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How Soul Music Influenced Rap Music

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

How Soul Music Influenced Rap Music

The Influence of Production
One of the clearest places to see the similarities of soul music and rap is in the production. Soul music had immaculate production. This was true of the recordings of James Brown as well as the innovative sound of Stax and Motown. Further, soul music changed the game of production in music. It was up there with the production of girl group legends Shadow Morton and Phil Spector. Essentially, soul music relied heavily of clear, clean and crisp instrumentation mixed with song of high emotional content. The same exact definition could be applied to rap music.

The Musical Themes
Furthermore, rap music is about conveying deep emotion within a highly produced setting of instrumentation. In this fashion, rap music has taken a lot from the instrumentation and production of early soul records from the 1970s. A great example of this technique can be seen in the music of the Wu Tang Clan. Rza’s production quality is in line with Motown and Stax records from the 1970s. By production, I mean the way everything sounds on the record as well as the recording techniques applied to each instrument. In this sense, soul and rap are two sides of the same coin.

Does Motown Still Exist Today

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Although the Motown record label no longer exists under the Motown name, the original Motown brand now exists under the name The Island Def Jam Music Group. The solitary name â€œMotownâ€ stopped being used for the label’s name after 2005. Since that time, the label has also been known as Universal Motown and the Universal Motown Republic Group.

Motown Then and Now

When the Motown label was originally formed, it blended the words â€œmotorâ€ and â€œtown,â€ to differentiate itself as a Detroit label. The Marvelettes’ song â€œPlease Mister Postmanâ€ was the first number 1 hit for the Motown label in 1960. The Motown label signed a number of popular crossover acts in addition to the Marvelettes, including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Jackson 5, and The Four Tops. Motown’s more recent acts include Erykah Badu, Bryan McKnight, India Aire and Q-Tip.

The Motown Sound

The name Motown has grown to become synonymous with a certain type of sound, namely soul music with tambourine-accented back beats, pronounced electric guitar melodies, and a gospel-like style of vocals that emphasized call and response. A wide variety of musicians in many genres cite having been influenced by Motown’s acts and the Motown sound.

Before Michael There Was The 5ive

admin — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Say what you want about the man and the controversy surrounding him but the man was a pop and rock icon. His face was everywhere, his CDs were everywhere, you could even catch his concerts on satellite tv direct – he was all over the place. But what was he like before all of this?

Michael Jackson was originally part of a soul group known as The Jackson 5ive. The group originally consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael and they were one of the few in recording history to have their first couple of singles reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It was no surprise with soulful songs like I Want You Back and I’ll Be There – they had their thumbs firmly pressed against the pulse of America.

Back then, there were not a lot of black teen singing idols that could appeal to a white audience, but the music of the Jackson 5ive changed that with their genre-spanning, boundary-crossing brand of soul music that many would hear and few could simply forget. Eventually the group was even inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame where they are forever remembered for their contribution both to music and to the genre of soul.

How Motown Affected The Music Industry

admin — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Many musical traditions that we see in modern American arts are renditions of earlier acts performed by African American artists. From the earlier chants of those who lived as chattel we carry a musical passion that has grown into several successful genres and inspires the possibility of empires to come.
Our legendary performers, singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and stagehands were not always rich and famous. They were not given the respect due to them in their careers or in their personal lives.Their talents created a need for black owned studios.
With no talented artists and less artistic integrity unscrupulous promoters stole many of the greatest celebrities earlier hits, making millions of dollars as their talented stars suffered in poverty and despair.
Throughout the world, poverty in black communities was fought with music.
Motown founder, Barry Gordy, took his knowledge of the struggles faced by blacks in the American music industry and created a recording label that gave African Americans a voice and the freedom to use those voices.
As musical mentors to millions, the staff and administration of Motown records gave their lives to heal the wounds of a divided society and provided a uniquely creative space for their artists. You thought this was good? Brace yourself: Increasing interest, sales of African American art worldwide

The History Of Soul Music In This Country

admin — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The history of soul music can be dated back to early pioneers like James Brown, Etta James and the Temptations. Artists that were developing a style during this time were innovators. They didn’t have anyone else to copy. They had to be original and do things for themselves.

Jackie Wilson, for example, was a terrific one man show that had many females swooning. Sam Cooke was also a big pioneer in the world of soul music. Much of this has come full circle because these artists are being remembered through their songs. An Oscar winning movie was even made to depict the life of Ray Charles.Want more? Click here{{/tag} All of this essentially tells music lovers one thing: soul originated in the black community.

There have always been white artists that have been labeled as blue eyed soul musicians. The majority, however, were black men and women. Most of them started in the church environment. This is where they developed their gospel roots. They carried this same soulful feeling into the world of secular music. Praises to God where replaced by longings for women. Joyful noises from the alter were replaced by hole in the wall nightclub songs. This gave birth to soul.You thought this was good? Brace yourself: #443 – Sam Cooke – Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963 (Released 1985)

Why Is Aretha Franklin The Queen Of Soul

admin — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942. As the United States was becoming more mired in World War II, Aretha was being raised by her grandmother on a steady diet of gospel music. She began to sing and play piano without formal instruction at an early age. Aretha used these early influences to earn a recording contract with Columbia Records before her twentieth birthday. While these recording sessions produced some results on the charts, it was the varied styles of music that she sang that set Aretha apart from the average singer of the era.

Many fans and critics began to take notice that Aretha sang all styles of music with her own sound and soul. Aretha sang with the same feeling and soul regardless of the style or venue. Due to this unwavering approach and her powerful voice, Aretha was given the title of the â€œQueen of Soulâ€. To date, her legacy includes 18 Grammys and 45 top 40 hits. She won her first Grammy in 1968 and her last, so far, in 2008. In 1987, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame making her the first female artist to receive this honor.
The information doesnâ€™t stop now. Keep looking: Aretha Franklin’s Platinum Year

How Is Soul Music Different From R&B

admin — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Those aware of fine styles of music have often blended soul with R & B in their libraries and playlists. Associating one sound with another in their minds until they create a new style of music altogether.
Soul is a type of music that puts the focas on the performer and their voice. Soul musicians sing from life experiences and bring their triumphs and failures out with their voice. Their lyrics speak to millions around the world. Stars like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and Chaka Khan are among those who brought dance and motion to the stage and changed the way the world viewed soul music and it’s legendary performers.Didnâ€™t catch that? This explains it.This{{/tag} helps explain it more.
Rythem and Blues, more commonly known as R & B, is a style of music that emphisizes the instuments used as well as the vocalist. Showcasing the unity betweem vocalist and musician tender ballads are created. Ballads have defined love and relationships since the Song of Solomen was penned thousands of years ago.
R & B music has become more popular among mainstream society and is used for many advertising and promotional purposes and encourage creativity in other arts..
Soul music and R & B changed the American music industry.

How Soul Train Impacted The US Culture

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

During a tumultuous time in American history, one show helped bring people of different races together. Soul Train pioneered the way for black music and culture to reach mainstream America. Not only did it spread their culture, it did so at a time when the civil rights movement was reaching a critical moment.

While Mississippi, Alabama and many other places in the south were fighting to keep “separate but equal” and other draconian racist ideals, the rest of the country watched in horror. At the same time Soul Train was quickly becoming one of the most popular shows on TV. Don Cornelious was a laid back man, who allowed all races to be on his show.

Perhaps, the impact was felt as much in the white community as the black. Never before had so many people been exposed to music that was once taboo. Soon, this style would enter the forefront of the music scene, with everybody enjoying it.

Soul Train was revolutionary, and help heal wounds that seemed may never heal. Combining cultures and finding tolerance is what we think about America today, and this show helped pave the way. It will likely be forever remembered as one of the greatest shows in American history.