We apologize for the confusion there is a widget issue were fixing. The Top 10 are and going into final round:
| jael |
| RobynZ |
| mikelyrik |
| KatieConley |
| Sincere |
| Kim Desir |
| Kerri Lynn |
| RayDawn |
| Imagin 276 |
| Kobina |
Spotlight
I've emailed Lincoln several times asking them about this but for some reason they don't feel inclined to reply to me, and since no one else is talking about this, I'm wondering why the top 10 on the homepage keeps changing along with the Highest Rated page. If these "deadlines" were supposed to be actual "cutoffs" then why are all these videos that didn't make the most recent cut (even the top 25 and top 20 cuts) starting to arrive in the top 10? This is no type of disrespect to these videos but at the same time it takes away from the actual top 10 videos that actually made the cut. It's not fair for people to be able to just come back after they already did not make the cut.
I don't expect these people to stop doing what they're doing but something needs to be done, whether by lincoln or by voters. The top 10 as of 2pm WST (5pm EST) Apr 15 were : (I forgot the exact order after my video)
Robynzdotnet - Somethin In Common
MikeLyrik - American Dream
Sincere - Reach For The Sky
Kim Desir - On My Way
Raydawn - Dreams that drive me
Jael - Your Season
Kobina - Live Your Dream
Kerrilyn - Reach for your Dreams
BeonPnt - Inside Track
Imagin276 - Got to Believe
Again this is not disrespect in anyway but I believe these videos are the ones that need to be focused on especially since there is only one cutoff coming up April 29th. I believe Robynzdotnet congratulated all of the top 10 also so that also will tell you which videos made top 10 BY THE CUTOFF . Thank you
A note to the haters
Some things do not deserve a reply I know, Yet I still wonder, what motivates these particular individuals to write these nasty remarks. I'd say do something, write something, create something then you won't feel so bad.
I have been extremely busy with my band and my agency rehearsing, recording, shooting. We have been performing all around Manhattan we have been in the bodog Battle of the bands as well.
Three weeks ago, I had posted a blog about the making of this video, which was quite challenging.
For those who would like to know a little more about me, I work with a great group of people. Wonderful artists, singers, producers, directors, agents. I have a beautiful following and simply registered for this contest to write something uplifting for Lincoln Spotlight. My body of work you can find at www.myspace.com/kobinaevolution.
Be blessed and I remain to do what I have decided to do a long time ago, to be the Mandingo Warrior of Peace and Truth I was born to be, wielding my sword against injustice, ignorance and hatred, clearing a path for respect, dignity and a Greater Love.
Thank you very much for all those who voted for my video. Please come and see us at one of the
upcoming concerts.
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KOBINAEVOLUTION
Love,
Kobina
I heard about this Lincoln- Common competitionthrough several artists myspace pages and I was so eager to get on here and see someamazing Original vi deos with Verbal Technique and visually sophisticated material!
I'm no artist myself but I think I speak for most music consumers and contest voters when I say I'm a little disappointed.
But hey, with shows like american idol, it is evident that are an overwhelming amount of people who have dreams and their heart is in the right place, but that is the only thing in teh right place.
With the exception of few , there are so many top videos that are all about the artist and what they are wearingOR how many different locations they can film at.
That's not original at all, especiallyif thats THE ONLY THING that is in the video. I've seen comments saying "boring" and I couldn't agree MORE.
Where is the WOW or the AWWWW, and the HAHAHAHAA and the OOHHH SNAP, what was that? or DID YOU SEE THAT??
Some have it, but many don't :(
And verbal technique: I've listened to all 25 top videos and there are some who's lyrics I can't make out... Not because I wasn't trying, but because theres not much verbal technique consideration. Just because you can rhyme or sing, doesn't mean the listner is going to understand each word- SO TRY TO BE MORE CLEAR.. PLEASE!
AND as far as VISUAL SOPHISTICATION, this goes back to the first point.
What is SO visually sophisticated about watching someone or people just standing in different places or in one place, doing their art? Where is the element that makes the viewer say "Oh Im gonna remember this video because of that..."
Surely we've all seen videos that made us remember them before. Michael Jackson's face morphing in "Black or White" or dancing as a zombie creature in "Thriller", or even Kanye West "All Falls Down" where we are wondering where he is until we see his reflection in the bathroom mirror. I know no one here has a big budget like those artists, but that's where creativity comes in!
This is NOT coming from a "hater". I'm just so eager to see originality,uniqueness and evolution in the music industry. So many artists have dreamsof becomingthe next (so and so) but how about being the FIRST (your artist name here)!
Those are the artists who make waves and get other artists who aspire to be like THEM!
Good luck to you all and I hope Lincoln gets it right when the winner is announced!
feel me.
As the competition gets tighter n closer to the end, I just HAD to post this blog to SERIOUSLY THANK all the music appreciators and myBOMB A##friends &supporterswho have been leaving suchinspiring comments/ messagesand blessing me with ratings on my song "American Dream"...
Also, some of the artists that Im competing with have shown great spirit and support as well...
It feels so good to be involved in this Lincoln Spotlight/ Commonproject becauseof themany talentedartists whohave offerred their skills invarious ecclecticways. And the respect and support shown amongst each other is real BIG to me, so Im honored to be a part!
I wrote the song as a dedication to ALL the things that make US as individuals, want toeven wake upand SIMPLY LIVE another day...
4 some people its as simple as a smile or a touch from their loved ones...Or more, U know what I mean (holla)...
4 some its to take a drive in their car that they worked so hard to get or even just to water the lawn in front of their house....
But either way.. whatever captivates you is your dream, your american dream... And thats what I wrote the song about...
My dreamis now and forever MUSIC, dance and entertaining any1 who's down to be entertained!!
NUFF RESPECT!!!
Dreams That Drive Me
-RayDawn The 86th
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I began to think
I can’t make waves when scared to sink
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I follow my dream
Swallowed my fear, follow my lead
Breathe to achieve then leave no doubt
Chase my dream my thing touch clouds
…Ever seen a black man wit wings?
Not chicken, I’m talkin’ bout chasin’ dreams
…Everyday, I fly so high
Like flies on butter I’m butter-fly
Goals I hold make mother cry
No vodka, I’m gonna touch the “SKYY”
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I began to think
I can’t make waves when scared to sink
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I follow my dream
Swallowed my fear, follow my lead
I got a B.A. in English
But cubicles make me squeamish
Found out what my dream is, -
Used my degree, whipped up a thesis
God given talent, music
It’d be a sin if I don’t use it
It just made “Common Sense”
Prom king???...I rather be PROM inent
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I began to think
I can’t make waves when scared to sink
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I follow my dream
Swallowed my fear, follow my lead
Things I’m not, made who I am
Kanye said, and I understand
Back as a kid, before the dream hit
Nothin’ but C’s made Daddy C-Sick
I had potential but, didn’t work hard
Had to NAVIGATE through scrapes and scars
Had to figure out, how to reach the stars
Had to stick it out and, beat the odds
…Then epiphany hit me
I’d be, anything I wanted to be
I gained knowledge, came outta college
Did law school for a year, not Harvard
Starvin’, ambition leakin’
Kick down doors when I used to peak in
… So simple, my dreams a Lincoln
All I had to do was put the key in
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I began to think
I can’t make waves when scared to sink
As kids we’re told, dream big
If lived one day we’d be big
Yeah, I follow my dream
Swallowed my fear, follow my lead
To all:
Lincoln is a major corporation with a lot at stake. That said, I believe the artist should know that the cream will rise as this contest nears an end. I've noticed some key flaws in some very good videos that may cost them some good explosure. The public will not be allowed to negatively impact Lincoln, personally I believe all of the negative voting has lessened the value of the public vote. The little bit I know about math and numbers in general is this, 40%, 30% and 30% adds up to 100%. I noticed Lincoln speaks to ratings being a factor but its unclear just how much. After all, a glass can't be 110% full....smile
Good luck to all..... I believe the winner will receive the gift of exposure that is probably much more valuable then $10,000. Well worth all of your efforts!
Note: Just saw "Meet the Browns" Tyler Perry....in the end the stars rolled up in a brand new Escalade! Lincoln's got work to do and this plan is on target.
Peace!
I myself believe that Common and Lincoln should be the only judges in this situation, after all, they are the professionals who arranged this contest. I feel we the people should be able to express our opinions for the videos we enjoy even if it means choosing all of them. Take the word “vote” out of the equation. You should make clear that Common and Lincoln are the people who will make the final choice. If you give us the right to choose who we like best, then allow us to do so, letting us know that we are not the final judge, this just might stop the constant competitive nature of the beast and give the people who work hard on their video the moral support they need, especially in this profession. No one deserves to be knocked down, no one needs to feel degraded, there is enough going on in this world, not to mention life is just too short. Where is the respect we have for our fellow man? If you are saying the final cut is based on 40% originality, 30% verbal technique and 30% visual sophistication, then that should make it original, verbally, technically and visually up to the professionals to make the choice, to vote, who they feel best qualifies as the winner. Keep the main focus on what it should be, don’t get off key………thank you giving these very talented people a chance to do what they do best and for allowing us to post our opinions and let us all play nice. Mona
Ok, I understand that every registered member should have the right to rate any video they choose. However, it can be argued that the rating system is greatly flawed. In a Utopian world, yes, the rating system would work. But, how can the #1 video consistently have an average rating below 3 stars? It’s simple. This has become a contest of 5’s vs. 1’s: Meaning, to stay on top you’ve got to hustle up as many 5 star ratings as you can, and dish out 10 times more 1 star ratings just to be in the Top 10 for 30 minutes. In this Democratic society we live in, we’re allotted one vote for the Presidency: That’s one vote per citizen, and one vote per member of the Electoral College. The President isn’t chosen by an average rating. With a 1 vote system, everyone gets to vote equally… with 1 vote . By allowing members to only vote once, I feel that that the rating system would hold more weight while simultaneously vanquishing the negative voting trend which is tarnishing the integrity of this contest and frustrating the “few” talented artists in the Lincoln Spotlight. Thank You, RayDawn RayDawn, this is a very good point on all levels and that's why we have the final cuts based on ratings, 40% Originality, 30% Verbal Technique
and 30% Visual Sophistication of the video. Were moving into the final round now and looking at what can we do to make the ratings reflect the quality the contest is looking for.
*No disrespect to Lincoln Lounge and the participating independent artists*
Everyone knows this site and this voting system is WACK!!! You want to know what the real rankings are?
Check the top favorites.
It's legit because nobody can vote you down for the sake of it; the people who really enjoy your work will want to come back and see it again.
This disparity between the top favorites, most views, and highest rated videos shows just how screwed up this system is. It may be too late to change it, but I hope we all learn something from this. May the best artist win.
Peace love and music
JP
Yes it's not perfect but wanted all to be able to rate each video not just one video. In the end its based on ratings and
40% Originality, 30% Verbal Technique and 30% Visual Sophistication