AFRAM #4

In this weeks reading's readings we discussed music in the Latinx and Latinx American communities in relation to "commercial culture." In the article, Chapter DIY, the author discussed how hip hop and punk were very different a few decades ago but consisted mainly of young people creating music without the “help of the commercial music industry.” This came from the categorization of hip hop as black music and punk as white music. Therefore, latinxs had a disconnect in the new age of music that many young people wanted to shift away from. This created a shift from “commercial culture” to more participation-based music where artists and their fans interacted more. This sprung other elements of hip-hop culture like rapping (MCing) and DJing as well as dance and graffiti.

The second article continued this talk about the need for participation in music and artistic expression. Gonzalez Zapateadoa explained in their article how about learning dances and other musical art forms that made them feel like they belonged. “I spent these years rehearsing at her school, learning a plethora of songs and dances” they explain, “with all her love, devotion, great talent, and encouragement, redefined my concept of music and performance art.” As a dancer and musician myself, I understand how such a deep level of connection with music comes from personal experience and interaction with it. It was interesting to learn about and see how Latinx and other individuals that commercial culture excludes have pushed back against the industry and are working to create more of a community around music and dance. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KUxKW9L4Wg

Omar Apollo a Mexican American independent artist that incorporates subgenres of hip-hop including R&B and pop with funk and indie rock elements. This song does a great job of showing his versatility in a genre that is not normalized around Latinx artists just like in American Sabor in Chapter 4 DIY. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Vh8Bgicao

Nicole Scherzinger - Run

I chose this song because it was one that I danced to at an international conference in LA. It was a moment that was truly indescribable but in the class and performance I felt apart of something so much bigger than myself with people from all around the world.