What role did racism play in popular music?

Answer 1

Racism definitely has a major effect on music. Racism inspires many artists to create new music, especially those artist who are most affected by racism from either the place in which they grew up or even after 'making it.' Race plays a role in who can and cannot 'make it' in music. Some may give up pursuing their dreams in music simply because of the racial wall that they feel blocks them from success. An example in today's world is hip-hop, a form of music that artists are predominantly black, is a hard type of music for a white rapper to be successful in. Even some success is usually short-term because he is listened to as a 'white rapper,' not as a rapper. This racial boundary can be broken and is not set in stone. A great example of this is the upcoming of both Eminem and Mac Miller, artists who love the music and have beat the boundary. Artists like Asher Roth may be considered one of the 'short-term' success rappers, but his short term success is not only for racial reasons. Tupac has many songs inspired by racism that he and people close to him have endured and the tone of songs seem to portray an angry or resentful tone about it. Tupac does not stand alone in this. There are many artists who are inspired and ask for change. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has inspired many artists and songs. Songs like "I Have a Dream" or songs asking for change and relating personal experiences with racism mention or use messages from MLK. There is no doubt that racism affects hip-hop-it affects all music.