Music, Race & Representation | A Discussion While browsing the forum, I came across a post that sent a signal up... and thought it'd make for great conversation. I didn't want to have it in the thread where it was found, as that would take things drastically off-topic... So, I hope the issuer doesn't mind my use of his/her words for discussion's sake. Simple question: Do you believe that certain genres of music justifiably serve as representation for a racial community? If you didn't notice, I enabled a poll for the thread... but ask that you elaborate on your entries so that we may engage in an exchange. I'm saving my opinion for later... thanks!
Ganster rap represents at least a subculture within the black population. R&B from the late 1960s pretty well represented the socially aware black artists and their strruggle for respect for their art and their dignity.
Although I get you, the quote used in the OP makes no distinction that involves intra-racial grouping. My questions deals with the suggestion that a genre of music (or more specifically, the artists that publish music under a genre) can expect to have their actions/lyrics serve as basis to represent their race. For instance: Do you automatically think "White People" when you hear about Courtney Love? The 1960's (and years before that) for people of color was a very universal period in American history, in that the musical pulse oozed what lots of folks during that period felt... yearning for equality, down with oppression, and a sense of pride in the face of constant adversity. I believe we've moved past that point, where people from all walks of life (racially speaking) can identify on some level with the musical varieties that African-Americans create. To answer the OP poll question: No, I don't believe any artist (or any musical genre) can/should/could ever represent a people. I believe sub-culture goes without saying, because the mentality endorsed and glorified within that subculture is what motivated the "music" in the first place... but a whole people? No.
I'm on the fence. There are just pure rubbish acts and then there are talented artists who create a style of music be it gangsta rap or whatever [the media calls it] that record either offensive or just straight negative music. Should this represent? I think it should and does. You have to abe able to separate the fakes from the real, that is the ppl who are in it to make a quick dollar and the ones who live it. To sum up my feeling, I think you shouldn't neglect any part of your community. There is a saying and I'm not sure on it but, it's like 'the so- called worst part of your community is what you are judged on'. It's like a football team. You are only as strong as your weakest link. That's why I see and take pride in some so- called gangsta rap music ( and I'm a white guy from uk!)
Music may or may not explicitly or implicitly expose a racial representation. It's entirely up to the artist. Which is what makes it freakin art.
Maybe accept is not the right word. I think alot of so- called "gangsta rap" is mis-understood by the mainstream.
It only takes two spoken syllables to identify an Irish song. Are there any black punk rock, acid rock or heavy metal singers? Charlie Pride is the only black country artist I can name and you have to see him to notice he's black. A few notes identify mosy Hispanic songs. Only pop music crosses all cultures. Rappers need to be especially sensitive to their genre, since blacks have long been oppressed. It is sad that so many of them choose negative messages.
