Whereas, the initial purpose of music was to deliver a message or information, e.g., announce arrivals, sound revolution, tell stories, celebrate events, today's music is created to influence the actions of the masses, often in negative ways. The cognitive definition of music argues that music is not merely sound or the perception of sound, but a means by which perception, action and memory are organized. (Wikipedia)

Corporations use subliminal messages in music to control the behavior of large groups of people, all to often, youth. Music is more propaganda than information. Commercial jingles are used to persuade consumers to purchase products and services. Messages in music videos debase women and people of varied ethnic backgrounds.

Propaganda [from modern Latin: 'propagare', "extending forth"] is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of large numbers of people. Instead of impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. The most effective propaganda is often completely truthful, but some propaganda presents facts selectively to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience. (Wikipedia)

In her book, Power and Wisdom: The New Path for Women (1999), Dr. Priscilla V. Marotta says, "Subtle [subliminal] messages that are carried in the culture often operate automatically with minimal awareness by the individual. . . .As the new millennium approaches, women need to actively and consciously change female stereotypes."

[USA TODAY, 4/23/2004] Upset at how the rapper treated the women in his videos, . . .[particularly] the credit card swiped through a woman's backside, female students at Spelman College in Atlanta protested a scheduled performance by rapper superstar Nelly.

Messenger Location Musician Information Value Lesson
Delivers information Africa (1 million B.C.) Conch shell, Drum Music as message Women make drum Instrument = Musician
Announces arrivals America (1500 A.D.) Slaves Music as self-awareness Field hollers; religious music Emotion = Feeling
Sounds revolution Plantations (1785) Drum banned Revolt; uprisings Master fined 30 shillings Whites' realization
Sounds release Slavery ends (1865) Blues Work songs Shoe shine boys; porters Low self-esteem
Sounds freedom WW I (1920-1960) Jazz Racism; Propaganda Inferior; Drug addiction Escapism; Apartheid
Unity We Shall Overcome Rock & Roll Integration Beatniks Reggae; beat evolves
Economic growth WW II - 1980s R&B Sexual revolution Hippies Music as complaint
Death Row 1990s - 2000 RAP; Hip Hop Tupac (Me vs. World) Violent rebellion Music as gang war
Bling Bling 21st Century (C)RAP; Hip Hop Nelly (Credit Card Swipe Video) Black Women can be bought Music as entertainment
MUSIC EVOLVES ©2007 Joan Cartwright

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