...Justin Baird Professor Tolson African American Music 1/28/15 Review #1 On Monday night, January 26th I had the pleasure of attending a Jazz Combo that consisted of three different bands. This Jazz Combo was performed by the University Of Louisville School Of Music and was held in Bird Recital Hall. These bands included the Clark Terry Combo directed by Tyrone Wheeler, Terence Blanchard Combo directed by Ansyn Banks, and the Fats Navarro Combo directed by Ansyn Banks as well. One of the bands that I enjoyed the most was the Terence Blanchard Combo which was directed by Ansyn Banks. This group consisted of Jon Driver who played the saxophone, Doug Finke who played the trombone, Hanks Evans who played the piano, Will Kinman who played the bass, and John Walther who played the drums. Most of the performers were young but the older men still kept up with them and made for a great performance. The band itself felt comfortable playing their instruments, but seemed a little timid when it came to actually performing in front of everyone though. They were confident in what they were doing, but just seemed like they were a bit nervous in the beginning. The energy with each other was a little sluggish at the beginning of their performance but picked up midway through the first song and continued to increases as they performed their second piece of the night. They all got into their instrument and you could really feel the passion they had for playing it as well. The Terence Blanchard...
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...2 Courtney Mustoe Does Rap music Misrepresent African Americans? There are many genera’s in today’s music world. Depending on who a person is, and what their emotions may be, there will always be a song or genera that one can relate to. Some music helps us relax, while others help us to get pumped up. Other music helps us study while some get us ready to party. Music can create closeness with a significant other while sometimes it can relate to our sorrows of a breakup. It can make us happy when we are sad, while in curtain circumstances make us sad when we are happy. Music can take over our thoughts and emotions that create a story we can relate to or a story we are unfamiliar with. It can take us down a street we have never been before. In some aspects this could be a problem. Some listeners might think all country singers are hicks from the south or mid west. Many might assume every punk rocker is a rebellious Goth. So if these presumptions can be made, what is there to stop people from letting a genera of music represent a certain race in our society today? In the past, music was limited by certain branches of music that could air on the radio and one genera in particular, rap, had to fight its way through the music industry to be heard. Its roots came from the hip-hop culture which includes rapping, graffiti, break dancing, DJing (audio mixing or scratching) ect. After rap was recognized, over the years, changes within the music industry and what the media...
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...The Kora and originated in Africa and is most commonly classified as an harp-lute. As the Kora is discussed, there will be an exploration of the structure and typology, specifically in regards to its musical classification. As the discussion and exploration continues the cultural context in which the Kora is played will be investigated as well has also identifying and analyzing a context in which the Kora is played in a non-traditional setting. Firstly, before we can understand the culture surrounding the Kora and the differing cultural aspects of when it is played, there must be an exploration into the understanding of the structure, typology and history. The Kora is reported to have originated in the Guinea-Bissau area, however many people recognise the Kora from the many famous players of the Kora (from the Malo region) and therefore associate its origin to the Malo area. The Kora has been modified since its first creation, the most common Kora known is known for its 21 strings. Other modifications include the 18 stringed versions. However the original Kora was probably an adaptation of another existing harp (Oxford University Press 2007-2014). The kora was probably created by adding strings to an existing Mande harp, of which there are several with three to eight strings. Known as spike harps, these are a type unique to West Africa . The curved neck (a feature shared with other arched harps of the world) spikes the body as on the kora, and a string carrier stands upright...
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...Hip Hop music is the most popular music that is out in today's world. Blacks, whites, and latinos listen to Hip Hop music that is being played. What the question is a lot of people would like to know and come to a complete agreement on is who does hip hop music belong to. Hip Hop music belongs to a cultural group, African Americans. African Americans are the ones who started it first. African Americans know how to make it come alive and they can relate more to it. Everyone wants to know the fact and truth on who does hip hop music belong to. Hip Hop music belongs to everyone but however, it belongs to African Americans. Some may say it's a racial standard and that it's not true are right to give a group all the credit for something they started, but it's true. Hip Hop started in 1970, in south Bronx in New York city, with the African American youth residing in the Bronx. First, Hip Hop artist was the Sugar Hill Gang. Hip Hop was inspired by the urban black community. Hip Hop music started in one area before...
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...social change those ideals are reflected in the music being created at that time. “Music has been one social arena more inclusive than many other arenas in American society.” (SOURCE HERE). However, the prejudice that has existed within our society is still equally as evident in music. When examining race relations throughout history, it is clear that while music was a tool used to liberate people of color it additionally has been utilized to suppress them. This suppression is apparent in the stereotypical imagery employed in song lyrics, performance styles like blackface, and the misappropriating of the credit...
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...Research Evaluation: The Behavior of African American People through Hip Hop Music Papi Jean Florida Memorial University Introduction The Growth of Hip Hop in America As hip hop continues to grow into a major aspect of the modern African American culture, the studies intend to distinguish the mass outlook of black people in America. It is incredible that this single genre of music has transformed into a vital communication mechanism for an entire race and may even become larger in future generations of African American people. The other races, in America, have gotten an idea of African Americans through the controversial rap music in which black people use to communicate with each other, and outsiders; the non-blacks. The study revolves mainly around the attitudes which have deemed as common in the black culture; rap music has always been open for interpretation which can lead to danger. The music has become so popular and influential to the youth that many crimes have been linked to the music which fuels an efficient form controversy in America. Do people receive the negative aspects of rap more than the positive aspects? If so, then why? Also, why are the positive approaches of hip hop not made commercial rather than the sex, drugs, and violence? There is belief that the music has a great influence on how the other races in America view the black culture. It is not certain whether rap music is more negative than positive, but it is obviously a notorious topic for many...
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...African American music changed drastically during the film Dreamgirls. The film portrayed how African American music was centered on the feelings and emotions of the artist, with references to religion as well. R&B star Jimmy "Thunder" Early mentions early in the film that if is a part of a song, then the song must have some “soul.” This was a belief of African American artists at the time, which is the reason why the artists were only deemed successful within the African American community. Also, sex appeal was not deemed as necessary for the success of music in the African American community because music was viewed as a form of expression, not just a product to make music. African American music changed in the film Dreamgirls because Curtis believed the reason for music was to make money and the way African American music was being made was not making music, so the music had to be changed. The changes included not relaying an emotionally driven message such as Jimmy’s song “Fake Your Way to the Top.” The song tells a story of going around acting if you have money until the point in time where you actually make money. Curtis knew what sold was not songs that told a story or had a message, but songs that had a catchy hook. Curtis Taylor believed to be viewed as the best by a larger audience, African Americans needed to change the style and tone of the music. Curtis persuaded Jimmy to have “The Dreamettes” sing backup for him. The success Jimmy encountered listening...
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...Shiquita Jones 6/5/08 Expository Essay Every culture has some form of music they practice or enjoy listening to. Music can have a huge impact around the world. Music has important themes or meanings that can be positive or negative. Music originated around the globe. Music is created for all ages to listen to; however it can be harmful to certain people for various reasons. Some cultures musical styles are similar; however many are also different. African Americans have quite different musical rhythms and instruments from the musical traditions of Native Americans. In this essay I will explain the differences and similarities between Iroquois, a Native American tribe and African American music. Music is used for various reasons between Iroquois and African Americans. It is used for recreation, rituals and ceremonies, story telling, and language. For example, African Americans sung spiritual songs to help one another during slavery, so the master wouldn't know what they were talking about. Music was also used in Iroquois and Africans Americans society by communicating with others parts of the world. Music was used as an early sign of general cultural diffusion. (Plantinga, p.6) Music is used to help expand our world and cultures. Music is a part of most activities that African Americans and Iroquois tribes enjoy. Music is taught and learned orally by both cultures. This means that they are sung and played together easily;...
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...188-024 Research Essay December 13th, 2013 How Women Are Portrayed in Music In today’s society, the genres of rap and R&B are one of the most popular forms of music. Conversely, the ideas and lyrics of many songs fall into these genres tend to be violent, offensive, vulgar and sexist. We can see that sexism in rap music is apparent through the negative portrayal of women found in both the lyrics and music videos. This is an important issue because rap is so popularized today that these negative depictions of women, especially African American women, is potentially giving its viewers the idea that it is acceptable to treat women in such demeaning ways. Most of the time, we do not comprehend the message that is being sent through songs we listen to. We as society need to become more conscious of the music we listen to. Over the years, rap and rap music videos have repetitively become more and more sexual and degrading towards women. Rap has been criticized various times for this reason. The excuses used to justify the misogyny in rap are inadequate and lack accurate support. The most effective way for this continuous cycle to end is if the fight and protest comes from the women themselves. Men are the problem in the objectification of women but in order for it to stop, women need to step up and take control of the situation. Misogyny and degradation of women does exist in almost every genre of music, yet the Elmhorst 2 one genre that completely revolves around belittling...
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...was based on a movement of more than 6 million African Americans who migrated from the Southern states to northern Midwest states in the 20th century. This caused a major change on the urban life in the United States. This was a voluntary, enacted movement of these African Americans. At the end of the civil war, the bulk of these freed men stayed in the south because they had no means of going anywhere and were stuck sharecropping. During this migration, for the most part, the early migration at the end of WWI and during WWI occurred in some 8 northern major cities, like New York, 2/3 of these African Americans moved to these major cities. It’s almost different after WWII, but to western and northern cities cites like Denver. The first great migration occurs in the outbreak of WWI, which includes 1 million African Americans. When the factory buttons go on, mass industrialization occurs not only in factories but with the growth of new railroads and need for automobiles. This causes a need for employment not just cause there’s more jobs but...
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...When someone says “music”, one might think of a favorite song or band; not necessarily what kind of an impact music truly has. When someone says “segregation”, the mind thinks of multiple things not being able to be together. But people not being able to be together are not always a common one. The merging of these two things starting a revolution that lasted decades. With the power of music and famous people, integration was procured between the white and African American cultures. White people always saw themselves as being “above” the African Americans. For too long “’triple evils of racism, economic exploitations and militarism’ explaining the perils of capitalism and how that system is slanted against Americanized Africans” (“Dr. Martin...
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...In Tracey Sherard’s 1998 analysis, “Sonny's Bebop: Baldwin's ‘Blues Text’ as Intracultural Critique,” which covers James Baldwin’s 1957 intuitive short story, “Sonny’s Blues,” she conveys that Baldwin created the title to be questioned for its connection to jazz or more specifically Bebop, so Baldwin’s intent of broadcasting African American struggles throughout history can be conveyed through a pair of brothers connected by this music, which acts as a medium for his ultimate message. The author portrays his story of the two brothers where, through music, they eventually accept their living conditions and overcome the emotional barriers that were placed on them due to not only their African American history, but also the conditions they were...
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...for African Americans to flourish and move from the southern slums to the “Big Cities,” were there was opportunities at reach. Renaissance means, “rebirth” another name for the “Harlem Renaissance”, is the New Negro Movement. Harlem is located in one of the biggest where cultural advancements New York City. During this time, Harlem became a cultural center buzzing with new ideas and attracting...
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...African American had been in slavery for centuries. It was finally time for a cultural celebration. In 1890 hundreds or thousands African American moved north.This movement was called the Great Migration. The Great Migration was when African Americans moved from the south to the north. Many African American discovered that they went through the same problems. Instead of them being upset and depressed they made it a culture pride. African American did come from the Harlem Renaissance. How It Started During the World War 1, factories had some problems with workers. African Americans in the south took this as a chance to start over. Harlem, New York became a fond place for African Americans. After a while Harlem became a places for African...
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...Thesis Statement: Hollywood portrays African Americans in a way that reinforce many misconceptions by the majority, rather than projecting an objective reality. Often times limiting African Americans to star in “stereotypical” roles. After watching numerous films, I found that African Americans in Hollywood were generally depicted in service or blue-collar occupations, such as a house cleaner or a postal worker. Similarly, in an extensive review of Blacks in film, I found that Hollywood often portrayed African Americans in occupational roles, such as a servant, a crook, a cook, an entertainer, a musician, a sad non-White person, an exhibitionist, an athlete, or a corrupt individual. Moreover, in viewing various films they only affirm that most stereotypes about Blacks are...
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