'Enlightened Time' Vs. 'Drinkin' Song'
November 3, 2008
Jana won the Native American Music Award for "Best Short Play Video." One word sums up her Nammy award-winning video, "The Enlightened Time:" Hollywood.
The most authentic Indian piece of scenery in this video was the big pickup truck cruising down a dirt road. Other than that, the helicopter landscape shots and "traditional" dances were straight out of a presentation from the History Channel; it's something you see in fiction, not in a powwow. It's Hollywood, and not the real thing.
The lyrics sound like something out of a Disney movie. It reminds me of "Circle of Life" from the "Lion King" or one of those songs from "Pocahontas." I'm sorry, I can't relate. I can't groove on something that's only knee-deep. I can only describe the song's lyrical content as stereotypical. That doesn't represent me as an Indian. That isn't real life. It's not entertaining.
And who's really listening to this song in their car or at home? Does this song stay in rotation on your iPod? Does Jana's CD ever leave your deck? If the short play video category is strictly for the visual effects and cinematography, then good job, Jana. Visually, I would describe it as an advertisement for a vision quest. Well, I'm not buying it.
If she's using her culture as a gimmick to sell her music, cool. If she has choreographed dancers in her video like that, then what was all the fuss about Outkast's Andre Benjamin and his song, "Hey Ya," during the 2004 Grammys? The Native American Cultural Center in San Diego organized a boycott of CBS, the Recording Academy and Arista Records in response to Andre's live performance, which had backup dancers dressed in green buckskin-like skirts and fringed halter tops.
I don't really see much of a difference, and Jana still won a Nammy. What do you call that? "Mocking the culture?" Is fame really an excuse? I still listen to Outkast. I've never heard of Jana until I was assigned this review. I think it all boils down to music and message: What are you talking about? And is it entertaining? I can't figure the either/or with "The Enlightened Time."
I think RezHogs video for "Drinkin' Song" is a much more eye-opening view into reservation life, and should have taken the top prize. Their video is holding up a mirror to ourselves as Indian people. I don't see too many artists giving that much truth in their music. "Drinkin' Song" is like an honest artist giving a news report that's coming from where I'm from. "The Enlightened Time" is like a pretty girl trying hard to belong with a big budget for her video. Two different views from two different places.
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