Uncategorized

On The State Of Black Music In America: Is It About The Message Or The Music?

Guest post by Langston Collin Wilkins (@LangstonVillain), a Ph.D. Candidate in ethnomusicology, who blogs all things music, tech, and culture at Soul 4 Sale.

Whenever I rePublic-enemyad about the state of Black music on the internet, one of the main complaints I hear is that it no longer has meaning or that it's not "saying something." These "critics" recall a yesterday where all black music consisted of impactful lyrics that fell deeply on the ears of listeners, stimulating their brain muscles while penetrating into the deepest regions of their soul. I'm not certain that this magical period ever existed, but I won't quarrel with that here.

I will say that music consumers of today are no different those of any other period in terms of the motivations behind their listening choices. Most people seek aesthetically pleasing music that provides various functions. While I recognize that robotic-like radio stations and the ever-consolidating recording industry must be taken into account, I feel that part of the reason for the lack of mainstream politically-oriented music is that a lot of it isn't good and the content no longer resonates with audiences.

I go to music primarily for entertainment, not for intellectual stimulation. This is not to say that I don't like or even sometimes desire a more scholastic mode, but it comes secondary to the need to bob my head, or in the most rare occasions, execute a two-step. For me, my music choice is mostly motivated by emotion. If I'm feeling moody or angry, I'll listen to Z-Ro or Atmosphere. When in a more amorous state, maybe its Anita Baker or Beyoncé. If I want to break something, its Flockaveli. These musics, like all, all vehicles for emotional release. For me, music is the process of internalizing others creativity in order to expel my own emotions, whatever they may be.

I am by no means suggesting that I do not enjoy more politically-oriented music. I definitely have and do. It's just that such musics\ must be aesthetically rich or I won't pay attention to the messages. Public Enemy is one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time not because of their nationalist messages, but because the Bomb Squad were incredible beatsmiths and Chuck D was a great lyricist with a dope voice. The reason why Curtis Mayfield's message-music was so impactful is because he was an immensely talented singer/songwriter/producer. Over the last few years I've witnessed some mediocre artists get props solely because of their political content and I couldn't help but wonder why? Why would I listen to this artist's underwhelming music just because of his/her content? I could go read an article about the same topic and get more insight. I'm all for "intellectually enriching" content, but if they musical package is not tight, you gets no play in my ride (iPod).

In short, all music has meaning. Out most popular artists make aesthetically relevant music that provides particular functions for a large amount of people. Before you get up in arms about why MC Politics isn't on WorldStar, really think about whether his/her music is actually quality. This may shock some, but most people want to be entertained by music, not lectured to.

Guest Post on 05/17/2012 in Uncategorized | Permalink | Comments (12)
Tags:
Share on:

12 Comments

  3. This a great article and I agree with it totally. Black music no longer exists it is now called “Urban Music.”
    In terms of music, people have different motivations and reasons that they listen to music. With the consolidation of media companies radio,tv and etc there are fewer outlets for “rebellion music” outside of the internet.
    In the past what was considered black music was heavily themed with struggle and politics because – African Americans were born into struggle and have always fought for opportunities in the U.S.
    In 2012 it’s a totally different story because we are dealing with a population that has evolved and is not really thinking from a collective standpoint.
    Also the internet and tv has heavily desensitized the America population where we are more concerned about what Rihanna Tweets.
    But as you mentioned, at the end of the day Good Music is Good Music…

  4. The article is correct about what people want and listen to these days but it truly is a sad state when the only thing we want from music is entertainment. Anybody can be entertaining but can you exude raw emotion through heart felt expression while flawlessly performing music that is entertaining. Music is a lot more than just fluff or entertainment fodder; Music is what words simply cannot convey, as music is the voice of the deepest most sincere emotion. There are strong points to this article but remember the message is always in the music.

  5. All I can say is hip hop is now in a controlled environment. Before it was an art made my artists. Those canvases have been revoked. Hip Hop is really POP music now period. It’s all gimmicky and just really mediocre lyrics and product placements. It’s sad that all people can really talk about is the mile high life and it’s become less personal and more impersonal. It’s mainly because the “hip hop” we are commercially exposed to now has to meet a certain criteria in order to be mass marketed. anything political or empowering is just not gonna happen. period. while we can continue on will ballads of the good ole days its become clear that hip hop is now a mere fragement of POP music’s past as DANCE MUSIC is finally up in the forefront in AMERICAN MUSIC sadly everywhere else in the world loves Dance music. anywho hip hop is horrible and people now a days only love brands not artistry. They are afriad of the new and unknown unless it’s force fed down their throats!

  6. Aside from places like New Orleans and certain parts of the east coast, jazz music has pretty much been forgotten by younger generations of black. It’s really a shame. Jazz is a rich and everlasting gift to the world. Where would any of us be today without it? Hip Hop wouldn’t even exist.

  10. Music is the exact mirror of our societies’ concerns, aspirations, and taboos. But things don’t necessarily happen where you are told to look at. The revolution will not be televised.

  11. Bottom line is that music should invoke emotion…That’s the whole point. Today’s mainstream hip-hop and R&B doesn’t even come close to doing that. It’s all about gimmicks and who can be more outlandish, rather than just making good music. Whenever you have 8, 9, and 10-year olds knowing all the words to a song that talks about “bitches and hoes,” yet can hardly read…that’s a problem. It would be nice to hear artists that actually have something of substance to say in their music, rather than just partying it up at the club. Also, back in the day, you used to have to have actual talent to make it big in the music industry…That is no longer the case anymore. It’s all about the next big thing, rather than actual longevity…

  12. I totally agree with you Tanya. Another problem with R and B or Soul or Black Music- (whichever term you choose to call it) is that the transition from real musicians who actually play real instruments like piano, guitar, drums, ets to studio producers has lead to formulaic music that sounds pretty much the same. It lacks the diversity we had when I was growing up through college and grad school from Motown to the Philadelphia Sound, to LaFAce to Def Soul (Jermaine Dupree) to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis). These producers actually played and that is why their music has withstood the test of time. And the artist they worked with could sing, dance, perform or a combination of some of the above. Now I like Beyonce and Destiny’s Child and some of the music out today but it just doesn’t compare.

Comments are closed.

Top