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White artists Appropiating Black Music? |
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#1 |
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Guest
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,751
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(Article) White artists Appropiating Black Music?
Now, now now i hope that this doesn't start a flaming war on me because i do not agree with the article in its entirety. What i do think is interesting however is the point raised that maybe black artists are being overlooked for maybe the face of acceptabilty of what may sell more out there, but who knows because i do not have any real facts in front of me to make an assertion like that, but i did think that this article was relevant to this forum and worth posting and is interesting none the less.
Black Music Congress Press Release Feb 3 2004 'Are white artists like Eminem, Justin Timberlake and Christiana Aguilera appropriating black music?' Debate Report The music industry was charged with institutional racism at the Black Music Congress' debate entitled 'Are white artists like Eminem, Justin Timberlake and Christiana Aguilera appropriating black music?' held at City University London on January 31. The perception was that the industry was keen to promote white artists performing black music, but reluctant to invest commensurate resources in black artists performing black music or specific types of black music. Although participants felt that white artists could participate within black music genres, so long as they acknowledged their sources and influences, there was however a view that there was a deliberate "political" and "racist" policy to sell black music styles with proven commercial potential using "safe" white faces. Jazz musician Jamie Callum and soul singer Joss Stone were pointed out as examples – the former, a recipient of a reputed £1m record deal and huge marketing by the same company that didn't offer the same opportunities to the more innovative black jazz musician Courtney Pine, and the latter is currently receiving a major push performing a style that most black artists would not be allowed to perform because the gate-keepers of the industry view it as non-commercial and old-fashioned. Secondly, it was acknowledged that appropriation has been happening for decades – well before the likes of Elvis Presley, Pat Boone and Bill Haley. However, participants highlighted that an insidious aspect was the process by which copycat white artists over time came to be regarded as the kings and inventors of black music genres. Today's faces of rock n roll, and the fact that American ska/pop band No Doubt thought ska was invented by the 2-Tone movement in Britain, were cases in point. Whilst accepting that white artists appropriate black music, panellist Dave Woolf, co-manager of Beverley Knight and head of the DWL promotions company, he felt the debate question would only tie us up in knots, and a more relevant question to address 'How can we improve the odds that the industry will give black artists the same chances as white artists?" Fellow panellist Lisa Lindahl, an urban music publicist, put forward the symbiotic advantages of white participation by pointing to the pop, mainstream doors that were open to rapper Redman through his collaboration with Christiana Aguilera in the hit record 'Dirrty'. Athough panellist Mykaell Riley, a senior lecturer at Westminster University and founder of the Black Music Education Trust, highlighted the fact that black music participation in Britain has historically been inclusive, he nevertheless added that the industry continues to demonstrate "systematic, and endemic institutional racism." Also, whether to define the music as urban music or black music, was another issue which was repeatedly touched upon (it will be the subject of the May 22 debate entitled 'Is it black music or urban music?'). The general consensus was that the all-embracing 'urban music' was another tactic used to appropriate black music without acknowledging its black roots. As one participant, Dean Okai, put it: "Urban is the new jazz, the new rock n roll." It's another way in which "ownership is taken away from us." Last edited by rachelrising : 18-02-2004 at 01:24. |
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#2 |
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Guest
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Kataan
Posts: 10,939
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It can all be traced back to the black blues artists Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Muddy Waters, was the first person to ever consider the possibilities of amplifying a guitar.
So I guess its always been this way. |
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,148
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I think it was true in the past, but it's a completely different situation now, there's plenty of black artists who outsell white artists, and who's music is bought by plenty white people. And if white artists now make black music, it's seen as them paying homage to it. I don't think anyone should be restricted in making the music they like because of their colour, I don't think Mr Timberlake is just pretending to like RnB because it makes him wads of cash.
Obviously RnB is huge in America, so you're gonna end up with a large variety of artists of different races, and to me it's mainly down to the sexual attraction of artists. Alot girls who like RnB, will buy Justin Timberlake albums, because they fancy white guys, like him. But Pharell Williams does ok with the girls who like black guys. And these days it's the black guys, like the Neptunes, and Timbaland, that are in the driving seat, Mr Timberlake is singing their music, and they are doing very nicely out of it, not being exploited. |
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#4 |
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Guest
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,751
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I have to admit though that i am not overly keen on the term
"urban music" and even the MOBO's are even beginning to use it i believe to try and be more politically correct. I myself will personally never use that term. MOBO's transformation i do find interesting because they have copped a lot of flak for being seen as racist and exclusive and even though i myself am not a particular fan of the MOBO's you do not see people complaining so much if Asian or Hispanic/Latina people want to celebrate and award great talent in their community. However, for members of the Black community it is somewhat different, maybe that is because they have got more power, who knows. |
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#5 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dunfermline ♂
Posts: 20,150
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Interested to know whether you feel whether the resentment is only against caucasian performers. Asian adoption/transformation of the genre has been almost as rife in the past decade. Also I'm sure all-black metal or electro bands would be welcomed, there just seems to be none.
I'm agnostic on all this but aware racism can occur in all communities. G |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,751
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Quote:
Originally posted by cobaltmale My own personal views, I personally think that it is a good thing that people are free to sing whatever they please in this day and age but i do think that at the same time that if racism does exist and excellent singers and performers are not being given the same opportunity as white artists then this does need to be looked at.Interested to know whether you feel whether the resentment is only against caucasian performers. Asian adoption/transformation of the genre has been almost as rife in the past decade. Also I'm sure all-black metal or electro bands would be welcomed, there just seems to be none. I'm agnostic on all this but aware racism can occur in all communities. G But to answer your question I do think that some members of the black community or any ethnic community will have a problem with "outsiders" approaiting what they deem as "their" music but really i personally feel that they have to live with it and hopefully get to see the positive side of it in the future. |
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#7 |
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Posts: n/a
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I don't like the terms black or white, because I'm not and they're not, but anyway. The non-white population of the UK make up 7.9%. Of which 45% live in London. Again in the 7.9% only 2% of the UK population are black/ Caribbean/ African or otherwise.
I don't know the demographics of the charts, but I'm sure that more than 2% of the music is written and performed by excellent Black artists. Yes of course everyone "appropriates" the musical style that they like best, regardless of where it comes from or their own colour. So what. Black culture is well represented through this appropriation. This is a good thing. Long may it continue. Rudi
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