Music can be interpreted as a creative form of expression from an artists perspective on life, society, and personal struggles. Throughout the past five decades music has gradually shifted into the technological age.
Today’s music is more explicit and considered less creative to some because of frequent use of sampling, and a loss of musicianship. Is music dead? Have we lost creativity by adding basic hooks? Or does the music industry distribute unconscious music to dumb down society?
In the twenty-first century generation, consumerism is the key behind the content of music. Teenagers, and adults spend countless dollars on iTune singles to learn the newest dances or songs with easy hooks to sing-a-long too.
Musicians like Gucci Mane, Wacka Flocka, and Soulja Boy tend to focus primarily on nice flows and beats versus conscious messages in lyrics. Artist like Lauryn Hill, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, and even Marvin Gaye; used words of wisdom to shine light on political and social issues in society.
James Jones, assistant professor of political science department said, “Everything should be filtered through some form of political consciousness. Words have the power of life and death. Lyrics are vital. What is being signed is what is being heard. Artists are now a current reflection of today’s society. Technology has killed the musician.”
Jones further explained that some labels put more money behind certain albums, which is unequal censorship.
For example, you have Nicki Minaj who sold over 500,000 albums using samples from pop music and playing Barbie. While artists like Lupe Fiasco are getting less advertised because of his influential lyrics and unwillingness to do what the record label wants, or being a gimmick.
Dumbing down society is the byproduct of wealth by distributing music with no real content. It’s simple, you find basic talent, get the consumers’ dollars for the hit, and generate money back into the record label.
Jones believes that little has changed when it comes to explicit lyrics, in 1972 Chuck Berry released the song “Ding-a-Ling”, which can be compared to 2 Live Crew’s 1986 album “2 Live Crew Is What We Are”, who were said to take sexual rap lyrics to another level. It’s a battle of generations.
“It’s critically important for adults to know Wacka Flocka and Gucci Mane, so they are capable of crossing the cultural gap. Otherwise, parents will not understand their kids. But, you must recognize Lupe’s message has more utility than most rappers,” said Jones, “All music has action, even when it’s not political. Expectations of political and moral encompasses should not just be sought after artists.”
During the late ’80s, genres like Hip-Hop and R&B used cautionary tales in their lyrics and images in videos to highlight issues of police brutality, drug-infested neighborhoods, and their effects on communities whollistically. Artisits used their music as political statements and advancement for the black community.
Now you see artists such as Lil Wayne, Lil B, or Drake glorifying central characters in their rhymes. Gangs, hyper-sexual women, fame, and fortune, but rap groups like N.W.A. used everyday life and experiences from their hood as images in their early videos.
Music is supposed to speak to the masses. For example, UGK was relatable in their song “Pocket Full of Stones”. There was a mental state of mind and political message. How can I perceive a young lady grinding in a video?
Back then, women would go behind closed doors in music videos, which left you to your imagination as to what happened behind that door.
“Men promote sexual promiscuity in videos and lyrics today that has an effect on the actions of teenage boys and girls today,” said Dr. Miron P. Billingsley, assistant vice president for student affairs. “In today’s music I would like to see more vocal skills, showmanship, artists who write their own music, and play real instruments. In my generation, artists were more creative and had real talent.”
According to Billingsley, hip-hop is a state of mind, a political statement, its own language, the way you dress, and present yourself.
KRS-1 and Public Enemy dropped knowledge and never focused on hooks because the message was more important. Lyrics were considered to be thought provoking.
He said, “Artists like Lauryn Hill fought against being a brand. Strong artists will stand the test of time as long as their ideology is strong.”
“Hip-Hop, R&B, and multiple genres of music went wrong when money became the focus. Artists are being rushed to produce music, and not taking the time to make quality masterpieces. Disc jockeys are using artists for quick hits to make revenue off of them,” said Billingsley.
Music once represented cultures and their significance in society, but now is presented as a steadfast way to produce income through hit singles.
Knowledge and political action have been erased today and replaced by the will to live a fabulous lifestyle and move your head to a beat. How can we change the content? It’s simple, KILL THE NOISE.