For the past century, music has been instrumental in raising awareness for social injustices and garnering support for political protests. The platform music provides for communicating with the youth of the nation is unrivaled, and artists wishing to promote change take advantage of this opportunity. Many different styles of music have been utilized for these purposes; however, rap and rock are generally regarded as the leading genres in this fight for social change. The time period in which the music was created is a big factor in the effectiveness in the move for support. It is important to investigate the correlation between musical influence on change and the time period in which it was created because music has been affecting social change …show more content…
While it is good that these terrible injustices are being fought against, this music does not always promote the best plan of action to achieve change. Some lyrics and music styles have been known to promote rage in its listeners, and has been blamed for multiple murders and acts of violence across the nation. While these actions may not be ethical, they were made in an attempt to fight against injustice and raise support. This paper aims to answer the question: to what extent did rap and rock groups of the 90’s achieve social change in America? This question is worth investigating because this is not just an occurrence in history, it is a movement that is developing in the world that we live in. Obtaining knowledge of the positives and negatives of how this platform was utilized in the past can help bring change in the future, and prevent us making mistakes leading to more bloodshed and violence. This paper will analyze how different musical groups from the 90’s utilized the platform that music provides to achieve social …show more content…
Youth culture was evolving tremendously during this time period, emerging with a theme of rebelliousness. This decade saw the rise of popularity of tattoos and body piercings, extreme sports, angrier and louder music, and an all around increase in teen angst (1990’s Society). In this decade, personal computer ownership rose from 15% to 35% (1990’s Society). 3rd wave feminism was making large advances and more women were reaching greater heights of power, such as Hillary Clinton. For the average american, it was a time of hope and growth - our nation was advancing and with the evolution of technology and the government, the future looked bright. However, not all people shared this viewpoint. Cities such as Detroit, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles had large minority populations, especially African-Americans (African-American Populations). They did not share this hopeful view for the future. These people felt they did not have the same rights as the white citizens of America. There are many cases of police brutality in black neighborhoods, one of the most famous being the beating of Rodney King (South Central
Music can be reflection of our life experience. Each genre of music invokes different emotions and reactions in it's listeners. Rap has become a very popular genre in today's society. Is today “Gangster rap” and rappers exploiting society, introducing drugs and instigating violence? In the mid-1980s Gangster rap came to be portray images of violence, guns, gangs, drugs, and sexism. By the 1990s rap music became a major part of the industry and topped the charts. As people begin to operate different things; different music was engendered and that contributed to the variety of music that we have today. This is one of the many things that makes America different but is astringently under looked by everyone. There are many types of different raps
Throughout time, music has been an influential part of society. As a form of entertainment and expression, its impact has always been felt both economically and emotionally. During the Vietnam war, music evolved into more a form of expression rather than pure entertainment. Emotionally charged songs became a method to oppose the war, and vent frustrations. While many songs opposed the war, numerous others focused on peace and happiness. They provided a positive perspective in an otherwise depressing time. Along with incorporating passion into music, cultural diversity increased in music greatly. Black artists became progressively more popular and accepted in the musical scene. This respect carried over to society slowly but surely. During the Vietnam war, music played a crucial role in the societal evolution into a state where emotions fueled actions, more emphasis was put on equality, all opinions counted.
For years, musical artists have attempted to use their influence to push their audience towards certain political views. From Country Joe in the 1960’s to Eminem in the present day, artists have used lyrics and/or actions to try to persuade their listeners. Whether they were effective or not, is another question, and in most cases would be difficult prove. The four artists that we decided to focus on were Country Joe and the Fish, Eminem, and P. Diddy. The following paper is divided into sections to make it easier to focus on each artist separately because they are so different. Finally At the end we come together to explain how they are alike by sharing at common goal; to persuade their audiences.
Throughout the 1960’s, popular music empowered youth and emphasized this portion of the population as a whole. As the cold war comes to an end in history, society’s unnerve, especially among the newer generations, assembled ideas in order to create a certain understanding of their desires. However, unlike most of social uprisings in the past where demands were normally written through official documentation, in the sixties, rebellion is introduced in a lyrical manner through Rock Music. The fascination with this type of music reflects the controversy in times of war regarding race, gender, and social class. The propositions that the lyrics in Rock Music request, influence society to the day, as these involved uncompromisingly but significantly with the political and economical conditions imposed by the government along with its need of warfare in the 1960’s. Rock music itself, glorifies the anti-war ideals and the use of drugs through its lyrical treatment of war, which achieved a shift in teenagers’ attitudes and actions, as they integrated the songs into their lives and individually consolidated them depending on their understanding to their meaning. Since music plays a major role in society in this era, great musicians which nowadays are considered as “rock’s classics” made their appearance, contributing to this new cultural change around the world. The rise of fame of performers such as James Brown, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Grateful Dead, and Bob Dylan has made this important figures to remain as cultural icons in history. As rock music has developed throughout the 1960’s to this very modern day, it has not only received social appreciation, but it also has made a major impact in society by ch...
The 1960’s was one of the most controversial decades in American history because of not only the Vietnam War, but there was an outbreak of protests involving civil and social conditions all across college campuses. These protests have been taken to the extent where people either have died or have been seriously injured. However, during the 1960’s, America saw a popular form of art known as protest music, which responded to the social turmoil of that era, from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam. A veritable pantheon of musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan sang their songs to encourage union organizers to protest the inequities of their time, creating a diverse variety of popular protest music, which has reached out to the youthful generations everywhere demanding for a revolutionary change. The protest music took the children of the 1960’s to a completely new different level. Musicians of this generation were not going to sit and do nothing while the government lied to the people about what was going on in Vietnam. Instead, they took their guitar-strumming troubadours from the coffee houses, plugged them in, and sent the music and the message into the college dorm rooms and the homes of the youth of America. However, as decades went by, protest music does not have much of an impact as it use to because of the way things have changed over the years. Through the analysis of the music during the 1960’s, there shall be an understanding on how the different genres of protest music has affected social protesters based on how musicians have become the collective conscience of that generation through their lyrics and music and the main factors that contributed to the lack of popula...
A race issue that occurs within the rap and hip-hop musical genre is the racial stereotypes associated with the musical form. According to Brandt, and Viki rap music and hip- hop music are known for fomenting crime violence, and the continuing formation of negative perceptions revolving around the African-American race (p.362). Many individuals believe that rap and hip-hop music and the culture that forms it is the particular reason for the degradation of the African-American community and the stereotypes that surround that specific ethnic group. An example is a two thousand and seven song produced by artist Nas entitled the N-word. The particular title of the song sparked major debates within not only the African-American community thus the Caucasian communities as well. Debates included topics such as the significance and worth of freedom of speech compared with the need to take a stand against messages that denigrate African-Americans. This specific label turned into an outrage and came to the point where conservative white individuals stood in front of the record label expressing their feelings. These individuals made a point that it is because artists like Nas that there is an increase in gang and street violence within communities. Rap and hip-hop music only depicts a simple-minded image of black men as sex crazed, criminals, or “gangsters”. As said above, community concerns have arisen over time over the use of the N-word, or the fact that many rappers vocalize about white superiority and privilege. Of course rap music did not develop these specific stereotypes, however these stereotypes are being used; and quite successfully in rap and hip-hop which spreads them and keeps the idea that people of color are lazy, all crimin...
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
Throughout our history, music has constantly been influenced by trends of its time, reflecting social, economic and political changes. On the other hand, music has defined the culture and social events or leading them to social revolution. For instance, guys like Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder greatly contributed to social events. Such leaders and musical revolutionaries have existed throughout history.
Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.
This violent theme continues to be prevalent within rap music because just recently have white capitalists overtaken ownership of many of these artist’s recording labels, thus selfishly dictating how the music must be portrayed in order to produce revenue. Within this rhythmic poetry, artists will assume hyper-masculine roles in demands of a respected reputation and an attempt to disrupt peace solidified and enjoyed by the racially privileged. This only reinforces and attempts to justify institutional interventions, such as racial policing, police brutality, and high incarceration rates, in which Rebollo Gil and Moras refer to as “hip hop in crisis” (2012, pg. 120). Today, rap music continues these same narratives, while other musical genres, such as heavy metal group, Metallica, have also became more active in describing violence through song lyrics, although they experience far less criticism and branding from audiences when doing so. There is an assumed exception among white critics and white artists themselves who deem their expression of violence as more appropriate than rap’s, simply because they lack imposing stigmas attached to their race and
In conclusion this report has helped us understand the significance of Music in America. Also, the impact it has on music we listen too. Music is very much like a big chain reaction. Rock ‘N’ Roll, much like music today, stood out and was in a way rebellious. Parents now hate Rap and we love it. People in the 70’s loved Rock ‘N’ Roll and parents hated it. This shows that maybe no matter how much older people deny it, the time gap and generation gap is not too far apart. Without Rock ‘N’ Roll the World would without a doubt be changed. Any guess to that of which way would be a good one.
“Music is uniquely wonderful. It is incapable of being touched yet it touches everyone who is capable of hear sounds. It can seemingly evoke any emotion; we instinctively respond to happy tunes, mournful songs, beautiful melodies, inspiring anthems, stirring hymns, and majestic orchestrations.” (Doolan, Robert. 1985) There is no question that music is great part of society; it has been at civilization’s side whether it be the lyres and flutes of the ancient Greeks or how it calms or excites emotions and keeps armies in order during battle. Within society, there has also been social unrest and the desire for change. Protesting is the expression of a society’s concerns on current events of which they feel affected by whether it be through public rallies, picketing, riots or even bombings. Protest through music is one powerful medium for engaging people. Amidst what life throws at individuals, music has comforted the soul, provoked individualistic thought and opinion, and music draws people together through groups alike who have the same attachment or concerns with their surroundings. Whether it be rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip hop, dance, spiritual, or world, music has inspired artists to spill out their expression and views of society. Music is a universally effective tool of protest in generating social change and unrest as it continues to unite those with like ideas.
Since start of its genre, hip hop music has been the reason behind masses of debates and disagreements. There are many who contend hip hop music to be a mere glorification of violence, and nothing more than bad influences on those who listen to it. However, there are others who oppose this opinion and consider hip hop music to be a voice for the unheard. The true impacts of hip hop music cannot be represented by taking this debate, and can rather be realized by the increasing variation of this form of music across the globe.
Richardson, Jeanita W., Kim A. Scott. “Rap Music and Its Violent Progeny: America’s Culture of Violence in Context.” The Journal of Negro Education 71.3 (2002): 175 – 192.
Hip-Hop has served as a platform for those who are oppressed by the systematic government. For example, 25 years later after the 1992 Los Angeles riots, we see the popularity of artists like Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Schoolboy Q, and YG urging listeners to “stay woke “on the landscape and violence of innocent people of color on the streets at the hands of law enforcement across the nation such as what happened to Rodney King. Often, the message and artistic integrity of rappers can be lost amidst national marketing campaigns and lose the approval of important commercial allies such as Wal-Mart and MTV. In the growing success of the hip-hop market, musicians have struggled to maintain rap's potency as a form of resistance and