Many musical artists music has been influenced by their opinions and interpretation of politics. A famous example of this is Bob Marley’s ‘Get up, Stand up’ in which he advocates and supports the counter capitalist politics of the Rastafari movement.
It is difficult to analysis whether artists such as Marley’s music can actually make a difference or whether it just makes the public aware of their stand in politics. John Street suggests “music has symbolic force that deploys power of language to create visions”. But is this purely personal to the artist?
Billie Holidays 1939 release of Strange Fruit caused controversy, and led to her having to find another record label to release it. It was described by Time magazine as ‘a piece of musical propaganda for the NAACP’
In more recent times using the example of Acid Rave music and its accosiations, led to Criminal Justice acts put in place to stop the subcultures criminal behaviour.
Artists have also used Music as a way to promote political issues. Band Aid was created in order to help people to recognise 3rd world poverty and debt, however although it was publicised worldwide, how much change was actually established?
So then, although music can contain, or help to promote political movement, it seems unlikely that it will create a force for change as little people will take action on what they hear.
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1 comment:
This post is excessively long, the word limit is 150-200, you have written nearly 300!
While I am pleased that you were listening to what I had to say, this post basically amounts to a potted version of my lecture. You really need to consider the question that is put to you and try to develop an argument beyond what I have given you.
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