GWSS #1

Candace Chang

One similarity I found in this week’s readings is how much music has been influenced and enriched by racial identity. As we have been discussing in class, genre is never as straightforward or colorblind as it may be typically thought of. We see this with Habell-Pallan’s discussion of Alice Bag, and how her Mexican heritage played a role in her personal sound, which ultimately influenced the sound of punk music. Specifically, she notes “Alice infused the sound of Hollywood punk with elements of cancíon ranchera’s vocal aesthetic” (Habell-Pallan, p. 250). I think recognizing the way race and background shape music is especially important considering music is a highly personal form of expression. We see the significance of this when considering the way white artists have ripped off music from other artists when the context of the stolen work can’t even be applied to the white artist. For instance, in Wald’s discussion of Rosetta Tharpe, she notes that despite Elvis being the one that shaped his artistry after Tharpe’s, Rosetta was the one referred to as a “blacked-up Elvis in drag” (Wald, p.158). Although Rosetta’s music is tied to her own identity as a religious black woman, Elvis stole some aspects of this from her for himself. We can see how this is problematic considering those parts of Rosetta’s identity are not applicable to Elvis. Overall, the readings emphasize the way music and identity are often inextricable, and thus it is vital to recognize their influences on each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSl239RQ_mc

My first selection is Akasaka Sad by Rina Sawayama who incorporates her Japanese identity into the song. The title itself references a district in Tokyo, while the lyrics reference the way the culture impacts her. Obviously, this song is highly personal to Rina and her identity, and would not be as impactful coming from a non-Japanese artist who simply utilized the specifically Japanese sound and themes for aesthetic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9BtXaiLVA0
My next selection is My Hood by Ray Blk. This song is also extremely personal to Ray’s identity and celebrates the richness and identity of her home town. This song explicitly details the way Ray’s experiences and culture have shaped her. Both artists are honest and vulnerable in the way their respective cultures have influenced their personal and musical experiences.