Delineations of Race & Status

The arts and race have always played an intricate combination, including music and race. Throughout history different genres of music have appeared in different regions of the world, as well as different hardships that a country might be facing. For example, in the United States, back in the early 1900s, music in the South was much different than in the North and new genres of music emerged during times like the Great Depression and the Roaring Twenties.

Being that race plays such a large role in music, it is without doubt that a genre of music was created for african americans. Bessie Smith, an african american artist from the 1920s is one of the most famous Blues singers of her time. We also see the origins of Hip Hop dating back to the 1970s, primarily focused on african americans with the emergence of rapping, DJs and scratching.

Beyond race, social status also plays a large role in the arts, including music. Even today, we see farmers listen to different music than city-goers. High income areas listen to different music than low income areas. So it is not surprise that the music industry markets to this. Thus inherently creating or even solidifying a divide among people.

Ultimately, what creates music is words. These words leave a lasting impact on the listeners. Each genre of music is geared towards a certain crowd. Although anyone can listen, it only has a profound effect on it's targeted audience. The "words" of Blues music is much different than the "words" of Country music, which is much different than the "words" of hip hop music. What is most important is that these "words" created in music help us view that world around us, and sometimes we take that for granted. I leave you with the thought of actually taking a record and listening to each and every word, which will leave you with a much deeper impact than you could ever imagine.

#race #HipHopCulture