different genre but still from the same industry…

Different genre means less appealing or less popular but I’d say day6 are doing better, producing a greater amount of pleasing music, with reasonable lyrics but don't receive the same amount of popularity. compare to bts / nct who follow similar styles mixed up of what is trendy and call it a day. whereas kpop dance groups throw anything out there and its okay cause fans will lap it up too.

It's not the song that got blackpink to Coachella, its purely the appeal of yet another young women based group, again solely so they can push the feminism, girl power movement through their “songs” but it's their image of youthful cutely acting girls that gains the attention of western men/women… little mix tried it so why not blackpink, heck even fifth harmony failed to maintain the popularity because the appeal wasn’t there in the songs, but they were females in a group, therefore, they must have some form of appeal to the public / recent trends, bandwagons

[davidtellsall]

The “FEARLESS” Era for David

The FEARLESS era for both the original and Taylor’s Version were two times in my life where I felt peace and comfort in a new environment. Here is my story from 2008 and 2021.

2008: The era started with her single LOVE STORY, the beautiful song about a happy version of Romeo and Juliet. A wonderful song about 2 people falling in love, finding their happy ending and happy ever after. I remember being in middle school when this song came on and knew Taylor was doing wonderful things with her music. Mom was working at McDonald's inside the Walmart at the time and I went with her in the morning to pick up FEARLESS and I remember where I was at the time, how I felt and having that CD with me in my new school as a freshmen at PHS. With being around the age of 14/15, the song FIFTEEN was a song spoken to me about being a new kid in school and dealing with the ups and downs of figuring out who one would be in a new place after leaving middle school. The album really helped me get through tough times at home and in life. Songs like WHITE HORSE and THE WAY I LOVED YOU were bops that I wish I knew how it felt to be either in love or feeling a heartbreak. YOU BELONG WITH ME was a danced to song and wishing a certain boy was mine and would be with me. FEARLESS the song is a message to be FEARLESS in love and whatever else you decide to do without no fear, the message is very powerful to me. What Taylor did with her 2nd studio album was a masterpiece that should always be treasured.

2021: When it was announced that Taylor was first gonna release FEARLESS again as her 1st rerecording was MAGICAL and AMAZING because she was gonna take me back to the 14 year old boy I was, this time, with 6 vault songs never before heard. I didn't know it when Taylor’s Version was out that I'd be in a place of heartbreak but it happened and now I have songs like WE WERE HAPPY and MR PERFECTLY FINE to cry to and feel what I have been feeling about my past guy. MR PERFECTLY FINE is pretty much the song I needed to help me express the feeling of “oh, your good? well I'm not but I'm happy your happy and  I'm still dealing with the pain you caused me” kind of song. BYE BYE BABY is a goodbye song that's hard to listen to now because its a goodbye to everything we had, heartbreakingly written. Even songs like BREATHE is like I cant breathe without you but I have to because I cant just give up life like that. YOU ALL OVER ME is pretty much my version of you still being a part of me even though I wanna forget everything but I cant because every part of you lives in me.

Two different times in my life, with the same album, one just re recorded again making such an impact in David's life again, helping me heal with each song. FEARLESS is timeless. which album will be rerecorded again? I'm not sure, but until then, here's to us waiting for MIDNIGHTS.

[back-and-totheleft]

Stoned again

It's amazing that the love scenes in "Alexander" are between two men. Yes. But we gotta deal with it. You can't walk away from the fact that pre-Christian worship of multiple gods did not involve the judgments that the Christian and Jewish philosophies brought. The movie doesn't come down for it. It comes down for the idea that this is the man that Alexander loved, and he was desperate for love and trust. He never had it. And he searched all his life, through men and women.

Yet you don't show any sexual contact between Alexander and Hephaistion. Why not? Were you tempted? Not really. Because you only need five words. Alexander says, "Stay with me tonight, Hephaistion." And you get it. If you don't get it, fuck you, it's your problem. We may have had a few takes of them kissing, but it wasn't my intention. The movie is beyond homosexuality. It's about everything: mothers, fathers, lovers, children, your relationship to the gods, your relationship to your ego, to power, your generosity — it's just about being alive.

Olympias, Alexander's mother, played by Angelina Jolie, is a pretty tough lady and a major prod to her son. Makes me curious about your mom. What was she like? I couldn't have done anything without my mom. Her energy is phenomenal — strong, optimistic. She gave me the perhaps distinctive energies I have.

Is she still alive? Oh, yeah. She's a Bush supporter.

You're kidding. That's a mind-fuck. Yeah, she's fallen for the whole security-state thing. She reads the New York Post, which is always tearing her son apart.

You're a child of the experimental Sixties. Have you ever had a gay experience yourself? Oh, I can't say. Because Rolling Stone is read too much, then it gets around to Page Six. You know how it goes — it's a sleaze culture we live in.

As a filmmaker, you've always been a guy who hasn't been afraid to take the leap. Is it harder to make movies with a strong, individual vision these days? Yes, because they — the studios — are making too many movies. It's lucky if a vision or two gets through that system. When you develop the scripts, they cut 'em down, cut off the extremities.

To make them less expensive? No, to make them less controversial. They like the "wild" idea, but all behavior inside that idea has to conform to political correctness. A man can't do this. A woman can't do that. A child is supposed to be treated this way. And when you do show these "wild" things, you have to send clear signals that this is "not right." So I find American movies suffocating, and I think a lot of people do. It's like Soviet realism.

So the conservatism of the political atmosphere has pervaded Hollywood? There's a tremendous kind of consensus in America — it's gotten worse. Conformity was always a problem in school for me in the Fifties. You got this rigidity, this repression, and it's playing out now. I think my generation is very disappointed. What happened to those wonderful guys who were saying things in the Sixties and Seventies? They got subsumed, and I have to feel that the media is complicit. Like a development committee at a studio cuts off the extremes of a script to bring it to the middle, the media does the same thing. It just doesn't allow Howard Dean to be Howard Dean. One ridiculous shout! They clip the edges off.

Do you feel that has been done to you? After years of being in the headlines, you've been almost invisible for the last four or five years. I'm one of many people in our culture who have been cut out. After September 11th, I talked to Norman Mailer on the phone. He said, "We're all going to be gone in a few years. They're getting rid of us."

How did this happen? America had great energy in the Seventies. But now the corporations have pretty much bought everything, so even though there's a record number of entrepreneurs, the beauty and vitality have gone out of things. It's hard to get enthusiastic. Go to a magazine store: You see 400 magazines. They specialize, specialize, specialize. Everything has been broken down to its microself. Inertia results. It becomes too small, too specialized. It's happened to movies. There's no responsibility, no friendship. We all work for giant corporations. Your friends are only your friends in fair weather because they might be axed tomorrow if your film doesn't make money. It's a fear-ridden society, and anyone who says and does anything is in jeopardy.

In 1991, as the Persian Gulf War was beginning, you said that war changes the consciousness of the country. How is the current Iraq War changing the country? It's corrupting it in every single way. The only positive thing that comes out of it is some research in medicine and defense-related stuff. The fact that we still have the biggest dick because we fought the battles — a lot of people live off that. But that's only power. What are we number one in besides that? Certainly not in manufacturing, education, quality of life, health care or the environment. Eventually, this war is going to break the bank. We got Saudi Arabia and Japan to pay for our last one [the Gulf War]. What are you going to do? They're going to tax people like me out of the fucking book.

Why don't you make a movie about it? The remake of The Manchurian Candidate should have gone all the way. I wanted to do it, but they wouldn't let me. In my version, it would have been Barbara Bush as the Angela Lansbury mother figure — the mother bitch, mother hen. It's a great story, because George W. Bush is the Manchurian Candidate.

It's dangerous these days to speak out as you are. Don't you fear being labeled an America hater? I feel it's a beautiful country, but the people are living on borrowed time. It's not just Iraq, it's the whole Bush adventure. It's a radical revolution in American thought and ideas — the notion that we are an empire, and that by setting the rules, we set reality. That is, to me, a complete perversion of natural law. On every level. The treaties, the courts, commerce, morale, war — the whole kit and caboodle. The world has strongly expressed its disapproval, but America doesn't listen or even hear it because it's cut off by the media satellite curtain that they put up. I've been away from America for two of the last three years, filming Alexander in Morocco and Thailand and doing postproduction in France and England, so my Iraq War was over here, and in those countries you saw endless footage, and I was horrified. From the get-go it was a disaster; it was never reported correctly in America. The lies got bigger and bigger, and as you know, the bigger the lie, the more people will believe it. Goebbels said that.

[After the election, I spoke to Stone again, this time on the phone from Los Angeles. He blindsided me with his calm, resigned reaction to Bush's win. Partly, you sense that Stone likes to be a contrarian; but as a competitive man himself, he also clearly has respect for anyone who could prevail in the bloody life-or-death battle that is modern presidential politics.]

So how did you feel when you saw Bush win? A couple of my friends really got bummed out. I didn't. I kind of expected it. I just didn't feel that Kerry would win. There's something too elegant about him, too refined. You have to think back to Mr. Kennedy and how he almost lost too. And the thing about Bush — and we have to give him credit — he's a fighter. He has proved he had more guts than we thought. I mean, he went through a tremendous bashing. To be in his shoes, I would've destroyed myself with doubt. Most of us wouldn't be able to function. He was able to put it aside and keep going. He's a strong mother. So I'm not going to belittle Bush. There might be something there that I didn't see.

I cant believe I'm hearing this from you. My hope is that we all move on. The door is closed. There are going to be conservative judges, conservative legislators, more prisons and a bigger military-security state. Those are givens. My deeper fears are that the country will go bankrupt in some way. Well, it already has. But I'm afraid we'll be called on it, like a Third World republic. Like what we did to Argentina. If Bush keeps on scaring the world, there's a possibility that the blocs would align against him: Europe and Asia and China. It could become an economic war where the dollar becomes some kind of a banana-republic currency. That means everybody's life would be affected. All our holdings. Our American worship of private property would be in jeopardy. There would be a strong undermining of it from the most pro-private-property men of them all!

That would be ironic. But if Bush goes domestic in his second term and adopts Social Security and tax reform as his major issues, I think that will lessen the tension abroad.

What about the role of religion in this election? Is the religious right directing this country now? The religious right was the base of the party back in 2000, too. And they've never given up on the justices and putting them in. They will get them in. We have to accept that. Listen, it's not the worst of all worlds to reverse Roe vs. Wade, but people have things out of proportion, because people will get fucking abortions if they have to, somehow. That's age-old.

You've just endeared yourself to the feminists yet again. I'd hate to see it overturned, and women should have that right, but they're going to overturn Roe vs. Wade. End of story. Live with it. Move on. Abortion is not the be-all, end-all of the world right now.

Yet you're not ready to give up on the country and go live in Paris! Not at all, no. I do believe in the international world, I believe in planetary consciousness and all those corny Sixties things. I do believe that we are all one. OK? John Lennon was right, and we have to maintain that message. But we have to deal with the short term, too. I'm pulling for Bush. I want to believe in his good side, like I did in Reagan. With Reagan, I kept saying, "Believe in him, believe in him," although I kept having nightmares about Nicaragua and what he was doing abroad.

So your reaction to this election is to be a realist and not lament what we can't change?

Yes. Exactly. I don't want to live the next four years in bullshit regret. I'm a doer.

-"Stoned Again," John Colapinto, Rolling Stone, Dec 9 2004

[wordsbymz-blog]

4 Your Eyez Only... Through My Ears & Mind

J. Cole announced his fourth album just 8 days prior its release. I was happy, among many others, that I'll get to hear some new tales from an excellent storyteller, which can drag his listeners inside the narrative and make them easy to relate to. I looked for the album right after waking up in the morning on the 9th of December and instantly pressed play. As expected, Cole and his team created another mind blowing experience. 

 There are many ways you could interpret this album as a whole and each song separately. It can be viewed as a reflection and reminder of black a man's life and his enviroment, victims of stereotypical assumptions of society. Or it might be a tale of a rappers childhood friend, James, which was killed aged 22 years old. So this is just my version of understanding the album. 4 Your Eyez Only through my ears and mind.

 Two things I have to say first. I have never studied English grammar in school (nor have I self-studied for that matter). So at times I got lost in my own process of thoughts, just like in "De Ja Vu". Not sure if I'll ever fully understand it, but I do have my theories. 

 The record is open with James's prayer for a better tommorow, since he's afraid his days are getting closer to an end. Cole here, on the other hand, contemplates his career. In next they both are thinking about the immortality of an individual and his legacy, whether is the one who escaped Fayetteville or the other left behind. 

 Similar thoughts resonate in "Ville Mentality", where James and Jermaine ask themselves, how long they can survive with the mentality residing in their town. Cole can't wait to leave that place. James doubts his own life lasting long, surrounded by stereotypes and putting up a front. Just like the rapper isn't so sure about his longevity in the music industry with analogical settings.  

 Suddenly, James finds hope in new love, which feels amazing. He literally feels alive more then ever and is not willing to die anymore. He realizes that this girl is getting to know him better day by day and stops his fear of opening up to someone for the first time in his life. In the words you feel the mad love Cole has for his wife. 

 Both our protagonists like their newly gained positive outlook. They reminisce over their development from child to a man, that made one of them victim of stereotypes and the "I'd only fuck up anyway" attitude, while the other became one of the most talked about names on scene in past decade. They acknowledge that only dreaming and planing on changing for better isn't enough. One needs to work on those changes. They know spilling blood over women, money and respect is poison of communities. For James it is his daily reality. He's dying. Jermaine wakes up to undescribeable feeling, seeing TV reporting on his friend's murder. The outro of "Changes" is simulating James's funeral.  Pastor urges on mourners, promising revegne, to stop this from happening again. This vicious circle has gotten way out of hand. Circle, which Cole explains through out the album on various occassions. 

 Just like he does on the next track. "Neighbors" is about stereotypical prejudices of the society. J. Cole offers an example from his own recent experience. He rented a house in a "decent" neighborhood to escape everything and wind up this record. There were mainly black people coming into the house and occasionally blazing in the yard. Mostly white neighbors concluded they must be growing and selling weed in there and called the cops. S.W.A.T. team raided the house while the crew was at SXSW in Texas. In chorus Jermaine admits, he actually is selling dope product. He's well aware of cases, where this prejudice escalated and resulted in the death of innocent people. As an illustration he uses killing of Trayvon Martin. Some things you can't escape (in the US)  - death, taxes and a racist society, which makes Cole worry about his own life. Integration certainly didn't have the desired effect people hoped for in the sixties.

 James and Jermain serande their better halfs during pregnancy in "Folding Clothes". They want to make their life easier during these times and future ones too. They take it as preperation for fatherhood.  Both of our narrators notice how soft they are becoming. They dont mind, though. Outro of this song give us another reflection on the hypocrisy prevaling in the hood. Its everywhere - relationships, friendships and (not only) in James's case at job interviews. However he still hopes for a better tommorow. 

 There's new hope on the horizon with the birth of James's daughter. He isn't sure if he's strong enough or even deserves to be a father. James promises to defend her from evil or prepare her for it, as he can't stop everything from happening. So he decides not to celebrate Santa or Christmas, since it is only one of the ways to breed greed in people from childhood. He finally is experiencing the feeling of being needed and wanted for the first time, up until now he experienced the exact opposite. For him his daughter is the only positive thing he ever did. Because of her, he feels alive again, willing to fight for survival and doesn't want to die.

 Just as in sonet, even here comes the denouement at the very end. If the listener didn't quite catch the story behind the album, last and the most emotional song will uncover it for him/her. James is trying to live lawfuly. Though it's hard for the convicted man to find a job. He returns to what he knows, and to what will secure his baby girl for sure. The fear of the forthcoming end has sneaked back again. He knows that if it comes, it will be the consequences of his own actions and the stereotypicaly minded society. Will there be time for him to teach his offspring things he had to learn for himself? What if she finds out about his death from the news? Is she gonna find a man better then himself? Is she going to understand? Perhaps she'll hate, despise or even miss him. James just hopes she won't fall into same vicious circle as him. He is aware of the fact he isn't alive if she listens to this song. Although he would rather if such song never existed and he could be there for her. Still, he begs the Lord not to take him so soon from her. 

  Heartbreaking syntax is closing with J. Cole telling the story of a phone call he once had with James. Jermaine felt the panic in his voice, but his friend didn't want to tell him what was going on. James reminised about the old days, how he admired him for his goals and ambitions since then. He urged the rapper for a first and the only favour. He wanted him to tell his daughter, Nina the story of her father and the reason behind his actions, which (as he phrophesied) lead him to a premature grave. 

 Jermaine Cole did not betray his friend and created a whole album not just for James's daughter, but for all the children, victims of mass incarceration (if you aren't familiar with this topic, check the documentary 13th from the produced by Netflix). Everything finishes with Cole asuring Nina that her father was real. Not because of girls, how hard he was or for the fact he was in jail. Her father was real, because he loved her. 

 Summary conclusion:

 There is certainly no doubt, that the fourth album of native frankfurter is the realest one and for the matter the most personal as well. On 2014's Forest Hills Drive the artist took his listeners on a trip through his life. But this feels even more personal, vulnerable or exposed if you like. Cole, known for preserving his private life, has honored the memory of his late friend in a trully dignified way. 

 I cant shake the feeling we've heard about "James" already in the past (i.e.: "3 Wishes”). But the story of his life with such details had never been completely revealed, if I could put it this way. Now the right time has come to fullfil the promise Jermaine gave to his friend. It's possible, that the trigger could've been the fact of Cole and his wife expecting a daughter themselves. As I did mention before everyone can interpret the record in a different way. That's the beauty in music and J. Cole's work in general. 

Personally, I believe its the story of a rappers friend, parallely complemented by Cole's point of view or his own experiences. As he mentioned himself, even though this was meant for Nina, it is supposed to serve all the children in similar situations. Anyone could identify and learn from it could really. 

 The thing with me is: Being from the Czech Republic, it used to be hard for me to even  understand the words of any lyrics, wether it was pop, metal or hip hop. But in the past years I dug a little deeper. So for me its something still fresh to see all the double meanings or even hidden meanings behind words, whole songs and records. 

 It is part of the reason why "4 Your Eyez Only" is so strong for me. I enjoy his wordplay, despite it being a bit distressing in this case.  My mind is stuck on three  particular cases of such feeling, all in the song "Neighbors".  "Some things you can't escape - death taxes and a ra-cist society..."......marked part about society sounding as it is....but also as N.R.A. - National Riffle Association. A few bars later you can hear no less thought through  homonym - news sounding also like noose. Third case is in the background the repeated words "...don't follow me...", which are inspired by the late Trayvon. It would be foolish to regard to J. Cole as only a storyteller. He's considering each & every element thoroughly and his product is the proof. 

 Which brings me to the sound of the fourth studio record "4 Your Eyez Only". Which, at first, was being created in the afore-mentioned house in North Carolina and its provisional studio called "The Sheltuh". The works have later moved to the legendary Electric Lady Studios based in New York and built in 1970 by the late Jimi Hendrix. Ever since then, it has been used by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, The Rolling Stones, The Roots, John Lennon and many others, now including J. Cole.  He produced or assisted production with the majority of the record himself. Not shying away from showcasing his guitar playing talents. 

Cole invited for production yet again colleagues from Dreamville Records - Ron Gilmore and Elite - which ,as proven in the past, has worked well. He also invites others such as Childish Major, Boy-1da and Vinylz. It's easy to see that Jermaine likes to work with people he trusts. From wide range of people I have to mention co-founder of Dreamville and manager Ibrahim Hammad, sound engineer Mez, fine-tuning rappers sound for nearly a decade, as well as CharGaux, bringing vocals and strings ever since 2014 Forest Hills Drive. 

 I'm enjoying the jazzy vibe on the album. There might not be a generic club banger for mass-market, but who's to say ,you need one to be succesful. Someone can possibly think that the instrumental foundation of this project is dull, when compared to his previous work. I dare to oppose. In this case, it seems to me that story or message was given absolute priority. It was confirmed to me by Cole himself in the Eyez documentary shot mostly at Electric Lady Studio and its area during the process of making he record. Here he states: "...You get to this point in [your] career, in terms of platform. Next one might go down or it could go up. You can't guarantee to be this high again. While I'm here let me use this opportunity I have to say the realest shit I ever have...". Same "critics" might say that Cole isn't saying anything new. Which unfortunately might be true, but those things are still happening. With that, I do not want to say that the album is weak from the side of lyrics or sound. Actually, it's the very opposite. Everything sounds and feels united and is eloequently illustrating the atmosphere of "4 Youre Eyez Only' filled with emotions. 

I doubt that J. Cole's platform would go down after this work of art anytime soon. He seems to be humble and always trying to become an even better man. If the media and the industry were to cast him away, his devoted fan base, to whom he delivers hope, will support for a long while. For many enthusiats, he's already now immortal.