Worldly Success
Ron Brownz "Pop Champagne", Hip Hop, 2008
Plies, "Plenty Money", Rap, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91WYiTGy0g0
Birdman ft. Drake and Lil Wayne, "Money to Blow", Hip Hop, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLAA5IRbZZI
Lloyd Banks, "Beamer, Benz, or Bently", Hip Hop, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtWfdmEDebc
G-Unit, "Groupie Love", Hip Hop, 2003
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncfEtBcQCPM
Liberation
India Arie, "Video", R&B, 2001
India Arie, "I Am Not My Hair", R&B, 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t9E_7Qk7os
Bob Marley, "Get Up Stand Up", Reggae, 1973
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuMlHdxiIZ8
Maxwell, "Pretty Wings", R&B, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGr9SNcygTw
Nick Cannon, "Can I Live", Hip Hop, 2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNuDe90c2WU
Response
For an individual to be deemed as powerful or important, money is closely associated with them. Therefore aim 2 (worldly success) is more prevalent then aim 4 (liberation). We live in a society today that money is the most important thing in life and without money, to certain people you are worthless. Most of the music that we listen today talks about how much money they can blow or about how big they are amongst other people. Worldly success is advertised well in the media and gives people the idea that only the people with the best or people in power or with the fame can be successful.
While doing this assignment, I realized that finding songs for both of these aims was not that difficult. They were easy to find and took me about 15 minutes to think about 10 songs for each. I think that Hindu understanding of these aims are different then American pop culture. I believe Hindus most important aim was moksha (liberation) because that was how they achieved their salvation. However, in American liberation is taken more as for freedom; standing up for what you believe in or value.
Hey! I couldn't agree more that our society is so focused on money that we tend to forget about many other things, including liberation. I also agree that it was pretty simple to find songs on both of these notes, which I was actually fairly surprised about. I like how you said that the American goal of liberation is mostly freedom and standing up in what you believe in. I didn't really approach it from this kind of emotional aspect, but rather also from a worldly sense. Interesting view, and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with your statement in which you related the idea of money and success. For the majority of people, they equate money as the key factor in a successful life. Therefore it would be understandable that artists tend to do the same thing in their music. It was a harsh statement to say that people without money are without worth, this however is the harsh reality that some people face. It would then make sense that people would attach so much importance on the material aspects that can give them that same importance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view on American liberation and success in our society. Money is equated with success and the media does emphasize this. The media plays a powerful role in shaping societal ideals, and it is represented in mainstream music.
ReplyDeleteI got real distracted by that India Arie song and I had to dance around for a little bit...i love that woman! That song is a good one for liberation because she's talking about freeing herself from the mold of average woman. I definitely don't think any Hindu songs would have a woman comparing liberation to having hairy legs but I dig it! I totally agree that Americans' idea of liberation is more about freedom from oppression or authority. I can't decide which way I like to view liberation better...freeing oneself from an eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth or being able to live my life as I please.
ReplyDelete