ReportWire

Tag: stan culture

  • 5 Reasons You Should Stan Rina Sawayama

    [ad_1]

    We truly love Rina Sawayama at THP! First gaining recognition through her 2017 EP Rina, she has proven herself to be a versatile singer-songwriter. With a steady rise to fame, Rina has become an important player in the pop landscape, releasing two acclaimed studio albums. With so many reasons to stan her, we’ve narrowed it down to five!

    Her Activism

    Rina has never been one to shy away from politics. A pansexual member of the LGBTQ+ community, she openly called for a ban on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy in 2020, signing an open letter to the UK Equalities Minister. Moreover, she has criticized the music industry’s tendency to pit female musicians against each other, calling it “silly” and advocating for a more inclusive industry. Her music is equally bold, catchy tracks like ‘XS’ (2020) satirically mock the rampant greed that flourishes under capitalism. Of course, we all love a pop star who isn’t afraid to get political!

    Her Varied Career

    Evidently, Rina is a fantastic pop artist, but she has also ventured into both acting and modeling! Making her screen debut in John Wick: Chapter 4, she wowed fans as the skilled assassin Akira Shimazu. To prepare, Rina went through five weeks of intense stunt training, demonstrating her professionalism and dedication. Furthermore, Her modeling career is just as impressive, with campaigns for Versace and Missguided, as well as a Balmain runway appearance. We love a multi-talented queen!

    Her Rise To Fame

    Rina didn’t make it to pop stardom without a lot of hard work! Moving to London from her native Japan at just five years old wasn’t easy, she struggled to communicate with her peers in English. As a teen, she began posting music covers on MySpace, eventually forming a hip-hop band called Lazy Lion. Unfortunately, her school years weren’t without hardship, as Rina has bravely opened up about being sexually groomed by a teacher at 17. Despite these challenges, she made it to Cambridge University, graduating with a degree in political science. She then worked multiple jobs for years in order to fund her debut EP Rina, which launched her rise to pop stardom.

    Her Songwriting

    Writing her own tracks, Rina has established herself as a sardonic and honest songwriter who explores identity through pop music. A particular highlight is ‘STFU!’ from her 2020 album Sawayama, a metal-inspired expression of anger aimed at those who fetishize Asian women. Another standout is ‘This Hell,’ from her latest album, Hold The Girl. In summary, it’s a celebration of community, the track critiques anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes and media misogyny.

    Her Unique Sound

    Rina’s sound is an eclectic mix of her musical influences. She cites Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada as the reason she became a singer, while also naming Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Evanescence as inspirations. Unsurprisingly, this wide mix of sounds is evident in her discography, tracks like ‘Cyber Stockholm Syndrome’ reflect her love for J-pop and R&B, while ‘STFU!’ pays homage to the 2000s nu-metal era. Clearly, Rina isn’t afraid to experiment and cross genres, proving she is truly a risk-taking artist!

    ✨ What are your thoughts on Rina Sawayama? Do you have a favorite album? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram!

    Check out more sweet music recs! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RINA SAWAYAMA:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    [ad_2]

    Thomas Stanier

    Source link

  • 5 Reasons You Should Stan Carly Rae Jepsen

    [ad_1]

    We’re big fans of Carly Rae Jepsen at THP! This talented Canadian songstress first rocketed to fame with her iconic hit, ‘Call Me Maybe.’ Since then, Carly has cemented herself as a cult icon, gaining the adoration of fans worldwide. From being a strong LGBTQ+ ally to releasing seven studio albums, it’s clear that she is a prolific and thoughtful artist. While there are countless reasons to stan Carly, here are five we think stand out!

    Her Consistent Allyship

    Carly’s 2015 album E•MO•TION was initially considered a commercial flop. However, the album’s catchy production and lyrics resonated with the LGBTQ+ community, turning it into a cult classic. Carly has embraced her queer fan base, supporting charities and performing at various Pride festivals. Her support for LGBTQ+ rights began young, when her close friend was rejected by his family, simply for being gay.

    Her Unmistakable Vocals

    Carly’s vocals are clear and unmistakable. Whether she’s belting the euphoric chorus of ‘Run Away With Me’ or delivering the tender intimacy of ‘Heartbeat,’ she proves herself an adaptable vocalist. Instead of overpowering a track, she blends seamlessly with its tone and melody while still sounding distinctively Carly. It’s a balance she handles with ease: that alone is a reason worth stanning!

    Her Songwriting

    Our girl knows how to craft a pop hook, and boy, can she prove it! With 74 writing credits across her albums, it’s clear that she knows her stuff. An earnest writer, Carly is never scared to explore love and infatuation, evident through tracks like ‘Julien’ and ‘Window.’ She also has writing credits for other artists, including the renowned K-pop girl group f(x), who reworked Carly’s song ‘When I’m Alone’ in 2015.

    Her Inspiring Background

    Carly didn’t become a pop icon without a lot of hard work! Before fame, she was sleeping on a pull-out sofa in Vancouver and working different part-time jobs to support her dreams of making it big. In 2007, she auditioned for Canadian Idol, coming in third place. Despite her loss, the show brought her brief fame, allowing her to make industry connections. It took four more years of dedication for Carly’s efforts to pay off, thanks to the 2011 smash hit ‘Call Me Maybe.’ A rare rags-to-riches tale, Carly has truly earned her success!

    Her Generosity

    Carly is a giving artist, always aiming to please her fans. While some artists ignore their unreleased material, Carly is always ready to open the vault. Inspired by the cult following around her 2015 album E•MO•TION, she treated fans to E•MO•TION: Side B in 2016. Now, for its 10th anniversary, Carly will release even more fresh material with four brand-new songs and two remixes. What more could we ask for?

    What do you think about Carly Rae Jepsen? Do you have a favorite song? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Instagram! 

    Check out more sweet music recs! 

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARLY RAE JEPSEN:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    [ad_2]

    Thomas Stanier

    Source link