#SLAY

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Agree to disagree

As I read the article on comparing Kendrick Lamar to Drake, I asked myself… why does comparing always lead us to prefer one over the other. Why can’t we compare just for the sake of recognizing and APPRECIATING the different variations of the art. Clearly Drake and Kendrick are not producing rap music with the same utility. Drake is a success story of commercial rap, coming out of Canada and slowly making a name for himself on Degrassi, than with catchy lyrics about his lavish lifestyle. Whereas, Kendrick grew up on the streets of Compton as a pure reflection of the dangerous urban setting that hiphop was created from. Comparing Drake to Kendrick is like comparing soul and blues. They are a representation or different lifestyles, and a culmination of differing experiences. So you can compare and contrast to discover the continuity but you can't compare which is a "better" rapper.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Questions

What is appropriation? Who and what can be appropriated? How do you know who something belongs to? If you create something based off of inspiration, is it truly yours? If rap music is ours [blacks] because it is representative of the history of our struggle in the United States...what about the minorities that faced a similar fate? Can this too be their anthem for rebellion and dissent? Or must they borrow from their own origins? Appropriation (according to google) is the action of taking something for ones own use, typically without the owners permission. But who owns hip hop? Who has the right to grant permission for another groups use of it? What if someone doesn't know how to get permission? Or what if they forgot to get permission, but they are using it to promote a cause or refute injustice? Is appropriation bad even when it has beautiful or beneficial or exciting consequences? HMM......

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Portraying Black

As I looked at People’s Instinctive album cover and compared it to other rap trends at the time, I was focusing on the differences. One is very colorful, the others are dark. Some have very light and artistic fonts, their counterparts have block letters and simple font. But that's when I realized what they had in common. They are both symbolic of black life in urban areas, just being portrayed in different ways. Both of them are trying to communicate the harsh realities of African American life during this time in the US, they just choose to show it in a different light. Both album covers are an interpretation and an expression of their lived/witnessed experiences as a black person.

How rappers chose to showcase black culture had a large impact on how the rest of the US perceived it. So the artistic choices made to enhance the shock-value of songs, lead to white Americans developing a some-what inaccurate representation of the culture. And the black artists that choose to use rap to praise the gangster lifestyle that they tried to get out of, trapped their brothers and sisters in the harsh-fate of this lifestyle together. Although the majority put blacks in that position of poverty, death and strife... early party-rap artists carved this lifestyle in song and wrongly defined it as black.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Victim of White-privilege

White-privilege is a very real thing that can take many forms. Just because you benefit from white-privilege does not mean you support it or are even aware of it. As I read the lyrics of Macklemore’s song, I realized that my entire life I benefitted from white privilege. I gladly took all of the “positive” aspects from my black culture and shunned the rest. And just like the millions of American’s who truly believe black lives do matter, I stood back with my white friends and thought that the struggles of black people did not concern me. I was ashamed to be black, like many young girls. Luckily, I had a choice. I could choose to be “white”, and could choose to have the privileges that came along with it. I was living a life where I truly got the best of both worlds, as I turned my back on all the bad.

“Am I in the outside looking in, or am I in the inside looking out?”

“You've exploited and stolen the music, the moment The magic, the passion, the fashion, you toy with The culture was never yours to make better“

“If I'm only in this for my own self-interest, not the culture that gave me a voice to begin with then this isn't authentic, it is just a gimmick.”

As I read these lyrics I realized that Macklemore was expressing my perspective; someone caught between two cultures, both of which I benefit from. I exploited all of the aspects of black culture that were desirable to the culture I choose to identify with. In order to live the American dream, I molded myself into a form that was “worthy” of that dream.

“But the one thing the American dream fails to mention Is I was many steps ahead to begin with My skin matches the hero, likeness, the image America feels safe with my music in their systems And it's suited me perfect, the role, I've fulfilled it And if I'm the hero, you know who gets cast as the villain.”

And now I realize that my life was a gimmick, and I don’t want to be a hero if my brothers and sisters are being casts as villains. Black culture is my culture, but it doesn’t deserve to be toyed with or ignored. Black culture and black lives both matter, and it is now my shared responsibility to help save them both.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Perspective Matters

“Most people don't place Kendrick and Macklemore in the same context but both have spoken very intentionally about race and culture.  Do they have the same story to tell?  Do their respective colors alter how their message is perceived?  Is that important?”

People who have different experiences, develop different perspectives. I believe that the combination of ones experiences forms a perspective that is uniquely our own. Kendrick and Macklemore have each had their own experiences growing up and as artists, which means they each have a different story to tell. However, that doesn't mean that one of their perspectives in more important than the other.

Macklemore is white, therefore hearing his perspective on white-privilege is very impactful. Kendrick is black, so hearing his perspective on black-suffering is equally impactful. Both are necessary to speak to different audiences. To encourage blacks to speak out against the injustice, they need to be motivated by someone who understand the struggle and experiences it. For white people to understand their role in creating an equal and just society, they need to hear it from someone that can connect with and trust. It is a two-sided conversation that wont get anywhere if only one side is giving input. I think that Macklemore piece could be respected and understood by both sides of the conversation, so I am glad that he gave genuine support to the Black Lives Matter movement. Black people can’t discourage white people from support our cause simply because “they don’t understand”. They may not understand, but if some are willing to TRY to understand or WANT to understand, that is half the battle. And if we are going to win this war on injustice, we will need EVERYONE to come together.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Now & Then

The more we look at the influences that artists like Salt-N-Pepa and Public Enemy had on hip-hop/rap music, the more similarities I can draw between that product and our current music scene. Rap groups like this were rapping about social movements and personal hardships that they have experienced. A lot of the rap music (much of what I like) that is popular today is similar to this. Just like back then, now rappers are still discussing real/relevant issues. However, rap now & then has both lyrical and musical similarities. Musically they are a like in terms of sampling. Both kinds of rap used sampling but not in the original way that a DJ would use it to create a never-ending party jam. Songs like Public Enemy - Night of the Living Base heads used sampling to create a catchy but repetitive beat, and artistic sections where they showcase random blurbs and quotes cut together in a unique way. This reminds me of a Kanye kind of rap music, like a Life of Pablo or Niggas In Paris in particular. I am beginning to draw a lot of similarities between the old and the new.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Humorous Rap vs. Street Rap

Today in class when we discussed the rise in popularity of humble and humorous brand of rap. I always wondered why raps were used as theme songs for TV shows, ways to study and memorize information and bad party music. As we brainstormed in class, I realized that this is a more synthetic version that has been commercialized for a specific purpose and market. One of the aspects of early rap music is its simple and catchy nature. That's why songs like the theme song for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Hannah Montana’s bone dance, and the Cha-Cha Slide are so popular. Evolving out of the early rap traditions, the beat is repetitive and energetic, the lyrics are catchy and easy to remember, and anyone can shout words to a beat. This form of party and humble rap is meant to bring everyone together, so it has to reach people of all kinds. Which makes sense that it’s appeal has spread to a multitude of other cultures.

As this form of rap has branch off and created its own category, street rap and gang rap culture has continued to dominate the rap industry. Some rappers choose to rap about money, drugs and hoes. Some rap about social injustice and changes that they would like to see in the world. But each of the paths that rap went down, were set in motion by the legendary figures that created the art.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Modern Female Rap

In class we discussed how female rappers didn't have a significant role in the beginning of hip-hop. The only audience the record label knew how to reach at that time was males. The female market was being tapped into by suave male artists meant to swoon the ladies into buying and listening to their music. But the first female rappers had to rap about "real things" that women thought about. And even thought these songs were written or produced by men, they discussed an early feminist perspective on the way men objectify women or the many capabilities/strong qualities of women. In some of the early rap produced by females that we listened to in class, the lyrics were very "hard" or "real" and even vulgar in some cases. As we looked at the way the women called out men for playing games, and built women up to make them feel powerful. This reminds me of current female rap artists. When I think of Nicki Minaj in particular this concept, of building up ones ego by dissing males, is very popular. She also uses very vulgar language to talk about her sexual capabilities and the power of her lady parts. However, older rap music focused more on empowering women by resisting men/standing up to men and not by controlling them with sex. I find the latter a little less empowering, but to each her own.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Hip-hop vs. Rap

In our present society, the words hip-hop and rap are often thought of as synonymous. But this is not truly the case. Hip-hop is the origin of rap music; a more performance based vs. product based approach to music. Hip-hop is a combination of DJing, MCing, graffiti art and break dancing. This art form is a sensory experience for the eyes and ears. The DJ was the most important member of this team, at the center of attention. A hip-hop crew was defined by the variety of records that a DJ was able to mix with from their very own collection. The DJ kept the party jumping for hours while the MC, breakers and graffiti were used to accent the performance and keep the partying going. But in order for recording labels to capitalize on the growing industry in the Bronx, they had to strip the focus of graffiti and dancing and beef up the significance of the lyrics. Rap is hip-hop commercialize into a product that could be produced and sold to the masses. This new context for creating the music lead to the focus on writing more socially-conscious lyrics. Though the feel of the music keeps that party atmosphere and musical breaks, it is known to be more "real" or "street". I'm thankful that now I know the difference!!!

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Music moves. We’ve seen how soul, R&B and hip-hop sparked a civil rights movement and grew with it. I’d even argue that music and the arts hold the most power in our current society. Music easily touches people and moves them. You have 2-10 minutes to convey any message in anyway that might catch people attention. Everyone with the ability to hear is able to be to be changed through music. It breaks down barriers of appearance. Word and sound, combined in an artistic way, have the ability to bring people together. But most importantly, it can help people understand. We can use music as a way to translate the struggles of another and relate to them. Everyone experiences hardship and joy, and music is a universally-accepted and understood representation of both.

Though music cannot accurately represent the struggle of an entire people, it can help shed light in the darkness. And if you don’t take a song as an accurate reflection of a situation, but instead an artistic representation...you may be moved. Moved to learn more, to help, to change. Music moves. The artists carefully compose and we must carefully consume. We must take music for what is worth, but also understand its’ capabilities. Music can move if we help facilitate the change. So lets ride some sound waves into our future!

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

words are never just words

Words are never just words. This is especially true when it comes to art. Just like an artist chooses a certain color or type of paint, a poet or a musician chooses specific words for a specific reason. Looking at hip hop lyrics feels very much like reading a poem. Each line can have a multitude of meaning, all open to translation. There may be lines that have a literal and figurative meaning, or even lines that have a completely abstract meaning that is difficult to arrive at. However, it is really interesting to look at music in the correct historical context because it helps me uncover the significance of each word. In my History of Rock & Roll class, we analyzed a Bob Dylan song with a lot of metaphors. Outside of the historical context, each stanza could've meant anything or nothing at all. But when we put it into the context of the civil rights era, the words gained a significant meaning. The song was speaking about the unjust state of our nation and the injustices that were occurring against African Americans, homosexuals, and even women. Instead of coming out with controversial lyrics that might create chaos, he subtlety hinted and the problems. But when people listened to the song during the 1960's, they could very easily understand the coded meaning of the song. Context is everything when it comes to understanding words as more than just words.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Reflection

I am learning so much about my own culture through this course. The history of African American culture in the United States is very interesting. Aside from slavery and civil rights, I did not learn much about black culture in my history classes. Growing up, when I thought of African American culture in the US, I used to be ashamed to be a part of it. The way it is portrayed through the media, I didn’t want to group myself in with that half of my heritage. Society had brainwashed me into believing that in order to accept my blackness, I had to be uneducated and have a major attitude problem. I thought if I embraced my African American culture, that I would be doomed to suffer as a black person. So I suppressed my black identity.

However, the older I gotten and the more I learned about black history, I realized that it is something I should be proud of. The more I learn about hip-hop culture, the more I grow to love my culture. Hip-hop culture encompasses the black culture and its interaction with society. Hearing it from an unbiased, legitimate source, I am finally able to fully understand and appreciate my heritage! So thank you for helping me embrace my own culture by showcasing its history in an accurate light, rendering it worthy of admiration and pride. 

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

BEAT

Today I came to understand the importance of a beat in many forms of music that are culturally-tied to African heritage. The beat is essential to the production of stirring or catchy song, because it is memorable. You might have to listen to a song 100 times before you memorize the words, but the beat can stick with you after just one listen. The KISS model used in the production of Motown yielded great success, because the songs focused on creating and maintaining a killer beat. In class we discussed how the drums and guitar used in Motown were significant for their contribution to create the groovy beats. The beats from Motown, derived from its’ roots in soul/gospel music, then are sampled to create hip hop. Much of what we notice about early hip-hop is that it follows the KISS model out of necessity, due to their lack of resources. By speaking over top of sampled Motown beats, hip-hop slowly but surely gains it reputation. Is it safe to say that the key to a popular song is a catchy beat?

Once we listened to The Last Poets, I put the last puzzle piece together. The concept and popularity of the beat evolved out of African culture. Gospel, R&B, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop, Rock & Roll, and others that emphasize the importance of a groovy beat, all evolve out of African American culture in the United States. I came to this realization as I looked at one of The Last Poets album covers. They are paying tribute to their African heritage; this is reflected in their dress and the style of their music. In theory...the drums used in African tribal music are the inspiration behind the musical phenomena known today as “the beat”. Before this concept gained popularity in the mainstream, it was reserved for race music. So, shoutout to my ancestors for laying the foundation for us to create dope music! Without you bringing the beat into mainstream music, mainstream music would be BEAT!

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Which is better, living in the spotlight or in the shadows? I guess it could depend on your preference or an individuals personality. But not everyone in the spotlight is the same; some are humble heroes deserving of recognition, but most are fame-hungry machines who derive their self-worth by how the media defines them. And yet, millions of people dream of living in the spotlight that they will never see. Instead, they are cast in the shadows of those who rise to the “top”.

But whose to say that having fame is all that its cracked up to be? According to testimonies from hundreds of celebrities, fame is extremely overrated. Aside from the money and world-wide recognition, the outcomes of fame tend to be mostly harmful or negative. Being constantly under the scrutinizing eye of the media has a mental, physical and emotional toll on human beings. Those in the spotlight, have to sprint through cultural obstacle courses to stay relevant and favorable.

So I asked myself: Why wouldn’t the Funk Brothers be grateful that they escaped the watchful eye of fame?

Then I realized an important factor of the Funk Brothers’ situation... they did not get the choice. They did not choose to remain out of the spotlight, they were held just out of arms-distance. And unlike modern versions (i.e. Max Martin), the Funk Brothers did not receive accurate credit or compensation for their work...nor did they hold the power to demand what they deserved. That is the unfortunate aspect of fame... those who often deserve the recognition and praise are the ones who rarely receive it.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

My first reaction to the art of sampling in hip-hop was... ‘omg how horrible that someone would steal someone's art and recreate it into their own?!?!’ But the more I think about it, the more I think WHO CARES. To what degree can you measure inspiration vs. stealing? If someone is inspired by something, takes a piece of it, and recreates it into a new form of art...is this not still the creation of art? In order to be able to hear something special in a piece of music, take apart pieces of it and craft something entirely new out of it... you must be an artist. Right?

If I took a print of a famous painting, cut it up into little pieces and created a new masterpiece out of them, would this be considered stealing? And even if it is stealing, is it not art? Whether you are inspired by a color, picture, or sound; you are an if you are able to create a new vision out of it. I’d even go one step further as to saying, in order to have an artistic vision...you must have the talent of an artist.

Just saying ;)

(I used this picture from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, because the intro song for the television show reminds me of the recordings we listened to for this week!)

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

Soul music is about longevity and reaching and touching people on a human level - and that's never going to get lost.

Jill Scott

In class the other day, when we uncovered the components that make up soul music, I had an epiphany. For over a year now, I have been aware of a powerful sensation that I experience when I listen to my favorite songs. Whether it be country, R&B, Rock & Roll, Indie, or Pop, there are songs in every genre that have this affect on me. But it wasn’t until our lesson on soul music, that I understood what each of those songs had in common. Every one of my these songs, in various genres, has this quality about them that touches me deep down in my soul. Then I realized that the qualities that defines soul music, were qualities of all of my favorite songs.

It is so interesting to learn how the simplest harmony or stop-beat can have such an impact on the way music makes you feel. Now, I not only enjoy songs from different decades and genres, but I understand why each of them stands out to me. As I listen to my favorite songs, I can pick out the parts that hit me in my soul and appreciate them that much more.

[miahdunkleberger-blog]

“...the Negro still is not free...”

I have listened to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech many times. But as I listened to it just now, I was disturbed. The more I listened to him describe the atrocities of his time, I found parallel’s in the state of our current society. This speech is a reflection of our most-current predicament. All that one must do to see the parallels, is expand the word “Negro” to “minorities”.

“...still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land...”

Unfortunately, this quote from the passage still holds significant weight in present-day United States. Blacks have joined the majority of minorities who are STILL being ostracized for their differences from the minority of legitimized sub-cultures [white, straight, male, wealthy]. The same people who built this country have made sure that they’ve stayed at the top. Even if it means stomping on the backs of the powerless, so that they may never share the prosperity.

We are still traveling down the same roads as those slaves who came before us; fighting for our rightful place to call home. But a major difference between now and then... when all of the minorities come together, we are the majority; and regardless of power and wealth, we will be heard. We cannot let outdated world-views dictate our lives anymore.