I've noticed more and more when I talk to people about certain rappers, singers, bands and groups with multiracial and multicultural members that do or combine certain kinds of music they are met with skepticism and hate for the color of their skin or where they are from. In some cases for doing a certain style of music and not fitting a racial stereotype often associated with it. Many times I see that hip-hop music is oft rejected because of some of the more famous musicians in the genre writing sexist or homophobic lyrics and lyrics about drug dealing and life in low income areas. Often leading to many people who aren't familiar with the genre to associate all rappers, hip-hop singers, and hip-hop bands with those topics.

I'm not denying it anymore, race in music is a big issue. In some cases it seems to be a struggle to keep one's identity such is the case of hip-hop, reggae, and metal where different in skin or race can mean being blacklisted or being deemed by record labels as "unmarketable".

I want to ask others a question. Why do you think some people, especially those in the music industry, put emphasis on race and music?

Saarai wrote:I've noticed more and more when I talk to people about certain rappers, singers, bands and groups with multiracial and multicultural members that do or combine certain kinds of music they are met with skepticism and hate for the color of their skin or where they are from. In some cases for doing a certain style of music and not fitting a racial stereotype often associated with it. Many times I see that hip-hop music is oft rejected because of some of the more famous musicians in the genre writing sexist or homophobic lyrics and lyrics and drug dealing and life in low income areas. Often leading to many people who aren't familiar with the genre to associate all rappers, hip-hop singers, and hip-hop bands with those topics.

I'm not denying it anymore, race in music is a big issue. In some cases it seems to be a struggle to keep one's identity such is the case of hip-hop, reggae, and metal where different in skin or race can mean being blacklisted or being deemed by record labels as "unmarketable".

I want to ask others a question. Why do you think some people, especially those in the music industry, put emphasis on race and music?

It all has to do with stereotypes. (Obviously. ;_;) I think those 'some people' are very, very used to said stereotypes, so it's the only thing that makes sense to them. I've become incredibly open minded and unstereotypical (not a word, but you know what I mean :3) these past few years and have increasingly gotten more and more offended when I hear someone say something that groups a certain race of people together.

I really like this thread, by the way.

It is mainly stereotyping. We, as the consumer, connect things. What we are used to, we tend to stick to. Thus, we also stereotype when it comes to musical genres. I tend to judge based on the message each individual band(sometimes individual songs) have to give and the skills of the singer and instrumentalists. I tend not to stereotype because I think that I puts me into a box, and I don't want to be caged in by my own mind.

Because it's always a majority that listens to a certain type of music. I`m black but I love ALLL music. ppl think i`m lying when I say that but, i do! Rap, to Rock, Metal to Muzak lol. I just love music!!