Example research essay topic: Civil Rights Movement Types Of Music - 1,462 words

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In this day in age rap has changed in so many more ways then one. From its start in the 80 s on the East Coast, to its explosion and transformation on the West Coast. Today RAP has earned itself a first name, and as you all may know its gangster RAP. Gangster Rap today has become a way of life for many fans. Often being misunderstood gangster Rappers have been blamed for glorifying the gangster way of life. Gangster Rappers such as Snoop Dog, 2 Pac, Ice T, Ice Cube and the Get Boyz have been harassed time and time again by critics, for there explicit lyrics and glorified way of rapping about there lives as gangsters.

Many times being at the wrong place at the wrong time often proves critics right, for example snoop dogs murder case and 2 pacs fatal shooting in Las Vegas Nevada. All though we have been told time and time over we can never let go of the hook and reel that rap hands to us. Being a rap fan myself it has never been a problem for me, not to pick up a gun and shoot someone after listening to a good Rapper talk to me. Being that I am the master of my life, I can control my own decisions. If a fan of gangster rap picks up a gun and shoots someone it is there own stupidity and not the responsibility of the Rapper. Using rap as a scapegoat for all the problems of the world is what I would call, cowards and ignorant for those writers looking for something to write about.

Rapper and writer 'KNVRS' tells Rap world" rap is an art and should be respected as one, I do understand that there are some Rappers out there, not very many but there is some Rappers that give other Rappers a bad name. And we make no claim for those few'. Some people think that the reasons that rap has been getting so much controversy, is because it is so different from other types of music. But it isn't as different as some people may think. Rap consists of the same basic parts as any other type of music, those being expression and enjoyment.

Just because it appeals to the younger crowds isn't enough grounds to say it is wrong to listen to. If I were to say that country is nothing but A bunch of drunken cow ridding red necks would I be right? Or if I were to say that classical is for nothing but limp lifeless self-centered wannabes would I also be right? And the same goes for all other types of music. This is simply a matter of different taste and nothing more. Soul Music As a Vehicle of Social Expression 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 paradise 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 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 populaces 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 underweight to light.

Soul songs like Donny Hathaway's To Be Young, Gifted and Black, was revolutionary, in that they sought to instill pride of ones history, but at the same time motivate a new generation to reach new heights. As Hathaway says, We must begin to tell our young, Dont 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 60 s and 70 s (Hathaway). James Browns Say It Loud, Im Black and Im Proud, became an anthem for the movement (Brown). The songs lyrics like, . Dont quit moving, until we get what we deserved 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 Southerns statement on Soul music greatly describes the type of works produced by Hathaway and Brown at the time, yet was definetly 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 Whats 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 aint 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 lets 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...

Research essay sample on Civil Rights Movement Types Of Music