Mash-up

Miley Cyrus, Kandi, Borgore, and EDM…

What is kandi? Ravers love to wear and exchange kandi at raves. Kandi is colored bracelets with small, colorful beads or words that spell out peace, love, unity and respect. Necklaces are also kandi, and wearers are the most loveable and happy dancers at raves. Kandi is meant to be joyful and friendly and a token of peace. Kandi givers hand their bracelets to another, make the sign of the heart with their combined hands, and merrily dance off to meet other new friends. On the upside, this joyful giving is very innocent.

Kandi is having a bad year. First it was banned from the Mad Decent Block Party for its drug connotations, and now Miley Cyrus is using kandi as a fashion trend. Miley’s photos of her edgy and somewhat risky art pieces from New York Fashion Week were posted all over Instagram making ravers just a bit sad.

Surprised that Miley Cyrus is now a part of the kandi and rave scene? Not really. Her antics, colorful performances and personality are perfect for the electronic music dance craze and rave. Her capers at New York Fashion Week this week have begun a new playful and weird fashion collection that is totally Miley; neon colors and kandi.

Miley is no longer the cute little pop star but is the stimulation behind the Dirty Hippie collection conceived by American fashion designer Jeremy Scott. Miley’s collection includes a kandi bracelet pole, bedazzled letter M and rave bracelets (Smiler). Pieces of various shapes and sizes all covered in kandi includes charms, small toys and well, anything that resembles the 1990s.

Questions arise whether this is a movement into rave culture or just another publicity stunt. Dirty Hippie Creations is confusing yet Miley’s celebrity friends are trying on her designs. The Kardashians and 2Chainz looked over her kandi creations. Who bought the blinged-out dildo?

Miley’s art show at New York Fashion Week is a bunch of kandi and showy weird pieces that make up her neon-colored collection. Miley’s fans sent her many of the pieces, and she worked them into her art installment. There are small plastic toys, a bong, flowers, candy wrappers and just about everything imaginable that might come out of a dollar store. That’s okay. This outrageous piece nods to rave culture. It is a bit scary, though, to think that art has come down to posting “stuff” on a board.

Kandi aficionados are up in arms about Miley Cyrus using the symbol of kandi and PLUR as a money making machine. Most claim that it is wrong for her to be wearing kandi. “It is all about reputation,” according to one fan. “Outsiders will now relate kandi with Miley Cyrus and what she is promoting.” “More misinformation and bad publicity for raves and EDM,” states another fan.

Other kandi kids are more loving and accepting. “If Miley wants to promote kandi, bring it on,” remarked several fans. “Remember that kandi and PLUR is all about inclusion and acceptance. “Maybe Miley needs a friend,” are remarks that pop off social media pages.

EDM fans are hoping that Miley is just an “off-the-radar” supporter and not looking to be a participant in events, festivals and clubs.

Decisions

Decisions is a rave mix produced by Borgore, an Israeli record producer and DJ, and features Miley Cyrus. Released through online music stores in 2012, Decisions is a complication of remixes. Released as a stand-alone track gain in 2013 Borgore does not publicize Miley Cyrus’ inclusion in the mix. The hope was Decisions would make an impact without using Cyrus’ reputation. Cyrus later confirmed that it is her voice on the collaboration.

Decision is a dubstep track or a form of dance music using syncopated rhythms, and lyrics that discuss the desire for wealth and success. During the track the phrase is mentioned by Cyrus as “bitches love cake.” Miley softly sings the lyrics, “Decisions, but I want it all so I get it all. I wanna eat the whole cake. I’m not sharing, I’m not sharing. You should have to learn how to bake.”

In spite of or because of Miley Cyrus’s participation, the track received favorable reviews from music critics. They enjoyed Cyrus’ inclusion on the mix and it is a change-up from her latest works. She is not so “out-there.”  Critics did not enjoy the overall production, stating that it was somehow “off.”  The accompanying music video, filmed in Los Angeles, joins Cyrus plus Borgore performing the track at the Music Box. Cyrus’ performance in the video features provocative clothing and her dancing style with a stripper. Of course, this garnered media attention, but there was no national music chart recognition.

Most critics described the overall track as catchy and loved the cake metaphor. There were some critics that declared that it was neither inventive nor cathartic. YourEDM was disappointed that Cyrus’ vocals were very faint and minuscule compared to what was going on in the forefront.  Listeners agreed that Miley returned to her original talent and incredible voice.  Whatever critics say, Chris Wood from YourEDM believes that Decisions is a pivotal point in Borgore’s career.

Asaf Borger or Borgore hails from Tel Aviv and is part of the dubstep duo Alphamale Primates. His music brings together triplet drum patterns and heavy metal influences. Critics have compared his songs to horror movies, and some friends have jokingly claimed Borgore as the reason behind the changes in musical style and attitudes of Miley Cyrus.  He includes dubstep as well as trap and house sound in his release of Decisions. He keeps his roots in dubstep but also includes rap to give his music variety.

Borgore just might just be moving into the early stages of becoming an icon in the electronic music scene. If critics have their say, Miley will be back in later tracks.