... The genre of country music has brought about many controversial issues, like in the example of Carrie Underwood’s catchy tune, cheating and retribution. The bluntness of this enriched genre of music, based on our patriotic roots as Americans, gives off a distasteful and bitter taste to those who don’t see themselves above country- loving or uneducated ‘hicks.’ Critics of country music in the article ‘Acting Naturally: Cultural Distinction and Critiques of Pure Country’ cannot comprehend what is portrayed in this type of music, something of which us ‘hicks’ like to refer to as the ‘simple life’. Country music may be controversial, but it has been able to overcome the stereotypes so that now even those who aren’t living the ‘country life’ can enjoy its passion- filled quality. Country music has always been a very popular form of expression that has been loved by people since its’ beginning in the stereotyped, southern sound form. Also considered to own the fastest growing audience in America, country music has certainly earned its place being the favorite form of music in many people’s hearts. However, just because we as we choose to listen to this music, does not mean “we're all store-bought cowboys and armchair hillbillies.” In fact, classifying a person according to the music they decide to listen to does little to describe the actual person. These people are found in all different types of music; limiting these trend lovers to just country music is certainly a sign of...
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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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...individual. Thus, the exact reason why America is so unique and diverse. Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone is her own person and is confident in everything she does. She is my idol, and I have personally been to her concerts and plan to attend more. Even though Madonna is 58 years old, she preforms better than most people my age. She has lived her American dream of being a singer, songwriter, mother, and actress. She has achieved this dream by pushing the social boundaries of everyday life. Hence, why it is so inspirational to learn about her American experience Madonna’s early life portrays vastly the image of herself now. Through all her troubles she faced, she was able to make them into her muse, which made her music resemble her whole self. Madonna was born in Michigan to parents Silvio “Tony” Ciccone and Madonna Fortin. Since Madonna had the same first name as her mother, family members would call her by the nickname “Little Nonni”. Madonna’s mother died from breast cancer when Madonna was five years old. Not having a mother, Madonna states: "’I think the biggest reason I was able to express myself...
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...“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” This profound statement from English writer, Aldous Huxley, demonstrates the importance that music obtains in today’s society. Simply, music is a form of expression, not limited to any specific genre. Although this expression is not limited to one genre, there is one that seemingly obtains the title of most controversial. The Rap/Hip-Hop genre has been harshly criticized for the topics of discussion in which many songs entail, and the various projected images. Everything has its pros and cons; many people have lost sight of its purpose. Student of Dartmouth College, Rebecca Heller states, "Many people don't realize that hip-hop began by bringing communities and neighborhoods together on the streets of the South Bronx." Hip-Hop is not only a tool of personal expression, but it is also a tool of communal empowerment. Tricia Rose, author of Black Noise, writes that “it is a black cultural expression that prioritizes black voices from the margins of urban America” (2). Hip-Hop is a social movement. It is a way for the African-American community to identify, as the search for identification is a struggle. “Hip hop emerges from a complex cultural exchanges and larger social and political conditions of disillusionment and alienation” (59). In today’s society, the best method in connecting to the youth is the media outlet, through music or television. So how does Rap/Hip-Hop influence today’s youth? It influences...
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...From the controversial lyrics to the aggressive and unapologetic attitude, rap music is the voice of urban culture. Rap music gives people the confidence to do and say how they feel. It pushes boundaries, even in uncomfortable situations. It expresses the harsh reality in urban and rural cities in such a artistic and realistic way. It is not just about the energetic instrumentals or the catchy metaphors , it’s about the content. Rap music touches on subjects like politics, sexual exploits, and personal uniqueness. It is considered to be the perfect example of postmodern music. It’s affect on American culture is phenomenal. Rap is not just a genre of music, it is a lifestyle. From the clothes people wear, to the way people talk, rap is more than the...
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...everyone else” (Emerson). This quote accurately depicts the intention of creating music for others. In the 90s, the grunge and rap communities would express annoyance towards how society functioned during this chaotic decade. The United States was undergoing an economic boom which affected the music world. In terms of political change, the government and society had disagreements over the scandals and controversial issues being discussed throughout communities around the country. The 1990s revolutionized the grunge and rap music genre and its society during that time by creating a sense of rebellion, self-expression, a...
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...today, its power influences the entire world. Its message is unfiltered, at times angry, controversial, misunderstood, inspiring, and thought-provoking, and in many ways, hip-hop is the deafening voice of the minority. To many people who follow hip-hop almost religiously, the Mecca of hip-hop is the Bronx, New York City. The phenomenon started In 1975 when a local Jamaican immigrant and DJ named Kool Herc burst on to the scene with a new style of music in which he employed break-beats over samples of James Brown records. According to the writers of Old School Hip Hop.com “Kool Herc is the father of [the] underground sound from New York that found its way to becoming a worldwide phenomenon” (n.p). However, many other hip-hop historians credit James Brown much more than Herc, and even Kool Herc himself is quoted in a New Black Magazine. Com article crediting Brown with the words, “if it weren’t for James Brown, there would be no such thing as hip-hop” (n.p.) In short, if the Bronx is the Mecca of hip-hop, then James Brown is Allah, and DJ Kool Herc is the Prophet Mohammed. In the early years, hip-hop’s first emcees were DJ’s. It was their job to entertain the crowd, keep the party alive, and introduce the records that they were playing. Kool Herc was the first to employ other emcees to speak over his records for him. According to Piero Scarufi, author of “A History of Rock and Dance Music”, Herc’s emcees, known as the Herculoids, were Jamaican immigrants who appropriated the...
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...wanted to rap and to be a star one day. Over the years he freestyle in some local clubs and participated in some competitions. It wasn't until 1997 that he was recognized, he won the Wake Up Show Freestyle Performer of the Year from L.A. Djs Sway and Tech and earned second place in Rap Sheet magazine's "Rap Olympics," an annual freestyle rap competition. Then in 1998 he released The Slim Shady LP, his first known record. "Slim Shady is the evil side of me, the sarcastic foul-mouthed side of me," Eminem says during an interview with the Source. In 2000 he released his second cd, The Marshall Mathers LP. Eminem has been known as one of the most provocative, controversial rappers in contemporary pop music. A lot of people think he can get away with this because he is the first "legitimate" white rapper. "I'm white in a music started by black people. I'm not ignorant to the culture and I'm not trying to take anything away from the culture," he said in his defense. "But no one has a choice where they grew up or what color they are. If you're a kid or a ghetto kid you have no control over your circumstance. The only control you have is to get out of your situation or stay in it." There have been several attempts to keep Eminem from playing certain shows in his tour, because they think that his lyrics violate harassment categorically on the basis of sexual orientation and sex within the state or school. "Don't take everything I say literally," Eminem said shortly after the...
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...Culture Wars Culture wars; there have always been a variety of music to listen to such as Country, Pop, Latin, Hip Hop and Rap. The meaning of culture wars to me is people who dislike a certain genre for instance rap music. Some people are against rap music because of the controversial meaning that songs have. In this paper you will be reading on an interview for Foxx 11 news with O’reily interviewing rap icon Cameron and CEO producer Damon Dash. Principal Salome Thomas-EL asked a couple of questions stating that gangster music is a terrorizing impact on his students, On my opinion you can never tell a rapper they have a negative effect on the youth. It’s their work and their art and what they do as a musician. For example when you hear the stories of kids shooting up a school, was it the rap music they listen to? No, it is the parent’s responsibility to moderate what their kids listen to, it’s wrong for people to blame rappers for the actions that people make. O’reily interviewed rap icon Cameron and CEO producer Damon Dash. During this interview there was also a principal from an elementary school who had questions for the rap stars. The principal complained that the kids at his school look up to the rap star and he thinks Cameron is showing a bad example. He confronted Cameron asking him why his music is so negative when there are little kids listening to his music. Cameron replied that his music is just what he see’s and what he goes through as a person. He...
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...NAME: Carolyn Rabon THESIS: Treatments and therapies used with dementia patients. BACKGROUND: Dementia is a disease that affects the elderly. Although there are at least ten different kinds of dementia, Alzheimer’s is the one that affects most people. In fact, out of every 100 cases of dementia, over sixty percent is Alzheimer’s. There has been much study on treatment and therapy, some with better results than others. Antipsychotic drugs have been used for years and years with little or no change. New treatments and therapy’s now include music with wonderful results. OBJECTIVE: The most controversial treatment for dementia is music rather than antipsychotic drugs that just seem to mask the problem and sometimes with worse results. I plan on showing how useful music can be in the treatment and therapies used on people with this mind crippling disease. SUPPORTING POINTS: Music therapy is a better choice of treatment. 1. Some patients respond by singing. 2. Some people respond by clapping their hands 3. Some people react by dancing Advantages: 1. Treatment is non Invasive 2. In some cases it eliminates the use of antipsychotic drugs 3. It “awakens” some memories long locked away This treatment can help the family or caregivers also: 1. Families are able to keep loved ones home longer 2. Families can see the miracle of recognition of memories long forgot 3. Families can , in some cases, eliminate the need for outside caregiving ...
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...Evolution of Christian Music Christian music has evolved over the past decades, but how far is too far when it comes to Christian music? There are many types of Christian music in today’s society. The different genres are Christian rock, Christian rap, Christian pop, adult contemporary, praise and worship, and children’s music. Many people argue that Christian music cannot be anything but old time hymns out of the hymnal, but many others believe that they produce inspiring Christian music. In conclusion, Christian music is viewed to be two totally different genres, but each have one purpose. To begin, Christian music is defined as an expression of our faith in the trinity and is an outlet to praise and bring glory to the Father (Hill...
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...Philosophy of Music The philosophy of music involves a study of basic questions regarding music, such as what music really is, what are the conditions that classify something as music (as opposed to noise, for example), how does culture influence music, how music is perceived as pleasurable and what is the relationship between music and emotions. While music has been defined as organized sound, many people maintain that this definition is too broad, as human speech and the noise produced by machinery are also organized sounds. Music can refer to a printed piece of paper, sound waves traveling through the air to reach the listener's ear, magnetic tape or a CD (the physical object the music is recorded on), the electrochemical changes occurring in the brain when music is listened to or the action of fingers strumming across guitar strings. Although music can be defined as the art or science of combining instrumental, vocal or both instrumental and vocal sounds together to produce beauty and harmony, many pieces of music are neither beautiful nor harmonious. The lack of harmony has been described as a rebellion against traditional European musical values. Ambient music, a term coined by Brian Eno in the mid-1970s, refers to non-traditional music that can be listened to or ignored. Used as soundtracks for films, television shows and video games, ambient music often consists of random sounds of nature, industrial machine noises, echoes and reverberations. Some controversial musical compositions...
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...on the UK chart in November and later it became the most commercially successful song of John Lenon’s career. Although not originally released as a single in the UK, it was released in 1975 to promote a compliation LP and it reached number 6 in the chart that year. This song earned a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and an induction into the Rock and Roll of Fames 500 songs that shaped up Rock and Roll. John Lenon who is the singer of the song, is one of the greatest singers that made an impact in Rock music industry. He is an English rock-star, guitarist, and the songwriter that wrote most of his music for the Beatles. He was also well known for being a character that was not afraid to express his feelings and opinions. Often expressed in his songs, his feelings can be clearly understood by just listening to his wonderful lyrics and the music as well. He lived in 1940-1980 dying at the age of 40 by assassination in his own apartment. This brings along one of John Lenon’s most controversial songs “Imagine”. Both Beatles and strictly John Lenon fans would label this particular song, a masterpiece. In this song “Imagine” he promotes the idea of peace among humans with no religion, possesions, or countries “nothing to kill or dies for”, but just to live for today. The Piano is used as the main instrument while chords used in the song were simply yet moving, not at all like the techno-electric, auto tuned sounds that we put in our music nowadays....
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...Music censorship began its journey in the early 1950’s with the “controversial” music of Blacks during the time period. It has then evolved from a form of racism to a method of suppression. It touches all major genres, but is most commonly issues with both rap and rock music. Major groups such as the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) have been formed to try and monitor the lyrical messages that are expressed in songs. The RIAA is not out to completely censor music, but to advise buyers of the messages they may be listening to on a certain album. Then there is the party that feels censorship at any level shall not be present. It is suppressing one’s First Amendment rights in freedom of expression and also suppresses an artist abilities to fully paint a vivid picture with their lyrics to the audience. The last group believes that censorship is a must, and that any songs that carry the censored material shall be taken off of the shelves. That specific group believes that contaminating society with explicit lyrics should not reward artists. The side that believes censorship of music should not exist at all states that music is a form of art. Many tend to separate music from forms of art, such as paintings and poetry. However, the lyrics in the music are an art form as well, and they cannot restrict that due in part to the First Amendment. It is part of our Bill of Rights as American citizens, and no governing powers can take that away from us. Also, society favors contemporary...
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...MTV Now vs before Most people remember the MTV as the channel as one could turn on and watch actual music videos all day long and represented its title in MTV standing for music television. Nowadays it is rare to turn on MTV and watch a video at all. Instead of a video anymore is reality shows and talk shows that don’t relate with music at all. People counted on them to provide the latest videos, the hottest information to keep them up with your favorite musicians. Personally I am disappointed whenever I turn on MTV because there is never music playing which was the reason that I watched MTV in the first place. Any person can easily look at the schedule for the day in the TV guide and see nothing on MTV channel relating to music. Now all you see is stupid reality shows. Before there were not very many shows at all but the ones that there were more about music news, concerts upcoming events, or occasionally a controversial show such as, Beavis and Butthead. Which in its day posed a problem for the rather conservative. The rest of the time it was all straight music and videos. Nowadays instead of being able to watch all your favorite videos on MTV you must have access to the Internet with a lot of people do not have. If there is access the Internet you can watch all of your videos on you tube. I even took a small survey and fourteen out of twenty people I asked don’t even remember seeing videos on music television nor do they remember sex and profanity prohibited which proves...
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