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More handpicked essays just for you.
The Influence of African Americans on Music
The Influence of African Americans on Music
African American influence in music
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“Cause allllll of me loves alllllll of you. Love your curves and all ya edges, all your perfect imperfections…Beautiful ballad? Yes. Hit song? Yes. His biggest one yet? Without question. Making another album full of John Legend songs like that? Sorry, but no! On the recently released LP “Darkness and Light”, Legend takes you on a completely new joyride! A New Agenda Instead of smooth, he hits you with an edge. Instead of love jams, he steps outside of his comfort zone with moodier musicianship. This in effect, brings out a more versatile side of Legend that many aren’t used to seeing. “What good is a dream when the dreamer dies?” he belts out on the sultry track, Marching Into The Dark. Hence, this is why “Darkness and Light” shine with ambition from many different angles. Taking a risk to try something new, almost as if he is refusing to be placed in a box. In light of this, there is no doubt that we are seeing the side of John Legend that boldly stated on a recent taping of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, that “The country is now being run by a racist.” As it stands, many would deem him as a bonafide R&B star, but you now start to ask yourself, Who is this guy? Opinionated and talking gallant politics, isn’t he some type of pop singer? The answer is yes. However, maybe that’s not ALL he is. …show more content…
Legend croons “Streets fired up with the TV crews, look ma we on the news, but they didn’t notice before this.” He is assertive and genuine but not forceful, in true John Legend fashion. With that being said, you will still see him get sentimental on tracks like Right By You, a dedication to his seven-month-old daughter Luna. Then again on the beautiful setup duet Overload, with fellow soul crooner Miguel, he briefly touches on love and marriage in reference to wife/model Chrissy
He’s been called everything from the “The Mayor,” to the “The G-Don” but anyone associated with entertainment here in New Jersey; specifically the Jersey Shore music scene, should know who Gordon Brown is. Whether you've heard about his major label accomplishments thru bands such as Mr. Reality or Highway 9, or you’ve spent an evening watching one of your favorite acoustic artist at The Count Basie theater or Monmouth University, he has affected your musical experiences thru his business savvy and compositional skills, helping to create new outlets for some of New Jerseys best performers while coming up with events such as Writers In The Raw and The Wave Gathering Music Festival.
The song, “Bright Lights Bigger City” by the “neo-soul” artist CeeLo Green, the song gives off the atmosphere and mood of a typical club in the real world or even a soundtrack of what your life could be as you walking through the well-lit city on a weeknight living into the moment as if it were your last. The genre despite it being classified as the new style “neo-soul” takes similar harmonies and effects to that of the “electric” and “pop” genres as to better improve its overall sound and cater to both its intended audience and unbiased listeners alike. The title “Bright Lights Bigger city” gives us, the listen...
The Life of Billy Joel Billy Joel was born on May 9, 1949 in Bronx, New York. He moved at the age of four to a small town on Long Island. This is where at the ripe age of four he discovered the art of music. Originally a classical music fan, Billy Joel honed his skills with classical piano training. This undoubtedly has had a major influence on his life and certainly his music.
John Legend’s vocals add a more upbeat melody, which is a noticeable change from Donny Hathaway’s recordings. Both versions of the song keep the instruments to go along with their own soulful voices to add a jazz element to the song. Regarding his choice on material for the album Legend said, “because the late-Sixties/early-Seventies was such a fertile time for music about fighting for rights and fighting for justice, the songs from that era did fit in perfectly with what we were trying to get across message-wise” (1). He also stated part of his mission with the creation of this album was to rediscover overlooked songs from famous albums or artists.
AIDS is the one of the most devastating diseases known to man as of today. “At the EJAF (Elton John AIDS Foundation) we believe that AIDS can be beaten” (Elton). Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the most well-known charities in it’s field and is well respected throughout the world. Elton John decided to start this organization after losing two of his close friends, Freddie Mercury and Ryan White, to the disease. The foundation was initially set up in the United States (New York) in 1992, and then the United Kingdom (London) in 1993 (Elton). The principal advocacy of the foundation is to improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
Throughout America’s history there have been countless influential leaders that have proudly been American. Those have held positions of politicians, soldiers, and . Kanye Omari West has opened the eyes of today's generation and still continues to shape American history. His musical influence has transformed the lives of countless people. Inspiring many to stand up and fight for what they believe in is something Kanye West continues to do even today.. Also, opening the eyes of many to racial injustice towards African American citizens. I’ll further elaborate my claim in the following paragraphs using historical evidence.
Many artists use rhetorical devices in their work to help convey a message and to make their audience feel something. Ed Sheeran is a singer-songwriter who uses many rhetorical strategies to craft his songs. As a person, and a lyricist, Sheeran is very likable and popular because he always stays genuine and true to himself. He is truthful and real in every song, and what he writes is his way of dealing with any personal struggles; struggles most people can relate to. Specifically, in his song “Thinking Out Loud” Sheeran uses rhetoric to prove his love is true and will be lasting forever. He appeals strongly to ethos and pathos, and employs devices in order to invoke similar feelings of experiences in his young adult listeners.
...orgettable. Research shows that “There’s this unifying force that comes from the music and we don’t get that from other things.”(Landau) Bruce Springsteen is a great storyteller and has captured some of the experiences of the American working class. Even when the lyrics are dark or the subject matter is depressing, he manages to provide hope, too. For as long as I can remember, my mother has been playing Springsteen’s music. When I hear a song of his now, it reminds me of driving down the road with the windows down belting out a song with my mom. As Dave Marsh from Creem Magazine prophetically wrote in 1975, “Springsteen’s music is often strange because is has an almost traditional sense of beauty, an inkling of the awe you can feel when, say, first falling in love or finally discovering that the magic in the music is also in you.” (Bruce Springsteen Biography 2)
Some people are born to become legends, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. From the second he was born and through his younger years everyone knew he was destined for something bigger than a regular nine to five life, they just didn’t realize the magnitude of what was to come. Born into a all around food middle-class family, no on in that house hold even Bruce, didn’t realize that within fifty years he would reach living legend status. Also have a title of one of the best musicians to every live. After working hard at what he loves, Bruce has become known as a musical hero and inspiration to his fans and fellow musicians. With his deep lyrics, amazing stage presence, incredible guitar skills, and his passion, he is an untouchable force in the music industry. Using his lyrics to vent his emotions and past, but to also add awareness to social issues around the world. Bruce and his love for music affected him his whole life, and has shaped into what he is today. His music now affects the world. His music has truly changed the world (musically and socially) forever.
Nate Ruess has done an amazing job creating a song that has many different meanings, depending on how it is interpreted. However, if there is one thing that is not likely to be debated it is that Some Nights is a song about the inner turmoil people experience. Whether it is a musician who just reached fame and glory, or a soldier forced to fight for his country. The fact that this song also has an upbeat and catchy tune completely contradicts this meaning though. It is interesting that the music buries the message and makes it more subversive. Some Nights is one of the more original songs on the radio because it explores the turmoil of being a celebrity, which most people do not realize exist.
He uses the most impactful part of each genre to create mesmerizing, satisfying, and timeless tracks. From the blues, he draws the pain, from soul he takes the passionate vocals, from gospel, the eerie choir singing and religious undertones in the lyrics, and lastly, from folk he uses the narrative and poignant lyrics. The tracks in this album are beautiful, from Hozier’s noteworthy lyrics to his powerful and dynamic vocals. He is able to easily switch back from his more folky songs and softly sing the gentle melodies to the more bluesy songs where he can belt out lyrics of heartbreak and love. Each song features Hozier’s voice, it’s gritty, raw, and rough.
Many musical critics have referred to Bruce Springsteen as one of the greatest and most influential American musicians of all time, and he has been able to sustain his status as a musical legend for decades. Some of the most consistent themes of his works include failed relationships, the working class American, and the cycle of poverty, and these have all greatly contributed to his success over the years he has been on the musical scene. Many of his works are inspired by his own experiences and the experiences of those close to him, allowing him to give the audience a realistic and accurate portrayal of his life and the reason behind his songwriting. Springsteen has several works that detail the failure of some of his romantic marriages and
Sir Elton John has created a large impact on society because of his advocacy towards AIDS and HIV. His creation of the Elton John AIDS Foundation has created a large amount of awareness for those suffering from the disease. He has helped numerous people and created a new foundation for gay artists. Sir Elton John has had a large impact on history in the LGBT community by fighting aids and HIV, supporting gay rights, and procuring funding. Elton used the piano as a way to escape his troubles as a boy.
Lessons From Bob Marley on How to Live a Better Life Bob Marley is a famous musician that is now heralded as an icon of reggae music. His songs like One Love, Stir It Up, Jamming and Concrete Jungle became a worldwide success inpiring people of all generation. More than his music, Bob Marley can also inpire people through her words. Not the best speaker, since he lived in Jamaica before getting famous, Bob Marley is vocal in communicating his thoughts about love and life. Some of his quotes are actually more realistic that lessons by famous life coaches.
British musical sensation Ed Sheeran has made a meteoritical rise into mainstream pop culture in recent years, but has been the unfortunate victim of commercialization of his public image, yet his music has for the most part maintained its authentic ingenuity and sincerity. Sheeran has developed a niche sound of genuine, heartfelt lyrics accompanied by an acoustic guitar, always played by Sheeran himself. His concerts consist of him on a stage with a looping pedal and a rotating cast of guitars. Unlike most performances by mainstream artists, who usually have an instrumental accompaniment, Sheeran creates his backing sound using only his voice and a guitar. His style could be labelled as “stripped-down” in comparison to other pop artists.