Brianna Isabella Reyes October 9, 2017 Mr. Chuba Period F Current Event on Lin-Manuel Miranda Lin-Manuel Miranda is an award winning composer, and performer. He has created many phenomenal musicals, a popular one being Hamilton. Miranda is proud of his Latino roots, and often incorporates it into his work. Two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico, Lin-Manuel Miranda began to take matters into his own hands. The island is facing a humanitarian crisis, left with high risks of disease and famine. Miranda recorded a song, “Almost Like Praying”, with the help of some of his friends. All the song’s proceeds go to a Hispanic disaster relief fund. Jennifer Lopez, Gina Rodriguez, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan, Camila …show more content…
Cabello and Marc Anthon, and others jumped in on this project. Through this song, he is helping the island fund for hurricane relief and shining light on the federal government’s failure to follow appropriate duties. Lin-Manuel Miranda developed the song from pure passion and roots, he emphasized the sense of community and hope that Puerto-Ricans attain through the making and recording of the song. He has helped raise a million dollars already for hurricane relief. The island is in grave condition, any assistance they can receive is used to full advantage. Not only is Puerto Rico benefitting from this, but the music industry as well.
Money isn’t the only form of success, but also reputation. Just this one song has given the industry a giant pat on the back. Miranda’s project is one of very few ever of its kind. It has become a big deal in music, considering a project like this has never been such a tremendous success. Following the song, the music industry has gained so much more respect. “Almost Like Praying” has reached #1 on the charts, making people realize that music does have power. It showed the world that power of music, and presented how music is a universal …show more content…
language. This song has inspired people to do so much, might it even be solely writing about the topic. The Rolling Stones article on Miranda’s song allows for a separate outlet for awareness, other than the music itself. The article should be talked about since it focuses on what Miranda, the writer himself, has to say about the song. The interviewers really captured the raw point which is was Lin-Manuel Miranda said himself, “We're facing a humanitarian crisis right now. And the response from our federal government is not commensurate with the previous two hurricanes, much less up to the unprecedented danger of this disaster itself.” The music was an outlet, and that led to this article where Miranda has the opportunity to preach something that the island of Puerto Rico couldn’t put into words. This Rolling Stones article is so important to me, and everything I am.
This article shows the power of music. As a musician myself, I find it so important that the art is appreciated and seen for what it really is. I want people to know that music isn’t just a sound, otherwise we’d just call it noise. Music is a language, something that contains passion and culture. Personally, the music that Lin-Manuel Miranda creates is relevant. He makes music from my culture, he represents my people. He incorporates latin music and Puerto-Rican roots into broadway shows, something that was never done. He makes me feel represented, as if my people are finally being appreciated in the most appropriate way. As a young Latina who’s interested in pursuing the music field, it is inspiring to be represented by this very successful and happy person, who is just like me. I beleive little kids all over the world are inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda as well. It’s so important for kids to see themselves represented in the media, as it brings a sense of hope. Another things that is article presents to me is Puerto Rico! I am Puerto-Rican and Cuban, unapologetic for both. Majority of my family is in the island right now, suffering immensely from the repercussions of the natural disasters. Knowing that the music industry and media is involved, although the government may not be, is so pleasing! The article gives Puerto Rico a voice, and a chance to be heard. Hopefully, that chance is taken and turned
into a plan. Thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda for setting up the foundation to unite a community, we can defeat humanitarian crises and live peacefully.
On October 23, 2016 I went to a concert type of event that different music groups were performing. This event is what Hispanics call a “Jaripeo Baile,” which is a place that people can see other people bull riding like in the rodeo, but this event was only about music groups performing. One of the music groups that performed was a band called “Josecito Leon y Su Internacional Banda Roja.” While I watched the band’s performance it reminded me of how it relates to the themes that were from our readings and discussions that we had throughout the semester.
For centuries, music has been defined by history, time, and place. To address this statement, Tom Zè, an influential songwriter during the Tropicália Movement, produced the revolutionary “Fabrication Defect” to challenge oppression as a result from the poor political and social conditions. On the other hand, David Ramsey discusses, in mixtape vignettes, the role of music to survive in New Orleans’ violent setting. Furthermore, “The Land where the Blues Began”, by Alan Lomax, is a film and perfect example to understand under what musical conditions profound ways of communication are made to stand the hard work of cotton plantations. As a result, music plays a crucial role in the sources’ cultures and its creation relies on particular conditions such as the social
"The guitar is shaped like a woman, with a neck you hold and a body you hug against yourself."(Santana 114). Carlos Santana, a very accomplished fourth generation Latino musician, is a very romantic man with his music. He was born on July 20, 1947 in Autlan Mexico, the middle of seven children (biography.com). His parents are Josefina Barragan and Jose Santana. His father was an accomplished professional violinist and as a child Carlos learned to play the instrument from his father, though he did not enjoy the tones it created. Eventually he picked up the electric guitar, for which he developed an ardent passion. How has Carlos Santana's music been a positive impact in Latino culture? Although Carlos Santana's music was heavily influenced by drugs and alcohol, he has been a positive influence on Latino culture because of his musical innovation, resilience in adversity, and world-wide philanthropy.
...hy I chose to do my case study on Lila Downs is because she is a strong indigenous woman who has come to realize and appreciate her culture and her people. She doubted her blood once, but know she is proud of who she is. I admire her music; she keeps it traditional as her ancestors would once, and adds her own spice to it. The way that her music is, contributes to her listeners such in Oaxaca and other Latin American countries who listens to her. She is the voice for the indigenous people, as she writes song that advocate for their mistreatment. Also Lila Downs doesn’t compose songs as any other singer/composer would, she tries to make a connection with the diverse audiences. I appreciate the fact that Downs writes song about political and social justice and immigration not only that but I like how she implies her own dialects into her music and cultural background.
On June 26th 1974, in Pequannock, New Jersey, Derek Sanderson Jeter was born. His parents were Charles Jeter and Dorothy Connors. His parents had a rare relationship for their time. Charles was african american and Dorothy was white. In the 1960s marriage of separate races was frowned upon but they loved each other and made it work. When Derek was still a small child, Charles moved the family to Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is where practically Dereks whole childhood took place.
Thursdays at Cal State L.A. seemed like any other typical day- warm, busy, and tiring. However, on December 2, 2015, something was particularly different; not only was it the last day of class before finals, but there was also a Mariachi concert directed by Cynthia Reifler Flores. As I was walking towards the State Playhouse, I thought about how the music would be composed. The first thing that I expected was the music to have a quick, upbeat tempo, something that would be played at a festival or a party. I walked through the screen door and was given a pamphlet. In it contained detailed information about their programs, musicians, Flores’ biography, and the prodigious mariachi group. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the doors
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez was a young Latino who had a passionate love for baseball. He was like any normal kid in the neighborhood apart from his strikingly athletic good looks, strong natural leadership and obsession with baseball. “Benny”, as his closest friends would call him, was a true hero to his inner circle of teammates. Especially to Scotty Smalls, as it was Benny who saved Scotty from a life sentence by retrieving his step father’s prized Babe Ruth autographed baseball from the jaws of the notorious junkyard “Beast” and making himself a neighborhood legend.
Lin-Manuel Miranda summed up his feelings about art in an interview: "The ultimate way art can be political is that I think it engenders empathy which is the thing politicians can't seem to do" (Watson). Throughout history, many forms of art have created new ideas in our society and will continue to challenge new ways of thinking and how we communicate with one another. In the last fifteen years, artist Lin-Manuel Miranda has written two Broadway Musicals that have had a major impact on how we historically view our country. By writing stories based on the traditional ideas of the "American Dream" and contemporizing the history of our nation's birth, he has captivated a broad and diverse audience. Lin-Manuel's genius, coupled with his passion for the arts, plays an integral role on how we should view our nation's history, to uphold American values for all of us, not just some of us.
...frican American Musicians as Artists, Critics, and Activists. Berkeley, CA: University of California, 2002. 54-100. EBSCOhost. Web. 8 May 2015.
Spike Lee is a filmmaker who has generated numerous controversial films that unapologetically bring delicate social issuest o the media forefront. He honestly portrays life's societal obstacles. He challenges the public to cogitate on the world's glitches and disunion. Spike Lee created a name for himself with films such as Do the Right Thing (1989) and Malcolm X (1992), and with documentaries such as 4 Little Girls (1997) and When the Levees Broke (2006). Lee’s goal was to portray African Americans in a more accurate light. Even today Lee still produces films that directly address modern society's most significant historical movements and episodes. His productions analyze themes of race and discrimination. His work can be analyzed in academic studies such as Philosophy, African Studies, and literary concepts. I am interested in Spike Lee because his craft and career choice is somewhat similar to my future career endeavors. He not only exalted his skills to produce films but he broke barriers of stereotypical Hollywood movies. His works address issues in society such as political, racial, and environmental influences on African American culture. Given that society has evolved into a technology dependent culture; using this talent to visibly shed light to these concerns is an ability I hope to obtain one day.
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
Released in 1997, Buena Vista Social Club immediately became an international success and won a Grammy Award in 1998. Around the world, especially in U.S. where the album was welcomed most heartily, Ry Cooder was considered the hero of Cuban music (Hernandez 65). Being the producer of the album, Cooder was assumed to discover a “lost treasure” in Cuban culture. However, Tanya Kateri Hernandez, in an article about Buena Vista Social Club, revealed that Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, not Cooder, was the person “who masterminded and facilitated the collaboration.” (Hernandez 62). Also in this article, it is noted that Juan de Marcos Gonzalez “implicitly acquiesced to Cooder’s propagation of the colonial myth for the purpose of ensuring the commercial success of the collaboration.” (Hernandez 64). Other musicians in the Buena Vista Social Club ensemble followed Gonzalez’s step, as there was hardly another choice for them.
George Lopez was born on April 23rd in the year of 1961 in the Mission, Hills of Los Angeles, California. His father who was Anataso was a migrant worker who left his wife, Frieda for a different lifestyle. After Lopez was born, Frieda and George Moved in with his mom’s parents who tried to raise Lopez In her hometown of California. When George was a young kid his mother explained to him that his father had died. Even though, the real truth was that he was in fact alive but wanted nothing to do with his son who he had with his ex-wife. His mother soon remarried when George was only ten years of age. His mouther also left, so he had nowhere to go other than to his grandparents’ house because he figured they would take care of him. Lopez was
Music, in the history of Puerto Rico, has played a role of great significance as a means of cultural expression. The five centuries of musical activity shows that Puerto Ricans have created, developed and promoted a variety of genres ranging from folk music, concert music and new genres. The Puerto Rican music and native musicians have shaped and enriched the identity of the Puerto Rican people and their roots.
“Music is uniquely wonderful. It is incapable of being touched yet it touches everyone who is capable of hear sounds. It can seemingly evoke any emotion; we instinctively respond to happy tunes, mournful songs, beautiful melodies, inspiring anthems, stirring hymns, and majestic orchestrations.” (Doolan, Robert. 1985) There is no question that music is great part of society; it has been at civilization’s side whether it be the lyres and flutes of the ancient Greeks or how it calms or excites emotions and keeps armies in order during battle. Within society, there has also been social unrest and the desire for change. Protesting is the expression of a society’s concerns on current events of which they feel affected by whether it be through public rallies, picketing, riots or even bombings. Protest through music is one powerful medium for engaging people. Amidst what life throws at individuals, music has comforted the soul, provoked individualistic thought and opinion, and music draws people together through groups alike who have the same attachment or concerns with their surroundings. Whether it be rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip hop, dance, spiritual, or world, music has inspired artists to spill out their expression and views of society. Music is a universally effective tool of protest in generating social change and unrest as it continues to unite those with like ideas.