I always have and will continue to respect those who came before me. The musical legends that I look up to not only have inspired me creatively but have broken down racial and cultural barriers to provide my generation with a chance strive to reach our goals and dreams.

Issac Hayes was one of those legends who “changed the game” and for that I have the utmost love and respect for him and his musical legacy. Too many of our legends have passed and it makes me think about the fact that our generation has relatively few legends of equal stature. With, Luther, Gerald, Barry, Ray, and of course James gone among others, who will carry the torch?

The African American entertainment world had a horrible weekend with the passing of two icons, the other being Bernie Mac and it got me thinking a bit (hence the blog). Will the world be devastated by Soldier Boy’s demise? Will his music make enough of an impact that in 70 years when he passes (God willing) will the world feel the void? What about those guys who made Laffy Taffy , what were they called again?

This is not meant to bash either of those acts, as I’m not mad at either of them for doing something positive with their lives but when you are given 60 minutes (or less) to speak to people via a cd and you can speak on anything you want and choose to uplift or encourage your people or not, wouldn’t you want to actually say… something? I want to. I’m just curious if the musical acts of today excluding of course, Alicia Keys, Nas, Common, Outkast and others, will make the same kind of impact as the artists of our parents and grandparents generations?

What do you think?

-Andre Ramone

www.myspace.com/andreramonemusic
www.andreramone.wordpress.com
www.youtube.com/andreramone

Will. I. Am has a great perspective on the current state of the music industry…