A to Z Music Challenge - I is for Incubus, INXS, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, India.Arie, Iggy Pop, Indigo Girls, Ice-T, Ice Cube and Chris Isaak

And here I thought I would be an easy letter.  Not so much. This one is proof of the eclectic nature of my music range.


Incubus
So they were a garage band that formed not too far from where I grew up, while they were in high school at the same time I was, so there's that. They've been consistently releasing new material and touring for well over a decade. They're different, they change things up. They add in unexpected things, and keep you guessing. Which is kinda my thing.


INXS
They were a very successful band from Australia, and incorporated new wave, ska, punk, rock and other styles effortlessly.  Front man Michael Hutchence, one of the more eccentric members of the band, committed suicide just as they were reaching superstardom.  The band stopped performing for a while, then got back at it.  They officially retired last year.



Iron Maiden
They were never my personal favorite of the heavy metal bands, but I appreciate everything they have contributed to music, not the least of which is some kickass guitar solos. They helped lay the foundation for death metal, which is what my cousin's band Arkaik considers home.  So, for that, I will always love them.

My cuz, the front man.  I'm kinda proud.

Billy Idol
He was always a badass. He is the mainstream face of punk. He was a bad boy at the right time, and people couldn't get enough of it. He's struggled with drug abuse off and on for years, but he's still at it even if it's a little harder to maintain that level of badassery in his 50's.


India.Arie
Absolutely breathtaking, her voice is beyond amazing.  I hope she keeps on making music forever and ever.


Iggy Pop
If Billy Idol is the mainstream face of punk, he's the godfather.  He is one of the most creative people in the industry, and proof of just how long a career can be if you can stay relevant.


Indigo Girls
Friends that have performed together since they were little girls, this duo is known almost as much for their political activism as for their music.  They are loud and proud and won't hesitate to tell you what they think.


Ice-T
One of the most controversial rappers of the 80's, he's branched out to acting these days and kept his career going.  Far less controversial these days, he plays a cop now instead of rapping about killing them.  He lost his mother at a young age, lived gang life, then joined the Army.  (bet you didn't know that!) He was discharged and had more run-ins with the law before he started really pursing music, first from behind the DJ turntables, then on the stage.


Ice Cube
One of the original gangsta rappers, he was in N.W.A. back in the day when people weren't sure what to do with them.  Albums were censored, labels were slapped on them, they were bleeped all the time. He tells it like it is, as ugly as life can be sometimes. He challenged politics, he made you think about things from another perspective.  Like Ice-T, he branched out too, and is found on a screen more often than a stage these days.


Chris Isaak
I saved him for last, well, because.  This man.  Good lord.  Just watch this.  I'm going to take a cold shower now.