I saw an image today. An interesting, thought provoking image. It was a comparison between the past and the present in terms of music. It was titled, the advancement of African-American music.

On the top it had an established figure, a man in a tight-fit suit, holding an instrument, a flute, if I’m not wrong.

Next to him, it had the lyrics of the song, along with the musical notes that went with the song.

The presentation of the man himself was enough to see that it demanded respect.

Below was an image of Lil-Wayne, a modern artist who’s sale records are in the millions.

It showed Wayne grinning, topped off with a hat turned around the wrong way and his braids streaming down the back of his neck.

Next to it were the lyrics ” Damn I hate a shy bitch, Don’t you hate a shy bitch? Yeah, I ate a shy bitch”.

The entire thing about the image though, is that it was meant to be something that would make you laugh, but, at the chance of sounding like a “fag” or whatever, it actually made me sad.

Now, I’m not one to judge. I’ll admit that I’m a fan of Lil-Wayne, his songs are good, they’re catchy and, being honest, I would take listening to his music over some age-old music.

But, what struck me is, is this a good thing? I think I speak for nearly everyone here when I say that music is essential. Whether we’re on the train, at home, or just chilling back, it’s almost certain that there will be some sort of music playing. Now, not that this is a bad thing, but, how did it become normal for us to listen to things such as “yeah, I ate a shy bitch”? 

The thoughts that have been running through my mind back and forth are ; what is it that we’re taking from these words.? Are we just cramming our heads with, what is seemingly, filth? Why are we allowing this to happen? We just sit idly by, and don’t notice exactly what’s been said. It’s as though we’re oblivious to the lyrics and are more so ensnared by the beat that plays along with the lyrics.

All of this can’t go without saying that there are some good artists these days, you know, artists who are actually singing of something that matters, but, it seems that there has been an influx of these sorts of songs that are just garbage.

I guess, to add insult to injury, as I write this, his lyrics repeat themselves in my head, and I seem to smile, all the while knowing that what’s being said is really just a bunch of drivel. 

I can only sit and wonder as to what went wrong? At what point did we allow this , this, uhh, shit, to be known as music? it’s not as though I could perform a song better than him, or write something that would be as good as him, but, what I wonder is, is that because I am incapable of doing so? Or would it simply not be seen as music, given that the lyrics I write wouldn’t contain things such as “It’s my turn to put this pussy on your side burns” or “& I got a nigga, grocery bags”.

One can only wonder.