2pacs Greatness Essays

2pacs Greatness Essays 2pacs Greatness Essay 2pacs Greatness Essay The Don of Rap People often complain about how obnoxious hip/hop and rap are. However, those same people that claim these things have not heard the beauty or rawness of what rap truly stems from, emotion. Tupac Amaru Shakur brings an emotion in his music and through that emotion he brings a heavy influence to the listener; everything from his deep, distinct vocals to his poetic words, not to mention his monumental beats and memorable music. Thus making Tupac Shakur the best rapper to have ever lived. However not everyone believes this. Some people believe that rappers such as The Notorious B. I. G. and Eminem have qualified themselves as the best of all time. Some even believe that Tupac is not the best because he has a limited amount of music because of his death in 1996, preventing production of his music. There are also those who think that Tupac flip flops too much from east coast to west coast and his glorification of violence and abuse of women. The fact of the matter is that what Tupac said and rapped about had â€Å"thug-life† as a basis for rap a career; however, someone would have to listen to his music to see that there was more than violence but rather love. In regards to another rapper being better than Tupac, one would have to look at arguably his closest competition. The Notorious B. I. G and Eminem are arguably the closest. There is a list of things that make a rapper great. That list consists of combining lyrical genius with an emotional voice, and whether or not they can collaborate those two things with memorable music. There is also something else that needs to be brought to the table when labeling whether a rapper is great or not and that is when there is a dominant, unique quality, something special that can set her or him apart from the rest of the field. In Tupac’s case it was his ability to write Shakespearean-like poetry. In Tupac’s compilation of poetry in The Rose That Grew From Concrete, in a poem called â€Å"In the Event of My Demise†, he clearly let’s the reader know what he stands for, â€Å"In the event of my demise when my heart can beat no more I hope I die for a principle or a belief that I had lived for†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (p. 150). Furthermore in an interview on May 8, 2008 with Emmy winner Thom Sharp, who is currently my music teacher at CSUF, when asked how he would describe Tupac’s music, he said, â€Å"It is simply talented poetry. This is that emotion which he is capable of triggering in the reader or listener. He is essentially saying that whatever purpose he had lived for he hopes he brings with him in death because in his eyes that is a logical death and that his life had meaning and brought meaning to others. The question now is simply, â€Å"does Tupac accomplish these things? à ¢â‚¬  Yes he does and it stems from the life that he lead and what he went through. The life Tupac lead also set him apart from the other ‘thugs’ that surrounded him. Tupac is the only rapper who makes the listener feel like they are in the situation that he is portraying, whatever that may be. Emmit Price, an ethnomusicologist of Northeastern University asserted in the Harvard Gazette on April 17, 2003 , â€Å"Tupac as a prolific artist driven by a terrible sense of urgency who struggled to unify mind, body, and spirit. † Price commented further, â€Å"He was also very similar to the rest of us-a work in progress. † Price is essentially saying that Tupac is on our level and wants us to feel that personal connection through the unification that he struggles with. This is an interesting statement and holds truth but more than that it is an important aspect as to why he is the best ever. Even though listeners are not on Tupac’s level in a literal sense, they are mentally. He gets personal with the listener and that is something that his fans thrive off of, that personal relationship that the listener feels with Tupac. To those that believe that Tupac has a limited amount of music they are surely mistaken and simply uninformed. Ever since Tupac’s death in 1996, Afeni Shakur decided to do something about her son’s talent. According to 2paclegacy. com, â€Å"Afeni Shakur founded Amaru Entertainment/Records in 1997 as a way to legitimately release the huge catalog of unreleased work he completed before his physical passing. Of all of Tupac’s discography six out of his twelve albums were posthumous, meaning they came after his death. This is in large part because of his mother starting Amaru Entertainment/Records, but maybe more than that the fans that he has gained even after his death. After all he was the perfect example of death being anot her part of life. To prove wrong all those people who say he doesn’t have enough music, he is listed in the Guinness Book of Records 2003, â€Å"as the best-selling rap artist†. It also says, â€Å"US rap legend 2Pac has certified US album sales of 33. million up to the end of 2001, and has had more hits after his death (at the age of 25 in September 1996) than he amassed when he was alive. † (p. 188). Those staggering numbers should quiet anyone that says he does not have enough music because apparently the people of the world can not get enough of him, before and after death. To illustrate further his role and importance in ‘gangsta’ rap, in a recent survey on the campus of California State University, Fullerton and at the Block of Orange, 68% of all respondents when asked who there favorite gangsta rapper was, if they had to choose would be Tupac Shakur. This just proves that his music and spirit live on to this day through his always growing fan base. In regards to Tupac flip flopping too much from east coast to west coast and not being true to his â€Å"hoods†, this is what makes his greatness shine. The funny thing is that he does not disrespect other hoods, rather recognizes them and feels for their everyday struggles. He makes this evident in a song called â€Å"My Block (Remix)† off his album â€Å"Stay True†, â€Å"to all my blocks out there†¦Baltimore, The Jungle( in Marina City), Los Angeles, yeah that’s my block too. That is an important aspect to being a gangsta rapper in earning respect from everyone around him or her. That is how they build their reputation and gain their fans and with that one can and would see the haters fade away. That was his innate ability to just bring people of all types of backgrounds together. That is a talent and something that was all started from Tupac. When referring about his violence and abuse of women in his lyrics, one has to take a step back and put things in perspective. In the Harvard Gazette on April 17, 2003, from the academic symposium entitled, â€Å"All Eyes on Me: Tupac Shakur and the Search for the Modern Folk Hero†, and the article by Ken Gewertz, a member of that audience that day asked a panelist about the issue of violence and abuse of women in his lyrics and Mark Anthony Neal of the State University of New York, Albany replied with, â€Å"Well he’s (Tupac) a walking contradiction, but because of that, he makes the process of being an intellectual accessible to ordinary people. This is a very valid point and just goes to prove the point of why he is the best. He shows he is the best because he wanted and wants even in death for his music to be for everyone and anyone; from the man on the corner working for a dime, or the business man in L. A. sitting at his desk working on his next big engineering project. It is for those people, it is for all of the people in this world. Tupac’s experience is also something that made him the best; the word experience meaning life of the streets and the struggles and pain that he had to go through to be the best. All the fame that he gained through rap all came with a price. What other rapper or even person can say that they were arrested a dozen times in the same year, served a prison sentence in the same year and released a multi platinum record while serving that prison sentence in the same year. Here is the answer: no one! Tupac was a leader and had many followers. Although he is known for that mentality of being ‘solo’ and ‘him against the world’, but what does one expect from an individual who came from a household with a mom as a crack addict and no father? He took it upon himself to make something of him self. And in this world and in this time of age there can be no better role model, no greater rapper, than someone who rose up against so many adversities when it is so easy to just quit. From the police to the fame, it seemed as if he couldn’t be left alone. His yearning to be left alone is what ultimately led to his death. With his death also came a void for someone to fill in the rap industry, to take the torch and carry it. However, there has been a struggle for that leader/icon of rap to be produced since Tupac’s death in 1996. It is almost like he is still carrying that torch with him still on his back. He is still the icon and is still the greatest and most influential rapper of all time.

How To Quickly Build Social Media Proposals That Win Clients

How To Quickly Build Social Media Proposals That Win Clients Social media agencies, freelancers, and consultants need clients to survive. It takes a steady influx of new customers to keep the lights on. That’s especially true if your clients tend to come and go on a project-by-project basis. Landing clients isn’t easy, though. You have competition gunning for the same business. Your website is likely optimized to attract new leads, but  thats only half the battle. Once youve met with a lead, youll still need to convince them youre the best choice for their social media marketing budget. Well-written social media proposals are key to closing deals. If you’re a writer or marketer, your sales team probably needs your help writing those proposals, too. If you’re working solo, you might need to show why you’re a better option than another freelancer or consultant. Why Would You Need To Build A Social Media Proposal? Clients want to know what you can do for them before they hand over their credit cards. They might hear about you first through your website, at a conference, or by word of mouth. Once you’ve hooked their interest and started discussing your future working together, they’ll need a tangible agreement in writing. Your stakeholders want to know exactly what you’ll do, and they’ll want something they can show their boss to show you’re worth the money. This is where strong proposals become invaluable. They’re a key tool for  showing why you’re the best choice. TIP: Download the free template below to put the advice in this post to use.How To Quickly Build Social Media Proposals That Win Clients (Free Template)Keep Organized With For Agencies Shameless plg: we're pretty excited about our recently launched agency plans. Now, it's easier than ever to manage all your clients on one platform (and you'll be reeling 'em in like crazy once you're done with this post). Looking for more details? Check 'em out here. What Do Successful Social Media Proposals Need To Include? Your proposal needs to show your prospect how you can benefit their business. It’s not personal, but they don’t care about you. They care about what you can do for them. Keep your client front and center while covering each of the following: What are you going to do. You know you’re not just going to post pretty pictures on Facebook. Make sure your client knows that too. How are you going to do it?  Which tactics and methodologies will you use to achieve Who’s going to do the work?  Which of your team members will be working on the account? Why does this all benefit your client, anyway?  How is their business going to be transformed as a result of working with you? How much is this is all going to cost? If you’re good,  your services probably don’t come cheap. Show why you’re worth it, and clients will be much more willing to sign. Recommended Reading: This Is How To Write For Social Media To Create The Best Posts How To Build An Awesome Social Media Proposal Step-By-Step Next, let’s look at how to build a proposal. This should take a little bit of time to complete. You want the document you deliver to be detailed, polished, and well-planned. Start By Establishing Goals, Metrics, And Objectives Your prospective client wants to know how your work will benefit their business. Logically, it makes sense to start with goals. These will be the endpoints you work toward. Use the SMART Methodology You may have heard us mention SMART goals  on the blog (or elsewhere). If you’re unfamiliar, that’s okay. The SMART methodology provides a simple framework for effective goal setting. Set Business Goals For Your Client Next, outline tangible business goals. This could include: Generating leads Raising brand awareness and cultivate brand loyalty Increasing sales and revenue These specific goals will depend on your prospect’s business needs. You should have some idea what these are after your initial discussions with them. Determine Metrics You’ll Monitor In order to reach your goals, you’ll need to determine which metrics matter. Applying the right data will help you know if you’re succeeding, and prove it to your client. Traffic: How much traffic are you sending to your website? This is often key for driving leads. Follower Growth: The more followers, the better. However, it’s important to make sure you’re attracting the right followers (meaning, followers who fit the client’s desired, target audience). Engagement: You don’t want to bore your audience. If people like your social media content, they’ll interact with it. Reach: Sometimes, just getting your message in front of people is enough to influence positive business outcomes. This measures how many people see a post, even if they don’t engage with it. Conversions: Driving conversions from organic social media isn’t always easy. â€Å"Isn’t always easy† doesn’t mean â€Å"isn’t possible† though, and it may well be important to your client that you know how to turn social media into a revenue or lead generating machine. Recommended Reading: How To Track Your Marketing Objectives To Focus On Success Be Intentional About Channel Selection While we’re discussing social media proposals, we need to be clear that the spectrum of social media is broad. Depending on your potential client, some channels may make sense more than others. Be sure to tailor your proposal to networks that: Your client is already on. Your client wants to build a presence on. Platforms you feel your client should be on, but may not have thought of. Be intentional about selecting social media channels for clients.Introduce Your Team Members The most reliable clients don’t just pay for projects. They invest in relationships with your team. They’ll want to know who they’re working with, and what those people are going to be doing. Help them put names to faces in your proposal. Include the following information. Identify Roles What capabilities do you have on your team? Show your prospect that you have the skill sets required to do what they’re asking from you. Here are some common roles: Writers. Your literary ninjas crafting compelling copy that entertains and motivates audiences. Designers. Visual content geniuses that will make your client’s social channels look their best. Strategists. Big picture thinkers that connect the dots between tactics, strategies, and objectives. Analysts. Data wizards that tell you what’s working, why it’s working, and how it’s working. Project managers. Professional cat herders that keep the rest of your team in line and on time. Account managers. Your face to your client. This person is your prospect’s first point of contact for anything they need. Introduce Team Members Knowing a little bit about your team (beyond the work they’ll be doing) can help humanize your agency. Add screenshots and quick bios outlining their interests and passions. Include details about their skill sets. What Services Will You Provide? Anyone can talk about how they’ll â€Å"transform your business† while dropping three-letter acronyms like â€Å"ROI† and "CPC" and whatever else. Actually showing your prospect what you’ll do is more difficult. This is where you need to demonstrate exactly what kinds of skills you’ve got, and what kind of results you can expect to produce. Think â€Å"less talk, more rock.† Writing a proposal? Think 'less talk, more rock.'Some examples might include: Social media content creation Campaign planning Social listening Analytics and measurement How Your Team Will Do It You don’t have to give away all your secrets. However, a client will want to know how you’re going to deliver on your promises. Consider including some of the following items in your proposal: A description of your processes and methodologies. What’s unique about the way you work that helps you deliver better results than your competition? What tools do you use? Using the same tools can be helpful for collaborating with clients. A clear explanation for the specific work you’ll perform. Specific tactics and techniques you’ll use. Why You’ll Do This Work What’s the reason you’re going to do all this work, anyway? Be sure you know what your client’s objectives are. Some possible objectives could include: Increasing brand awareness Community building and engagement Driving leads TIP: Tie specific objectives back into your client's overall business goals. Set Clear Schedules And Timelines You don’t want to leave your client wondering what you’re doing while burning their budget. Let them know when things will be done up front. This includes: Deadlines for projects. Timelines for meetings and check-ins. Time frames to reach performance goals. Recommended Reading: How To Meet Deadlines When You're Sick And Tired Of Missing Them Tips For Setting Deadlines Your client needs to know when to expect work to be completed. It helps with their own planning and makes their life easier. Keep these pointers in mind: Be realistic. Don’t over-promise how fast you can get work done. Be up front about how much time it’s going to take to do a good job. Hold yourself accountable. Once you set a deadline, consider it set in stone. Do whatever you have to in order to meet it. If you were realistic about setting your timeline, you shouldn’t need to pull any all-nighters. Make sure deadlines are agreed upon. This ensures a client can’t try to force your hand to deliver faster than promised. Be firm on your timelines and work hard to meet them. Under-promise and over-deliver. When it comes to deadlines, under-promise and over-deliver.Be Clear About Budgets Going over-budget is stressful for agencies and consultants. It leads to costly write-offs or over-billing your client  (and you should never over-bill anyone, for anything, ever). Neither is good for either side. The best way to avoid problems here is to establish realistic budgets. Tips For Setting Budgets Every team member you add to a project raises the cost. Include only those who are essential. Be smart when planning meetings. They can be a drain on both time and budget if you’re billing for hours spent in meetings, in addition to time spent doing the work. If you’ve selected the right people, to perform the right work, on the right timeline, then budgets should (hopefully) fall in line too. If your client disagrees, then negotiate, or even walk away. You need to arrive at terms that are satisfactory to both sides. Determine Reporting Periods And Deliverables As you work with your client, they’ll expect to see some kind of reporting. This could mean a formal weekly or monthly reporting document showing how your work is performing. Your proposal should note: When to expect reports. What those reports will look like (PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, etc.). What data will be reported on. These should be tied back to your goals and metrics. Simple as that. Recommended Reading: How To Develop A Winning Social Media Content Strategy (Free Template) Manage Everything With For Agencies! So, you've started pitching your proposals and you're winning tons of clients. What comes next? You'll need to manage each of those clients. And with for Agencies, you can keep clients organized without losing your mind. Here's a quick rundown on what our multi-calendar plans have to offer busy agencies and consultants (like you): Manage all your clients in ONE place. Eliminate the need for spreadsheets, email threads, and multiple platforms! Get all your clients under one roof. Make it easy for you, your clients, AND your team to collaborate, manage projects, and get sh*t done. Simplify your team’s workflows and collaboration. With custom integrations, team member approvals, and streamlined communication, you can easily facilitate real time collaboration with your clients, stay on track with project tasks, and execute on projects faster. Customize to fit your needs. is designed for flexibility. And as your clientele grows, so should your calendar. With three tiers of multi-calendar plans, makes it easy to scale your plan to fit your client’s unique needs! Improve client retention with data-driven results. No more warm fuzzies! Prove the value of all your hard work with real data. Utilize ’s most advanced analytics to measure your success and improve client retention†¦.(without all the tedious data collection). Which means you can stop jumping from screen to screen, manage all your clients on ONE platform, and get your agency super organized in the process. Now Go Win More Clients Strong social media proposals help clients visualize a better future for themselves, thanks to your work. Take what you’ve learned here (and use the free template included) and start winning more business.

Provided in the Doc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Provided in the Doc - Essay Example Susan Greenfield in her news column in Mail Online furthers this idea by demonstrating how the brain is a constantly changing organ, shaped by our environment and experiences upon which technology is impacting unfathomable effects. John A. Bargh and Katelyn Y.A McKenna exemplifies how technology, especially the internet, has influenced our psychological well-being and social identity. There is are ultimate resultant changes in our personality, behavior, and characteristic. Gahan has detailed both the cellular and psychological changes taking place as a result of technology. The contemporary life of technology is well modifying our human identity. The case of three study groups not previously exposed to piano showed significant change in the brain section responsible for finger movement for the group that underwent intense training and no change at all in the control group. According to Gahan, the present generation is interpreting the world through digital filters, and there’s a vague line as to where individuality boundaries begin. Greenfield agrees with the apparent benefits of the dynamic technology and also asserts the oblivious imminent dangers are tagging along such advancements. She has outlined how pharmaceutical and electronic advancements are impacting on our biochemistry and micro-cellular structure that in turn affects our characteristics, personality and behavior and ultimately our human identity (â€Å"Modern technology is changing the way our brains work, says neuroscientist,† n.d.). Humans are not passive consumers of technology but are instead actively shaped and transformed by it. John A. Bargh and Katelyn Y.A McKenna also adds that advent of these technological advancements will undeniably produce dramatic changes to our personal identity. However, John A. Bargh and Katelyn Y.A McKenna contest that such technology, especially in communication does not pose a significant threat