BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR: THE DIASPORADICAL TRILOGIA
In his self-directed video compilation, the Diasporadical Trilogia, Ghanaian-American musician Blitz the Ambassador solidifies his presence as a social activist and visual artist. His vividly accurate portrayals and unconventional presentations all distinguish him as a truly unique talent among proponents of Pan Africanism. While at first glance, the videos in the trilogy (Shine, Juju Girl, and Running) seem unrelated—varying in musical tone/characteristics, lyrics, and video concept—they are linked by their depictions of issues faced by those part of the African diaspora and on the continent.
Shine – Immigration’s Influence on Family
Like many of his other music, this song showcased the Afro-beat/hiplife lend of music central to Blitz the Ambassador’s distinctive style. He takes it a step further than the typical combination of American-style raps/genre paired with traditional tunes. Somehow, he found a way to pair traditional instruments (like drums and Agogo bells) to make a contemporary-sounding tune and also adding elements of highlife (brought in with the trumpets). Within the video, the characters’
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Rather, it’s a welcoming blend of Afrobeat,, classic-style hip-hop as well as hiplife—a mix typical of Blitz the Ambassador. As I followed the lyrics of the song however, one thought came to mind: Why must it be that the woman is putting a spell on the man? From the chorus to the second verse various phrases like “…it feels like gravity, I can’t move on without you…” and “Just the way you dance, got me in a trance.” The lyrics imply that the only reason the woman could land a guy like that is through “black magic”. In actuality, juju refers to witchcraft in Ghanaian culture—similar to Louisiana Voodoo. Its practice is typically frowned upon in the country as it negates the deeply ingrained Christian principles within majority of Ghanaian
Good morning Mrs Dover and 8D. I have chosen to analyse the film clip “black fella, white fella” by the Warumpi band, and have determined that the song and associated images is partially successful in communicating aboriginal values, such as culture, land and family. The lyrics include the language features repetition, alliteration and rhetorical questions to deliver a message of reconciliation and equality. These features are also supported by visual imagery that is intended to support the ideas within the song.
Global warming is a major ecological concern today. It is being caused by man’s ever
Cohen’s goal is to introduce music in to their lives in hopes of regaining their lost personality and self-identity. With the use of iPods and a playlist of the participant’s favorite music. The film introduces varies professionals such as Dr. Oliver
Masters of War by Bob Dylan is a song which protests against the Cold War. Dylan comes to strongly emphasize the amount of lives lost during war and the ignorance of powerful individuals; who seem to promote war with the development of weapons of mass destruction. The war between the United States and the Soviet Union greatly emphasized the competition to develop superior weapons. The lyrics “You that build the guns…death planes… and bombs” can represent the arms buildup which occurred during the Cold War; as well as those who helped manufacture weapons. Furthermore, the song comes to depict the people who have power, the government as the “Masters of War” in a negative way where they start war without being involved physically. This can be
Ian Condry’s engaging and intimate ethnography of Japanese hip-hop performance is both a vivid portrait of a local scene and a subtle analysis of how media forms circulate among such locales in the process of cultural globalization. With a focus on place and performativity, Condry’s take on hip-hop’s globalization in performative genba (Japanese for “actual places”) is an attempt at a new methodological approach to this process. Throughout the book, the author’s conceptual development is enlivened and “kept real” by evocative fieldwork references and a wealth of translated lyrics. This rich ethnographic material sustains the reader through a succession of intellectually challenging discursions in which Condry’s take on hip-hop is often less
In cultures all over the world, music can be seen encompassing many aspects of life for many individuals. It is a form of mass communication that"speaks directly to society as a cultural form", and often reflects a collection and pattern of personal experiences (King 19). Music is so influential because it communicates on three different levels: the physical, emotional, and cognitive. Not only does it operate in a nondiscursive way, by affecting the physiological mode of the body, causing one to move and dance, but it also encourages one to think. This paper will explore music as a form of protest; showing how a political message, in general form, is presented through music. Protest music addresses the social, political, and economic conditions of the times and often speaks directly to the listener's experience (King 20). In the following pages, a general comparison will be made between the evolution and effects of the blues, jazz, reggae music, and hip-hop, with a focus on reggae and hip-hop.
Perry Henzel's The Harder They Come is credited with a significant and unique role in introducing American audiences to reggae. Whereas earlier cinematic crossmarketed films like A Hard Days Night or Help! were adjunct to and dependent on a group's previous commercial musical success, Henzel's film was for many an introduction to reggae and both precursor and impetus for its international impact and commercial popularity. The film's status as a cult classic and phenomenon, to the extent a phenomenon can be explained, perhaps rests on its lack of commercial pretentions or promotional glitz, and thus its authenticity. The rhetoric of this film -- its images, words, and music in complementary array -- is rhetoric in the best sense because it uses the power of language to reveal, not to disguise, the unconscionable constraints on the lives of poor Jamaicans. Principally it's a film by a Jamaican artist about some musically and culturally significant events happening in Jamaica at the time, and though it is formulaic as films tend to be, it also encompasses all of the majors themes and conflicts that define and swirl around reggae music: spirituality, sensuality, commercialism, social justice, the messiah, and even Armageddon, though its tenor is decidedly secular
Feeling unwanted from the closest people in your life who turn away from you when you need them the most, is the worst feeling a person can endure. I chose the song “My Story” by Sean McGee, because people young and old can relate to his song. People from different backgrounds can relate to each other when there are living homeless or raised as a foster child. Sean McGee wrote “my daddy don’t know, my momma don’t care, it don’t matter if I’m here, it don’t matter if I’m dead” people all around the world have the same issues and share a common culture. A master status is the most important status a person occupies, this is a key factor in determining a person’s social position.
Returning themes in each chapter are the ideas of ‘encounter’, his experiences are excursed, a musician (in the case of chapter five, the Eurovision contestants Dana International, and chapter six, Bob Marley), an examination of meaning and identity, and world music scholars or ethnomusicologist.
The question presented, concerning the South African apartheid and the music that was involved with the movements, debates whether the music came from the people’s desire to over come apartheid or if the music was a catalyst to the movement. As explained in the movie, the people used music for different aspects of the music, fundamentally a different song for every part of the movement. The music was a way in which the people could express themselves in a way that was noticed by their over rulers and which included all people taking part in the revolution.
Angeles, Los. (2009). African arts. Volume 28. Published by African Studies Center, University of California.
The song that I choose to do this assignment on is Fight the Power by Public Enemy. Fight the Power was written in 1989 and quickly became a street anthem for millions of youths. It reflects with issues dealing with both the Civil Rights Movement and to remind everyone that they too have Constitutional Rights. This particular song is about empowerment but also fighting the abuse of power that is given to the law enforcement agencies. It gave citizens of the U.S a more modern outlook on the many struggles that not only the African American community is up against but the other minority groups as well. The song’s message was eventually supposed to bring people together and make the world a better place, even though some teens saw it as a way
Music is an art form and source of power. Many forms of music reflect culture and society, as well as, containing political content and social message. Music as social change has been highlighted throughout the 20th century. In the 1960s the United States saw political and socially oriented folk music discussing the Vietnam War and other social issues. In Jamaica during the 1970s and 1980s reggae developed out of the Ghetto’s of Trench town and expressed the social unrest of the poor and the need to over-through the oppressors. The 1980’s brought the newest development in social and political music, the emergence of hip-hop and rap. This urban musical art form that was developed in New York City has now taken over the mainstream, but originated as an empowering art form for urban youth and emerging working class.
Reggae music has glorified the Jamaican expat community in the unification of culture, people and language. Also stated a brief statement by my father who was in born in Jamaica, and which he migrated to America at a very young age. I also included examples of how reggae has presented the community negatively and positively. The title of this paper is the perception of Jamaican expats through reggae music. Because writing this paper is to express how reggae music benefited the expat community in the US. I, a second generation Jamaican, it has broadened my views on reggae music. I knew reggae music was a part of my culture, but I did not know the dynamics of reggae music.
Juju music emerged in the 1920's and is the most well-known form of Yoruba popular contemporary music in Nigeria. Juju has its roots in traditional Yoruba drum based music. Juju is dance music played by large ensembles centered on guitars and drumming. Singing is a major part of Juju music and is inspired by Yoruba poetry, proverbs, praise songs, and the musical character of the language. The culture and music remained the same for decades after colonization and its explorers left Nigeria. The negative legacies...