Never stop talking about slavery

“We’ve got sons and daughters.” Kirby reminds the world. Black fears kept bottled up inside. Black pain pushed to the outside. Every once in a while, the world forgets the reality of generational trauma.

“Black Leaves” by KIRBY is a new-age depiction of suffering and empowerment. You don’t have to be part of the culture to let the message overflow and wash over you. KIRBY and Thomas Brenneck, an American guitarist and producer, have created a soul-stirring exposition on Black history and its echoing effects on today’s generation.

Rhythm and melodies

The drum progression used on the track mimics a group of people marching. We the listeners, know there isn’t necessarily a physical destination, but it sparks a journey through time. It brings us back to an era far from ours where the downfall of a people began. With a subtle guitar/bass accompaniment, we are carried through the rhetoric of standing up and moving toward a call to action. Much like the beat of a heartbeat, the narrative makes its smooth crawl across trials and accomplishments.

Vocals dominate the song. A choir steers the melody through the bars, giving life to the steady drum in the background. The composition of their voices pays homage to the hymns of old which people used to sing while in the fields. There were song categories ranging from religion to escape routes and everything in between. Their songs were coded, as they were often under watch by landowners/masters, and KIRBY has written her version with a slew of affirming metaphors about excellence.

“We’ve got strength like towers”

— Black Leaves, KIRBY

Modern-day erasure

Kendrick Lamar at Blm peace walk, photo by Saúl López via Instagram

The effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade are still very prevalent today. The weight of history has trickled down and manifested in ways other than the obvious. It’s not wrong to call it out, and I’d like to use a recent conflict that highlights just such behaviour.

During the Kendrick Lamar and Drake conflict, Drake said in his diss to Kendrick called “Family Matters” (2024), “Always rappin' like you 'bout to get the slaves freed. You just actin' like an activist, it's make-believe.” It’s like Drake is saying history should stay in history, and the impact surrounding slavery is no longer relevant today. He then doubles down saying that Lamar’s activism is for show. Whether it’s a farse or not, Kendrick has uplifted the community and has given them a source of strength while combating the pain instead of pretending it never existed.

If one person, namely Drake, feels this way towards Lamar, this tells us the sentiment exists in others. We can’t identify every person who has swept slavery under the rug, but the signs float to the surface in times of turmoil. Let’s change their minds.

The power of denial

Over the years, schools began teaching less about the past and more about the future they want to create. Of course, this is good, but why can’t both goals exist simultaneously? To pave a better life, we learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them. Instead, U.S.A. President-Elect Trump aims to defund schools that teach critical race theory, among other crucial concepts.

Like other tragedies in human history, many should never be forgotten. As part of a culture and an identity, we shouldn’t minimize experiences Black people still face. There is a new kind of hurt, a different scale from how they felt circa 500 years ago, but present and effective.

Slavery should be spoken about until it’s not uncomfortable. Those unwilling to acknowledge and change their views behave like they have a loss so deep in their lives and haven’t gone through the five stages of grief. They’re stuck in denial, the first stage. Somehow, they lost the path to finding acceptance. They hold on to anger, while others protect themselves with a white saviour complex to bargain with their conscience. These depressive attitudes add to the continued discrimination towards Black people.

“We’ve got hope and power.”

— Black Leaves, KIRBY

Works Cited:

Speri, Alice. “US universities brace for education policies overhaul under Trump.” Al-Jazeera, 24 Nove, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/24/us-universities-brace-for-education-policies-overhaul-under-trump.

Pillich, Simeon and others. “Songs of Slavery, Survival & Freedom.” Folkworks, 2020. https://folkworks.org/article/songs-of-slavery-survival-freedom/

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Wayam Essa is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. This experience has given her new tools to explore artistic expressions. She enjoys studying lyricism that reaches beyond the surface. With a passion for learning languages and cultures around the world, she created a diverse foundation that elevated her understanding of singing and writing. These lessons continue to follow close behind her thirst to chase meaningful musicality.

New Zealand’s Haka, and the Depth of Music as a Political Message

In terms of world politics, there are few recent events as moving as what took place during New Zealand’s November 14th parliamentary meeting. Anyone who keeps up with international politics has likely seen this video: 

The video features New Zealand Member of Parliament, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, performing the haka as she tears apart the proposed bill to reinterpret New Zealand’s founding treaty. Soon after she begins, other Māori members of parliament join her, as do those in the gallery.

I admittedly had no idea what the haka was before seeing this video, but the powerful scene immediately grabbed my interest and inspired me to find out more. So, what is the haka? 

The Haka 

The haka is a traditional ritual performed by New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian population, the Māori. The ritual serves numerous ceremonial purposes, which range from welcoming guests and mourning deceased to giving instruction and transmitting social and political messages. 

photo: Newzealand.com

The haka originated from a Māori myth about Tane-rone, son of the sun god, Tama-nui-te-ra, and the summertime goddess, Hine-Raumati. Legend says, Tane-rone would dance for his mother each summer, causing the air to quiver in what, to us, appears to be heat waves. The haka symbolizes this action through its focus on hand gestures, primarily gestures of trembling. 

In practice, the Māori people would perform the Haka to welcome visiting tribes. They would also practice the ritual to reinvigorate soldiers before battle. 

When there were still numerous thriving Māori tribes, each tribe had slight variations on the haka, involving its unique history. However, as is the case with numerous countries worldwide, colonialism would limit this rapidly developing culture for generations to come. 

Colonialism in New Zealand 

1769 was the beginning of the end for the Māori’s independence. That is the year British explorer, James Cook arrived. After the land showed promising signs for profit, Britain’s interest would grow over the next 60 years as colonialists increased contact with indigenous tribes.  

photo: maorimovement.co

Nearly all contact between the Māori and Europeans passed peacefully, but the few instances of European killings doomed the Māori island to be dubbed the “Cannibal Isles.” Conveniently for British colonialists, no connection was ever acknowledged between those killings and the mass murders of Māori people that occurred before any European killings. 

Decades of gradual British assimilation into the land’s tribes culminated in the “epiphany” that God’s work was being impeded by the Māori’s way of life. Colonialists identified the haka in particular as needing to be stopped, calling it “barbaric.” The efforts of both British missionaries and colonialists led to the controversial signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

All that needs to be said about this “controversy” is that historians claim there are different meanings between the English and Māori documents. At best, the treaty was an enormous misunderstanding. At worst, it was another masterful act of manipulation by a regime with no shortage of such examples. 

Decades of repression passed, and New Zealand’s indigenous gradually regained hold over their cultural rights. Their fight led to the Treaty of Waitangi being amended to restore the Māori’s rights. 

On the World’s Stage 

The haka persists most prominently through its performance by New Zealand’s union rugby team, the All Blacks, and its women’s team, the Black Ferns. Similarly to its effect on its own population, the Haka’s series of rhythmic movements and forceful chants powerfully communicates to other countries the spirit of New Zealand. 

photo: planetrugby.com

The Haka as a Call to Action

The haka performed by MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke inspired visceral emotions in me. I could feel the force of opposition being conveyed despite not understanding a single word of her song. This instant connection of feeling drew me to the cause, and I looked further into the issue that elicited such a powerful display of emotion.  

With colonial Britain’s damage of the Māori’s people fresh in mind, it's fitting that the haka was used to successfully refute a bill that would have reinterpreted the reparations owed to the Māori.

That sort of effect on the political sphere is as impactful as any well-told speech. While the haka might lack the careful precision of a speech, it impacts its listeners through the communication of authentic human emotion. Its chants, movements, and facial expressions infuse the ritual with a passion that transcends language. 

Because sometimes words aren’t enough.

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As a professional writing student at Algonquin College, Adam Dickson combines a passion for writing with an interest in the deeper meanings of music. He will frame his perspectives through experiences with the psychologically healing properties of music and its possible philosophical nuances.  He aims to piece together themes and messages common to popular musical pieces and movements. It is his hope that each post promotes a greater depth of thought into an aspect of music. Adam’s focus lies in classical music, where more historical context can be found but hopes to cover many different cultures. 

Hip-Hop and Protest: Macklemore’s Bold Stand with “Hind’s Hall”

Gina Wetzler / Redferns via Getty

Hip-hop has long been a medium for challenging injustices and amplifying political causes. From The Specials' "Nelson Mandela" to Billie Holiday’s "Strange Fruit," protest songs have left an indelible mark on history. Entering this tradition is Macklemore’s unapologetically pro-Palestinian track, “Hind’s Hall”.

The Story Behind “Hind’s Hall”

Seattle rap artist Macklemore released “Hind’s Hall” on May 6, 2024, inspired by student-led protests across the U.S. The title references Columbia University students renaming Hamilton Hall to Hind’s Hall in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old girl from Gaza whose entire family
was killed while fleeing war. Hind, trapped in the car with her deceased family members, called first-responders and pleaded for help. Tragically, the Israeli army killed both the Red Cross responders and Hind herself.

This heartbreaking story is only an example of the ongoing suffering in Gaza, where over 14,000 children have been killed since October 7, 2023. Students demanding divestment from companies tied to Israel have faced severe backlash, including police using rubber bullets and arresting over 2,300 protesters.

Macklemore has vowed to use his platform to stand up for Palestine. Less than two weeks after the October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people and captivation of 250 hostage by Hamas. While expressing condolences for the victims, Macklemore condemned collective punishment against innocent Palestinians. “Retaliation is not the answer,” he wrote. His stance challenges the mistaking of anti-Zionism with antisemitism and highlights solidarity with Jewish activists opposing Israeli policies.

Backing his words with action, Macklemore pledged all streaming proceeds from “Hind’s Hall” to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

A Voice for the Voiceless

Through “Hind’s Hall”, Macklemore underscores the power of storytelling in activism. He highlights the plight of Palestinians and calls out the music industry for its silence:

“The music industry’s quiet, complicit in their platform of silence.”

The song poses hard-hitting questions:

“What you willin’ to risk? What you willin’ to give? What if you were in Gaza? What if those were your kids?”

These are not rhetorical questions—they demand action, empathy, and accountability.

“Hind’s Hall” also honours the resilience of student activists who have been leading protests despite facing police brutality and arrests. Macklemore says  the problem “isn’t the protests, it’s what they’re protesting,” and further extends his support with a call to action: “Block the barricade until Palestine is free.”

Macklemore’s Activist Legacy

This isn’t the first time Macklemore has taken a political stance throughout his career. His 2012 track “Same Love,” which advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, was a Grammy-nominated anthem for marriage equality. In 2016, he featured on YG’s “FDT, Pt. 2,” criticizing the Trump administration. With “Hind’s Hall”, he turns his focus to U.S. foreign policy, condemning President Biden’s support for Israel:

“The blood is on your hands, Biden, we can see it all, And fuck no, I’m not votin’ for you in the fall.”

Charles Rex Arbogast

This critique resonated with young voters disillusioned by Biden’s stance, contributing to Democratic losses in the 2024 elections. While the direct impact of the song on the election outcome remains unclear, its influence on public sentiment is undeniable. The track’s release sparked widespread discussions on social media and among protesters.

Music as a Catalyst for Change

Can a song change policies? Perhaps not directly. But “Hind’s Hall” serves as a rallying cry, inspiring activism and keeping critical issues in the public eye. Through his track, Macklemore ensures Hind Rajab’s story, along with the Palestinians’ suffering  remain etched in collective memory.

Hayley kadrou

The song’s impact extends beyond awareness. By donating streaming proceeds to UNRWA, Macklemore ties his art to tangible support for Palestinian refugees. This act of solidarity amplifies the call for justice and sets an example for other artists to use their platforms responsibly.

As the track concludes, Macklemore uplifts the voices of young activists, urging all of us to consider the cost of inaction. “Hind’s Hall” is a testament to the enduring power of music to challenge injustice and inspire hope.

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Rana is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College, and an unapologetic science nerd who gets excited by the simplest facts. Music has been a constant companion in Rana’s life. She finds solace through the classic melodies of the piano, cello and violin; escapes the world’s chaos through a good Imagine Dragons song; and rages at life through an Eminem masterpiece.  

But above all, music is her tether to her heritage—Lebanon. Growing up, she was surrounded by her parents' music tastes. She holds these sounds proudly and revisits them whenever nostalgia hits. Through this blog, Rana hopes to weave together her passions for writing, science, and music. Tune in! 

The Punk Movement has Always Been a Protest

Spiky hair, piercings, eyeliner and platforms. Is that what punk’s about? At its core, punk is more than an image. It’s a political protest movement, born from an era of corrupt government, joblessness and class division. It calls out injustices and uses its voice to ‘stick it to the man.’

Origins of unrest

Sources are conflicted on whether to credit New York City, United States of America (U.S.), or London, United Kingdom (UK), with the invention of punk. In the late 1960s, counterculture movements were beginning in both the U.S. and the UK.

In the U.S., young rebels were protesting their country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. They were involved in the Civil Rights movement, pushing to end segregation. They rejected the homogenous ‘American values’ that emerged in the 1950s and ‘60s. They wanted freedom: of expression and from oppression.

In the UK, a crisis of poverty and unemployment caused unrest among the population. London was filthy, the streets covered in garbage and urine. The police were corrupt. Free speech was limited. The working class felt unheard and unvalued, causing many union strikes.

From this unrest came the punk subculture. Youth of the era banded together, using their voices to fight the power and live freely. In the 1970s, punk was born.

American punks

Iggy and the Stooges. photo: iggyandthestoogesmusic.com

The American punk rock sound emerged from what is now referred to as proto-punk. It was the unkempt sounds of garage bands that called the hippie movement watered-down and the rock’n’roll industry commercial. Bands like The Stooges, Motor City Five and The Velvet Underground led the soundtrack of the anti-establishment American youth. With songs about celebrity culture, sexual liberation and White America, proto-punk led the way for punk rock bands that followed.

New York band Ramones are often credited as the first ever punk rock band. They had a similar sound to their predecessors, but also the style and attitude that now define the genre. Their 1976 self-titled debut album referenced war, corporal punishment, tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, teen unrest and more.

London rebellion

Sex Pistols in Holland, 1977. photo: Peter Stone / Mirrorpix

In the UK, the punk movement picked up swiftly. The working class in London was destitute and youth felt no hope for their futures. The controlling rule of the conservative British government was the target of punk fury.

The British punk rock rebellion was led by The Sex Pistols. In 1976, the band burst onto the scene with their first single “Anarchy in the UK.” The song directly rejected the corruption in British society, openly declaring “I wanna be anarchy.” The band’s entire debut album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, criticized the “facist regime” of the British government.

The Clash followed closely behind, using their debut album to criticize class divisions, police brutality and the sheep-like mentality of British citizens.

More than the music

cover of buzzcocks ep, spiral scratch via spotify

Punk rock was more than just lyrical manifestos, it was a lifestyle. Bands embodied their rebellious values outside of their music.

Manchester band Buzzcocks rejected the mainstream music industry by becoming one of the first punk bands to have their own label. They took their values one step further by printing instructions on how to make music independently on the sleeve of their 1977 EP, Spiral Scratch.

Essex-based band Crass are largely considered a prime example of living the authentic punk lifestyle. Their shows were often fundraisers for progressive causes. Their music was sold with accompanying essays and contacts for rebellious political organisations. The band attended miner strikes and supported anti-war campaigns. They attached maps of British nuclear sites to copies of their single “Nagasaki Nightmare,” putting themselves at risk of government inquiry (Worley 73).

The enduring message of punk

In the 1980s, punk became a global phenomenon. As the style grew, it spawned many subgenres. Bands like Minor Threat and Dead Kennedys brought the more aggressive, fast-paced hardcore punk. Ska punk’s fusion style was popularized by bands like Goldfinger and Sublime. Bikini Kill pioneered the Riot Grrrl sounds, penning anti-patriarchy anthems that brought recognition to female punk. Pop-punk, probably the most popular subgenre today, brought the melodic messages of Blink-182 and Green Day.

In 2014, Against Me! put out their album Transgender Dysphoria Blues. The album spoke freely about lead singer Laura Jean Grace’s transition, cementing the band’s reputation for addressing socio-political issues. The Linda Lindas, a group of teenage punk queens, carry the feminist punk flag with songs such as “Racist, Sexist Boy” and “Resolution/Revolution.”

Though modern punk is more sonically diverse, it carries on the message the subculture has always championed: when the system is corrupt, use your voice to fight it.

Sources cited:

Worley, Matthew. “One Nation Under the Bomb: The Cold War and British Punk to 1984.” Journal for the Study of Radicalism, vol. 5, no. 2, 2011, pp. 65–83, https://doi.org/10.1353/jsr.2011.0015.

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Anna Farinaccio is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Anna’s parents raised her on a wide range of music. They taught her about the significant role music plays in society and culture. She grew up pursuing many creative passions, such as dance and theatre. These passions led her to a career in writing. Musicians and their influence inspire Anna everyday. A long-time punk fan, the first song she added to her childhood MP3 player was The Clash’s “Train in Vain.” 

Music and concertation blog post 3

All credits to chenspec.

To some, listening to music is nothing more than a hobby. Or a fun little way to unwind and forget all of the stressful hassles that life throws at our faces. But for many who have ADHD, listening to music is more than just a hobby or a means of consumption. It is a tool that helps improve concentration and get whatever school assignment or task done.

First and foremost, due to a lack of dopamine, individuals with ADHD tend to have difficulty concentrating and retaining information on subjects in which they lack interest. That in turn leads to incomplete tasks, missed deadlines, and other forms of inconvenience in their path. However, in this case, music serves as a tool to help them concentrate better on their task without any problems. According to very well minds.  

All credits to chenspec.

“Many people who have ADHD typically have dopamine deficits. That means they need dopamine to get the work done. Music can provide that much-needed hit of dopamine so that they can focus their attention and get things done." In addition, music can increase motivation by rewarding the brain with stimuli. “The part of the brain that feels reward from music—the nucleus accumbens—is the same one that psychostimulant ADHD medication works on. The nucleus accumbens can be thought of as the brain control center between motivation and action.”  This proves that thanks to music, people with ADHD can shift their focus on the task at hand with the correct amount of dopamine from the music and increase rewarding stimuli.

Furthermore, the type of music that someone chooses to listen to can affect their level of concentration. Especially from someone who has ADHD, where their level of concentration is influenced by music, rhythm, beats, and sound. According to the National Library of Medicine. “Music therapists perceive music therapy as an effective treatment for ADHD.  Listening to music enhances concentration and performance in people with ADHD. Binaural beats negatively impact sustained attention in comparison to classical music of preference and meditation. ADHD brains respond to musical experience. Attention is affected by music experience depending on musical form.”  

All credits to chenspec.

This proves that the type of music that someone with ADHD listens to will affect their level of attention based on how precise the musical experience of the choice of music is in the brain. Moreover, with ADHD, there are some things that are going to be a bit more challenging than what others can do at a rapid rate. For example: bad memory skills, poor concentration, distraction, and more. Music can improve cognitive skills.  When used properly. According to XR Health, “When it comes to improving ADHD symptoms such as poor concentration, calm music with easy-to-follow rhythms can help. Since ADHD can involve difficulty tracking trimming and duration, listening to music is beneficial because it relies on structure, timing, and rhythm. Classical music by composers such as Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi are just some examples of music with a structured rhythm that has worked well with people that have trouble focusing.” This proves that ADHD symptoms can improve with music, especially classical music that can help improve cognitive issues such as bad memory, poor concentration, and more. 

In conclusion, for some, music is just a means to unwind and forget about the hassles of life. However, for some people who have ADHD, music can be more than a means of entertainment; it's a tool. A tool that helps them concentrate with cognitive issues such as bad memory or poor concentration. Music can also help boost dopamine, which is crucial to motivation and proper concentration that some who have ADHD need to accomplish a task or focus on an assignment, thanks to the proper music, sound, and rhythm to stimulate the brain. 

Hello and welcome to Darius, blogging page, on music with a purpose. This author has been writing for more than 6 years of his career, aspiring to become a novelist with a project of his own in the works. He welcomes you into a world that dives into the awesome capacity music has in our personal, social, spiritual, and political lives. Thank you and have a wonderful day, music lovers. 

Kendrick Lamar's Powerful Political Pieces

gnx album cover art

Kendrick Lamar isn’t just any rapper, but one of the greatest rappers of the 21st century. His music involves deep introspection into his mind and its inner workings, his famous Hollywood lifestyle and how it affects him. Not only that, but he touches even more on the political state of America and how that too deeply affects him.

Politics is something that is vastly addressed by Lamar throughout his eight albums and something that countless people have praised him for. His authenticity and bluntness are traits not found in other rappers’ lyrics.

Lamar’s 2015 song “Alright” is deeply connected with the Black Lives Matter movement. In years after the songs release, protesters often would chant the chorus “We gon’ be alright.” In one line, Lamar sings “And we hate the po-po / Wanna kill us dead in the street for sure.” This line had a huge impact on Americans, as someone famous voiced what many already knew: police officers have been unlawfully murdering Black people. This line received hate from Fox News, with anchor Geraldo Rivera saying, “This is why I say that hip-hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism in recent years.”

Clapback!

When I tell you Lamar got the last laugh, I’m not joking. He sampled this clip from Fox News on his 2017 song DNA,which ended up being named as the 31st best song of the year by Billboard and outplayed that clip by tenfold.

On his same 2017 album, DAMN., Lamar drops a song entitled XXX featuring U2 that explores politics on a deeper level. Lyrics including “The great American flag is wrapped and dragged in explosives” and

“Homicidal thoughts, Donald Trump’s in office / We lost Barack and promised to never doubt him again / But is America honest or do we bask in sin? … / You overnight the big rifles, then tell Fox to be scared of us / Gang members or terrorists, et cetera, et cetera / America’s reflections of me, that’s what a mirror does”

— Kendrick Lamar

It comments on how Black people are often villainized for speaking up about the racism they face. Instead of lending a helping hand, those in power dismiss and quiet the fears that Black people are subjected to at the hands of the government and agencies like Fox News.

Kendrick lamar and obama via dani marsland

Kendrick X POTUS

Beyond his music, Lamar met with then-President Barack Obama, whom he mentions multiple times in his lyrics. During the meeting, they discussed how best to help underprivileged neighborhoods of America and how support and mentorship of youth is undoubtably important. Lamar admitted having a mentor shaped him into the person he’s become.

To Pimp A Butterfly

to pimp a butterfly cover art

His most political work by far is his 2015 album entitled To Pimp A Butterfly. The album cover depicts him and a group of fellow black friends in front of the White House, standing in front of a dead White State Senator. This image speaks on the racial inequality that is rooted in America’s justice system. Political themes remain a strength on songs such as “The Blacker The Berry”, “Hood Politics” and “Mortal Man.”

In “Mortal Man”, Lamar references multiple prominent Black leaders like Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. In the outro, Lamar includes excerpts from a 1994 interview with Tupac Shakur where he discusses a multitude of things from wealth to racism. For example, Tupac says, “The ground is gonna open up and swallow the evil… / And the ground is the symbol for the poor people / The poor people is gonna open up this whole world / And swallow up the rich people.”

Lamar doesn’t only discuss racial issues, but wealth disparities as well. He often notes the crossover between these two, as Black people are in many parts of America set up for economic failure. Because of the systemic lack of care, Lamar is aware of the disadvantages he and other Black people face. As a now-famous rapper, he is dedicated to being a beacon of light for youth who don’t see improvement in sight. He knows how it feels, as he speaks openly about being from a disparaged neighborhood himself. He knows how important mentorship and spreading information is. Lamar uses his platform for the best— to spread important knowledge on meaningful political topics.

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Willow loves creativity. She can be very quiet sometimes. She can also get annoying with her weird tangents, but sometimes they’re interesting. She likes to relax, and play The Sims. She goes to Algonquin College currently in the Professional Writing program. She suffers part-time working hard at an unnamed restaurant. She enjoys crafts, artistic activities, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. She also loves therapy. That picture is not her.

Bob Marley: Reggae’s Political Poster Child

Reggae is a unique genre of music. It is 60 years young and hails specifically from Jamaica. Within its up-tempo rhythms and signature four-beat pace live lyrics that “give voice to the oppressed.”  Reggae music has always had a political undertone; it is baked into the genre by design. So naturally their biggest star, Bob Marley, is reggae’s political poster child.

The humble beginnings

Growing up in Jamaica’s ghettos did not harden Marley. A shy and timid child, it’s hard to believe he would grow up to be a musical powerhouse, giving voice to those with none. In his early teens, Marley was exposed to Jamaica’s ska scene. He recorded “Judge Not” and “One Cup of Coffee:” simple, peppy songs. He created the second half of his moniker, the Wailers, shortly after. Their hit “Simmer Down” won a local contest, and from there, a portal was opened. It was clear to Jamaica that songs of liberation needed to be popularized. And so began Marley’s influence on the world.

Bob Marley at his One Love Peace concert. Photo by Ebet roberts for getty images.

“One Love” peace concert and its politics

Marley was surrounded by political rife. Jamaica’s left- and right-wing parties were puppeteered by gangs. The affiliation caused unnecessary violence in Jamaica, even causing Marley to get shot. Because of the peaceful nature of the Rastafarian culture in Jamaica, both parties felt harmony was necessary. In 1978, the One Love Peace Concert was birthed by none other than Bob Marley. The concert was a bold move to make. It was an even bolder move when Marley grabbed both opposing party leaders’ hands together after his performance. A symbol of peace, it was an iconic moment in Jamaica’s history.

Marley’s discography

“One Love” is an iconic Bob Marley song. Singing woefully “There is one question I'd really love to ask: Is there a place for the hopeless sinner?” The song inspired change for Jamaica. But Marley has countless other songs in his discography that evoke his politics.

Bob marley’s 11th studio album, survival.

His album Survival is an unembellished display of uniting Black people in the struggle against slavery, with songs like “Africa Unite” and “Zimbabwe.” Commanding lyrics like “How good and how pleasant it would be… To see the unification of all Africans” express his stance on slavery and human rights—Black people deserve liberation.

Marley’s song “I Shot the Sheriff” is a fantastic display of storytelling with a political twist. Marley is outrunning a cop and shoots him in self-defence. But clearly in the song, Marley is not guilty and the cop is against him for other reasons. “Sheriff John Brown always hated me, for what? I don’t know.” Unfortunately for Marley, we do know. Sheriff John Brown is discriminating against him for his race. This song accurately croons about police brutality. It is still relevant 50 years later.

Other songs express Marley’s politics around capitalism and what he coins “the rat race.” A song with that very title sings “political violence fill ya city… rasta don’t work for no C.I.A.” His haunting song “Concrete Jungle” exposes the lack of freedoms for Black people, even though formal slavery has ended. “No chains around my feet, but I’m not free, I know I am bound here in captivity.” These songs make clear the slavery found in modern life today. Marley was likely singing about the political violence that kept much of Jamaica hiding behind curfews and dodging bullets. Unfortunately, political violence is still a reality for many countries today, and the message of being chained by capitalism is also a sad reality of modern life.

Marley’s influence

Bob marley and the wailers. photo by adrian boot for kensington hilton.

Marley’s global influence cannot be understated. As much as he brought reggae to a mainstream audience, he was also an influence on society as a whole. The rolling stone puts it perfectly: Marley lives on because he was a truth-teller. And a truth-teller is the pillar of political change, of protesting, of opening the eyes of the public. Marley never sugar-coated a single hardship. And yet, he sang of the possibility of peace and unity for the world. He sang it effortlessly, like he knew the future he sang of existed. Balancing peace and the truth is a hard line to walk. And when it’s done through a political lens, it can be even harder to embody. And yet, Marley has managed the impossible.

Marley forever changed the landscape of reggae and the possibility of songs inciting political change. A poster child no more, Marley has reached prophet status.

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Lashanda Forsberg is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. When she isn’t curled up with a book or going down a YouTube rabbit hole, she has music playing. From r&b to reggae to rap, music is an important part of Lashanda’s life. Coming from a musical family chock full of guitarists and songwriters helps Lashanda relate to and appreciate music. Find her other blog writings at lashandaforsberg.com or read her poetry on instagram @writingsfromsaturn.

S.O.S - SZA's Masterpiece

Rewind To 2022

2022 was no slouch when it came to great album releases. So many great projects came out: Kendrick Lamar, Rosalia, Pusha T, Conway The Machine, Earl Sweatshirt, Black Midi, Black Country New Road, Black Thought, MUNA…. One album however has seemed to stick with me more than any other.

SZA’s phenomenal RNB and Hip Hop record “SOS” is an odd album to conceptualize as a 2022 album; it came out so late in the year, December 9th to be exact, that initially I had almost counted it out in my year end wrap up. I already HAD my album of the year for 2022, JID’s “The Forever Story,” a phenomenal work with themes of family, systemic injustice and personal growth, and I already HAD a fantastic runner up with Ethel Caine. But it’s been almost 2 years now, 2 years officially in exactly a week after this blog post goes up, and in that time the album has grown to not only be my favorite album of 2022, but one of my favorite albums of all time.

In The Shadow Of Greatness

The album itself isn’t too conceptual. Unlike a lot of my other favorite albums there's no underlying narrative or high concept thematic elements that all neatly get wrapped up by the end. Initially looking at the album I had assumed it was just a long bloated tracklist of 23 songs made to boost streaming numbers that she had created in the five years since she had dropped her last album, however, sitting with the album and investing into each song it’s really the opposite. I was ready to be disappointed by this album at first, after all, it had been five whole years since we had last heard from SZA and the album she put out beforehand, CTRL, is an album I absolutely adore. CTRL is a perfectly compact album of 14 tracks segmented by pieces of a phone call with her mother examining concepts of control, relationships and learning to appreciate oneself. There’s no way this new album could ever match what CTRL accomplished right? Right… the thing is… it never needed to.

S.O.S abandons the tight cohesion and narrative, the stripped back sound and intimacy of CTRL, in favor of bombastic balls to the wall all out banger after banger. Track after track, SZA delivered flurries of energetic vocal performances, heartfelt belting about whatever she wants to talk about (usually relationships and how awesome she is), and pairs her lyrics with a wide variety of interesting, catchy and even borderline experimental instrumentals (relative to her usual genre.) One track is a haunting discussion of the mechanical music industry and losing ones humanity to algorithms, dueted by indie pop icon Phoebe Bridgers, the very next song on the record is a pop punk banger about insecurities and using hedonism and sensual self indulgence to forget a past lover.

S.O.S (Stand Out Songs)

I ended up taking this album piece by piece, taking every song one after the other and falling in love with each one individually rather than the album as a whole. Nowadays I put the whole album on rotation and sit through every track front to back at least once a week. I’ve listened to this album so much this year I’m surprised both my partner and I aren’t absolutely sick of it.

While I absolutely love every song on this album, I would like to give a shout out to a few favorites. Gone Girl is an amazing piano ballad that starts minimal, just SZA and a few keys, but by the end of the song transforms into this grand orchestral piece with sweeping strings. Ghost In The Machine is a track I’ve already mentioned but it’s so haunting and beautiful I have to tell you to listen to it again, also it has a gorgeous feature from Phoebe Bridgers. Finally, Seek and Destroy is an infectious banger with bouncy hip hop flows and a vocal performance that is just phenomenal.

Wrap It Up

Overall S.O.S is a phenomenal, diverse album with a wide range of styles, emotions and even genres. Every track on the album is phenomenal, weather its the heartbreaking pleading of Special or the egotistical boasting of Conceited, there’s greatness to be found all over this record. 

If you haven’t given this one a chance yet, please do. It has become not only my favorite SZA record, but one of my favorite albums of all time, and has cemented SZA as one of my all time favorite artists, period.

There is beauty in every culture

Music crosses the boundaries made by cultural differences. Immerse yourself in the experience of listening without relating. This is the ultimate form of musical appreciation.

A moment between you and a song based purely on what the senses give you. The words aren’t there to fire up the synapses in your brain because of the language barrier. Enjoy it for what it is instead.

Musical melting pot

Everyone must protect the line that shouldn’t be crossed. Racism. You will find that all music is intertwined as you widen your knowledge of musical genres. Artists give and take skills from any idol hidden in each corner of the world. They don’t have to be big or famous. They just have to be heard. And unlike a tree in a forest, they are making sounds.

song cover art by Olamide.

Open the door to understanding the mannerisms of a completely new people. Learn bits and pieces of a new language. Add the reggae groove to an R&B melody – see what happens. Bring an Arab drum beat to an emotional West European ballad to let the ear react.

A successful artist can pull you into their world. “Hello Habibi” (2024) an Afrobeat by Olamide featuring Russ is one such merging of arts. Olamide is a Nigerian Hip-hop artist/songwriter raised in Bariga Lagos State. Russ is an Italian singer/rapper/songwriter and producer. He was predominantly raised in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This song was produced by Ramii & Otis.

Hello Habibi, hello my loved one

This song is a smooth introduction for listeners to research culture. This would include the meaning of words and their impactful origins. This track very obviously holds significance in the Arab world starting from its title which translates to hello my loved one.

A religious greeting thrown in for respect (assalam wa’alaykum is a Muslim greeting meaning hello). This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone in this production shares the religion. They simply acknowledge its place.

The music video was shot in a Middle Eastern country which compliments the richness common to those countries.

Foreign instruments

Musicians have many instruments and sounds at their disposal when they’re on the world's playing field. Percussion and string instruments never used in the Western sphere can be picked up and integrated into any rhythm. That’s not to say that mashups and collaborations are always good regardless of skill. The opportunity to create a masterful art piece changes with these new tools.

Drum sets in the West have varying punctured sounds. Africans and Middle Easterners will give you the Gbedu or Tabla (two of the many percussion names). It holds a different pitch than the Drum because of the material used to make each item. Where and how the artists hit the drum affects its production. Sticks vs. hands and/or fingers.

Natural music represents humanity. Imperfect and beautiful.

Path of exploration

A wide-swept fear has gripped the West for too long; it’s time to change the negative connotation surrounding culture. Appropriation… It’s the scariest word thrown in people’s faces when they move towards international excursions.

traditional chinese Guzheng from pixabay.com

This aversion to new things comes from fear of the unknown and judgment from others. Another’s way of life puts a metaphorical heavy weight on your shoulders. Consider the history of the country or nation. Study the language and what type of habits the people have when speaking said language.

You might ask yourself what their common beliefs are. Maybe even why they started playing music and who is a part of the ancestral talents. A traditional Chinese instrument (Guzheng) was traded and tweaked as it passed through the ages and nations to eventually be renamed.

Appreciation is within

The smallest exposition can garner just enough interest for someone outside the culture. There is nothing inherently wrong with learning about practices unlike your own. You grow smarter and more open-minded. Here are a few important ideas that should be embedded in the minds of everybody on this Earth:

The unknown isn’t scary once you know.
Learning culture is never a crime.
Be good-hearted. You’re on the right track.

At the end of the day… Vibe out!

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Wayam Essa is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. This experience has given her new tools to explore artistic expressions. She enjoys studying lyricism that reaches beyond the surface. With a passion for learning languages and cultures around the world, she created a diverse foundation that elevated her understanding of singing and writing. These lessons continue to follow close behind her thirst to chase meaningful musicality.

Fiona Apple: An Extraordinary Machine of a Mind

fiona apple via getty images

Nobody does it like Fiona Apple. She remains one of the strongest and smartest voices in the music scene, despite taking significant time from the spotlight between her releases. Throughout five albums, Apple creates a unique perspective and sound that cannot be found anywhere else. Each of her songs are perfectly crafted to invoke a certain emotion that only she could make you feel. I could rave on and on about her numerous songs and the layered meanings behind each of them, but for both of our sakes I’ll discuss my favourite song from my favourite albums.

Tidal: Shadowboxer

In her debut album, Apple sings about a variety of emotions that she faces. In her very first single, Shadowboxer, she outlines a toxic relationship, where the subject of the song comes and goes in Apple’s life, regardless of her state. He’s playing her, but she doesn’t seem to care, as she wants him so much.

“I was on to every play / I just wanted you.”

— Shadowboxer, Fiona Apple

Tidal cover art

She’s conflicted. She fears letting him in will allow him to hurt her more, but she wants to let him in, as she’s enraptured by him and his wavering interest in her. The strongest lyrics come from the chorus, where she sings “You made me a shadowboxer, baby / I wanna be ready for what you do / I've been swinging around me / Cause I don't know when you're gonna make your move” A shadowboxer is someone who practices boxing without a partner present. So, it’s a boxer fighting the air. As Apple feels unsafe in the relationship’s dynamic, she must fight the air. She must practice her defenses and be ready for his next attack, even if it’s not presently there. Her harsh vocals and deep singing voice bring a vulnerability and rage to the lyrics that screams vulnerability. She’s learning she must be wary of his advances; she must learn to defend herself from him, despite being completely enamored by him. Her emotions come through exquisitely in this song.

extraordinary machine cover art

Extraordinary Machine: Extraordinary Machine

Her third album entitled Extraordinary Machine was released in 2005. Apple names the song Extraordinary Machine a ‘pep talk to herself.’ She compares herself to a machine that knows how to optimize her progress as a person. In the first verse, she says “I still only travel by foot and by foot it's a slow climb / But I'm good at being uncomfortable so / I can't stop changing all the time” which contrasts her lyrics in the second verse, “I noticed that my opponent is always on the go / And / Won't go slow, so 's not to focus, and I notice / He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as / They go fast from whence he came / But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so / He can't stop staying exactly the same” Apple notes that her comfort with discomfort leads to her being able to grow and improve in a way her opponent is not able to. She is big on being truthful with herself and open to growth, as this song represents.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters: I Want You To Love Me

fetch the bolt cutters cover art

Apple’s fifth and most recent album, released in 2020, is in a way an ode to the pandemic. In the song I Want You To Love Me, she accepts her life experiences, both positive and negative, for getting her to the place she is today. While based off the title it seems to be another love song, this song delves into an important theme of self-love. Apple made the most of these experiences, instead of wallowing. Most notably, she sings “I move with the trees in the breeze / I know that time is elastic / And I know when I go / All my particles disband and disperse / And I'll be back in the pulse / And I know none of this will matter in the long run / But I know a sound is still a sound around no one” These lyrics are absolutely soothing to me, like she’s telling herself everything will be alright because she knows how to handle situations better than she has before. She’s grown exponentially as a person. The chorus is a repetition of “I hope that you love me” I view the subject in this song as herself. She seems to have been waiting a long time to gain this love, and struggling to do so. She says she wants somebody to want. Well, in my opinion that somebody she wants to want is herself. She wants the stability of self-love, she doesn’t want to be her own worst enemy anymore. This song portrays that perfectly.

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Willow loves creativity. She can be very quiet sometimes. She can also get annoying with her weird tangents, but sometimes they’re interesting. She likes to relax, and play The Sims. She goes to Algonquin College currently in the Professional Writing program. She suffers part-time working hard at an unnamed restaurant. She enjoys crafts, artistic activities, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. She also loves therapy. That picture is not her.

BRAT, Charli XCX and Queer Culture In The Mainstream

I think we need to discuss BRAT, the incredible dance hyperpop album released by Charli XCX this year, and the influence of queer culture in the mainstream. Before we get started, I will say this blog post isn’t intended to accuse Charli of anything along the lines of cultural appropriation or queerbaiting or any other buzzwords one might assume I’d use when discussing a straight person using queer culture. This is a loving examination.

CHarli xcx

So how did we get to BRAT? If you were familiar with Charli XCX before “BRAT Summer” started it was most likely from a few things, her early pop days circa 2014 where she featured on “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea or her single “Boom Clap” created for the film A Fault In Our Stars. Beyond these things Charli hasn’t really received much mainstream recognition. A few minorly notable feature placements and a single hit over 10 years ago doesn’t exactly scream “mainstream pop icon,” and if you compare the sound of Charlis early work to BRAT there's a shift so obvious it’s like someone Speed Drove a BRAT green jeep into your ear holes. This jump in sonics didn’t come out of nowhere however. Hyperpop, and Charli’s affiliation with the sound had been growing for about a decade beforehand.

Most people like to point to the shift in Charli’s career as being the 2016 “VROOM VROOM” EP. “VROOM VROOM” both as a title track and as an EP were created in collaboration with the drastically underrated and since deceased artist SOPHIE, a trans woman who is notable for being at the forefront of the hyperpop space, and breaking ground by pushing music into new territory that had not yet been explored. The sound of VROOM VROOM carries many of Sophie’s trademarked sounds, loud blown out bass pumps, glitchy and distorted blasts of noise and bright bubbly synth melodies that make the foundations of what hyperpop would come to be.

Sophie on the cover of her album “the oil of every pearls un-insides

Continuing on in Charli’s career and the evolution of the sound we received 2017’s mixtape Pop 2. Pop 2 pushed Charli even further into her modern sound, more intense auto tuned vocals, sparse glittery production and more glitched out rhythmic punches. On Pop 2 Charli makes sure to bring in notable queer artists in the hyperpop space to not only incorporate and borrow their sound, but to give recognition when doing so. Underground queer artists Dorian Electra and Mykki Blanco are featured on the song “Femmebot,” and Kim Petras on the song “Unlock It.” Kim Petras being male to female transgender and Dorian Electra being non binary respectively, and Dorian Electra going on to make a defining text of hyperpop, “Flamboyant.”

Dorian electra in the “career boy” music video

Then we move on to 2019’s self-titled album “Charli” and the following 2020 project “How I’m Feeling Now.” These albums at the time represented what many fans, myself included, had assumed was the finalised version of Charlie’s hyperpop sound, these being labelled as full on albums, and no longer “mixtapes” as her previous work had been, came with an air of officiality to it. Around the same time a notable shift in hyperpop was taking place with the rise of 100 Gecs, a groundbreaking duo spearheaded by Laura Les, a trans woman and musical icon in the hyperpop space. The members of 100 Gecs, especially Dylan Brady would provide production and assist the sound of both “Charli” the album and “How I’m Feeling Now.” With all these collaborators and influences, as well as queer visuals for the music videos of “Gone” and “Blame It On Your Love,” it had become clear that Charli had fully embraced the queer culture.

100 Gecs

Which brings us to BRAT. All the markings of the queer hyperpop sound are still here. The whaling autotune, the sparse glitchy production, the bubbly synths. Everything coalesces into a beautiful reflection of the innovative queer sound being experienced by the mainstream.  On BRAT there is a song named “So I,” which pays a loving tribute to the recently deceased SOPHIE, the woman who set Charli on this path towards success.

Personally I love BRAT, and I love that not only has Charli always openly embraced queer culture, but has never failed to highlight its importance as an influence to her. So next time you are “365 party girl bumping that,” just remember the sound of pop to come was created and fostered by queer people, and that being queer is so BRAT.

Music and Society

Music and Society

Throughout the years, it's clear to see that music has the ability to ignite the sparks of change in our society. Whether it's in the political or social aspects of our lives, music has been used as a platform. To inform people of social injustice, discrimination, and civil disorder. The power within music has inspired us countless times to come together and combat injustice under the powerful umbrella of music. 

First of all, music can be used as a tool for bringing awareness. By raising awareness on social injustice and civil issues that affect communities and the lives of either marginalized individuals, or people living in third world countries that the media tends not to show or care much about. But by bringing awareness to the issues with music creates unity and a human connection arising from the art itself.  

According to The Power of Music in Political Activism “Music has always been a powerful tool for expressing emotions, connecting with people, and inspiring change. Throughout history, musicians have used their art to engage in political activism, shedding light on social issues and advocating for justice. Whether it's through protest songs, benefit concerts, or simply to use their platforms to raise awareness.” This shows that music is a force for too that brings awareness towards political issues within our society. 

Furthermore, Music has been used by artist to communicate a message through the listeners. From lyrics and sounds that can strike a chord into their heart while sharing their views, opinion of the world to their followers. According to(21) LinkedIn “For a very long-time people have used music as a potent political expression tool to spread ideas, spark social change, and bring people together around shared causes. Throughout history, artist and musician have used music's ability to evoke strong emotions and persuade listeners in order to inspire a movement, question authority, and promote unity.”  This proves that music does speak into the hearts of the listeners and that people can be inspired by the words of an idealist, someone who knows their right to question and learn. 

In addition, in the past there have been artists who use their musical platform to not just entertain people but also to give a message of greater importance and to unite people together through the power of music. Such artists as Tupac amaru Shakur. Or better known as 2pac .A man who through his music, poetry, real life experience and belief has made songs that have spoken a message of racial injustice, police brutality and social issues that are relevant to this day.  

For instance, one of 2pac most popular songs like Keep Ya head that is dedicated to Latasha Harling a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed. According to Latasha Harlins & 2Pac - The Girl Who Died with TWO Dollars in Her Hand “Latasha Harling was a 15-year old African American girl who was unlawfully shot and killed by Soon Du Ju, a 51-year-old Korean store owner. Harling was a student at Winchesters high school in Los Angelo’s. Because the death of harling came thirteen days after the Rodney king beating and Du was finned with, sentenced with probation and communities service for her crime, some source cited the shooting as the cause for the 1992 Los Angelos riot. Tupac Shakur took notes of her death in 1993 and dedicated Keep ya head up which was dedicated to her.” 

This proves that musician's like 2pac didn't just use their platform to entertain people but to inform their audience of important matters in society, matters such as: civil injustices, systematic abuse, racism and much more societal issue that are still relevant to this day.  

Therefore, in conclusion, it's clear to see that music has the power to spark the flames of change in our society. In the social and political aspects of our lives. By using the platform of music as a way to inform the masses of social injustice, discrimination, systematic abuse. Including connecting with people through thoughtful emotions, connecting with one another and by bringing awareness to these issues, people can come together and combat these social inequities that have plagued our society for decades on end. 

Author Bio:
Hello and welcome to Darius, blogging page, on music with a purpose. This author has been writing for more than 6 years of his career, aspiring to become a novelist with a project of his own in the works. He welcomes you into a world that dives into the awesome capacity music has in our personal, social, spiritual, and political lives. Thank you and have a wonderful day, music lovers. 

Why R&B Needs Kehlani

Rhythm and blues, also known as R&B, is a rich genre of music that has its roots dating back to the 1940s. Since then, it has undergone many facelifts. The current sound of R&B borrows a lot from hip-hop, while its pioneers are mostly soul music. From Marvin Gaye to Brandy to Frank Ocean, R&B has seen its fair share of superstars. But when we talk about modern R&B, there is someone who’s left out of the conversation—it's time to end that.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA AGCAOILLI VIA ATLANTIC RECORDS

Who is Kehlani?

Kehlani has dipped her toes into more traditional R&B sounds, and kills the game with her sultry, modern hits. Artists like Drake and The Weeknd get credited for changing the sound of modern R&B, but Kehlani should be credited too. She's been around for a decade and it's time she gets recognized for her contribution to the genre.

R&B’s History

According to the R&B Hall of Fame, R&B began as a genre that was mostly blues music. From the 40s to the 60s, R&B was heavily based on jazz, blues and even some rock ‘n’ roll. From the 60s through to the late 70s, R&B took on a more soulful quality. In the 80s, we see the emergence of what might be considered modern R&B, taking heavy inspiration from hip-hop. The 90s and 00s continued with a similar sound. The 10s onward pull from all the previous faces of R&B, with more alternative and electronic influences.

R&B’s Divide

I grew up on the soulful tunes from the 60s and 70s, singing along to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. As I grew older, I branched out to the 90s and 00s, growing a love for artists like Brandy and New Edition. But I was not around for either of these phases of R&B as they emerged. I was around for the R&B of the 10s to present. Artists like SZA, Tinashe and Summer Walker showed me how influential the past expressions of R&B were on the new generation. But Kehlani stands out to me the most. She has flawlessly shown how a modern artist can pay homage to the classic landscape of their genre, while retaining a fresh sound.

Kehlani’s Discography

Artists like Tinashe and SZA have a strictly modern feel. Snoh Aalegra and FLO have that quintessential old school vibe. But Kehlani seamlessly does both. Her debut mixtape, You Should Be Here, is chock full of old school R&B songs, like the syrupy ballad, “Bright.” Her debut album, SweetSexySavage, is also full of old school vibes, like “In My Feelings,” which samples, “If It Isn’t Love,” by New Edition.

while we wait 2, kehlani’s fourth mixtape. cover Photo by mia andre

Her newer music is perfectly fresh-sounding, too. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, her pandemic album, is full of new-generation dark R&B. “Hate the Club,” is a sexy and suave tune that would rival a slow jam from the 90s. “Open (Passionate),” a two-part song (a marker of new R&B thanks to The Weeknd) is badass, yet vulnerable.

Her newest mixtape, While We Wait 2, showcases her ability to seamlessly walk the line of both faces of R&B. “S.I.N.G.L.E,” with a Brandy sample and two octave changes, is bouncy and upbeat. “When He’s Not There” is a rhythmic jam about cheating. It understands the assignment of typical R&B classics—cheating is OK as long as you write a song about it.

Why Kehlani?

photo by Blair brown

Certain artists have too much of a hold on R&B and hip-hop. Drake is touted as the poster child for blending the two genres. The Globe and Mail hailed The Weeknd for starting the wave of dark R&B. While these men are deserved in their titles, we should make room for fresher faces. In the LA Times, Tinashe said, “women in general have a harder time taking their well-deserved crowns.” Kehlani herself also said that, “with a female singer of color, there’s so much pressure on us.” It can be hard to step into the spotlight when there is so much against these artists. But Kehlani has what it takes. With her raw vocal talent, ability to walk the line between old and new school R&B, and to boot, her insane stage presence, she should absolutely be a part of the trailblazers of R&B. She is too often left out of conversations. R&B needs Kehlani—let her lead the way.

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Lashanda Forsberg is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. When she isn’t curled up with a book or going down a YouTube rabbit hole, she has music playing. From R&B to reggae to rap, music is an important part of Lashanda’s life. Coming from a musical family chock full of guitarists and songwriters helps Lashanda relate to and appreciate music. Find her other blog writings at lashandaforsberg.com or read her poetry on instagram @writingsfromsaturn.

The Tragically Hip: Quintessentially Canadian

What is ‘Canadian music’? There are many ways we could define it, but it’s almost a guarantee that The Tragically Hip fits every definition. The Hip is uniquely and utterly Canadian. Every song and every lyric seep Canadiana.

Canadian poetry

The tragically hip at the 2005 juno awards. Photo: Juno Awards

“He’s our Shakespeare,” Ron MacLean said of late Hip frontman Gord Downie. Downie was famous for his lyricism. He captured Canadian-isms in a way no one else did. In, “Fireworks,” he sings, “you said you didn’t give a fuck about hockey / and I never saw someone say that before.” Hockey is so entrenched in Canadian culture; it’s such a simple line, yet it could only have been written by a Canadian.

One of the band’s hits is entitled, “Bobcaygeon,” the name of a small town in Ontario. Downie mentions Algonquin Park in, “The Bear,” polar bears in, “Thompson Girl,” an Ontario prison in, “38 Years Old.” The Hip’s body of work references niche Canadian-isms that a foreigner couldn’t truly appreciate.  

Darker Canadian history

The Tragically Hip was never afraid to tackle heavier Canadian stories either. “Fifty-Mission Cap” references the mysterious disappearance of Toronto Maple Leaf’s player Bill Barilko. Barilko went missing on a fishing trip in Northern Ontario. His body was found over a decade later. The case of his death has never been solved. Downie refers to the suspicious circumstances as he sings, “Bill Barilko disappeared that summer / He was on a fishing trip / The last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the Cup / They didn’t win another ‘til 1962 / The year he was discovered.”

The story of David Milgaard, a man falsely accused of rape and imprisoned for 23 years, is told in, “Wheat Kings.” The song mentions the breaking news of Milgaard’s 1992 release on CBC. Downie said:

“[It’s] about David Milgaard and his faith in himself. And about his mother, Joyce, and her absolute faith in her son’s innocence. And about our big country and its faith in man’s fallibility. And about Gail Miller, all those mornings ago, just lying there, all her faith bleeding out into that Saskatoon snowbank.”

It’s a powerful image and a powerful story. Downie’s choice to reflect on what it means to our country is so Tragically Hip and so Canadian.

Solo work

Separate from the band, Gord Downie’s project, “Secret Path,” confronted the tragic history of the Canadian residential school system. It combines Downie’s solo album and Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel into an animated film. It tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy who died while trying to escape a residential school. He was so far from home, but he tried his best to get back. Downie says, “His story is Canada’s story… … We are all accountable….” All proceeds from this project went to the Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation. Downie’s work encapsulates all that Canada is – the good and the ugly.

Informing the Canadian identity

The Tragically Hip’s quintessentially Canadian identity is so powerful that it’s even educational. Lindsay Pereira, a writer and immigrant to Canada, said the band helped shape her understanding of our country’s culture. She had never heard of the band before immigrating to Canada and was confused as to how they could be so idolized here. The local names and places mentioned throughout the band’s discography painted a picture for her. The Hip’s casual lifestyle and rejection of celebrity captured the essence of the Canadian rockstar. The adoration of Hip fans showed her a unity and spirit that is uniquely Canadian.

Impact on Canadian music

Arkells in Kingston 2024 Photo: @nathannash_ via @arkellsmusic

Many Canadian artists credit The Tragically Hip as an inspiration. Dallas Green of City and Colour said, “If you’re a musician and you’re born in Canada, it’s in your DNA to like the Tragically Hip.” Leah Fay of July Talk said her first Hip concert was singular and transformational. Canadian rapper K-os said the band played a key role in him pursuing music.

Feist, a Nova Scotia-born indie artist, has covered the band’s tune, “Flamenco.” Hamilton-based group Arkells have covered many Hip songs and regularly perform them at concerts. Even Justin Bieber did a mini cover of, “Wheat Kings,” at a 2012 show. The Hip has shaped what Canadian music is today.

Legacy

The Tragically Hip left a lyrical imprint on Canada that will last forever. Gord Downie’s investment in Canadian identity is what cemented him as an icon. In 2017, Downie sadly passed away from terminal brain cancer. The band performed their final show a year prior. Over 11.7 million Canadians tuned in to watch – 11.7 million people, united in sadness, support and pure adoration for the band and the man. That is the legacy of the Tragically Hip.

The Tragically Hip perform, “Ahead by a Century,” at their final show. Video: The Tragically Hip

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Anna Farinaccio is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Anna’s parents raised her on a wide range of music. They taught her about the significant role music plays in society and culture. She grew up pursuing many creative passions, such as dance and theatre. These passions led her to a career in writing. Musicians and their influence inspire Anna everyday. A long-time punk fan, the first song she added to her childhood MP3 player was The Clash’s, “Train in Vain.” 

The Many Layers of Slim Shady

Photo: intrld.com

MY NAME IS, WHAT? MY NAME IS, WHO? MY NAME IS…

Slim Shady, otherwise known as Eminem or Marshal Bruce Mathers, is one of the most influential and iconic names in the music industry. With over 220 million records sold worldwide and a career spanning more than two decades, Eminem has not only proven his prowess as a rapper but also revolutionized the hip-hop genre.

“I come from Detroit where it's rough, and I'm not a smooth talker.” - Eminem

Born on October 6th, 1972, Eminem grew up in the poor, dangerous neighborhoods of Detroit. His father left the family when Eminem was an infant. Eminem’s efforts to communicate with him by writing letters were futile, so he eventually gave up. He, his half-brother, Nathan, and his mother Debbie were barely getting by.

In his earlier songs, Eminem rapped about his mom being a drug addict and abusing her children. Eventually, Debbie sued him but only won $25,000. However, in 2014, Eminem confessed that he had wrongfully blamed his mom for his tough childhood. In his song, “Confession”, Eminem says:

“Now I know it’s not your fault, and I’m not making jokes. But ma, I forgive you, so does Nathan yo.”

Eminem dropped out of school when he was 17 after failing grade nine three times. In many of his tracks, Eminem mentions how brutally he was bullied, to the point where he once ended up in a coma.

photo: bing.com

Despite these hardships, Eminem often says that growing up in such conditions made him who he is today. In his song “Never Enough”, he says:

“I'm thankful for the talent in which God gave me

And I'm thankful for the environment that he placed me

Believe it or not, I thank my mom for how she raised me

In the neighborhood daily that jumped and chased me

It only made me what I am today, see…”

May I have Your Attention Please

When he was 14 years old, Eminem was introduced to hip-hop by his late uncle Ronnie Mathers. He instantly loved the genre and began performing in clubs around Detroit.

His first album, Infinite (1996), wasn’t a success. However, the Rap Olympics proved to be a turning point in his career. Not only did he win second place, he also caught the attention of D.R. Dre, who ended up signing him. With Dre, Eminem released his album The Slim Shady LP (1999), featuring the iconic track “My Name Is”, which sold millions of albums and won two Grammys.

After gaining attention in the music industry, Eminem started challenging its norms and pushing its boundaries. Hip-hop was dominated by men rapping about women, gangs, money, and often romanticized drugs. Eminem broke that “strong man” image and was not afraid to be vulnerable in his tracks. Eminem connected to people all around the world by rapping about the dark side of drug addiction, domestic violence, and mental health.

Lyrical Technician, An Electrician

Eminem’s rap was unlike any other’s. He rhymed words that were impossible to rhyme by manipulating their sounds or blending them with other words to create a rhythm. In fact, he often used the words themselves to create rhythm rather than simply depending on the end of bars.

With his song “Rap God”, Eminem broke records. In the 6.4-minute track, he packed 1,560 words, and in a 15-second segment, he spit 6.64 words per second.

Eminem’s music videos have been an event in their own right. They have always felt cinematic—an entire story unfolding while he rapped.
The videos were punchy and comical, with “Houdini” being his latest success.

“I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There's no in-between. People will either love you for it or hate you for it.” - Eminem

One of the biggest reasons I love Eminem is that he says whatever’s on his mind. While I tend to choose my words more carefully (she ain’t no rap god), I believe being authentic—no matter how blunt—is an admirable approach.

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Rana is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College, and an unapologetic science nerd who gets excited by the simplest facts. Music has been a constant companion in Rana’s life. She finds solace through the classic melodies of the piano, cello and violin; escapes the world’s chaos through a good Imagine Dragons song; and rages at life through an Eminem masterpiece.  

But above all, music is her tether to her heritage—Lebanon. Growing up, she was surrounded by her parents' music tastes. She holds these sounds proudly and revisits them whenever nostalgia hits. Through this blog, Rana hopes to weave together her passions for writing, science, and music. Tune in! 

Music’s Narrative Beauty

The mind-blowing twists. The final battles. The confessions of love. What do the best of these moments have in common? Music acting as both an emotional intensifier and a dramatic punctuation mark.  

Photo: Hollywood Mask

Music has a way of transporting the imagination. Film, with its emotional highs and lows, is rife with opportunities to connect music with memories. Anyone like me who immediately tries to find the soundtrack after finishing a great movie can likely remember a song that has done just that. 

But while links between songs and scenes are often the most memorable, some of the best soundtracks represent the movie as a whole; the awe-inspiring symphonies, sober violin pieces or high-tempo beats that guide you through the two hour long emotional rollercoaster. No wonder a small sound snippet can instantly bring a movie to mind years later. 

It’s through this lens of music’s inextricable ties to film that I want to dive into several famous soundtracks.  

Spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn’t seen the movies mentioned. 

Interstellar 

The first movie that comes to mind when I think of mind-bending scale is Interstellar. It’s considered by many to be legendary film composer, Hans Zimmer’s best score, and I agree. 

Capturing an appropriate soundscape for a movie that stretches the mind’s comprehensive limits of both time and space seems like an impossible task, but Zimmer nails it. 

A track that stands out for many is ‘Cornfield Chase.’ 

The piece opens with a resonant melody of the score’s iconic organ music. It creates a melancholic gravity that feels as if a life-changing decision is about to be made.  

Then, an abrupt shift to what sounds like dozens of pianos creates a vivid mental image of thousands of stars that you are racing towards at the speed of light.  

Finally, these two effects are blended into a rising crescendo of pure wonder that makes it clear why this track is the score’s most popular. 

‘Who’s they’ is another memorable piece that embodies the film’s urgent sense of tension perfectly.

As can be heard above, the song begins with a slow, methodical build-up of a hauntingly beautiful piano composition. This, to me, captures the feeling I would expect of realizing that humanity’s only hope lay in the depths of space.  

The track then ramps up into deep, lingering organ music that acts as the song’s crescendo. It’s a captivating section that harmonizes exceptionally well with having realized the true scale of space.   

Finally, the piece quiets to near silence, with only a woodwind instrument playing softly. I couldn’t fathom a better segue from the awe of discovery to the bleak hopelessness of facing the endless chasm that is our universe. 

Manchester By The Sea 

I haven’t seen a movie as bleak and hopeless as Manchester By The Sea. Much of its depressing mood has to do with its themes and plot, but I’d give equal credit to its soundtrack.  

The film features one of the most striking combinations of music and scene with Thomaso Albinoni’s ‘Adagio Per Archi’ playing as Lee faces the aftermath of his children’s death. 

The following video features an attempted suicide.

A violin melody croons in the background of Lee’s conversation with the police. When it turns out he can go home, the heart-wrenching violin takes over the scene. The wailing of violin strings seems identical to the horror that must be happening within Lee. 

Further, an underrated aspect of a great film score, especially for a movie as depressing as this, is how its absence is felt.

The silence punctuates the utter emptiness Lee is left with in the face of his past. His discomfort is palpable, and no music would do this scene a similar justice. 

Challengers 

On the complete opposite end of the tonal spectrum, Trent Reznor’s and Atticus Ross’ score for Challengers is the epitome of up-beat tension.  

‘Match Point’ exemplifies the score’s effort as a whole and as a pairing with specific moments. 

The techno beat paces the scene with sections of quick, tension-filled accompaniments to the match and quiet base that mimics a heartbeat. Then, the increasingly frantic pace mimics the adrenaline both players must be feeling.

This style of music is present throughout the film and ties the plot up nicely as the final track played.

Whether it’s the haunting organ of Interstellar, the wailing violin of Manchester By The Sea, or the pulse-quickening bass of Challengers, a film’s soundtrack can make or break the experience.

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As a professional writing student at Algonquin College, Adam Dickson combines a passion for writing with an interest in the deeper meanings of music. He will frame his perspectives through experiences with the psychologically healing properties of music and its possible philosophical nuances.  He aims to piece together themes and messages common to popular musical pieces and movements. It is his hope that each post promotes a greater depth of thought into an aspect of music. Adam’s focus lies in classical music, where more historical context can be found but hopes to cover many different cultures. 

Music to the Brain

photo: bogitw, pixabay

From soothing lullabies and wedding symphonies to workout playlists and birthday song, music has had a profound way of enriching our lives, adding meaning to little moments and treasured memories.

We all love music. And no matter your taste, music affects us all the same.

But have you ever paused and wondered why? What exactly happens inside our brains when we listen to music, and why does it make us feel what we feel?

Tune in, because I’m about to explain the science behind it.

I LOVE THIS SONG

Ever noticed how a song makes you feel good every time you listen to it? Well, that’s your brain’s way of thanking you for it!

Research shows that when listening to music, the amygdala and nucleus accumbens—areas in our brain responsible for pleasure and reward—get activated. These are the same regions that light up when we drink water after a long run or have a bar of chocolate after working out!

In simple words, anytime you hit play on your favourite songs, your brain sends a flush of dopamine—the “feel-good” chemical.

WE’RE ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH, DUDE.

photo: eccomercephotoit, pixabay

Music doesn’t only spark areas in our brains, but also sparks connections between people.

Remember when Italians sang Bella Ciao from their balconies in solidarity with those quarantined? The videos brought everyone to tears. That’s the power of music for bringing people together.

In his research, Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist and musician, explains that music has the power to synchronize its listeners’ brainwaves, allowing them to be emotionally connected.

Whether you’re attending an intimate La Boheme opera or a packed Eminem concert, your brain activity, along with your emotions, aligns with those around you.

OUR GUILTY PLEASURE

Truth be told, I’ve listened to Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars” more than I can count!

But don’t blame me! Blame science!

Studies show that people are inclined to stick to songs they loved during their youth, and often find new tracks with similar styles throughout their lives.

When listening to a song repeatedly, the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for emotional regulation and memory—gets activated, creating an emotional response whenever we listen to this song again

And because adolescence is a period of heightened emotions, music we loved during that time sticks with us throughout our lives.

In fact, studies have shown that even patients with dementia can recall songs from their youth. These emotionally charged songs are deeply rooted memories, making them some of the most resilient.

DUMBBELLS FOR THE BRAIN

As effortless as it seems, listening to music requires a lot of brainpower!

photo: benamar, pixabay

According to an article published in the Journal of Biology, our brains need to decode various aspects like pitch, rhyme, timbre and lyrics, then weave these elements together to form a coherent musical experience.

So the cognitive process that occurs when listening to a 3-minute song is similar to that of reading—the working memory identifies individual letters and words then ultimately forms meaning out of the sentences and paragraphs.

In fact, a study published in the journal Brain suggests that listening to music can aid in the recovery after brain injuries, particularly strokes. Patients who listened to music daily achieved better cognitive recovery, such as improvements in verbal memory, compared to patients who listened to audiobooks or nothing at all.

Experts also suggest listening to new or unfamiliar genres of music. While it might be uncomfortable to your ears in the beginning, it’s golden for your brain’s neuroplasticity—the ability to rewire itself and adapt to new experiences.

The more you expose yourself to new music, the more you stimulate cognitive growth and flexibility.

So headphones on!

I FEEL THE MUSIC IN MY BONES!

Ever wondered why you can’t help but snap your fingers or tap your foot when a song comes on? Or why babies as young as six months old start kicking their legs and flapping their arms to music?

Music activates our brain’s motor system, particularly the cerebellum. The tunes signal our cerebellum to sync the song’s rhythms and timings with our body’s movements. The result? Hannah Montana’s famous “Hoedown Throwdown”!

CONCLUSION: MUSIC SLAPS!

Whether you’re enjoying a good musical or hitting repeat over the same song the entire day, you are giving your brain a favour!

Music puts a smile on our faces, creates emotional connections, strengthens our memories, and most importantly, keeps us grooving!

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Rana is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College, and an unapologetic science nerd who gets excited by the simplest facts. Music has been a constant companion in Rana’s life. She finds solace through the classic melodies of the piano, cello and violin; escapes the world’s chaos through a good Imagine Dragons song; and rages at life through an Eminem masterpiece.  

But above all, music is her tether to her heritage—Lebanon. Growing up, she was surrounded by her parents' music tastes. She holds these sounds proudly and revisits them whenever nostalgia hits. Through this blog, Rana hopes to weave together her passions for writing, science, and music. Tune in! 

The many meanings of a single word

The flow of words in a song captures a listener’s full attention. It may act as a distraction from the message. The lyrics in a song can easily be misunderstood or completely brushed off as pretty rhymes. An important point to remember is that songs are poetry. They should be read with an artistic outlook. This doesn’t mean everyone listening to music has to be a literary genius. It means art is better when you realize its full potential with the most open of minds.

People are capable of thinking so many intricate thoughts. It can be your fresh new hobby. Practice thinking outside of the box. Why not stretch the brain to its fullest potential?

Don’t hold back on investigating simple sentences just because they seem complete. A single word could have many connotations that stay hidden until they are brought to life. Every word has intention. They need to be pieced together like a puzzle.

Is it too sweet, or too sweet?

Take the song “Too Sweet” in the Unheard EP by Hozier. Here is a look at the chorus without the verses.

Cover art of Unheard ep by hozier

“I think I'll take my whiskey neat
My coffee black and my bed at three
You're too sweet for me
You're too sweet for me”

The words are like a compliment to the subject of the song. The artist is calling them “too sweet.” Now read the excerpt again. Hozier uses a double-edged sword by finishing the statement with “for me.” The listener processes the above chorus as a standalone thought. They may see this entire chorus as a positive expression.

It can be translated as you’re too good for me. This can be taken in many directions. One version is through the non-artistic eyes which see a subject out of their league. Another meaning lies just under the layer of those words. The same words can be interpreted as “you’re not my type.”

Dig a little deeper

Moments like these are where nuances are overlooked because it’s easier to follow shallow instincts rather than sitting there thinking for another minute.

Today we’ll take the time to change for the better. Describe all the lines on a piece of paper. Make your thoughts different from the original lyrics. The overall feel will give off more impressions. The initial sentiments of a love song might be swept away.

The listeners are led on a flowery journey of no thank yous. We are left with a letter listing all the reasons why the writer would not consider the person as a potential partner unless she changes completely. We can assume people can’t pull a 180-degree change in their personality.

Remember the blue T-shirt

Some strategies for navigating poetry are linked to the ability to think critically. Think back to your high school teacher asking the class about the meaning of the blue t-shirt in the assigned reading. It probably felt like overkill at the time.

Blue shirts taken by Kim Nguyen from pexels.com

Every word can and should be questioned because only so many words make up a song. What can you find out when you’re faced with a blue shirt?

There will be an opportunity for you to explore every avenue available. This journey can be started by identifying points that need to be acknowledged. Maybe something caught your eye during your first read-through of the lyrics. Go back to it for further inspection.

Rally up the words and lines with the slightest potential and expand on their meanings. Put them to the test.

An analytic lens can allow for the exploration of these new perspectives. Ask yourself what the tailor’s story is. Maybe the blue T-shirt has strange stitching that was done by hand. The shirt might fall apart with the slightest touch because it was sown with a broken needle. This sounds inconsequential but it’s all a piece of the bigger picture.

It’s up to you to figure out how what it all means. Compile all this new information to the power of Synthesising. This approach is used to get to the root of things. You want to come up with every possible scenario and find the relation with everything. This is our goal. The final boss is to get the most out of the art we consume. How many blue shirts can you find?

Find the core and learn more. There is a lesson to be found in everyone.

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Wayam Essa is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. This experience has given her new tools to explore artistic expressions. She enjoys studying lyricism that reaches beyond the surface. With a passion for learning languages and cultures around the world, she created a diverse foundation that elevated her understanding of singing and writing. These lessons continue to follow close behind her thirst to chase meaningful musicality.

The Language of the Soul

photo: Pixabay

You hit play on your favourite, but very obscure, song. You prepare yourself to enjoy it despite your friend’s lack of enthusiasm. You are shocked when their head starts bobbing. You enjoy it even more now. You like them even more now. 

An instant bond forms when you meet another who shares your appreciation for music. Whether it is a new friend, an acquaintance, or an awkward date, a similar taste in music can melt the tension quicker than any well-turned phrase. 

And there is a very good reason for that. 

Music Communicates What Words Cannot: Emotion

The issue with trying to explain an emotion is that feelings are relative. What to you is a terrible discomfort is to another an almost unnoticeable inconvenience.  

That gap cannot be bridged by an extensive lecture. And it is, in most cases, difficult to find a comparative experience. Therefore, the communication of emotion is best left to the realm of art.  

Each artistic discipline communicates the abstract differently. The best painters express a mood and freeze it in time, allowing hindsight to interpret. A sculptor captures the aura of a person or group.  

Music, when crafted and performed well in service of a purpose, is an exhibition of the artist’s deepest, most visceral emotion. The communication of such raw feeling transcends differences in experience. 

Music allows two people to identify with a pure emotion. This forms a common ground that is essential to a productive dialogue. There is no use confronting difficult topics without first finding common ground, making music invaluable as the universal language of emotion. 

First, it is important to understand why verbal language is more likely to fail in finding a common ground between two people or groups of different backgrounds. 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein devised an analogy that perfectly frames language’s shortcomings. He called it ‘the beetle in a box.’  

The Beetle in a Box Theory 

Imagine you and another person have a box with a beetle inside. You both can look at your own beetle but cannot show it to the other.  

Photo: Stifterhaus

Now try to describe your beetle in such a way that you capture it so vividly that the other person has a photorealistic image of your beetle in their mind. Not even Shakespeare could.  

To you, a sleek, black shell with uniform, vertical lines creasing its back may be an accurate description of your beetle’s unique anatomy. But the word black may inspire a different shade in the other person’s mind.  ‘Uniform, vertical creases’ may capture the texture of your beetle’s shell, but the other person cannot grasp the exact dimensions of the shell’s width and the corresponding depth of the creases.  

All that is possible is an approximation of a beetle that is heavily reliant on the other person’s prior conception of a beetle. 

This may seem overly pedantic, but the beetle is a metaphor for our true selves.  

No amount or depth of detail will ever perfectly capture an aspect of your true inner self, let alone the entirety of it. There is a barrier inherent to verbal communication, which is why art is essential for communicating life’s abstract experiences. 

The Power of the Present 

18th century philosopher Søren Kierkegaard provided a great explanation for why music is so effective at finding common ground. He believed that great music affects the imagination directly and transcends personal differences onto a separate plane of aesthetic experience.  

photo: IPerspective

Music reaches the depths of your imagination and recalls an emotion to the present. When such an experience is shared with another, the effects can be intoxicating. In bringing emotion to your focus, you are living in the present moment. 

This ‘presentness’ touches on a key factor in healthy communication.  

People are always either lost in the past or yearning for the future. It is hard enough to relate to someone when you are both grappling with the present moment. It is impossible when you are in separate temporal realms. 

So if someone is showing you their favourite song, try your best to understand it is not really the song they are showing you but their soul. 

Source:

Kierkegaard, S. Either/Or. Penguin. 3 June 1992.

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As a professional writing student at Algonquin College, Adam Dickson combines a passion for writing with an interest in the deeper meanings of music. He will frame his perspectives through experiences with the psychologically healing properties of music and its possible philosophical nuances.  He aims to piece together themes and messages common to popular musical pieces and movements. It is his hope that each post promotes a greater depth of thought into an aspect of music. Adam’s focus lies in classical music, where more historical context can be found but hopes to cover many different cultures. 

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Blog post one.

Credit to the image: the digital artist on pixabay.

Music has always had a deeply rooted relationship with us. Whether it's in our own culture, history, set of beliefs, or individual expression, music has enchanted us to it’s beauty. Music has always been our way of expressing our innermost thoughts and feelings. And in my perspective, it is one of the most introspective forms of art that not only affects our social lives but also affects our mental health. 

Credit to the artist: geralt on pixabay

Music is often used as an outlet for the unheard, for those who have been outcasted or marginalized in society. When these individuals can freely express their emotions in their music, it creates a therapeutic effect of relatability and comfort for the listener; this allows the listener to connect with their situation, and it opens doors for people to become more open-minded and receptive to these individuals.

According to the article of The American Psychiatric Association (APA), “in addition to its healing potential, music can amplify the message of diversity and inclusion by introducing people to cultures and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Many excluded groups, including racial/ethnical, sexual, and people with disabilities, who often face injustice and traumatic experiences that can impair their mental health with a risk of depression and anxiety. Music therapy has shown and provided a safe supportive environment for healing trauma and building resilience while decreasing anxiety and depression.”

This shows that music indeed provides not only a voice for people who have been marginalized and systematically discriminated against but for a network of healing and strength that has positively impacted the mental health of these individuals and improved the quality of their lives one step at a time.  

Credit to the artist: Insspiro on pixabay

In addition, music is a tool that enables us to tap into the creative parts of our minds, allowing us to work in an effortless state. Whether it's at school, at work, or just a daily hobby, music helps us to stay centered and focus on our task.  According to Edugage, “music can help you concentrate by blocking out distractive noise. It acts as a stimulus that engages the brain, which modifies your mood and provides a rhythm that keeps your alert. This serves to make the task more engaging, less dull, and easier to concentrate on.” In addition to that, according to the National University “Music activates both the left and the brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory, says Dr. Marsha Godkin, a professor at the department of marriage and family science at a national university.” This shows that music indeed has the ability to help us improve our concentration when we are working on an assignment or doing a hobby. 

Moreover, music also serves as a form of therapy for those who are suffering from anxiety or depression. It works as a tool that heals the broken pieces of the mind as well as providing escape and comfort from life's everyday troubles. 

 According to the JED (The Jed foundation) “Research suggests that listening to music may lessen the impact of depression and anxiety. A 2019 study found that college students who listen to classical music every day for two months had a significantly lower level of anxiety. Another 2016 study looked between the connection of music and anxiety by studying people who have fears of high. Participants were put in virtual reality simulation on riding on a ninth-floor elevator. One group listened to music and the others did not. Researchers discovered that the one who listen to music had recovered faster from the stress than the one who did not listen to music.” This shows that music does have therapeutic ability to help improve our mental health as well as to help us cope through some tricky situations that we may face in life.

In conclusion, music affects our mental health. From connecting with people who have similar circumstances in life, to tapping into the creative and productive parts of our minds. and help us cope through life music has always had a deeply rooted connection with us all.  

 

Links to source of information.

The Transformative Power of Music in Mental Well-Being 
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“How Does Music Help You Concentrate?” Edugage. 

“Can Music Help You Study and Focus?” National University. 

The Jed Foundation.