The Inuit are the descendants of the Thule people, who first appeared in western Alaska approximately in 1000 CE. They diverged from the Aleut group and from northeastern Siberian migrants around 4000 years ago. Traditional Inuit music has been based on drums used in dance music, and a vocal style known as katajjaq (Inuit throat singing). It is distinguished by recitative-like singing, intricate rhythmic organization, a relatively short melodic range averaging approximately a sixth, melodic prominence of major thirds and minor seconds, and undulating melodic movement. Traditional Inuit music is utilized for entertainment, as a game, to tell stories, and during particular occasions. The music is mostly based on the sound of drums and Inuit singing and chanting.
(Coming up are short summaries on a few of the different categories of Inuit songs)
Katajjaq:
Katajjaq is a traditional competitive but cooperative song played as a game between two ladies. It is one of the few examples of overtone singing in the world, a unique style of making sounds that is well known in Tuvan throat-singing. When competing, two women stand face to face and sing utilizing a sophisticated system of following each other, resulting in one vocal hitting a strong accent while the other hits a weak, merging the two voices into a practically indistinguishable unified sound. They repeat small patterns at staggered intervals, frequently imitating natural noises like geese, caribou, or other wildlife, until one of them runs out of breath, trips over her own tongue, or starts laughing, at which point the game is ended.
Pisiit:
Pisiit songs are about events that happened in the past. They are musical interpretations of events or eras in history. Pisiit aids in explaining how we arrived where we are. They are songs that pay homage to tradition and traditional ways of life; they are a living tradition. They are only sung with the drum as the dominating instrument; guitars are not permitted in modern Pisiit songs.
Ayaya:
Ayaya songs are songs that tell personal stories. Ayaya is a desire expression. Every Inuit had a personal song that they had memorized for feast time, when everyone gathered to sing, laugh, and eat. There was no point in writing down your song because it was already memorized in your head and you had to be ready to sing it when your name was called.
Drum Dancing:
In the Central and Eastern Arctics, a single drummer performs, often accompanied by ayaya vocalists. The crowd waits for the first drummer to come forward; if no volunteers come forward, singers summon a drummer to the floor by singing a drummer's particular song (pisiit). This dance has no prescribed or formal moves; each drummer has his or her own style. Typically, the dance begins slowly and builds in intensity. Each man takes turns beating on a single drum. Once they start dancing, it usually lasts late into the night.
(Next are the different instruments used in Inuit music.)
Instruments:
The main percussion instrument is the qilaut, a wooden frame drum. It is constructed by boiling and bending two to three inch wide pieces of wood into a circular frame with a handle jutting out. A detailed animal skin, typically caribou, is stretched across the frame and secured with a string. The drum can reach one meter in diameter but is typically one yard in length. A qatuk, or wooden beater, is used to strike it on the rim. The sound produced is a mix of the percussive impact from striking the wood and the vibrations produced by the stretched membrane. Some communities, such as the Inuvialuit of the Mackenzie Delta, beat the drums with wands instead of thick wooden beaters.
The tautirut, which is similar to the fiola or Icelandic fiddle, is an Inuit bowed zither. It is unclear whether the instrument is entirely indigenous or was introduced by Nordic sailors either before or after Columbus. The Inuit culture is one of the few in the Americas with a chordophone legacy.
---
Works Cited
Canadian Geographic. “Performing Arts.” Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, Canadian Geographic, 14 June 2018, https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/performance-arts/.
When thinking about my family and music I immediately thought of my mom to interview. She is ALWAYS playing music. It could be dead silent at home and next thing you know you can hear music blasting from the speakers, and she's just out there in the living room dancing on her own. She was born in Haiti, and moved back and forth to the U.S., she also grew up during the 80's.
Me: Do you have an earliest memory of music?
Mom: I remember listening to "I Want you Back," by The Jackson 5, in the car from school on the radio with my dad in the front seat, with the radio on blast.
Me: What was your favorite music growing up? What artists did you listen to the most?
Mom: Pop, R&B. I listened to Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston the most.
Me: What genre(s) of music were popular when you were growing up?
Mom: R&B, electric dance, and new wave.
Me: Where did you listen to music?
Mom: Anywhere I could, in my room, in the car, in the living room. It was just a party everywhere.
Me: What was the role of music in your life?
Mom: Well, I always had music on because I hated when it was quiet. There always had to be some sort of background noise.
Me: What is the purpose of music?
Mom: The purpose of music is to motivate, inspire, and move.
Me: Did you go to any concerts?
Mom: Unfortunately, no... but I am going to a Beyonce concert this August!
Me: What influenced how you found your music?
Mom: My friends and family. Pretty much just listened to whatever was played around me.
Me: Did your musical tastes change as you got older?
Mom: Not too much, I'm definitely into more gospel music and kanaval music ( a type of Haitian music).
Me: How did your relationship with music change as you got older?
Mom: My relationship with music grew because now I listen to music every day without a doubt.
Me: What's your honest opinion of music today?
Mom: Definitely changed a lot, especially in the rap genre. It's all pretty much the same about money, guns, girls.
Me: What do you think of the music I listen to?
Mom: I think you have a very versatile music taste. Like I've heard you listen to various different genres but most of the time you listen to like fun songs. Like trendy and on track with the rest of your generation.
Hip hop is more than just music; it is a cultural movement that encompasses several artistic components. Hip hop culture is defined by four fundamental components. DJing/turntablism, MCing/rapping, B-boying/breaking, and visual/graffiti art were the initial four foundations of hip hop. These modes of expression have also spawned new subcultures with long-lasting legacies.
History of hip-hop:
The genre originated in New York City in the 1970s as a cultural exchange among Black, Latino, and Caribbean youth. During this time period, there was an economic catastrophe. Due to the loss of the manufacturing industry and the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway, the city's economy was collapsing. To escape the social and economic obstacles, many white middle-class families relocated to the suburbs. Migration altered populations and separated communities. Conditions deteriorated in areas that were heavily populated by African-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Caribbean immigrants. Businesses started shutting down, resulting in the loss of many economic opportunities and sources of amusement. As a result, urban adolescents sought entertainment and self-expression on the streets. Block parties were made possible by the abandoned buildings and parking spaces. These block parties served as the foundation for everything linked with early hip hop culture. DJs and MCs provided the music by setting up mobile "Sound Systems." Brick walls were transformed into canvases for graffiti, while sheets of cardboard became dance floors for break-dancers.
Despair and racial barriers were transformed into multiple creative outlets by the growing hip hop culture. It also served as a means of dealing with violence.
Hip-Hop Pioneers
Hip hop was influenced by a number of persons. The most prominent pioneers, though, are DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash. These three are known as the "Holy Trinity."
DJ Kool Herc
A Jamaican immigrant considered as hip hop's founding father, was one of the most influential hip hop pioneers. In 1973, Kool Herc and his sister held the "Back to School Jam" in the recreation room of their Bronx apartment building at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. This historic gathering is credited with igniting the hip hop movement.
He also introduced the "breakbeat" DJ method, which he derived from Jamaican dub music. Kool Herc, on the other hand, would play funk, soul, and other genres with percussive portions. He would use a pair of turntables to play two versions of the same song and then flip between them to stretch the percussive period known as the break. This breakbeat juggling DJing method was named "The Merry-Go-Round" by Herc. This breakbeat turntablism had a rapid impact on the emergence of hip hop music, rapping, and breakdancing.
Grandmaster Flash
Another DJ from Bronx, New York City -- he was the first DJ to manipulate records in a backward, forward or counterclockwise motion. He also introduced various DJing techniques like as the backspin, cutting, punch phrase, and scratching.
In 1976, Flash created a team known as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. The group gained widespread recognition as one of the most important hip-hop acts. By switching off on the lyrics between the four rappers and combining them with Flash's unmatched DJ abilities, they created a distinctive sound. By using his fingers, toes, elbows, and other objects to manipulate vinyl, Flash would also demonstrate his acrobatic DJing abilities.
Several songs by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five had a big impact. "The Message" was their most well-known song, though. This commercial success further established rap as a genre and, for the first time, elevated rappers to the fore. In addition to describing the harsh reality, the song's powerful lyrics marked a notable departure from the early hip hop genre's typical rhythmic chanting.
Early Music Technology
The creation of hip hop and music underwent a significant transformation in the early 1980s. Drum machines, samplers, and synthesizers all grew more affordable and available. The instrument of choice was the well-known TR-808 drum machine from Roland. Music producers no longer had to rely solely on DJ breakbeats; they could now program their own drum patterns. Due to the TR-808's strong bass drum sound, hip hop also adopted it as a mainstay.
In the 1980s, sampling technologies also became prevalent. Early samplers like the Linn 9000, E-mu SP-1200, and Akai MPC60 were used by DJs in their experiments. Instead of utilizing turntables, they employed these samplers to patch together song breaks. Producers were also able to play, arrange portions, sequence arrangements, edit, and mix music in novel ways thanks to samplers. These manufacturing techniques were an early type of remixing.
In conclusion, hip-hop has a lot of history behind it and has grown into one of the most consumed genres of music in the United States.
----
Works Cited
Bowenbank, Starr. “Billboard Explains: The Origins of Hip-Hop.” Billboard, 25 Feb. 2023, https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-explains-origins-of-hip-hop-1235260696/.
“Hip-Hop Music Guide: History of Hip-Hop and Notable Artists - 2023.” MasterClass, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hip-hop-guide.
“Hip-Hop: A Culture of Vision and Voice.” The Kennedy Center, https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/hip-hop/hip-hop-a-culture-of-vision-and-voice/.
“Music History of the United States.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_history_of_the_United_States.
PQ, Rory. “Hip Hop History: From the Streets to the Mainstream: Icon Collective.” Los Angeles and Online, 22 June 2022, https://iconcollective.edu/hip-hop-history/#:~:text=Hip%20hop%20is%20a%20subculture,and%20a%20rapidly%20changing%20economy.
Artists and performers in the music industry are expected to follow gender stereotypes, which frequently force them to behave in particular ways. Gender stereotypes have an impact on an artist's appearance, the kind of music they make, and general perception. Due to societal expectations, women are fundamentally disrespected and undervalued in the music business. They face more restrictions than males in terms of the instruments they can play, how they can express themselves. We exist in a society that sends mixed messages about women's identities and worth. Yes, music is an outlet, however for many women it just becomes a barrier to being authentic and growing as a person and artist.
For example; musical instruments. Men are known to dominate certain instruments more than women. In the article “Jazz View; Why Women Remain At the Back of the Bus,” the author Peter Watrous talks about how “the mythology surrounding jazz works against women." He goes on to explain how a woman playing a deep blues on tenor on a saxophone enters "traditional male territory." He also says in order for a woman to be able to pull it off (play the saxophone), she must learn how to be male, a form of "tranvestism.” But, the thing is even when women do take on this form of “transvestism” they are criticized for it. Women performing traditionally masculine actions are unsettling to society. As a consequence, women in the jazz world and other musical genres are forced to pass up opportunities.
In 2016, Madonna won the Billboard Woman of the Year award, and she gave a speech about the music industry and her experience in it as a woman. There was a part that really stuck out to me. She said, "My real muse was David Bowie. He embodied male and female spirit and that suited me just fine. He made me think they’re were no rules but I was wrong. There are no rules if you’re a boy. If you’re a girl you have to play the game. What is that game? You’re allowed to be pretty and cute and sexy but don’t act too smart. Don’t have an opinion.” Women don't have the same creative freedom as men do because they are subjected to gender and sexuality expectations. For so long, women in the music industry have been marketed by using their femininity that when an artist deviates from this, it's difficult to sell them. I can name plenty male artists such as Harry Styles and Prince that have experimented with transvestism more than female artists. It makes it difficult for female artists to challenge gender norms without facing backlash. Although men in the industry face criticism, they face less of it due to their dominance and male privilege.
Around the world, music has influenced cultures and societies and been passed down from one generation to the next. It has the capacity to transform one's mood and perceptions. Without music, a celebration, festival, or party, etc. is pretty much nonexistent. We can move and be completely ourselves around others with the help of music. When there is music playing and dancing going on, you feel more connected to your community.
During my search I happened to come across Thaipusam, which is a Tamil Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, usually coinciding with Pushya star, known as Pusam in Tamil. The festival commemorates the legend of the goddess Parvati offering her son.
Different types of drums are played such as the urumi, thavil, jaalra, and thappu. The urumi is a double headed, hour-glass shaped drum that can be struck and the mallet can be drug across the drumhead to create a drone-like sound. A thavil is a barrel-shaped drum that can be played by the fingers or with a mallet. The jaalra is a set of small hand cymbals. The thappu is a large, round drum that is, in shape, very similar to the snare drum.
Fun fact: Playing of musical instruments at Thaipusam was banned in 1973 after fights broke out between competing groups, disrupting the processions. But the government relaxed the rules for the first time in 2016.
Every year for my birthday, my family sings happy birthday to me? No big deal right? But you're not really hearing me. I mean that they sing "Happy Birthday," by Stevie Wonder. Yup, all 5 minutes and 57 seconds of it. You would think that because of this I would know it word for word. But I definitely checked out from actually listening to them around age 4. Anyway, this song has definitely became a ritual during my birthday.
Hey, my name is Jenn. I'm on the women's basketball team at Converse. I'm from Miami, Florida but I've lived in Germany, Maryland, and North Carolina. My dad is in the military, so I guess that makes me somewhat of a "military brat." I have two brothers and one sister, Antoine (23), Darnel (22) and Jess (16). I also have a dog named Nova. I've been playing basketball my whole life and a little fun fact is I used to play the violin and piano.
One song that is my current go-to is "Over my Dead Body," Drake. A song like this would never usually be my go- to considering I listen to fast paced music most of the time, and this one is on the slower side. However, a friend of mine recently introduced it to me. Ever since then it's been on repeat while I've been learning the lyrics. I mainly think I really like it right now because of the chorus. I enjoy listening to this song because it makes me calm and relaxed. Another reason I enjoy this song is probably because this artist plenty other songs for any mood I may be in, Drake just never misses. I enjoy this song's vibe and the lyrics. I truly think this is a great song. You should definitely give it a listen whether you're a Drake fan or not.
One song that is personally meaningful to me is "I'll Be Missing You," by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. The song was a tribute to Notorious B.I.G. after his passing. This song just resonates with me because I discovered it around the time my grandma passed away. Her and I were very close, so it was a hard time for me. I would turn to music to put me in my happy place and just make me forget about everything. This song helped me cope and I just always think about her whenever I hear it. In a way, it's almost as if she's living through the song. I just put this song on, and it makes everything go away. I have a clear head, and it's just me and my grandma chilling together as if everything is perfectly fine. This song is a great way for me to clear my head or just a simple way for me to cope whenever I miss her.
I'm fairly open to giving all genres of music a chance. However, a type of music that I really don't connect with is country music. I've tried listening to it before, but I just don't connect with any of the artists or songs. I also feel like they're all about the same thing. Like there's no variety and they all just sound the same. Not only that, but I feel like the southern accent is so overused in this genre. Another opinion: I feel as if people who live in urban/suburban areas cannot really relate to lyrics in country music since they cannot relate to the country lifestyle. Which makes it harder to listen to and connect with. I've had a lot of friends to try to get me into it, but personally I just don't think I ever will be able to (no offense to anyone who likes it of course).
.jpg)
.jpg)