Music and Dance Movement (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook: Chapter 9, 10
Minimum of 1 primary source (from artist)
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook – from critic)

Initial Post Instructions

Choose one of the music or dance movements that you read about this week and at least one work from that movement. Then, address the following:

Examine the movement and specific work in relation to historical and political influences of the movement.
Identify characteristics of the movement and how the work reflects these characteristics.
Include a statement from the artist and one from a critic.
Include a link to the lyrics and/or video depending on your choice.

ANSWER

Music Movement: Hip Hop

Hip Hop was a cultural movement that inspired Hip-Hop music in the 1980s and 1990s. The music genre had meaningful political discourse in the 80s and 90s (Kouadio, n.d.). The Civil Rights Movement fought for African American rights, but when it relegated, youths took to the streets for self-expression. Kouadio (n.d.) claims that the genre provided the platform for African Americans to push for political dissent, condemn discrimination and racism, and advocate for their civil rights.

The rap song “The Message,” by Furious Five and Grand Master Flush illustrated the social oppression, racial injustices, and economic deprivations that African Americans and other minority groups experience in America. In an interview with the Guardian, Grand Master Flush stated, “Where the gangs lived, that’s where the rubble was. You didn’t go there. But for me,” … “it was a great place to live” (Lynskey, 2016). The song is a commentary on the effects of economic inequality and social injustice experienced by inner-city communities. The song helped inspire social change by promoting social awareness on issues affecting Black communities.

Hip-hop music has four main characteristics: rapping, deejaying, B-boying, and graffiti painting. B-bodying entails dancing, virile body language, style, attitude, etc., while deejaying involves turn-tabling (i.e., beat juggling, beat mixing, etc.). Rapping consists of stylized rhythms that are chanted. This song’s artists used B-bodying, rapping, and deejaying in the music video. A filmmaker, music producer, and veteran critic, Nelson George, said, “I put together a 300-song playlist for Baz: funk, disco, salsa, reggae, free jazz, early hip-hop influences. Each one of those forms represents a different part of the New York music world at the time” (Lynskey, 2016). The song contains elements from the above music genres. The song’s rapping is characterized by repartee or quick speech, while the melody comes out as a combination of speech, poetry, prose, and singing. The rap is delivered with musical or beat accompaniment.

Link to the Lyrics: https://genius.com/Nas-the-message-lyrics

References

Kouadio, A. F. (n.d.). Hip-hop music and hip-hop text: the impact of hip-hop music and hip-hop text on popular culture. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/34752471/HIP_HOP_MUSIC_AND_HIP_HOP_TEXT_1_The_Impact_of_Hip_Hop_Music_and_Hip_Hop_Text_on_Popular_Culture

Lynskey, D. (2016, August 7). Grandmaster Flash: “Hip-hop’s message was simple: We matter.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/07/the-get-down-baz-luhrmann-grandmaster-flash-hip-hop