DISQUS

YBPGuide: Do we really need Black Music Month?

  • brentBhola · 2 years ago
    What exactly is Black Music. Are the Bad Brains, my favorite Black Punk Band who pioneered Thrash and back in the 80s considered Black Music?

    It's is a marketing gimmick on par with Valentine's day.
  • Dame · 2 years ago
    I wasn't even aware it was black music month.
  • Ray Johnson · 2 years ago
    Wow I like Dame had not clue of this. I think regonition for Blacks in anything these days are examples of atonement for the treatment that was endured by many blacks in the past and present. The Indians get land and we get reserved days on the calendar
  • B · 2 years ago
    I don't know. I have a hard time believing that people sincerely have absolutely no clue what "black music" is. I mean, I have heard members of other groups refer to various aspects of their own culture, including music, so I am just confused about how people can claim not to know what type of music is traditionally a part of black culture. I know that one of my best friends told me how soca reminded her of Nigerian music, so I do think that different cultures typically have different styles of music. When I think of black music, I first think that the term is specifically referencing african american music & culture. When I think of African-American culture, I think of rock & roll, blues, jazz, r &b, hip hop, and even "pop" music. I think "black" music has more to do with culture, than skin color.
  • Rashad L. Morgan · 2 years ago
    To play devil's advocate, why not have black music month? As in every gesture of recognition, it is what you make of it. There is nothing inherently wrong with recognizing the contributions that have been made by blacks in basically defining many of the genres that are enjoyed by many. Maybe it is important that other people realize that we have contributed more to the music world than hip-hop. While black music month may seem hollow to those that have a greater understanding of these contributions, for those that need to be informed and educated, this month could be used as a tool to cultivate learning. To some, people, rock & roll began with the Beatles and not Chuck Berry. Most people forget that the Rolling Stones owe their style and name to the great black bluesmen that the grew up idolizing. And in this day and age where Chicken Noodle Soup passes as a pop hit, we may need Black Music Month more than we think.
  • Glen · 2 years ago
    I found out about black music month about a year ago and to me it is a waste. At 41 years old I have lived black music all of my life and there is not much in my opinion to celebrate. Until things get back to the way they where in the music industry 30 years ago celebrating a certain month for our music in my opinion is barely worth the paper it is written on.
  • WTF · 1 year ago
    Seeing as how the majority of music in our culture is rooted in "black history" (of which there is already an entire month dedicated), it makes more sense (to me) to study white music history. It would be traced back to black music anyway, and then everyone could benefit.
    (Of course, that would never happen as anyone who suggests anything aimed specifically at 'white' history is racist.)
    Just trying to make a point...