The connection that I made between the two readings is that both talked about innovation. Rap/ Hip-Hop used genres such as jazz and the blues and used modern technology to create innovative music and create awareness.(Young, 2012). It uses past music as a way of remembrance and inspiration. Hip-Hop became a place where people could talk about social issues. It gives people a voice to express themselves and use their platform to create a statement on essential matters. Rap music also uses past events so that others do not forget and to learn from the injustices, such as slavery. Furthermore, female rappers fight against sexism and show others that women can also take up space in a male-dominated genre.
Similarly, Kendrick Lamar used inspiration from jazz and fused it with rap. For example, during the Grammy performance,” lyrically, visually and sonically, in long-black-song jazz incantation coupled with virtuosic rap fury, he spelled out black music as break-the-chains resistance to the systemic mass incarceration of black folk (Brooks, 2016).” This shows how rap is innovative and shows how people can express their concerns and create awareness in music. The Black Lives Matter Movement has also fueled new inspiring artists to speak out on social issues like Kendrick Lamar. Beyonce has also created a significant impact on music today. She uses feminism and her power to create autonomy for black women. She challenges society to change social structures and to stop inequality.
Readings: Daphne Brooks, "How #BlackLivesMatter Started a Musical Revolution," The Guardian, March 13, 2016
Kevin Young, “Final Chorus: Planet Rock, The End of the Record.” The Grey Album: On the Blackness of Blackness. (Graywolf Press, 2012)
DJ Selections:
“I’m not Racist” by Joyncer Lucas:
“Neon Gravestones” by Twenty One Pilots:
The two songs that I chose were “I’m Not Racist” by Joyner Lucas and” Neon Gravestones” by Twenty One Pilots (TOP). I chose the first song because it talks about racism that is still rampant in the United States. It shows that if we create a safe space for people to talk about social issues that hopefully, it’ll be beneficial. We can discuss hard topics such as racism and break down stereotypes. They can speak to each other and try to understand where each side is coming from. The main reason people do not try to understand each other is their fear and pride. However, if we shove those to the side, I believe that a positive change can happen.
The second song I chose was “Neon Gravestones,” because it talks about mental health, which has become huge. About 800,000 people die from suicide annually in the world. TOP use their platform to talk about suicide awareness. They urge their listeners to keep moving forward and reach out to others when they need help. Many people know someone who has struggled with mental health. TOP also advocates their listeners not to use suicide as a weapon or to glorify it. Instead, we should take time to remember our loved ones and connect with those who are still with us today.
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