Music Gets Real: Your Talents, Going Big
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Debbie Smyth, WireImage.com
Music Lessons,
Meet Real WorldIf only piano teachers could have showed MIKA's 'Grace Kelly' video before every lesson -- probably more of us would have practiced. But for every music lesson & talent out there, there are artists going big as rock stars, producers, rappers and band members across the music scene. These artists are the ones showing us where we can take all those boring lessons and rock out this summer.
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Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com
Computers & Rap
For some people, rocking computer code is preferable to rocking an electric guitar. But let's just say you've got your rap tunes on while you work the tech side of things. And then let's say your name is Kanye West and you go from behind-the-scenes techie to being one of the most in-demand producer geniuses in the biz -- with clients from Beyonce to Fall Out Boy -- AND a rapper mega-star. And then let's say your ego and poor haircut choices start eclipsing your work ... well then maybe it's time to go back to your room with your computer.
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Sebastian Mlynarski for AOL Music
Drums & Tats
In this post- Shanna Moakler-Paris Hilton throw down era, +44 drummer Travis Barker is probably better known for his cheesy reality series than for his musical expertise. With an in-your-face punk style and huge success in a role that's typically behind-the-scenes, Travis has taken his percussion precision and transformed himself into a celeb, artist, and master of MySpace drama.
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Pieter Van Hattem, Vistalux for AOL Music
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Hal Horowitz, WireImage.com
Classic(al) Hip-Hop
For the longest time, violins have been relegated to the classical music section of iTunes, concert halls and radio stations. That was until the sultry musician Miri Ben-Ari moved from Israel to New York and discovered hip-hop. Soon, she started collaborating with and writing for every name in the game, from Britney Spears to Kanye West, and quickly became known as the Hip-Hop Violinist. So dust off those sullen string instruments and break out the beats.
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Evan Agostini, Getty Images
Backstage to the Spotlight
Much like Kanye, super-producer Timbaland is a tech whiz who emerged from the shadows of the music studio into the forefront of the music industry. Over the years, Tim's created insanely good beats for artists like Missy Elliott and his BFF, Justin Timberlake. More recently, he's moved from producer-genius to producer-genius/hip-hop artist. We're not sure how he comes up with almost supernatural beats, but we're guessing it probably started long before he was invited into the studios of megastars.
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John Shearer, WireImage.com
Bringing Sax Back
So Justin Timberlake brought sexy back, but ska-punk bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones brought the sax back. In the '40s and '50s, sax was a huge component of pop music ... but it eventually fell over the falls of mainstream music, and sat collecting dust in the corner like last week's copy of 'Us' magazine. Recently, though, neo-ska bands and reggae-influenced artists like the Bosstones and Lily Allen are picking it up, dusting it off and embracing it in modern music.
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Jason Squires, WireImage.com
Pound It Out
Some artists -- oh, say, Stevie Wonder and maybe even Billy Joel -- caress the piano like a fragile celeb whose ego needs stroking. But for Regina Spektor, the instrument lives up to its percussive potential as she pounds out catchy song after song, and shows us what we could have been doing during band practice -- if we'd known how.
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John Parra, WireImage.com
Beats for a N.E.R.D.
Joining the ranks of Kanye West and Timbaland, Pharrell Williams is one of the premier producers whose behind-the-scenes work has included hits for ladies like Britney Spears, as well as more underground hip-hop artists. But eventually, it's time to show up in your artists' videos, followed by putting our your own album. Pharell's debut with Chad Hugo, 'The Neptunes Present ... Clones' was soon followed up by 'N.E.R.D.' What's left for someone with super-skills like his? We can only hope it means more music ...
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Karl Walter, Getty Images
Noisy Talent
Imagine building a career on making weird noises with your mouth. MC and beatboxer Gift of Gab has achieved a unique place in the hip-hop arena by creating technically deft rhymes and amazing mélanges of sound. We wonder how he made it through high school without rhyming during classes -- but regardless, he's made up for it by establishing himself as half of the duo Blackalicious, and moving on to collaborate with numerous names in the underground scene.
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Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Ethereal Success
To indie rock fans, Arcade Fire is one of the hottest bands around, with a mass following and shows that sell out in minutes. But to a casual observer, their use of instruments like organs and accordions offers a path for those who got musical training in religious institutions. If these darlings of the rock scene can go big carrying unwieldy instruments, then there's hope for our musical aspirations.
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