The Importance of Music Videos

The Importance of Music Videos

 Are music videos an essential piece of the music industry? Just ask Hype Williams and Little X, which are two of the best video producers in the industry. Between the two of them they have produced a plethora of music videos and films. What was once termed an illustrated song became  popular in the 80s, and have  grown in prominence each year since. Critics once viewed MTV's music video showing as a controversial risk for the network. Needless to say MTV's courage to air a music video fathered a new era within the music industry, changing it forever.

Artist and record companies use music videos as a marketing tool designed to promote music sales. These tools are used to convey an artist image to the public, in hopes of convincing them to purchase your product. According to Bienvenido many people who think that the song is only secondary to the music video, the music video will only be a tool for the business and will be used to sell the song of the artist. Music videos are the visual medium between the public and the artist granting them an opportunity to impress their public with their dancing ability, creativity, and acting skills. Artist and labels alike make money off music videos by having them in regular rotation on video channels, or selling them via CD, DVD.    The quality of a music video can do many things for one’s career, videos are valued in the music industry, and they will improve as technology improves.
Critics contend that music videos are solely used for face time on television, portraying ones appearance and not their musical talents. Unfortunately, this statement is true for some! There are a host of artist that have gained success in the industry because of their looks. We want ridicule those artist on "Opinionated Rap", however you can feel free to throw out names. Despite what one may think about an artist, or how they arrived at that point, the commonality between the two is they value the importance of music videos.      

Music videos account for more than what meets the eye. They  provide the public with a meaning for their favorite song, possibly adding or decreasing its significance. Depending on the context of the video, one could feel as though the song was composed for them. Videos like Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Scream (M. Jackson) show the value of  great choreography, and a big wallet. Videos like Dear Mama (Tupac), One Mic (NAS), and Why (Jada Kiss) exhibits consciousness on a budget.  Despite their disparities, all six videos have had an memorable impact on my artistry.  
Conversely, artist like Soulja Boi has inspired all of us to produce our own music videos. Thanks to his "Crank That" video that became a youtube sensation, independent artist all over the globe are flooding social media, and blog sites attempting to mimic his success. The demand for video producers are growing at an accelerated pace, and as long as there is a need  music there is a need for videos. So, again the question is asked; are music videos an essential piece of the music industry? 

Reference:

David, Bienvenido. (2010). The Importance of Music Videos.  Retrieved: February 12, 2011. http://www.articledashboard.com/profile/bienvenido_david

Music is not Ruining Society!

It has been said that mainstream music particularly Hip-Hop is ruining our society. Critics say that the lyrics in Hip-Hop and other genres alike glorify sex, 

murder, and mayhem while 

belittling education, religion, and justice. Being an avid music fan, and artist I took offense to those comments and decided to blog about it.

Throughout this reading one can find relative facts that show the importance of music and how genres like Hip-Hop stem from an artistic culture. 

     Music is more than just a creative art form. It is a universal language that transcends cultures, genders, and creeds. Music produces an unbiased rhythm that grooves the youngest child to the oldest citizen. The melodic notes that stream from our favorite instrument, or loudspeakers are lodged deep in our hearts and souls. This forces ones emotions to express its truest feeling, despite ones rendering mood. 

     Music is deemed as the best therapist in the world. It relaxes, soothes, and excites the psyche sending sentiment throughout body. In fact, music therapy has become a keen dynamic in the health care field. According to Elizabeth Scott “hospitals are beginning to use music and music therapy to help with pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to calm patients, to ease muscle tension, and for many others benefits that music and music therapy can bring.”

     Instrumentals can be so calming that one may want to go to sleep, but the beauty within each note is enticing one to stay awake. Conversely, the lyrics in a song can vocalize everything one may want to say without he or she ever saying a word.  For instance: John Mayors; Gravity, The Commodores; Zoom, Dionne Farris; Hopeless, Tupac Shakur’s; Unconditional love and Nas; One Mic can easily convey Brandon’s outlook on life without my input. 

     Jazz, Blues, Gospel, R&B, Neo Soul, and Hip-Hop are triumphant genres that emerged from or influenced by the African American culture. Each genre produces a catchy rhythm that causes euphoric body movements, and handclaps. These genres are important to the African American community and myself because they are the voice, and self-expression of our artistic culture. 

     Mainstream music is not ruining our society; our society is ruining mainstream music. Hip-Hop is art formed that uses self-expression to convey its troubles, struggles, or jubilance to the world. It is a reflection of the world around us and not the other way around. In some cases major record labels influence the style of music that receives airtime on radio, and T.V. depicting a false representation of an indigenous culture.  Majors view the misrepresentation as good business, but we view it as bondage. Granted we, as artist must take ownership for our lyrics and actions, for there is a possibility that some troubled soul may act out our lyrics. In turn this could ruin the mindset of our youth. 

     Since the beginning of time music has played a factor in the lives of many. Today music is betrayed in many art forms, by various cultures. Despite its evolvement, music still contains one common denominator with its humble beginning, and that is touching the soul of its listeners.  If one cannot relate to any form of music, he or she has probably lost apart of themselves. In the words of William Shakespeare "If music be the food of life, play on.”

Reference:

Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
(2007) Music and your body: How Music Affects Us and Why Music Therapy promotes Health. Retrieved: Feb 2, 2011. From: About.com, Stress Management Guide

Shakespeare, W. Twelfth Night. Text / Script of Twelfth Night
a play Retrieved: Feb 2, 2011. From:  http://www.william-shakespeare.info/script-text-twelfth-night.htm