Childish Gambino and State of the Nation

Black Studies: Music

A

I would name "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar as an example of a contemporary song that has become an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement and that speaks to the perseverance and resilience of Black communities in the face of oppression and police brutality. The lyrics "we gon' be alright" serve as a rallying cry for hope and unity. Also, "This is America" by Childish Gambino: this song highlights the realities of gun violence, racism, and police brutality. The music video, too, which has some disturbing imagery and symbolism, adds to the song and lyrics and makes a powerful statement about the state of the nation and the need for change. I would say these are songs of revolution today because they are direct and foster a spirit of resistance, just as litigants did when they “chanted or sang their arguments to the accompaniment of drums” in the old villages of Africa (Southern 7).

B

The adoption of new musical sensibilities by free Blacks in the North did result in a loss of some aspects of African culture. For example, many traditional African musical instruments and rhythms were not incorporated into the new music. Additionally, some of the call-and-response patterns and improvisation techniques that were central to traditional African music were not as prominent in the new music favored by both Blacks and white society. However, there were also gains from this adoption of new musical sensibilities. By incorporating elements of European music, Black musicians were able to gain a wider audience and were more easily able to earn a living as performers. Additionally, the blending of African and European musical traditions gave rise to new genres such as ragtime and jazz, which have had a profound impact on American music. There was certainly space to blend both the old and new world cultural forms, and many Black musicians did just that. This blending of cultures helped to create a new and distinctly American musical tradition, which we still have today.