Top Trump: Music

Adding audio, resizing so it's fit for instagram

Music

I originally thought I wanted a traditional/ classical/ ancient sounding songs to go in the background of the animated posts, however this doesn't seem to align with the visual aesthetics. I then thought it would make a lot more sense to choose current music, imagining what the modern day versions of the Goddesses would listen to.

For Mami Wata I initially thought I could use this, a strong female rapper spits about Mami Wata which seemed perfect but through peer feedback I recognised it would be more appealing and accessible if I used a more popular song, something ethereal and more like background music so as to not distract from the artwork.

I then chose Fruit by ABRA, her voice is soft and mumbly and the beat is mystical sounding .. I cut to a section with the lyrics "Don't listen to a word they say, I'm in your head like every day", directly referencing the hold Mami Wata has over men, as she appears to them in their dreams, requests they remain sexually faithful and has a grasp over them the rest of their lives as they fear she will make their lives if they are unfaithful. There's further reference to this on the cards as I made "mind control" one of the categories.

Thinking more however about a consistent theme, it should really be some 90/ 00s tunes. This theme of nostalgia should be consistent throughout the visuals and now audio. I wanted to use instrumental sections of the songs that would be recognisable without the lyrics (or minimal lyrics), something people would hear and instantly feel something, a link back to their childhood to match the visual recognition of the Top Trump style layout.

For Hel I've chosen Justice by Genesis, the sound of impending doom just seemed to fit rather well.. I originally was sifting through lots of heavy metal but even I couldn't handle it. I feel electronic music is a lot more accessible. I used to be obsessed with this when I was younger, I thought of it almost immediately as it does sound like it should be played at the entrance to the underworld.

Speaking of nostalgia, Missy Elliott's 'Get Your Freak On' just had to be Kali's song, referencing her almost destroying the whole universe from drinking too much demon blood... the intro to the song is so recognisable it fits perfectly.

I struggled with finding one for Mami Wata. I pondered over Britney's 'Toxic', Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black', Eve's 'Let me blow your mind' (intros were too short) Massive attack Teardrop, I decided upon Cassie 'Me & U', the intro was 20 seconds which is the exact length I've used for the others, the beat also sounds slightly reminiscent of old school video games which fits perfectly. The lyrics are somewhat sexual "baby tell me how you like it.. just me and you boy" which fits Mami Wata to a tee.