Receiving her first guitar at age 13 after being fascinated by her brother being able to teach himself how to play, Amy Winehouse began writing music. Finding solace in music, she later joined a jazz band part time while working as a journalist for the World Entertainment News Network. Her big break came when singer/ boyfriend Tyler James sent her demo to A&R and she got signed to Simon Fuller’s management company in 2002. After being kept a secret, a year later, Winehouse released “Frank” on Island records, which received critical acclaim in the UK and derived some buzz in the states.
The album “Frank” was produced by hip hop producer Salaam Remi, who has also worked with Nas on his “Made You Look” record. “Frank”, aside from two cover songs, was heavily jazz influenced. Her voice was quickly compared to the smooth sultry voices of artist like Macy Gray and Sarah Vaughn. Her writing skills were undeniable, as well. She received the Ivor Novello songwriting award (alongside Salaam Remi) for her 1st single “stronger than me”. Although the album was considered successful, Winehouse wasn’t really happy about the chooses made.
Taking matters into her own hand for her sophomore album, Winehouse began to listen to only the music of the 1960‘s and the girl group motown sounds. She also has been reported to say that Nas was the inspiration behind the track ”me and mr. jones” after a chance meeting him on tour. “Back to Black” took a more classic soul and R&B feel. Hiring the Dap Kings to do background vocals and incorporating more risque topics (drinking, sex and drugs) the album produced several singles. With the help of Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson the album was a huge success world wide. Winehouse earned 5 grammy’s which tied her with the likes of Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Lauryn Hill.
Despite all of her success Winehouse was unable to defeat her vices. A bad relationship and heavy drugs led this talented artist down a never ending spiral. Bad publicity about her vices and outspoken family members didn’t help matters much, either. The song “rehab” on her 2nd LP explains her defiance and unwillingness to clean herself up for the sake of not only her talent, but her health. Against her own will, Winehouse checked herself in and out of rehabs over the last few years, but nothing was able to subdue the hidden torment. Unfortunately, after her most recent check out, Winehouse was pronounced dead early this morning for causes unknown.
I didn’t plan on blogging this month, but after hearing about the death of the artist who has made one of my favorite albums ever, my heart grew very heavy. “Back to Black” was an album that spoke to me, although I can’t really say I was going through those exact things at the exact time, but I felt it.
Logging on to social networks during a death announcement of an artist that was known to battle with drugs and substance abuse whom ironically made a song called “rehab” has felt like I personally left myself to be subjected to ridicule. Maybe I am taking it too personally or maybe I’m not. But the issue at hand is, regardless of whatever caused Amy Winehouse’s death, she is in fact dead. So there should be some respect.
It astonishes me that no one seems to see the bigger picture. Her death should be taken as a lesson that no one is without fault for their own actions. She had to have known that what she was doing was killing her, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop. Her torment outweighed her talent.
So instead of sitting on the “holier than thou” panel and passing judgment on the dead, who cannot defend their actions, we should all reevaluate ourselves. Ask ourselves if what we are doing now beneficial to what we hope to achieve/ accomplish in life... Nothing but death is certain in life.
I digress...
R.I.P Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983- July 23, 2011)
Posts
