Music Influence And Its Impacts On A Given Community

[jmushi1]

THE INFUENCE OF MUSIC ​

Music is and has always been the main influence in peoples lives through out generations.

It represents culture and also act as a form of identity.

Its like a mirror to society reflecting the actual issues politicall,socially and economically.

Music has been the influence in peoples lives depending on what generation you refer to.

In each generation there seem to be different kind of music that influence the particular society.

Elvis Presley in the 50’s,Bob Marley in the 60’s and 70’s,NWA and Public enemy in the 80’s and the 90’s.

I grew up listening to Bob Marley,he used to sing about colonialism and its impacts to the African people,he used to sing about liberation of the African continent, self awareness and also love between individuals in regardless to their ethnic or cultural backgrounds.

From “Zimbabwe”which he spoke against colonialist to”Get up stand up”in which he promotes self awareness and “War”in which he spoke of life inequalities,these were the issues that faced the society during that particular generation.

Musicians tends to speak about whats going on in their respective communities.

Music can be the form of identification ie Hip hop is originally black music even though its now mainstream.

Reggae is definetly Jamaican and Africa.

Bongo flava is Tanzania and kwaito is South Africa.

Music represents the culture and tradition of a certain society; Black people ways of dressing,talking And even walking can be seen and heard from their cd’s and music videos.

Dreadlocks is part of Jamaican culture which is now the symbol of reggae music.

The actual issues in the society can also be reflected by the music they listened to.

Musicians can talk about issues affecting the community,wether political or social issues ie Eminem spoke of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Since music is a big influence in peoples lives it can be listened to almost anytime.

We have sad music,there’s happy music.

There’s music that makes you wanna dance and there’s music that makes you wanna sleep, music can play a big role in almost every aspect of your life.

Music reminds me of the past,even when I don’t remember the specifics about the dates or years on certain issues.

If I happened to listen to a certain music at that time then I just look at the release date in order to refresh my memory.

I can also make songs when I am in different situations ie when I take a shower I sometimes find my self singing a brand new song that I just made.

Music can have a negative and /or positive impacts in ourlives.

The current generation is full of cocky young people,everbody wants to be perceived as tough,people who make those kind of musics in the current music industry are always successful no matter what the impact is ie 50 cent.

The current generation is also the most polluted one,music that talk about drug and sex is what sells now,it’s the influence that can be felt throughout the world.

There’s very little room for music that promotes self awareness or any positive issues.

There still some unpolluted communities that sticks to their culture and ways of life,we all have to admitt that due to the globalization process people are now able to communicate more effectively hence easy transfer of communication and material.

This facilitate culture exchanging and promotes free market,that means any music can be listened anywhere in this world.

This will have a negative impact since you can be influenced by the music that is not necessarily your culture.

So the influence of the music always depends on the current state of a certain generation.

Music can also have positive impacts,you can learn about different cultures and ways of lives through music,music can make you understand other peoples history an culture,this is positive since it can facilitate social and economical intergration in this world that we cant live without....From business deals to all sort of partnerships.

When you move to a different place you will find people listening to a different kind of music depending on the community,it is very easy to find youself switching so that you can catch up hence influenced.

 

[jmushi1]

Hapo juu ni essay yangu kwenye darasa nililochukuwa la College Writting.Ni essay yenye kuelezea ni jinsi gani muziki una nafasi kubwa kwenye maisha ya mwanadamu na muziki huweza kuchangia kujenga jamii na ama kuibomoa.

 

[jmushi1]

HIP HOP TRANSFORMATION AND ITS NEGATIVE IMPACTS
​

Hip hop is a cultural movement of which music is a part. Hip hop it self is composed of two parts: rapping, the delivery of swift, highly rhythmic and lyrical vocals; and Djing, the production of instrumentation either through sampling, instrumentation, turntablism or beat boxing.

Hip hop arose in the early 1970's in the Bronx, New York.

Jamaican immigrant D.J. Kool Herc is widely regarded as a progenitor of hip hop; he brought with him from Jamaica the practice of toasting over the rhythms of popular songs to understand how hip hop transformation took place you have to look at the artists contributions.

By the beginning of 1980's there was an artist like L.L. Cool J who gained mainstream renown .

But what did the most to bring hip hop to national attention is performers who experimented with politicized lyrics and social awareness.

The example of this is the crews Public Enemy and N.W.A.; they did so with incendiary and politically charged lyrics, which eventually became the first prominent example of gangsta rap.

Gangsta rap is a kind of hip hop mostly importantly characterized by a lyrical focus on macho sexuality physicality and a dangerous criminal image.

Elements of gangsta rap was present by the mid 1980's ie. Philadelphias Schoolly D and the west coast rapper Ice T, the transformation to the mainstream took place as soon as it branched off to apply to many different regions in the country.

The Notorious B.I.G. is an example of this, being a New York rapper with the King Pin 1920's gangsta mafiosa mentality which is shown in his 1997 album "Life after death" which is one of R.I.A.A. certified diamond hip hop album.

This spawned many other rappers from then to take on this mentality ie Jay Z, Fat Joe, 50 Cent and other various artists.

After the successfullness of the latter the hip hop culture has become so popular that it has entered mainstream fashion modern language it does not stop there the culture permeates everything from T.V. commercial to toys to video games currently there is even a hip hop exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

However hip hops most potent form is it's rap music embraced by urban blacks and suburban whites alike.

It is raw self expression that sometimes features profane lyrics misogyny and violence.

Music along with rap videos that often present disturbing mix of rap, hip hop dance styles, fashion and language leave many people wonder if it is a positive role to the current youth.

It is a misuse of hip hop culture to attack women and promote violence.

It's negative influence does not only end on the streets, it also has impacts on school campuses.

In around year 2000, Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette who was the director of the institute for the study of minority issues at North Carolina got interviewed for an article in black issues titled the "Miseducation of hip hop" Midgette didn't hold back: "You students working on campus reciting rap lyrics when they should be reciting something they need to know on their next test." These rap artists influence the way they dress.

They look like "Hootchie Mamas" not like they coming to class.

And young men with pants fashioned below their waist.

The portrayal of women, most of them African American, as sex objects and rap videos continues to be one of the most contagious aspects of the industry.

Just about every hip hop song has a reference to "pimping," some argue that hip hop contribute to prostitution and sex trafficking due to the unbashed and almost respectful treatment that hip hop gives to pimping and prostitution.

According to some studies prostitutes are getting younger and younger with the average age of entry now 12.

It is easier to be influenced and manipulated.

One of the most popular songs "P.I.M.P." by rapper 50 cent who according to the New York City radio station HOT 97 earned 18 million dollars in 2002.

Featured on his compact disc "Get rich or die trying" the song talks explicitly about sending woman out to solicit sex for money.

Although girls pimping other girls might be unusual, hip hops style language and moves are working to repackage and popularize the traditionally reviled profession of pimping.

The results is that more girls are getting pulled into the life, even though the act of girls pimping girls is somewhat rare what is becoming more common place is for girls not to think of pimping or prostitution as sexually exploitative.

For them it is an activity that hip hop has glamorized by an association with materialism and success in the form of flashy dress, money and fine cars.

To conclude, the transition of hip hop and it's negative impact are mainly contributed or enhanced by some of the artists who sensationalize certain behaviors an position it as a part of hip hop music, media for its T.V commercials and music videos, and consumers, who when purchase the video games and the compact discs spawns rappers to continue with the negative message and because of their influence it has become an issue.

By Jmushi1...To be continued.

 

[jmushi1]

RASTAFARIANS...REGGAE AND THEIR BELIEFS

Rastafarianism is a religious movement born out of the black slums of Jamaica which harnessed the teachings of the Jamaican born black nationalist, Marcus Garvey and conditionally used selective Old Testament Christian writings to support its teachings and practices(www.encyclopedia2.com).

Born in 1887, Garvey's influence on the poor black slave descendants in Jamaica came to its peak in the 1920's where his message of encouragement and calling on black people to take pride in themselves won some fanatical supporters. Although historically Marcus Garvey was a political leader interested in making the black race economically equal with the white, in oral tradition he has become a divinely anointed prophet. This was enhanced by the political situation around the World at that period and time where oppression and slavery was popular especially in Jamaica and Africa where the pain has been felt.

With the crowning of Ras Tafari Makonnen on November 2nd 1930 in Ethiopia, many believed Garvey's prediction of a black king crowned in Africa who would be a redeemer and liberator of the dispossessed black race had come to fruition. Makonnen claimed for himself the titles of "Emperor Haile Selassie I, Conquering lion of the tribe of Judah, Elect of God and King of the kings of Ethiopia." Ethiopia holds great significance to Rastafaris who believe in a coming judgement day when the righteous will be called home to Mount Zion (identified with Africa) to live forever in peace and harmony. Marcus Garvey, although no admirer of Haile Selassie, as he observed that slavery still existed in Ethiopia, continued to be revered by the fanatical Rastafarians despite being a Roman Catholic by birth who never spoke out explicitly to support the growing movement(www.watchman.org).

Without centralised organisation, any one definitive text, official buildings or a recognisable and ongoing office of leader the religion is difficult to categorise. This results in a wide variety of beliefs and practices coming under the general umbrella of Rastafarianism that often result from individual interpretations. There are however some notable characteristics as covered below.

Distinguishing it from other groups and religions which stress conformity to the powers that be, here it is the individual which is important. Individuals follow a path to truth for themselves and reject the power of modern, oppressive white society ("Babylon") which is seen to be rebelling against God, the "Earth's Rightful Ruler" called "JAH". JAH is within all individuals and all individuals are connected to God. This is reflected in the often used phrase "I and I" when referring to oneself(www.watchman.org).

One early leader of the movement in Jamaica was Leonard Howell, who was arrested by the Jamaican government in 1933 for preaching a 'revolutionary doctrine'. Howell established the first commune of Rastafari and six principles of Rastafari which have changed little over the years: 1) a hatred for the white race, 2) the complete superiority of the black race, 3) revenge on the wickedness of white peoples, 4) the negation, persecution and humiliation of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica, 5) preparation to return to Africa, and 6) acknowledging Emperor Haile Salassie as the supreme being and only ruler of black people(www.watchman.org).

Even though he helped to shape the movement's ideas, his arrest is also thought to have a large influence on the movement's organizational structure. The prolonged police harassment that Howell was subjected to is thought to be the main reason why Rastafarians have decided to remain leaderless. This was important because their lack of a leader or a top down model is the reason why the culture still exists around the world.

In 1954 the situation grew increasingly tense as the Jamaican government intervened and overran the now Rastafarian mini-state called the Pinnacle that Howell ruled over. After this many followers migrated out of the original rural setting to the ghettos and slums of Kingston. Although authentic Elders advocate non-violence in their teachings, a frustrated and desperate few incited confrontation with authorities which resulted in deadly shoot-outs with British troops in the late '50s and early '60s bringing some negative worldwide attention to the movement(www.watchman.org).

From the mid 1970s to the present has seen a phenomenal growth in the Rastafarian Movement, namely down to the worldwide exposure and acceptance of reggae music. This is mainly attributed to Bob Marley who as a musical artist was also a prophet of Rastafarianism whose lyrics often touch on themes relevant to Rasta doctrine. The reggae movement was initially attractive to the Caribbean black youths, many of whom saw it as an extension of their adolescent rebellion from school and parental authority. With the migration of Caribbean families to England and America, thus the music spread and became popular, along with a certain other botanical Jamaican export(www.saxakali.com).

Some followers choose to classify the religion as Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity (distinguishing it from Catholic and Protestant Christianity) or even Judaism. In the latter case the belief is held that black people are descended from the twelve tribes of Israel, and that black Jews have lived in Ethiopia for centuries, disconnected from the rest of Judaism. This and other ideas result from interpretation of Bible translations, which are also thought to be incomplete and have been distorted by white oppressors over time.

One of the more obvious symbols of the Rastafarians are the dreadlocks on a Rasta's head. They are said to represent the Lion of Judah and are in contrast to the straight, blond look of the white man and the establishment and in response to interpretations of passages from Leviticus 2 in the Bible(www.wekipedia.org).

Another major symbol of Rastafarians are colours, specifically red, gold and green. These were taken from the Garvey movement and form the background of the Ethiopian flag. Red stands for the Rasta Church Triumphant but also the blood of the martyrs of Rasta. The green represents the beauty and vegetation of Ethiopia, the promised land, and the gold symbolizes the wealth of the homeland that shall be regained(www.saxakali.com).

The true Rasta also only eats Ital food. This is special food which never touches chemicals, is natural and not from cans. The food is cooked but served in the rawest form possible, without salts, preservatives, or condiments. Rastafarians are therefore vegetarians. Drink is anything herbal, such as tea and not unnatural such as liquor, milk, coffee and soft drinks(www.saxakali.com).
Marijuana or Ganja is commonly smoked in a ritualized form and as medicine and is not officially advocated for recreational use. It is believed to aid understanding and meditation and is claimed to be the 'holy' or 'green' herb mentioned in some translations of the Bible(www.saxakali.com).

Today the worldwide following of Rastafari is believed to be in the region of 1,000,000, with official branches in many countries including England, Canada, the Caribbean islands and America. Some sources claim that six out of ten Jamaicans are believed to be Rastafarians or Rastafarian sympathizers with more conservative estimates stating that five to ten percent of Jamaicans are Rasta.

In conclusion there are many reasons contributed to the rise of Rastafarianism movement and also its current status. While the movement started due to oppression in both Jamaica and Africa its existence still makes us wonder how it managed to do so. While the movement and its belief apears dead we are still left with the style that came with the movement. Many of us like the style for quite different reasons. There are those who like the Reggae Music part of it which was made popular and somehow incorporated to the movement and made famous around the World by the late Robert Nesta Marley also known as Bob Marley.

Although there are some who might consider themselves as true Rastafarians the reality will still remain the same that it was a movement and it seems to be a movement because the Bob Marley's Songs appeared to be prophetic....His album named TUFF GONG encorporates songs like Zimbabwe, Afrika Unite, One drop,So much Trouble and so manya more that predicted the current situations and all that we can fore see in a near future.

Though Music...I beleive Bob Marley sent a Prpfetic Message...The message that would last throughout this generation's life.

 

[Kaa la Moto]

Mushi hapa saa mambo safi maana angalau tunaweza kujifunza historia safi kutoka kwako.
Mimi nilidhani kwamba wewe ni politician tu. Kumbe umebeba na historia safi hivi?

 

[Mzozo wa Mizozo]

Ngoja nikusome kwa ufasaha kisha kama kutakuwa na haja ntaweka input kidogo husiana na the way music umekuwa unaongoza maisha yangu.

J mushi hapa tupo pamoja sana kwa hili. Haki tena Music is Life...and Hip Hop a Way of Life...

Lol!

 

[jmushi1]

Pia tunaweza kuona ni kwajinsi gani Rastafarianism ilivyokuwa movement ambayo sasa ni kama imefufuliwa kwasababu ya sera mbaya za Bush.
Kweli Bob alikuwa nabii.

 

[Mzozo wa Mizozo]

Some insight regarding diet - Source: Wikipedia.org

Diet for Rastafarians:
Main article: Ital
Many Rastas eat limited types of meat in accordance with the dietary Laws of the Old Testament; they do not eat shellfish or pork. Others abstain from all meat and flesh whatsoever, asserting that to touch meat is to touch death, and is therefore a violation of the Nazirite oath. (A few make a special exception allowing fish, while abstaining from all other forms of flesh.) However, the prohibition against meat only applies to those who are currently fulfilling a Nazirite vow ("Dreadlocks Priesthood"), for the duration of the vow. Many Rastafari maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet all of the time. The purpose of fasting (abstaining from meat and dairy) is to cleanse the body in accordance to serving in the presence of the "Ark of the Covenent".

Usage of alcohol is also generally deemed unhealthy to the Rastafarian way of life, partly because it is seen as a tool of Babylon to confuse people, and partly because placing something that is pickled and fermented within oneself is felt to be much like turning the body (the Temple) into a "cemetery".

In consequence, a rich "alternative" cuisine has developed in association with Rastafari tenets, eschewing most synthetic additives, and preferring more natural vegetables and fruits such as coconut and mango. This cuisine can be found throughout the Caribbean and in some restaurants throughout the western world.

Some of the Houses (or "Mansions" as they have come to be known) of the Rastafari culture, such as the Twelve Tribes of Israel do not specify diet beyond that which to quote Christ "Is not what goes into a man's mouth that defile him, but what come out of it". Wine is seen as a "mocker" and strong drink is "raging", however simple consumption of beer or the very common "Roots Wine" are not systematically a part of Rastafarian culture this way or that. Separating from Jamaican culture, different interpretations on the role of food and drink within what some might call a religion remains up for debate. At official state banquets Haile Selassie would encourage guest to "eat and drink in your own way".

 

[Pundit]

Sasa unataka critique au nini?

 

[Kevo]

[B]Well I liked the education I got here from the contributors.Well I just went online to get more and ran into this article and thought its good sharing it with every one.[/B]

Throughout history the unspoken but highly evocative language of music has exerted powerful influences on individuals and societies alike. Felix Mendelssohn once remarked that music is more specific about what it expresses than words written about those expressions could ever be. That music has the power to express, convey and illicit powerful emotions is without question, however the issue of music's moral and ethical power, and how that power affects individuals and societies, is one that receives too little attention in our post-modern world. Ancient cultures held strong beliefs in the moral and ethical power of music and as such it was imperative for artists within those cultures to exercise a certain moral and ethical responsibility in their creative endeavors.

At the outset of the twenty-first century it is undeniable that the pervasiveness of popular culture and the values it engenders has had an adverse effect on our societies. In light of the current climate of Western popular culture, "art music" has become increasingly marginalized. In fact the word "art" has been greatly trivialized. The lines between trend and tradition, the profound and the superficial, art and cliché have become hopelessly indistinct as some of the most inane works, created by self-absorbed individuals of dubious talent, are now considered important works of "art." To this unfortunate situation it must be noted: All art may be self-expression, but not all self-expression is art.

We know that in Ages past music was not considered merely an entertainment but rather was associated, in fact, interlocked with religious and philosophical beliefs, thus possessed axiological connotations. Examining the perceptions and understandings of the ancient's attitude about music can be most enlightening and hopefully beneficial for our spiritual and social development as we begin our quest for a culture of peace in the new millennium.

 

[jmushi1]

[B]Well I liked the education I got here from the contributors.Well I just went online to get more and ran into this article and thought its good sharing it with every one.[/b]

Throughout history the unspoken but highly evocative language of music has exerted powerful influences on individuals and societies alike. Felix Mendelssohn once remarked that music is more specific about what it expresses than words written about those expressions could ever be. That music has the power to express, convey and illicit powerful emotions is without question, however the issue of music's moral and ethical power, and how that power affects individuals and societies, is one that receives too little attention in our post-modern world. Ancient cultures held strong beliefs in the moral and ethical power of music and as such it was imperative for artists within those cultures to exercise a certain moral and ethical responsibility in their creative endeavors.

At the outset of the twenty-first century it is undeniable that the pervasiveness of popular culture and the values it engenders has had an adverse effect on our societies. In light of the current climate of Western popular culture, "art music" has become increasingly marginalized. In fact the word "art" has been greatly trivialized. The lines between trend and tradition, the profound and the superficial, art and cliché have become hopelessly indistinct as some of the most inane works, created by self-absorbed individuals of dubious talent, are now considered important works of "art." To this unfortunate situation it must be noted: All art may be self-expression, but not all self-expression is art.

We know that in Ages past music was not considered merely an entertainment but rather was associated, in fact, interlocked with religious and philosophical beliefs, thus possessed axiological connotations. Examining the perceptions and understandings of the ancient's attitude about music can be most enlightening and hopefully beneficial for our spiritual and social development as we begin our quest for a culture of peace in the new millennium.

Shukran kwa research...KWELI MUSIC IS LIFE.