by Nicole Queen
"Strange Fruit," "To Be Young, Gifted and Black," "Say it Loud, I’m black and I’m Proud," "Fight The Power" all
the way down to the revolutionary "King Kunta" contributes to an artist's role in social and political issues hovering
around the world. Throughout the years, artists have used their musical platforms
to weigh in heavily on these matters. I do not want to make this topic a history lesson but music
has been used as a tool for healing situations across the nations for decades.
People like myself look toward artists, musicians and poets to display
social/political conditions via their creations or lyrics. Although, thoughts
arise of covering these issues can be sometimes made taboo. “It is not so much
a question of should artists address social issues like race and class in their
work. For some, it is unavoidable. But we must also be flexible
enough-compassionate enough- to permit artist to imagine and suggest worlds and
ideas where these concrete issues aren’t applicable. They must be exonerated
from pursuing a perhaps higher call”. –Ken Burns ( La Times)
In this moment, it is important for artist to stand an in
organic element. This technique is how people connect and feel the truth of
which an artist is trying to convey. Take for example: 1968 when James Brown calmedthe city of Boston after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
The 1990 release of "Fight the Power" by
Public Enemy, Wattstax celebrating the 7th anniversary of Los Angeles
Watts riots or, Marvin Gaye’s monumental album What’s Going On. All of these
moments in history are still prevalent to today’s social and political standpoint.
Many of the artists of the past, present and future continue
to shed light and be the people’s broken voice to the nation who sees
half-truths and whole lies in today’s society. Many of these artists continue
to give us a joyous feeling to say “Damn right, I am somebody!”
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