The R.Kelly National Anthem

[luv_mist]

Man, are ya'll serious? Ya'll kats didn't like that joint? I was about to head to bed when I remmebered I didn't even get to see or hear. There were a lot of conflicts the night after but I didn't see a video or anything. So I decided to take a look at the video for myself. Being of African American descent, I have to say that the boy did pretty tight with the National Anthem. For some reason, it made me think of the 50s and stuff. I don't know what it was but that song was pretty hot. Watching it on youtube, man I was feeling it. Not even into that type of music anymore but I can't see how so many people were bashing him for it. Can someone break it down for me....after you watch the video??

R. Kelly National Anthem

[Blaxican8504]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

I liked it...until I saw people dancing in the ring and him asking people to clap their hands.

[eXperiment63]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

Why don't I like it? Maybe because the National Anthem is an institution of this country, and as such, shouldn't be tampered with like that. That song SYMBOLIZES this country, you don't just re-arrange something that important and make it a dance song.

Take Jimi, or Zakk Wylde for example... They played it on guitar, throwing in all their own ***-blasting techniques to make it sound more appealing.. BUT, the foundation was still there. They still hit every single note in the original working of the song.

Let me guess, you weren't offended in the slightest over the Spanish re-working of our National Anthem either?

[Heelfan71]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

did he pee on anyone while singing it ?

[theaub]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

Let me guess, you weren't offended in the slightest over the Spanish re-working of our National Anthem either?

Uhh...what's wrong with that?

[BGarrett7]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

I liked it...until I saw people dancing in the ring and him asking people to clap their hands.

Likewise, on the people dancing.

As someone who is absolutely sick of traditional arrangements of our National Anthem, I thought it was really good. The people dancing behind R were just an embarrassment, however.

[Skerik]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

Awful. I've seen similar versions at Sixers games with a beat track and everything, but nothing that bad.

Having seen many sporting events and many versions of the National Anthem over the years, I can safely say that it's possible to do a "unique" version of the National Anthem while actually singing the melody as it was written and playing it relatively straight. But there's no place for "clap your hands y'all" and people dancing, and there's no place for taking that much license with the melody. Have some class and sing it the way it was written. It's the National freaking Anthem....it's not all about you.

[Sully]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

Am I the only one that clapped my hands when R Kelly told us to?

[pk500]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

That was hideous. Absolutely hideous.

Just like Skerik said, the "Star Spangled Banner" is supposed to be performed in a way that attracts attention to the song and the country it represents, not the performer. R. Kelly's overwrought composition and his imploring of people to clap their hands were designed to attract attention to one thing -- R. Kelly.

Kelly couldn't suppress his massive ego for even three minutes and perform the song with respect. That was an absolute joke.

I have nothing against alternate arrangements of the national anthem. But do it with some class in a way that brings greater attention to the song, not the singer.

The best rendition of the national anthem that I've ever heard, by a f*cking mile, was the version that Bruce Hornsby and Branford Marsalis did during the 1997 World Series in Cleveland. Just Hornsby on a Steinway piano and Marsalis on a tenor sax. It was incredible, poignant, respectful musical genius, unlike R. Kelly.

Take care,
PK

[SPTO]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

I saw the video a while ago and there was a similar thread on this but by the time I saw the vid the thread was gone . So now here are my thoughts:

- R. Kelly was obviously inspired by Marvin Gaye's rendition of the anthem from the 1983 NBA All-Star Game (by far the best arrangement and version i've ever heard) but the thing is R. Kelly got carried away. There's a fine line between modernizing or making the anthem "relevent" to young ears without pissing all over it. Marvin did something that was typically Marvin by infusing commerce and religion into the song. If you're old enough to remember or have heard it you'll notice that he sings with an impassioned, heartfelt way while throwing in "oh Lords" into it to give it the churchy feel while still having that "Sexual Healing" beat to it.

- Overall tho I did enjoy R. Kelly's version right to the point where he turns it into a concert and telling people to clap and such. That was such a fake and stupid moment because Marvin never had to tell the people to clap along. They just got into the spirit of his singing and clapped spontaneously. The basketball players swayed to the music and no one was dancing like it's a hot stepper number like some of the people in R. Kelly's entourage.

- If R. Kelly had toned that part of his performance down a bit towards the end then his rendition would be remembered more favourably but his massive ego blew it. He had a chance to be remembered as an innovative singer of the anthem but he chose instead to pull the anthem down to his level.

[BigRed]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

I was already to completely bash this "performance". Then I realized one thing...it's R. Kelly. Why should I hold such a narcissistic, perverted, underage molesting dirtbag to any level of standard?

He doesn't respect anyone. Why should he respect our anthem?

Better question: Why was he even asked to sing?

[BigRed]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

He had a chance to be remembered as an innovative singer of the anthem but he chose instead to pull the anthem down to his level.

I disagree. He will always be remembered as a child rapist.

[SPTO]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

I disagree. He will always be remembered as a child rapist.

That too

...but America loves redemption stories and a respectful and somewhat innovative version of the National Anthem could've been something he could build upon to make a comeback in life and in music.

He chose to throw it away.

[MC Fatigue]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

Pedophile is what I think of when I hear this guy.

I also can't stand his music. That whole closet thing he did was maybe the most annoying pop culture hits in the last 10 years.

[luv_mist]

Re: The R.Kelly National Anthem

Dang, I never knew that you guys were so aggressive towards the man. I personally think it was kind of cool. The dancing was a little over the top but I'm respectful of it since it has some rooting in the culture. I kind of felt it as an ode to what we came through a little. Might not be seen by people the same way. You ever hear a song and feel old memories rushing through your mind, stimulating your body? It kind of reminded me of watching a lot of those good old movies, watching old basketball games, hearing stories about the history. I think it's because of where everyone is at and how everyone was raised. I could relate to it a bit. The dancing was a little over the top, but it kind of brought a happiness and respectful joy to the atmosphere.

On another note, how come the pedophile stuff keeps being tossed around this thread? Was only about a song. The man messed with a hormonally gifted minor. Never is acceptable but it was a two-way street. The girl was just as willing as he was, or so it looked like from the video. She (They) knew what was going down. Just shows how the morality of this nation has degraded....yet we weren't the first people to step foot.......