Etymology
The word music comes from the Greek mousikê (tekhnê) by way of the Latin created it in "measure, number and weight". The proportions of the spheres of the planets and stars (which at the time were still thought to revolve around the earth) were perceived as a form of music, without necessarily implying that any sound would be heard—music refers strictly to the mathematical proportions. From this concept later resulted the romantic idea of a music of the spheres. Musica humana, designated the proportions of the human body. These were thought to reflect the proportions of the Heavens and as such, to be an expression of God's greatness. To Medieval thinking, all things were connected with each other—a mode of thought that finds its traces today in the occult sciences or esoteric thought—ranging from astrology to believing certain minerals have certain beneficiary effects.
Musica instrumentalis, finally, was the lowliest of the three disciplines and referred to the manifestation of those same mathematical proportions in sound—be it sung or played on instruments. The polyphonic organization of different melodies to sound at the same time was still a relatively new invention then, and it is understandable that the mathematical or physical relationships in frequency that give rise to the musical intervals as we hear them, should be foremost among the preoccupations of Medieval musicians.
Translations
The languages of many cultures do not include a word for or that would be translated as music. Inuit and most North American Indian languages do not have a general term for music. Among the Aztecs, the ancient Mexican theory of rhetorics, poetry, dance, and instrumental music, used the Nahuatl term In xochitl-in kwikatl to refer a complex mix of music and other poetic verbal and non-verbal elements, and reserve the word Kwikakayotl (or cuicacayotl) only for the sung expressions (Leon-Portilla 2007, 11). In Africa there is no term for music in Tiv, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik, Birom, Hausa, Idoma, Eggon or Jarawa. Many other languages have terms which only partly cover what Europeans mean by the term music (Schafer). The Mapuche of Argentina do not have a word for music, but they do have words for instrumental versus improvised forms (kantun), European and non-Mapuche music (kantun winka), ceremonial songs (öl), and tayil (Robertson 1976, 39).
Some languages in West Africa have no term for music but the speakers do have the concept (Nettl 1989,[citation needed]). Musiqi is the Persian word for the science and art of music, muzik being the sound and performance of music (Sakata 1983,[citation needed]), though some things European influenced listeners would include, such as Quran chanting, are excluded. Actually, there are varying degrees of "musicness"; Quran chanting and Adhan is not considered music, but classical improvised song, classical instrumental metric composition, and popular dance music are.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Art and Music in History
Art and music has always been an integral part of any society; no matter how basic and primitive or complex and advanced. Art is the cultural output of a society that reflects its attitudes, values, morals, and what it considers ideal and beautiful. Art truly is one of the great measures of a civilization and is a window into what a particular culture thought and valued.
The first art forms that we have recorded go back to ancient times before the classical eras of Greeks and Romans. Venus of Willendorf is estimated to have been created in 20,000 B.C. and is a crude statue which probably represents female fertility. Five thousand years later artistic drawings are created on a cave wall in what is now modern-day France. The art shows animals moving in their natural environment. The first major artists in which we have an extensive amount of work were the Ancient Egyptians. There construction of temples, pyramids, sphinxes are all amazing for a time 2500 years before Christ. Much of there artistic accomplishments stand and can be seen today in museums and the Desert. The most recognized form of ancient art would be the Greek and Roman style which produced stunning temples, coliseums. The ancients were most noted for the architectural achievements. Not much is known about ancient music because nothing survived as record of there achievements. Speculation was that the music was probably folksy and lively depending on the area in which it was played. The ancients set the stage for artistic masters to come.
With the coming of Christianity the arts has a new patron, and the Christian Church and its theology will become the dominate subject of the majority of the artistic and musical creations over the next 1000 years. The influence of Christendom was first observed in the Roman period but not until the Medieval and Romanesque periods did Christianity completely dominate Western art. In music the Church put together different monophonic chants such as the Gregorian chant to celebrate Mass. The composers are unknown and there rhythms derived from Latin texts. The Gothic period started in 1100AD and continued until 1400AD. The greatest achievements of this period would be in architecture. The Gothic Cathedral becomes an icon of the Church's power with its new style including elements such as the pointed arch, the pinnacle, flying buttress, nave, and double aisle. Artwork is almost exclusively controlled by the church and the era brought forth such masterpieces as The Annunciation by Simone Martini, Lamination of Christ by Giotto di Bondone. The music of the Gothic era developed into polyphony and the organum was developed. The Gothic era brought to a close the virtual total control the church had over the arts.
Art reached completely new heights when it was able to break away from the strict controls of the Church in the Renaissance period from 1400-1600. The greatest artists and sculptors in history such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci came from the Renaissance. Much of the art was still religious in nature as shown in many of Michelangelo's works but artists like Leonardo were breaking away at times from strictly religious painting as shown in his Mona Lisa. Artists used the same basics as the Gothic artists when it came to line, space, color and formal organization but the humanistic movement of the renaissance brought a whole new aspect to the arts. Humanism brought a different organization of the basic elements of art as used during the Gothic period. Renaissance artists used linear perspective and their colors were brilliantly polychromatic in their paintings. An important tenant held by many renaissance artists was that art must be true to nature. The obsession these artists had with accuracy, creativity and the aesthetic ideal led to one of the most important and beautiful artistic eras of history.
The Baroque and Rococo periods immediately followed the Romantic era, and were full of ornamentation and artistic excess. The term baroque (from Portuguese barroco) translates into "pearl of irregular form". The Baroque period produced such artists as Rembrandt and new uses of shadowing and color became very apparent in paintings. The artistic excess of the Baroque was mostly seen in its architecture which was thought of as an inferior overly ornamentation laden copy of the Renaissance style. The music of the Baroque period emphasized "melodies that were broad and sing able, and harmonies which were rich and full of Pathos. The Baroque period saw the expansion of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Artists such as Rembrandt van Rign were Protestant and Peter Paul Rubens was instrumental in the Catholic response. Great composers such as Handel and Bach came out of this period.
Following the excessiveness of the Baroque came the Classical period which only lasted about fifty years but produced some of the greatest musical talent in History. The Classical period was in response to the excessiveness of the Baroque and stressed perfection of form. Great composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart came from this era. The classical ideal of perfection of form was exhibited in art, architecture and music. The artistic and architectural accomplishments of the period are not terribly significant other than it inspired the Romantic period as a response. New instruments become commonplace such as the piano, the violin, viola, cello ect... The Classical period's emphasis on perfection, led to some of the most beautiful music in history.
The Romantic period saw a great surge in creativity in the artistic realm and the music just kept on evolving into the beautiful works of Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler and Verdi. The romantic era was one of emotion as the world was going through crisis and change. The Romantic artists emphasized freedom and free expression. Many of the paintings showed revolutionary scenes such as Delacroix's "Liberty Leading People" painting created in 1831. Following the Romantic period was the Impressionist period which was mainly concerned with how light affected color in painting. A lot of landscapes were painted and the artist tried to increase the Romantic effort to create feeling. Famous impressionist artists include Monet, Manet, and Renoir.
After the Impressionist movement the Modernistic movement starts the focus of the artist is on creating things that are new and unique in both music and art. Much of the art is basic and tries to represent emotions and the events that are going on in our technological society.
Art and music throughout the ages has gone through many different stages of development and has had its peaks and downfalls. This class has given me a better understanding of the history of the arts and what I consider to be aesthetically pleasing. I look forward to learning more and will continue to develop artistic appreciation as I expose myself to the arts.
About the Author:
John Schlismann has an interest in Art History for more info check out the Art Institute Web Site: http://www.artic.edu
The first art forms that we have recorded go back to ancient times before the classical eras of Greeks and Romans. Venus of Willendorf is estimated to have been created in 20,000 B.C. and is a crude statue which probably represents female fertility. Five thousand years later artistic drawings are created on a cave wall in what is now modern-day France. The art shows animals moving in their natural environment. The first major artists in which we have an extensive amount of work were the Ancient Egyptians. There construction of temples, pyramids, sphinxes are all amazing for a time 2500 years before Christ. Much of there artistic accomplishments stand and can be seen today in museums and the Desert. The most recognized form of ancient art would be the Greek and Roman style which produced stunning temples, coliseums. The ancients were most noted for the architectural achievements. Not much is known about ancient music because nothing survived as record of there achievements. Speculation was that the music was probably folksy and lively depending on the area in which it was played. The ancients set the stage for artistic masters to come.
With the coming of Christianity the arts has a new patron, and the Christian Church and its theology will become the dominate subject of the majority of the artistic and musical creations over the next 1000 years. The influence of Christendom was first observed in the Roman period but not until the Medieval and Romanesque periods did Christianity completely dominate Western art. In music the Church put together different monophonic chants such as the Gregorian chant to celebrate Mass. The composers are unknown and there rhythms derived from Latin texts. The Gothic period started in 1100AD and continued until 1400AD. The greatest achievements of this period would be in architecture. The Gothic Cathedral becomes an icon of the Church's power with its new style including elements such as the pointed arch, the pinnacle, flying buttress, nave, and double aisle. Artwork is almost exclusively controlled by the church and the era brought forth such masterpieces as The Annunciation by Simone Martini, Lamination of Christ by Giotto di Bondone. The music of the Gothic era developed into polyphony and the organum was developed. The Gothic era brought to a close the virtual total control the church had over the arts.
Art reached completely new heights when it was able to break away from the strict controls of the Church in the Renaissance period from 1400-1600. The greatest artists and sculptors in history such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci came from the Renaissance. Much of the art was still religious in nature as shown in many of Michelangelo's works but artists like Leonardo were breaking away at times from strictly religious painting as shown in his Mona Lisa. Artists used the same basics as the Gothic artists when it came to line, space, color and formal organization but the humanistic movement of the renaissance brought a whole new aspect to the arts. Humanism brought a different organization of the basic elements of art as used during the Gothic period. Renaissance artists used linear perspective and their colors were brilliantly polychromatic in their paintings. An important tenant held by many renaissance artists was that art must be true to nature. The obsession these artists had with accuracy, creativity and the aesthetic ideal led to one of the most important and beautiful artistic eras of history.
The Baroque and Rococo periods immediately followed the Romantic era, and were full of ornamentation and artistic excess. The term baroque (from Portuguese barroco) translates into "pearl of irregular form". The Baroque period produced such artists as Rembrandt and new uses of shadowing and color became very apparent in paintings. The artistic excess of the Baroque was mostly seen in its architecture which was thought of as an inferior overly ornamentation laden copy of the Renaissance style. The music of the Baroque period emphasized "melodies that were broad and sing able, and harmonies which were rich and full of Pathos. The Baroque period saw the expansion of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Artists such as Rembrandt van Rign were Protestant and Peter Paul Rubens was instrumental in the Catholic response. Great composers such as Handel and Bach came out of this period.
Following the excessiveness of the Baroque came the Classical period which only lasted about fifty years but produced some of the greatest musical talent in History. The Classical period was in response to the excessiveness of the Baroque and stressed perfection of form. Great composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart came from this era. The classical ideal of perfection of form was exhibited in art, architecture and music. The artistic and architectural accomplishments of the period are not terribly significant other than it inspired the Romantic period as a response. New instruments become commonplace such as the piano, the violin, viola, cello ect... The Classical period's emphasis on perfection, led to some of the most beautiful music in history.
The Romantic period saw a great surge in creativity in the artistic realm and the music just kept on evolving into the beautiful works of Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler and Verdi. The romantic era was one of emotion as the world was going through crisis and change. The Romantic artists emphasized freedom and free expression. Many of the paintings showed revolutionary scenes such as Delacroix's "Liberty Leading People" painting created in 1831. Following the Romantic period was the Impressionist period which was mainly concerned with how light affected color in painting. A lot of landscapes were painted and the artist tried to increase the Romantic effort to create feeling. Famous impressionist artists include Monet, Manet, and Renoir.
After the Impressionist movement the Modernistic movement starts the focus of the artist is on creating things that are new and unique in both music and art. Much of the art is basic and tries to represent emotions and the events that are going on in our technological society.
Art and music throughout the ages has gone through many different stages of development and has had its peaks and downfalls. This class has given me a better understanding of the history of the arts and what I consider to be aesthetically pleasing. I look forward to learning more and will continue to develop artistic appreciation as I expose myself to the arts.
About the Author:
John Schlismann has an interest in Art History for more info check out the Art Institute Web Site: http://www.artic.edu
Friday, July 10, 2009
Hip Hop Music Sales Slump in Digital Age What Does This Mean for the Industry?
Hip hop music was huge in the United States just a few years ago. At one point in 2000, sales even hit a record high of over 1.8 billion USD. That was when Hip Hop R&B had over taken all other genres of music in terms of record sales. To find out why Hip Hop music sales are slumping currently, one has to rewind a little and understand how Hip Hop all started out.
Before Hip Hop got accepted into the mainstream, many Hip Hop artists pretty much stayed underground to practise their art form. No one knew Hip Hop was going to become the titan that it would develop into. When Hip Hop first began, it started out in the streets. It was a movement by people who were disadvantaged, or were ostracized by the community - they were looking for a way to express themselves and their plight. And express themselves they did.
Hip Hop music is spontaneous and witty. For example, when a battle takes place between two artists, the lyrics are never pre-written. Each competitor will be given the opportunity to rap for a certain period of time. The audience is the judge. The culture of rap is that the judging audience is never biased making it a truly democratic art form. Whoever comes up with the most original and creative lyrics will win the battle. Of course, there is an element of like and dislike. So the lyrics have to connect with the audiences as well. The final results of the battle is based on the cheers of the audience. Whoever receive the loudest cheer, wins the battle.
As you can see, Hip Hop arises out of a need for talented artists to be heard. And the artists became really good from years of practising. As they practise, the world remains largely unaware of what is happening. It wasn't until the artists become more entrepreneurial that Hip Hop starts to take off.
Unlike other type of music, the Hip Hop community accepts was far reaching in content and profanity in the lyrics. The market finds it refreshing to hear such profanity in the records. And soon, Hip Hop music took off like a bullet with as much variety in tone as there were people. From the angry rebellious rap, to the happy its a party time songs.
The market soaked it all in mainly because they believed that the artists were just doing their thing - they were voicing repressed feelings, from lack of opportunity or showing you how to enjoy yourself and life. So record sales continued to soar. Recording artists like Eminem, 50 Cent Lil Wayne, Jay Z, T.I and Gucci Mane all did very well in the industry.
Unfortunately, the success of the Hip Hop industry has hit a turning point. In a few short years, sales for Hip Hop music begin to decline, and it continued to decline year after year. Some recording labels, once worth millions of dollars, are now near bankruptcy.
It is clear that the market has taken the time to learn about Hip Hop music and culture and have fully embraced it. After earning billions of dollars in the industry, and being widely accepted in the mainstream, what is the source of the decline in sales?
Many will argue, its all due to the Internet. The new Internet age has brought about many new opportunities along with many new threats to the old industries. Now its easier then ever to commit piracy and unfortunately the record industry has been resistant to change. Too stuck in the old mind frame and old distribution channels to fully embrace what the Internet could really mean for them.
Hip Hop artists are now being heard all over the world. There is no longer the element of distribution channels or lag from the artist to the market. Why? Because the Internet makes it instantaneous. As such old walls have been broken down where people had to wait for months or search relentlessly to be able to acquire all of an artists past works.
As such artists must continue to evolve in order to continue thriving. Perhaps it's still back to basics. No more focusing on big marketing budgets and record label driving initiatives. Maybe what the Internet has done is take Hip Hop out of the corporate boardrooms and back to the streets where all that counts is just great rap music lyrics from the heart.
About the Author:
Gen Wright
For more information on Hip Hop Music and Hip Hop Videos, please visit our website.
http://www.urbanmvp.com
Before Hip Hop got accepted into the mainstream, many Hip Hop artists pretty much stayed underground to practise their art form. No one knew Hip Hop was going to become the titan that it would develop into. When Hip Hop first began, it started out in the streets. It was a movement by people who were disadvantaged, or were ostracized by the community - they were looking for a way to express themselves and their plight. And express themselves they did.
Hip Hop music is spontaneous and witty. For example, when a battle takes place between two artists, the lyrics are never pre-written. Each competitor will be given the opportunity to rap for a certain period of time. The audience is the judge. The culture of rap is that the judging audience is never biased making it a truly democratic art form. Whoever comes up with the most original and creative lyrics will win the battle. Of course, there is an element of like and dislike. So the lyrics have to connect with the audiences as well. The final results of the battle is based on the cheers of the audience. Whoever receive the loudest cheer, wins the battle.
As you can see, Hip Hop arises out of a need for talented artists to be heard. And the artists became really good from years of practising. As they practise, the world remains largely unaware of what is happening. It wasn't until the artists become more entrepreneurial that Hip Hop starts to take off.
Unlike other type of music, the Hip Hop community accepts was far reaching in content and profanity in the lyrics. The market finds it refreshing to hear such profanity in the records. And soon, Hip Hop music took off like a bullet with as much variety in tone as there were people. From the angry rebellious rap, to the happy its a party time songs.
The market soaked it all in mainly because they believed that the artists were just doing their thing - they were voicing repressed feelings, from lack of opportunity or showing you how to enjoy yourself and life. So record sales continued to soar. Recording artists like Eminem, 50 Cent Lil Wayne, Jay Z, T.I and Gucci Mane all did very well in the industry.
Unfortunately, the success of the Hip Hop industry has hit a turning point. In a few short years, sales for Hip Hop music begin to decline, and it continued to decline year after year. Some recording labels, once worth millions of dollars, are now near bankruptcy.
It is clear that the market has taken the time to learn about Hip Hop music and culture and have fully embraced it. After earning billions of dollars in the industry, and being widely accepted in the mainstream, what is the source of the decline in sales?
Many will argue, its all due to the Internet. The new Internet age has brought about many new opportunities along with many new threats to the old industries. Now its easier then ever to commit piracy and unfortunately the record industry has been resistant to change. Too stuck in the old mind frame and old distribution channels to fully embrace what the Internet could really mean for them.
Hip Hop artists are now being heard all over the world. There is no longer the element of distribution channels or lag from the artist to the market. Why? Because the Internet makes it instantaneous. As such old walls have been broken down where people had to wait for months or search relentlessly to be able to acquire all of an artists past works.
As such artists must continue to evolve in order to continue thriving. Perhaps it's still back to basics. No more focusing on big marketing budgets and record label driving initiatives. Maybe what the Internet has done is take Hip Hop out of the corporate boardrooms and back to the streets where all that counts is just great rap music lyrics from the heart.
About the Author:
Gen Wright
For more information on Hip Hop Music and Hip Hop Videos, please visit our website.
http://www.urbanmvp.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Lets Talk About Hip-Hop
Congress wants to talk about Hip-Hop; well so do I…
“I said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie, The hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it To the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie, To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.” Bar none, the most famous rap lyric of all time. From hip-hop heads to novices, the Sugar Hill Gang’s Rappers Delight still holds the crown as the most renowned rap song, unparalleled. Hip-hop started as a voice of the streets; a voice of frustration coming from the inner city. Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five’s The Message served as “news from the ghetto” to show America what was really going on in our neighborhoods. We then entered the world of Paul Revere and My Addidas. From the Beastie Boys to Run-DMC; hip-hop was beginning to make a world wide impact. With the early nineties came a new style of hip-hop; gangster rap. Bursting on the scene was a group of angry black males that were ready to voice their fury through music. NWA (N***** with attitudes) was able to showcase their rage and aggravation with a style not seen before. Spewing curse words with lyrics like F*** the police; NWA made such an impression on American society that former Vice President Dan Quayle attempted to have their records pulled from shelves and their concerts cancelled. As the nineties progressed; so did hip-hop. The genre of rap music and the culture of hip-hop became so massive that it eventually grew into a multi-billion dollar industry. But with all of its popularity hip-hop has never been able to shake negativity. Hip-hop has attempted to portray itself as an art form that is simply a voice of the African-American community. Unfortunately, America is not buying what they are selling. So how do we begin to convince America that what we have to say constitutes a valid argument? By changing our approach.
Kanye West’s latest release, Graduation, was skillfully crafted as an album full of anthems with a positive message. However, Kanye has always been portrayed as a positive hip-hop artist. He is the latest example of how rap music can make an impact without being viewed as desecrating to American society. As mentioned earlier; the song The Message was one of the first examples of how hip-hop can serve as a positive stimulate to enact social change within American society. Unfortunately, rappers can become victims of the violence that is depicted in their music. When Boogie Down Productions DJ Scott La Rock was gunned down because of gang violence; KRS-One helped to organize an all-star ensemble of rappers to construct the song Self Destruction. The set featured Public Enemy, MC Lyte, Just Ice, Stetasonic, KRS-One and Daddy-O. Self Destruction had the focus of helping to end gang violence. The song’s message was felt heavily throughout hip-hop. It was able to express a meaning of unity and optimism while depicting the negative images connected with inner city violence. This approach was one of success and one of warning. The song gave caution that if this type of behavior does not cease; our society is deemed for failure. It was also able to show that the hip-hop culture is able to come together for the common good of a just cause.
Rappers in today’s hip-hop culture are controlled by capital. We cannot blame all rappers for their lyrical content as most are under contractual obligations through their record companies. Some rappers are bound by their agreements to release 2 – 3 songs extolling their love for jewelry and admiration for women. If Congress wants to truly have a discussion on the issue of lyrics within hip-hop; it is only fair to invite the record companies to the conversation as well. Major music labels such as Interscope and Universal records make billions of dollars off these types of records. One of the most popular rap records of all time entitled Bling Bling was created strictly to flaunt rappers love of jewelry. Some rappers spend upwards of $500,000 on rings, watches, necklaces and diamonds in their teeth. This type of music does not resonate well with most parents as it sends the wrong message to kids. Instead of placing a value on matters that will instill a sense of self worth in children; the music is only meant to attract children and teenagers to purchase the record
Rappers also have to take on a more responsible role in this battle. Those that have achieved a status of affluence through rap music have a responsibility to give back to the culture they took so much away from. Starting a foundation or chartable organization is not enough to satisfy the appetite for change within the hip-hop community. Rappers with riches must help promote artist that want to change the status quo and challenge record labels that continue to release negative music.
While my opinion is strictly that of a person on the outside looking into a very complex situation; it’s important that we question what we deem as un-fit or un-worthy. While I am a hip-hop head to the fullest degree; I do not like the direction in which my culture is headed. That culture being of course…..is hip-hop.
About the Author:
Jason Henry started writing a few years ago with the angle of "sparking positive debate through writing." To enhance his writing skills and share his writing with the world, he started his own newsletter entitled "The Henry Project." A by product of the newsletter is his blog with the same name. Mr. Henry continues to provide his opinion on a number of issues facing America today. You can check out his blog at aanw.blogspot.com.
“I said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie, The hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it To the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie, To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.” Bar none, the most famous rap lyric of all time. From hip-hop heads to novices, the Sugar Hill Gang’s Rappers Delight still holds the crown as the most renowned rap song, unparalleled. Hip-hop started as a voice of the streets; a voice of frustration coming from the inner city. Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five’s The Message served as “news from the ghetto” to show America what was really going on in our neighborhoods. We then entered the world of Paul Revere and My Addidas. From the Beastie Boys to Run-DMC; hip-hop was beginning to make a world wide impact. With the early nineties came a new style of hip-hop; gangster rap. Bursting on the scene was a group of angry black males that were ready to voice their fury through music. NWA (N***** with attitudes) was able to showcase their rage and aggravation with a style not seen before. Spewing curse words with lyrics like F*** the police; NWA made such an impression on American society that former Vice President Dan Quayle attempted to have their records pulled from shelves and their concerts cancelled. As the nineties progressed; so did hip-hop. The genre of rap music and the culture of hip-hop became so massive that it eventually grew into a multi-billion dollar industry. But with all of its popularity hip-hop has never been able to shake negativity. Hip-hop has attempted to portray itself as an art form that is simply a voice of the African-American community. Unfortunately, America is not buying what they are selling. So how do we begin to convince America that what we have to say constitutes a valid argument? By changing our approach.
Kanye West’s latest release, Graduation, was skillfully crafted as an album full of anthems with a positive message. However, Kanye has always been portrayed as a positive hip-hop artist. He is the latest example of how rap music can make an impact without being viewed as desecrating to American society. As mentioned earlier; the song The Message was one of the first examples of how hip-hop can serve as a positive stimulate to enact social change within American society. Unfortunately, rappers can become victims of the violence that is depicted in their music. When Boogie Down Productions DJ Scott La Rock was gunned down because of gang violence; KRS-One helped to organize an all-star ensemble of rappers to construct the song Self Destruction. The set featured Public Enemy, MC Lyte, Just Ice, Stetasonic, KRS-One and Daddy-O. Self Destruction had the focus of helping to end gang violence. The song’s message was felt heavily throughout hip-hop. It was able to express a meaning of unity and optimism while depicting the negative images connected with inner city violence. This approach was one of success and one of warning. The song gave caution that if this type of behavior does not cease; our society is deemed for failure. It was also able to show that the hip-hop culture is able to come together for the common good of a just cause.
Rappers in today’s hip-hop culture are controlled by capital. We cannot blame all rappers for their lyrical content as most are under contractual obligations through their record companies. Some rappers are bound by their agreements to release 2 – 3 songs extolling their love for jewelry and admiration for women. If Congress wants to truly have a discussion on the issue of lyrics within hip-hop; it is only fair to invite the record companies to the conversation as well. Major music labels such as Interscope and Universal records make billions of dollars off these types of records. One of the most popular rap records of all time entitled Bling Bling was created strictly to flaunt rappers love of jewelry. Some rappers spend upwards of $500,000 on rings, watches, necklaces and diamonds in their teeth. This type of music does not resonate well with most parents as it sends the wrong message to kids. Instead of placing a value on matters that will instill a sense of self worth in children; the music is only meant to attract children and teenagers to purchase the record
Rappers also have to take on a more responsible role in this battle. Those that have achieved a status of affluence through rap music have a responsibility to give back to the culture they took so much away from. Starting a foundation or chartable organization is not enough to satisfy the appetite for change within the hip-hop community. Rappers with riches must help promote artist that want to change the status quo and challenge record labels that continue to release negative music.
While my opinion is strictly that of a person on the outside looking into a very complex situation; it’s important that we question what we deem as un-fit or un-worthy. While I am a hip-hop head to the fullest degree; I do not like the direction in which my culture is headed. That culture being of course…..is hip-hop.
About the Author:
Jason Henry started writing a few years ago with the angle of "sparking positive debate through writing." To enhance his writing skills and share his writing with the world, he started his own newsletter entitled "The Henry Project." A by product of the newsletter is his blog with the same name. Mr. Henry continues to provide his opinion on a number of issues facing America today. You can check out his blog at aanw.blogspot.com.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
History And Music Live At The Apollo Theater
Since 1934, every Wednesday evening aspiring artists take the stage at New York City's Apollo Theater. They come with hopes that the magic of the historical theater and the approval of the audience will launch their careers in the music world.
These young artists perform on a stage that has been home to an impressive legacy of world-class talent including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Sarah Vaughn. In fact, it's this musical legacy that makes the Apollo Theater an excellent attraction for student group travelers who have an interest in music and African American history.
One of the most famous clubs for popular music in the United States, the Apollo is also known for its association with African-American performers. When the Apollo first opened, it was one of New York City's leading burlesque clubs and was attended by mostly white-only audiences.
In 1934, however, the Apollo Theater changed ownership and opened its doors to African-American patrons with a "colored review." The new owner's motivation for featuring African American talent and entertainment was attributed to the fact that the theater's surrounding neighborhood, Harlem, was made up mostly of African American residents. Black entertainers were also cheaper to hire and offered quality shows for reasonable rates. One of the theater's first African American Amateur Nights featured a young dancer Ella Fitzgerald, who quickly went on to became a singing sensation.
The Apollo Theater also featured old-time vaudeville favorites such as Tim Moore, Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham, and Moms Mabley, and in later years launched the careers of contemporary entertainers such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Jackson 5, and Mariah Carey.
In the 1950s, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, with their rhythm and blues background, were initially mistaken for an African American group and booked to play at the Apollo. At first the crowd booed the white performers, but their talent eventually won over the audience and they were accepted.
Although the club fell into decline in the 1970s, it made a comeback in the 1980s through a spirited campaign launched to revive public interest. Eventually, the Apollo Theater was recognized as a national, state, and city landmark.
Today, the Apollo is open six events a week, and features performing arts troupes, community programs, concerts, and special events. It is New York's third most popular tourist attraction, and draws an estimated 1.3 million visitors a year.
Student groups can schedule a tour of the facility that illuminates the history of Harlem through the lens of the Apollo, its legendary accomplishments, its role in the community, and American history as it relates to 20th- and 21st-century music. The one-hour guided tour also reveals little-known facts about the theater and the legendary people who have performed there, while also examining the significant contributions of African-Americans and Latinos to the birth of global popular culture. Tours are available for groups of 20 or more by appointment on most week days. Student groups touring the Apollo on Wednesday can return in the evening for Amateur Night at the Apollo.
About the Author:
Article Source: http://marketing.article24h.com/category/arts-culture.html
Author: Ann Knapp
travel adventures Travel Adventures is staffed by educators who understand the needs of teachers. Serving over one half million students since our inception, we provide hassle-free travel arrangements while empowering teachers to create change by expanding the classroom to the world. Our experienced team of travel professionals is dedicated to exceeding your student
http://www.traveladventures.com
These young artists perform on a stage that has been home to an impressive legacy of world-class talent including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Sarah Vaughn. In fact, it's this musical legacy that makes the Apollo Theater an excellent attraction for student group travelers who have an interest in music and African American history.
One of the most famous clubs for popular music in the United States, the Apollo is also known for its association with African-American performers. When the Apollo first opened, it was one of New York City's leading burlesque clubs and was attended by mostly white-only audiences.
In 1934, however, the Apollo Theater changed ownership and opened its doors to African-American patrons with a "colored review." The new owner's motivation for featuring African American talent and entertainment was attributed to the fact that the theater's surrounding neighborhood, Harlem, was made up mostly of African American residents. Black entertainers were also cheaper to hire and offered quality shows for reasonable rates. One of the theater's first African American Amateur Nights featured a young dancer Ella Fitzgerald, who quickly went on to became a singing sensation.
The Apollo Theater also featured old-time vaudeville favorites such as Tim Moore, Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham, and Moms Mabley, and in later years launched the careers of contemporary entertainers such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Jackson 5, and Mariah Carey.
In the 1950s, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, with their rhythm and blues background, were initially mistaken for an African American group and booked to play at the Apollo. At first the crowd booed the white performers, but their talent eventually won over the audience and they were accepted.
Although the club fell into decline in the 1970s, it made a comeback in the 1980s through a spirited campaign launched to revive public interest. Eventually, the Apollo Theater was recognized as a national, state, and city landmark.
Today, the Apollo is open six events a week, and features performing arts troupes, community programs, concerts, and special events. It is New York's third most popular tourist attraction, and draws an estimated 1.3 million visitors a year.
Student groups can schedule a tour of the facility that illuminates the history of Harlem through the lens of the Apollo, its legendary accomplishments, its role in the community, and American history as it relates to 20th- and 21st-century music. The one-hour guided tour also reveals little-known facts about the theater and the legendary people who have performed there, while also examining the significant contributions of African-Americans and Latinos to the birth of global popular culture. Tours are available for groups of 20 or more by appointment on most week days. Student groups touring the Apollo on Wednesday can return in the evening for Amateur Night at the Apollo.
About the Author:
Article Source: http://marketing.article24h.com/category/arts-culture.html
Author: Ann Knapp
travel adventures Travel Adventures is staffed by educators who understand the needs of teachers. Serving over one half million students since our inception, we provide hassle-free travel arrangements while empowering teachers to create change by expanding the classroom to the world. Our experienced team of travel professionals is dedicated to exceeding your student
http://www.traveladventures.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Your Song Is Your Success
It's true - you have a "song" that you sing...all day long. That song, is your vibration, your resonance - and it is created right out of the feelings and beliefs that you are focused upon.
Your song... is directly related to your success. Think about this -- if your song is your success, then would you choose to sing a song that you loved and radiated out into the world that you are worthy, abundant, successful, beautiful, confident....
Or - would you sing a song that you were not aligned with, made you feel cranky and irritable, perhaps kept you feeling stuck, and kept you tapped into scarcity consciousness and lack?
The Law of Attraction says that what you put out in the form of emotions, attitudes, beliefs, and ways of being - ultimately will be mirrored back to you in your life. The song that you choose to "sing" will be replicated over and over again...oh, kind of like a broken record. Who likes broken records?!
If you want to change your life...change your song, sing a new tune.
Life can be fresh and new if you are tapped into the stream of abundance and well being. Your song can uplift your life if you choose to let it - or something else. You - are the Mozart in this piece. What notes will you choose, what song will you sing?
"You can begin right now to feel healthy. You can begin to feel prosperous.
You can begin to feel the love that's surrounding you, even if it's not there. And what will happen is the Universe will correspond to the nature of your song. The Universe will correspond to the nature of that inner feeling, and manifest, because that's the way you feel."
Dr. Michael Beckwith D.D - The Secret
The "secret" to changing your tune and resonating a new song for success is not difficult in theory, but does take a few conscious choices on your part. Let's talk about a few ways to jump start you:
1. Choose to be conscious. Pay attention to what you are putting out there.
2. Choose a better note - or whole song for that matter. Did you ever song stuck in your head...and in order to get it out, you literally have to play a new song, or change your focus. Same theory here gang.
3. Choose a song that makes you feel good - i.e....choose feelings that serve you, that make you feel better than where you are at right now. Find your ground - even when shock hits your life. You can find a place of ease - or at least relief.
4. I took my daughter to the eye doctor a few weeks ago, and as he flips through the lenses he says - over and over I might add..."is this better, or this better?" You can do this with your feelings as well. Does this feel better, or this? This or this...this or this...this or this.... Go with what feels better - and your song will change, and so will your level of success.
This week, take note of your song, and make a conscious choice to just be conscious about what you are singing. Then ask, is that the tune I want to resonate? If not...start to make a few small steps in the direction of feeling a little better, or choosing a new perspective. Life unravels in amazing ways when you let it.
Peace,
Lori Hamann
Your song... is directly related to your success. Think about this -- if your song is your success, then would you choose to sing a song that you loved and radiated out into the world that you are worthy, abundant, successful, beautiful, confident....
Or - would you sing a song that you were not aligned with, made you feel cranky and irritable, perhaps kept you feeling stuck, and kept you tapped into scarcity consciousness and lack?
The Law of Attraction says that what you put out in the form of emotions, attitudes, beliefs, and ways of being - ultimately will be mirrored back to you in your life. The song that you choose to "sing" will be replicated over and over again...oh, kind of like a broken record. Who likes broken records?!
If you want to change your life...change your song, sing a new tune.
Life can be fresh and new if you are tapped into the stream of abundance and well being. Your song can uplift your life if you choose to let it - or something else. You - are the Mozart in this piece. What notes will you choose, what song will you sing?
"You can begin right now to feel healthy. You can begin to feel prosperous.
You can begin to feel the love that's surrounding you, even if it's not there. And what will happen is the Universe will correspond to the nature of your song. The Universe will correspond to the nature of that inner feeling, and manifest, because that's the way you feel."
Dr. Michael Beckwith D.D - The Secret
The "secret" to changing your tune and resonating a new song for success is not difficult in theory, but does take a few conscious choices on your part. Let's talk about a few ways to jump start you:
1. Choose to be conscious. Pay attention to what you are putting out there.
2. Choose a better note - or whole song for that matter. Did you ever song stuck in your head...and in order to get it out, you literally have to play a new song, or change your focus. Same theory here gang.
3. Choose a song that makes you feel good - i.e....choose feelings that serve you, that make you feel better than where you are at right now. Find your ground - even when shock hits your life. You can find a place of ease - or at least relief.
4. I took my daughter to the eye doctor a few weeks ago, and as he flips through the lenses he says - over and over I might add..."is this better, or this better?" You can do this with your feelings as well. Does this feel better, or this? This or this...this or this...this or this.... Go with what feels better - and your song will change, and so will your level of success.
This week, take note of your song, and make a conscious choice to just be conscious about what you are singing. Then ask, is that the tune I want to resonate? If not...start to make a few small steps in the direction of feeling a little better, or choosing a new perspective. Life unravels in amazing ways when you let it.
Peace,
Lori Hamann
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