Exploring different subculture styles (America is Beautiful) is a dream of mine, but I feel like I cannot do a proper exploration without traveling. So I decided to switch my focus to 1980s videos.
I was in my preteens during the 80s, but had older sisters who introduced me to the amazing world of 1980s music. This was the time when MTV was not just a bunch of dumb reality shows, it actually showed music videos!
Consider this blog a welcoming into the world of excessive cheesiness. I describe the 80s as being “so bad, but so good at the same time.” Seriously these styles were attractive back then. It’s hard to grasp, I know.
The first video is Blondie’s Rapture. Obviously this song/video is about recreation drug use. Of course as a kid I didn't realize this, I just thought it was a groovy tune. After viewing this video for the first time in many years, I was surprised at how brazen it was about drugs and the party lifestyle. I was also a little put-off about the African-American roles in this video. In today’s world those depictions could be deemed stereotypical.
Blondie rapping is another interesting aspect of this video. I am not quite sure what to think about it. On one hand it is just plain terrible! But on the other hand, it actually helped rap push into the mainstream music scene.
"The new wave band Blondie releases the single 'Rapture'. It features a rapping vocal by lead singer Debbie Harry and mentions Fab 5 Freddy and Grandmaster Flash, furthering hip-hop's push into the mainstream."
Good or bad, it is interesting to view these videos because they are a snapshot of what was acceptable during that time period. Overall I am fascinated by Blondie's video, and experienced "Rapture" by viewing it.
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