The marketing of hip-hop as an African American genre shows how ethnic and national labels can limit our understanding of music.We almost always automatically connect African American groups with hip-hop genre, even though nowadays hip-hop is known and performed by artists all around the world, way beyond that oriented labeling. It is a double-blade sword. The origin of hip-hop is not-to-be-forgotten, unlike the Mexican root of Country Music: people "take for granted that country music... is white." But at the same time, it is forever a strong symbol, which can further become a limit to the understanding of the music, when music itself should be for all people to enjoy and communicate with. Sometimes, being labeled is the same as being marginalized. The opposite of mainstream comes straight as abnormal or extraordinary. In class, we have seen many artists suffering the losses by being marginalized by the society. It strikes a chord deep within me, and hopefully, it does the same to others.
Songs:
This Is Me - The Greatest Showman
It is so easy to feel small when you are part of a marginalized community. In P. T. Barnum's circuses, everything is precious and all talents are welcomed. But what if you are scared to step out of the huge tent, to confidently show the world how beautiful you are? You cannot change who you are, or what you are, but you can change how you feel about yourself and your place in the world.
Sabor A Mí - Luis Miguel
This is the very first Latin pop that I heard in my childhood. To me, this is the mark that can trigger all of my memories and emotions on Latino Music. It has the healing power in the guitar and language, that connects the audience to the singer and to each other. Music does great things to humans that worths great appreciation and care.
Work Cited:
“Commercial Stars and Artivistas” in American Sabor: Latinos and Latinas in US Popular Music.
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/country-mexico-ice-nationalism/
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