Hip Hop History Essay, Research Paper
Music is the most powerful vehicle of human
expression. As the embodiment of love, disapproval,
happiness, experience? life, music speaks to us, because it
comes from us. Each people, in each paradine of the human
experience instinctively and systematically change the music
of the past to represent the realities of the present. In
this century, black music, more specifically Hip Hop/Soul
music, has been that music that has brought to plain view
that which evidences our humanity? hope, hurt, joy and
passion? in such a way that the world has no other choice
than to feel its power and marvel in its brilliance. When
one discusses the relationship between Soul music and the
civil rights movement, it becomes a dialogue very akin to
that of the chicken and the egg. The period of ?Classic
Soul? is that period primarily, but not exclusively
referenced as the 1950?s, 60?s and 70?s (Stephenson 186).
This is the time frame of the American Civil Rights
Movement, and the impact of the massive changes going on,
are reflected in the music and the culture. So one would be
correct in both assuming that the Civil Rights Movement gave
rise to Soul music, as
much Soul music contributed to the success of the campaign
for civil rights. Soul music during its heyday, did more
than simply entertain. For a race of people it served as a
source of motivation, strength and education, for a people
immersed in turmoil and tragedy. The institution of
segregation had effectively inhibited the general populace?s
awareness of the great achievements and contributions made
by African-Americans throughout the history of the United
States (Franklin 429). Inasmuch, Soul music sought to bring
that undersight to light. Soul songs like Donny Hathaway?s
?To Be Young, Gifted and Black,? was revolutionary, in that
they sought to instill pride of one?s history, but at the
same time motivate a new generation to reach new heights. As
Hathaway says, ?We must begin to tell our young, ?Don?t you
know that there is a whole world waiting for you???, he is
calling for the teaching of black pride to the youth, which
was a wide spread trend in black communities of the ?60s and
?70s (Hathaway). James Brown?s ?Say It Loud, I?m Black and
I?m Proud,? became an anthem for the movement (Brown). The
song?s lyrics like, ??.Don?t quit moving, until we get what
we deserve?we?d rather die on our feet, than keep living on
our knees,? were words of inspiration for those involved in
the struggle for equality. ?Whereas the predominant theme of
rhythm and blues was love and other kind of human
relationships, soul singers voiced concern about the social
injustice, racial pride, black militancy, and forms of
protest (Southern 517).? Eileen Southern?s statement on Soul
music greatly describes the type of works produced by
Hathaway and Brown at the time, yet was definitely not
exclusive to these two artists. The period wherein Soul
intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement, produced music
greatly influenced by the environment in which its creators
lived. Donny Hathaway?s, ?Ghetto,? and Marvin Gaye?s ?Inner
City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler),? speak of the harshness
of life in the Inner City (Hathaway/Gaye). Societal ills and
political unrest were a major theme of Soul music, and
Marvin Gaye?s work, almost more than any other artist, was
demonstrative of this fact. Gaye?s album What?s Goin On, was
his commentary on the social problems of the period, and
through its success tremendously impacted the increasing
social awareness. Despair within the black community was
given voice in Gaye?s ?Inner City Blues?.. Inflation, taxes,
unemployment and police brutality were numbered among the
themes addressed in the song. The sense of hopelessness of
the piece can best be conveyed in the line saying, ?this
life ain?t worth the living?.makes me wanna holler, throw up
both my hands!?(Gaye). ?Save the Children? goes on to ask:
?Who is willing to try and save a world that is destined to
die??, yet goes on to say ?live life for the children?let?s
save the children (Gaye). So, even in the midst of great
despair, Gaye, and other artist of his genre, did believe in
the possibility of change. “Ball of Confusion,” debuting in
1970, gave the Temptation’s take on the societal ills
plaguing their times. It explored the white migration to the
suburbs, urban riots, politicians, etc., as it expressed the
sense of turmoil experienced during that time which seemed
to all come together in a “Ball of Confusion.” The lyrics
state that “the only person talking about love my brother is
the preacher?the only person interested in learning is the
teacher”(Temptations). These lines express a theme of love
and education as the cure to society’s problems. In a deeper
sense, it says that people should focus on solutions, not
the problems which create despair. In the spirit of this
solution-based songwriting, a strong, no-holds-barred
message to youth about the importance of getting an
education was given voice in October of 1966. James Brown’s
“Don’t Be a Drop Out” is a story of a drop out who compares
himself to friends who continued their education. The song
says, “they kept on pushing when the going got tough, and
now they know that things don’t seem so rough”(Brown). James
Brown knew the importance of this first hand having no
formal education. He implemented a program which encouraged
kids to stay in school and gave scholarships for those that
wanted to go to college. Brown also worked to improve the
quality of education in urban areas. He later releases two
anti-drug songs, “King Heroin” and “Public Enemy No. 1.” He
had realized the devastation that drugs brought to the black
community and the songs were used as the tool to educate
blacks about their danger. James had become a role model for
black youth not only through his music but through his
commitment to the black community, thus serving as a shining
example of the lessons of his music. Brown’s message of
change by improving currently existing systems was
conservative in comparison to some more radical artists.
These artists, like the Last Poets, believed that change
would only come around through a revolution. The Last Poets
who use a combination of spoken word and music in their song
“Niggers Are Scared of Revolution” exemplify this. The song
addresses apathy in the black community about black
revolution and the lack of participation in the movement
(Last Poets). Gil Scott Heron is an artist with a similar
message. His work “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”
discuss the media’s purposeful ommitance of pertinent black
issues, and the manner in which change will occur. The song
“Power to the People” by the Chi-Lites was originally the
slogan for the Black Panther Party. “Young, Gifted and
Black” by Nina Simone, “People Get Ready” by the Impressions
and Edwin Starr’s “War” are just a few of the many songs
which drew the black community together to raise social
consciousness. Black music, specifically Soul music, will
never disappear. Though the motivation for the music may
change nominally, the spirit behind it will always stay the
same. Passion, pain, despair, love and hope, will forever
remain key elements of the human experience. This truth is
the reason in which we have seen Soul music change to fit
the times in which it exists. Some hip-hop artists such as
De La Soul, Public Enemy and even Arrested Development
carried a strong message of social change. Yet, their time
too was limited as the black American climate slightly
changed. Today artist such as the crowned king and queen of
the newly dubbed category of “Neo-classic soul” bear the
torch. D’Angelo and Erykah Badu talk about revolution and
the state of the black community and relationships. Badu’s
“On and On” expresses her thoughts of how she feels that we
are born into the middle of a world in constant struggle as
she says, “?.my life keeps going like a rolling stone?..I
was born under water with three dollars and six dimes (a
metaphor to 360 degrees in reference to her never-ending
struggle)”(Baduizm). D’Angelo addresses the rampant use of
marijuana in his “Brown Sugar” as he writes, “I want some
more of your brown sugar?.your love makes me high right to
the sky?.my eyes are blood burgundy.” His Devil’s Pie
addresses drugs and money (Belly Soundtrack). Both Badu and
D’Angelo give their takes on bad relationships in “Tyrone”
and “Shit, Damn, Mother Fucker,” respectively. Badu’s “Other
Side of the Game” even addresses the issue of being involved
with a man who sells drugs. She writes, “Do I really want my
baby?..work ain’t honest, but it pays the bills.” The
subject matter addressed by Badu and D’Angelo express many
of the problems endured by today’s generation, some of which
may not have been experienced in the same manner of
generations past. Music is an expression of life. Hence, it
can only be a reflection of life’s experiences. Soul music
speaks directly to the human experience. It attacks the
maladies of our existence. It empathizes with our pains, and
rejoices in our happiness. Masterfully, has it changed so as
that it remains sensitive to our needs today. Only the beat
has changed. The Soul of soul, however, the message, will
always remain.