Music and Social Change - Research Paper Example

Music and Social Change Of the numerous genres of music, the one that stands out is reggae music. Reggae displays positive messages to its listeners. Since the inception of reggae music, the most notable reggae artist is Robert Nesta Marley popularly known as Bob Marley. Bob Marley clearly expressed the essence of reggae music through his songs and made a connection with the audience on many levels. For instance, his music connects people of different races, ethnicities and culture. Bob Marley and other reggae artists work to unite people from across the global through the proclamation of messages of universal acceptance (Trompf 7). This paper will examine the reggae music genre, discussing its impact on society. Bob Marley, as well as other notable reggae artists, has a definite influence on the society as they advocate for social change through their music. Impact of Reggae Artists During his brief life (1945-1981), Bob Marley rose from obscurity and poverty to international superstardom. Bob Marley remains the singe third world artist to attain such worldwide acclaim. Bob Marley attained this status through charisma and ambition, and was it, not for these traits, reggae music would still be restricted to Jamaican ghettoes, which was its origin. Bob’s life changed when Haile Selassie visited Jamaica. Haile Selasie, the Ethiopian Emperor, was a cherished savior of Africans in Jamaica. Bob’s ideologies shifted after spending one year in America where he witnessed the evils of the free market, as well as the oppression of capitalism while working at a major corporation (Stephens 34). After returning to Jamaica, Bob established the Rastafarianism religion, which entailed wearing his hair in dreadlocks. Rastafarianism had a significant influence on Bob’s music as he sang about how the white race oppressed Africans. Bob’s main songs that speak to social change are Buffalo Soldier and Could You be Loved. Bob’s reputation transcended the controversy associated with his practice of Rastafarianism. He was regarded as a peace maker, which is notable through his Smile Jamaica concert that sought to reduce tensions between rival gangs associated with two of the main national parties during an election period (White 124). Bob and his best friend Bunny wrote many songs that had a monumental impact on the Jamaican and global society. Bob used his music to send off messages of hope, love and peace (Jah). At the end of all his songs, Bob Marley used the words “Jah Rastafari” to show his belief in Jah, i.e. peace and love. Bob’s lifelong commitment to peace and love earned him various medals such as the UN Medal of Peace. While Bob’s music was explicitly based on the cultural and spiritual redemption of blacks, his music transcends this basis and universally advocates freedom from all societal injustices. Impact of Reggae Music During his Bob’s time, Jamaica held few opportunities for blacks. Bob and Bunny grew up in an extremely violent community. However, reggae music was a means of escape for youth in that community. Reggae music united the young who shunned violence as such youth wrote songs and practiced them with makeshift guitars as accompaniment (White 95). Bob received inspiration to write Could You be Loved after witnessing the appalling school system in Jamaica where most people lived in poverty, and the national circumstances caused the oppression of Africans and Jamaicans (Stephens 52). The lyrics of this song are quite powerful as they talk of the oppression of poor persons with regard to accessing education. In one of the most prominent lines in the song “Don’t let them fool you or even try to school you”, Bob sings about how Jamaica’s school systems have unattainable policies such as forcing all students to wear shoes. Most families in Jamaica could not afford shoes, which deterred children from receiving an education. In addition, Bob sang about how the lessons taught in Jamaican schools. For instance, he talked about the outdated history books that teach Jamaican children biased history while failing to teach about slavery not show the true history of Jamaicans. Bob’s song talks of how the outdated teaching practices deny people their pride and identity. Bob’s perception of education through public schools was quite negative. He implored people to denounce the schooling system as he believed the education system favored the white race and neglected Africans and Jamaicans. Bob received unofficial education where he learned about the history of blacks through music and observing the life around him (Stephen and Simon 64). Because of his popularity, Bob acknowledged he was a leader and had to speak out on the social evils in his country and the globe, as well. Through his music, Bob implored people to push for their rights rather than simply complain. For instance, in Could You be Loved he refers to Jamaicans as having a mind of their own and asks them to disallow the continuation of injustices. Bob’s songs give the audience as sense of optimism that, through progressive action, people can change their personal and societal circumstances. He wrote about darkness always coming to light, which implies that people are bound to receive the change they have been pushing for, despite the road being rocky. According to Bob’s music, people can only lose the fight against social injustices if they stop fighting for their rights. Reggae songs typically speak to the importance of speaking up and out through music by sticking to one’s beliefs. Reggae music advocates for righteousness, especially with regard to the maintenance of love and peace. Bob’s music advocated these two elements as essential to human life. Reggae denounces evils such as passing judgment on others, hating others and pulling them down. Reggae music talks about Babylon as the epitome of all evil and project that through peace and love, Babylon will one day fall. Reggae music has gained massive popularity over the last century and has also had a pervasive impact on mainstream music. The Melody Makers, which was formed by Bob and is led by Bob’s oldest son Ziggy, is arguably the most popular reggae group. Reggae music influenced the emergence of other genres such as Ragga music, which has a faster rhythm than reggae. As reggae artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers gained international acclaim, their popularity amplified the Rastafarian movement, which is Jamaica’s largest indigenous movement (Hazel and Sherlock 94). The Rastafarian movement has spread to other regions of the world such as the UK, American and Africa. Controversy of Reggae Music Reggae music is subject to massive controversy particularly from conventional persons who associate the genre with the use of drugs such as marijuana (Hazel and Sherlock 16). Most people associate reggae with weed smoking since Bob Marley was an avid smoker. Conventional people choose to ignore the innate messages of peace and love in reggae music by focusing on Rastafarian’s culture of weed-smoking. Rastafarians believe that smoking marijuana pushes them closer to God. This belief has negatively influenced people’s perceptions towards reggae, which is associated with Rastafarians (Clarke 63). People’s Reactions to Reggae Music Despite the adverse perceptions of some people towards reggae music, most people react positively to reggae music. People appreciate the revolutionary and inspired peace, unity and love, regardless of color, creed or race. Bob Marley’s songs Could You be Loved and Buffalo Soldier are among the most loved because the lyrics implore the listeners to speak out against injustices. Reggae songs use action verbs to encourage and motivate listeners to continue advocating for their rights and fight for their survival. People love reggae music because of the positive messages of peace and love. Conclusion The power of reggae music, particularly Bob Marley’s inspirational style coupled with the genre’s mesmerizing beat attracts people to reggae music. Reggae music has profound, positive influences on people’s lives as it encourages listeners to push for their rights and fight against social injustices. Reggae music is the epitome of social change through music. The genre highlights the tradition of social injustices and preaches the importance of progressive social change. The oppressed, discouraged and righteous persons in the society find their voice through reggae music. Bob Marley is the most prominent reggae artists who used his music to push for social change. Works Cited Clarke, P.B. Black Paradise: The Rastafarian Movement. California: Borgo Press, 1994. Print. Hazel, B. and Sherlock, P. The Story of the Jamaican People Kingston. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers, 1998. Print. Stephen, D. and Simon, P. Reggae Bloodlines: In Search of the Music and Culture of Jamaica. New York: Da Capo Press, 1992. Print. Stephens, M. A. “Babylon's 'Natural Mystic': The North American music industry, the legend of Bob Marley and the incorporation of transnationalism”. Cultural Studies 12.2 (1998): 139-167. Print. Trompf, G. W. Cargo Cults and Millenarian Movements: Transoceanic Comparisons of New Religious Movements. London: Walter de Gruyter, 1990. Print. White, T. Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley. New York: Holt Paperbacks, 1998. Print. Read More