Music & Politics: Why Are Certain Genres So Politically Charged?

In summary, there seems to be a trend of certain genres of music, such as country and pop, aligning with more conservative and pro-war political positions, while other genres like punk and hip-hop tend to lean towards anti-war and liberal views. This could be due to the cultural biases and demographics of the regions where these genres are most popular. There are also some musicians, like Eminem, who may go against the expected political alignment of their genre. Ultimately, everyone has their own preferences and perspective on the intersection of music and politics.
  • #1
Smurf
442
3
Lately I've noticed a certain segregation of music from NOFX's 'Son of an *******' and 'War on Errorism' To Clint Blacks 'Iraq and I roll' and Britney spears supporting George Bush.

Basicly 'Heavy' stuff goes the Anti-Flag (a band) direction of no-war, anti-bush while 'Lighter' country and pop go the other general direction.
Even Eminem is getting into it with 'Eminem's Mosh'

Why is it that certain kinds of music favour certain political positions?
Thoughts? Speculations? Facts? (laughter)
 
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  • #2
Some people are happy as things are, some people want change.
 
  • #3
smurf said:
Why is it that certain kinds of music favour certain political positions?
Thoughts? Speculations? Facts? (laughter)

Well, the core of popularity for all forms of country is the South, and by exrtension rural America. In other words Red counties. And Eminem is emphatically urban, aka Blue counties. So you sort of see the music is a surrogate for the cultural biases. Of course there are overlaps, and you could do a "purple" map of music preferences just as you can for political preferences.
 
  • #4
I like Gil Scott-Heron's http://www.gilscottheron.com/lyrevol.html
 
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  • #5
I like musicians who are more concerned with the art of music than politics and business. But that's just me.
 

Related to Music & Politics: Why Are Certain Genres So Politically Charged?

1. Why do certain music genres tend to be more politically charged than others?

This is a complex question with no definitive answer. However, some factors that may contribute to this phenomenon include the historical and cultural context of the genre, the socio-economic background of the artists, and the target audience of the music.

2. Are there any specific genres that are known for their political messages?

Yes, there are several genres that are commonly associated with political messages, such as punk, hip-hop, and folk music. These genres often have a history of addressing social or political issues and advocating for change.

3. What impact does politically charged music have on society?

Politically charged music can have a significant impact on society by bringing attention to important issues, inspiring activism and social change, and providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. It can also serve as a form of protest and resistance against oppressive systems.

4. How have politics and music intersected throughout history?

Politics and music have been intertwined throughout history, with musicians often using their platform to express their political beliefs and opinions. This can be seen in the protest songs of the Civil Rights Movement, the anti-war songs of the Vietnam War era, and the political punk rock of the 1970s and 1980s.

5. Can music be used as a form of propaganda?

Yes, music has been used as a form of propaganda throughout history, as it has the power to influence people's emotions and beliefs. Governments and political parties have often used music to promote their agendas and ideologies, whether it be through national anthems or songs glorifying their leaders.

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