Music is the first thing I hear in the morning and throughout the day. I've listened to music
since I was born and today is the first day I've actually ever questioned it. Listening to music not
only is for enjoyment but expression as well. While reading Maureen Mahon's article, "Music, Power,
and Practice" I was shocked at the musical factors that are taken into consideration before music
labels sign an artist. Maureen Mahon said "Extra- musical factors, such as race, ethnicity, gender,
class, and nationality influence which genre an artist is slotted into..." (Mahon 328) and I can say I
never actually thought about if an artist should be in a different genre because of their race or gender.
Music should be about an artist doing what they love, singing what they want. The music industry
shouldn't be selling their female artists sexuality, they should be selling their voice. As I continued to
read the article Mahon mentioned how she was studying the history on African American women and
rock and roll. Mahon claims history emphasizes the "great men" of rock and roll and how there aren't
any women in rock. Many of these men had privileges because of their gender and race. Some of
these artists were The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. As time has passed music has been a key part
of spreading messages and has helped the world change over time.
shouldn't be selling their female artists sexuality, they should be selling their voice. As I continued to
read the article Mahon mentioned how she was studying the history on African American women and
rock and roll. Mahon claims history emphasizes the "great men" of rock and roll and how there aren't
any women in rock. Many of these men had privileges because of their gender and race. Some of
these artists were The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. As time has passed music has been a key part
of spreading messages and has helped the world change over time.
Not sure why it looks like this.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, Amber. I also started questioning music a bit more after starting this class. Some things I think I noticed without actually realizing what I was seeing but now because of this class I do. I also agree that music is used as a form of expression. That made me think about the authenticity of music, however. If an artist was placed into a genre based on their race or ethnicity, how am I supposed to listen to their music as a form of expression, if they are not truly expressing themselves by signing the music they chose to sing? Just some of my thoughts... Loved reading your post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with never thinking about what genre artist should be in. I always just listened to it because it was music, there was no right or wrong artist. I liked the quotes you included to back up your claim.
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