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Metallica, Run-DMC, Jeff Beck Join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Wild Induction Ceremony

In an exciting turn-out in Cleveland, Metallica, Run-DMC, and Jeff Beck were all inducted intot the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With guest appearances by Eminem, Flea (RHCP), and many others, this was one of the most exciting and emotional inductions that the world has seen. Eminem gave an emotional speech congradulating Run-DMC on their success. Like many others, he explained how their music influenced his life; in fact, "As soon as I heard 'Run's House,' it was pretty much a wrap for me. Marshall Mathers became Eminem."

Many other artists joined the stage in order to play some of the most famous songs that have ever been released: Metallica played along with some of the older members of the band and Bobby Womack performed his more popular songs with Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones. This event was one to remember, being the first to be open to the public.

Clarification: Why was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame suddenly open to the public?

Application: If you had the opportunity to induct someone into the Hall of Fame, who would it be and how are they influential in your life?

"Bust a Move" 20 Years Later: Young MC Reflects on the Hit That Changed Hip-Hop

This was a simple interview on Young MC's experiences with the hip-hop culture after his hit song, "Bust a Move". In this interview, he explains the intentions of that song and the effects it had on his life and society. Using many anecdotes he shows how this one song changed the entire course of his life. Starting off as a college student at USC, creating that song led him to getting platinum records, a Grammy, and a lot of media attention. He explained that trying to leave the business led to numerous problems, mainly lawsuits and being banned from recording more music for almost two years after he left the record company.

Along with explaining his experiences after the song, he tells his audience about the whole nature of "Bust a Move". In a time where Public Enemy and N.W.A. were beginning to take over with gangsta rap and other vulgar styles of rap, he states that the whole purpose of the song was to provide kids with a more positive rap feeling while still providing the bass and beats that we all enjoy. He begins to reflect on his childhood and how he would only hear positive rap music on the radio: no cursing, no provocative language, nothing but the pure joy of making a fun rhyme and putting a beat in the background. He wanted to recreate that feeling with his song and, fortunately, he was successful. Looking back, he recognizes the failure of his attempt at coming back into the business but, today, he still enjoys performing the song that started this entire journey.

Application: After reading this interview, do you think that it is still possible to create a positive, curse-free rap song that kids and adults would enjoy listening and dancing to?

Application: In a world where gangsta and vulgar rap music sells, do you think that you would have the strength and courage to stray from the group and create more hip-hop music that parents would be proud to see their children listening to?

The Dirty Dozen

In an attempt to put the blame on another powerful group in society, the Rolling Stone produced an article entitled "The Dirty Dozen", which accuses twelve extremely rich men for America's debt to society. According to the editor of this article, who is unknown, these twelve men made business decisions that would shame the worst of us. The editor of this article provides code-names for these men in order to help the reader understand exactly how they contributed to the downfall of our economy. With names like The Enabler for Alan Greenspan, who pushed for sweeping power to regulate Wall Street and never used that power, it is easy to understand how he allowed or "enabled" many others to destroy our economic status. With code-names just as witty, the editor displays an excellent use of irony to show how these people led to our downfall. While they may not be the actual causes of the recession, he does put up a strong argument for the people he chose.

Clarification: What does "CDOs" refer to?

Application: If these people are a part of the major reasons why this economy is struggling, what can be done to ensure that these people are never able to do this again and what can be done to ensure that, in the future, people like them are never given the opportunity to mess things up so badly?