One of my oft mentioned opinions is the fact that one mega superstar à la Michael Jackson cannot be something that happens often in a world moving slowly towards self-realization.  After all, if music is an expression of emotions that can’t be expressed through words alone, doesn’t it make more sense to have a lot of stars rather than one bright mega-superstar orb?

In light of the above, it only makes sense that mashups are yet another natural extension of the music industry, as are remakes and remixes.  In short, they are all a new way of listening to the same songs; after all, since we all see the same thing through the lens of our personal lives, it only makes sense that we listen to the same thing in a different way.

And so, Will Smith’s remaking of known melodies in hits such as “Wild Wild West” make sense.  One striking recent remake is Mandy Moore’s cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, which morphed the catchy pop tune into a heart-warming love song.

Another thing that makes sense is the coming together of artists that seem extremely different and yet express similar emotions through music of different genres (I’m thinking of the Linkin Park-Jay Z album LPJZ, which remains one of my favourite albums).  The angst, hope and joy expressed by both genres came together in seamless fashion, making sense out of something that before I couldn’t have even imagined.  Just imagine now, if the peace between two people that make no sense could, in a similar fashion, make sense.

I also love the work of DJs such as DJ Earworm, who put a different light on popular songs.  Songs that I previously would have sworn I never wanted to hear again come to life in a totally familiar yet unique kind of way; it’s almost as if we get a glimpse into the DJ’s head as to how he hears the music.

And so it have come to my attention that the work of DJs can be just as important than that of artists, by blurring lines drawn between genres and artists, lines that previously couldn’t be fathomed as crossable, but the DJs hop between with ease and, I’m sure, a little knowing smile at the incredulous puzzlement of their audience.

Check out DJ Earwork here.
Check out LPJZ here.