Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Robert Christgau ( born April 18 , 1942 ) is an American essayist , music journalist , and self-proclaimed `` Dean of American Rock Critics '' .
Simplified: Robert Christgau ( born April 18 , 1942 ) is an American music journalist . He has called himself the `` Dean of American Rock Critics '' .