"Where is the Love?" Great article on black music

[tsull1]

Facebook friend and No. 1 Dramatics fan, Iris, [[and SDF contributor) posted this on her Facebook. An excellent and important article on black music today and how it changed from yesterday -- for the worse.

Best article I've read on this topic:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/02/showbiz/music/love-songs/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

[stephanie]

The thing that makes me the happiest about this article is that it has 915 comments so far which means at least 2000 people have seen it. Spread the word!

[tomato tom]

I have..Paulo xxx

[tsull1]

A few things stuck out to me, notably some of the key statistics in the story: divorce rate going from 38 percent to 71 percent, and the high percentage of foul language in today's Hip Hop/R & B compared to other music genres. Yes, statistics can be twisted, but I believe there's a cause and affect from broken families to lyrics.

It's sad the greatest music ever -- soul/R & B -- has been tarnished by many of today's no-talents.

* Note: There are some good people out there making real soul music, and it is buried behind the garbage on the top 40. The new artist featured in the story sounds like he's trying to keep the tradition of soul out there today.

[splanky]

It was a very good article, tsull, and as much as I enjoyed it I have to say I think the damage done is permanent. With
today's most popular artists and their audience so used to almost pornographic music videos, proudly sick lyrics and
extremely self indulgent behavior everywhere, I don't think the evil genies can be put back in the bottles. I spent my days just trying to go around them...

[timmyfunk]

The contemporary ballads that featured on Classic Soul radio, made by the likes of people such as Jaheem, still carry that standard. They have definitely recorded ballads that do not degrade women and even go out of their way to be inoffensive. The really big R&B stars of today that don't get played on CSR are the main culprits.

[paladin]

Really I think this author missed the point. There are many artists who are still making good music, the love is still there and is being practiced by more artists than I can even count. Unfortunately they are not being played on the radio . The numerous powers that be have seen to that. The entire industry is changing and both record companies, radio stations and the proliferation of hip-hop has obviously caused the author some confusion; but that is exactly what makes the bulk of these commercial radio stations profitable. Traditional R & B is still being practiced and created. I think he would have been better off citing the many examples of artists who are actively practicing and perfecting their craft, than lending more credence to the ones that don't, the majority of the records he mentioned will be forgotten before I can even finish this post. The article is one sided and basically not true, but its his opinion. He has written many articles for CNN and he was educated at Howard University, but that's about all you'll find on the net. As a catch your eye type of article it's fine, but the story is not complete and his failure to encompass the real issue is well..... good food for thought and continued expression.


Take a look at this page, its chock full of artists who are doing their thing....some old , some new, some independent...
.
http://www.soultracks.com/2011-awards-winners

[nysister]

The contemporary ballads that featured on Classic Soul radio, made by the likes of people such as Jaheem, still carry that standard. They have definitely recorded ballads that do not degrade women and even go out of their way to be inoffensive. The really big R&B stars of today that don't get played on CSR are the main culprits.

Ledisi and Jaheem have a beautiful love song out call "Stay Together," Tyrese has a killer song called, "Stay," the latest from Anthony Hamilton is hot; Kem, Eric Roberson and so many more artists are bringing the love today. As far as bands, Mint Condition has a beautiful song called, "You Caught My Eye" and many more songs that don't call women out of their name. Where is the love in Black Music? The love is still there, but it is going to take just a little more effort to find it.