Week 5 Discussion: Music and Dance

Initial Post Instructions
Choose one of the music or dance movements that you read about this week and at least one work from that movement. Then, address the following:

• Examine the movement and specific work in relation to historical and political influences of the movement.
• Identify characteristics of the movement and how the work reflects these characteristics.
• Include a statement from the artist and one from a critic.
• Include a link to the lyrics and/or video, depending on your choice.

I am also going to need one reply to two classmates, I am including the replies below:

1- AMY: professor Ford and Class, For this discussion, I have chosen the piece from Frederic Chopin (1810-1839) (Martin 2018) simply based on his love of writing music for the piano. The piano is a classical instrument that brings elegance to any piece of music.  Chopin’s music style is believed to have been influenced by his home in Warsaw Poland. Perhaps his romanticized composures were influenced by someone he loved but never shared life with, but one can only speculate. In either regards, Chopin is recognized for his compositions of the Romantic Era, and most known for his solo pieces for the piano (Hedley 2022). His pieces were short but catching and inviting, fast and slow, inspiring. He is once quoted as saying ” It is dreadful when something weighs on your mind, not to have a soul to unburden yourself to. You know what I mean. I tell my piano the things I used to tell you (goodreads).” The depth and meaning that he poured into his music is also what gained him his recognition as a pianist.  Alan Walker of the Washington Post defines Chopin as the “Great and genial poet of sweet sound, who should only be named with Mozart and Beethoven (Walker 2019).” I would have to agree. 

2- CHristina: the Rock and Roll and Rap movement began in United States after the Blues and Jazz era. The roots of Rock and Roll consisted of rhythm and blues. Whereas rap music roots belonged to gospel and blues. In fact, “The lyrics are often personal, political, and usually countercultural—aimed at a youthful audience that sees itself as naturally rebellious” (Martin, 2018, p. 250). Artist like Tupac and Notorious Big were famous during this movement. Recording about life on the streets, inequality and violence is what made their music popular among young generations who could relate to the lyrics. Tupac was a famous artist during the Rap Movement. His music was relatable and within the relatability came popularity. His song Dear Mama was released in the 1990’s. In the song, Tupac sings about growing up in poverty, causing trouble for his Mother and knowing that he did not show appreciation for her when he was a child, but how that’s now shifted as an adult. The song is a token of recognition and appreciation to his mother. However, it is also a story about how young kids in his neighborhood grew up. How there is house holds with children from different fathers, and parents addicted to drugs and on welfare. The song truly paints a picture of what Tupac’s childhood looked like.

“I came from a long line of revolutionaries, a long line of Panthers and strong fighters and soldiers who fought for social change and for the betterment of their people, and I said, well, what better way for me to have a career than to make my mom proud, make my people proud and speak out, you know what I’m saying? Be a part of the solution.” (Z, 2022).