FEATURE:
Changing the Narrative
PHOTO CREDIT: SHVETS production/Pexels
Why Are Some Subjects Largely Being Left Out of New Music?
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MAYBE it is a particularly…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kneecap
heated time in music that means addressing certain subjects is quite risky. With Irish group Kneecap recently in the spotlight for their views and things they have said at gigs relating to killing M.P.s. They have had gigs cancelled and come under fire. Their political views relating to Palestine and the genocide there has also drawn division and criticism. Even though some artists have spoken out against Israel and what they are inflicting, very few are bringing this into their music. I have written about this before, but is it too risky for artists to write about something like warfare and genocide? It is not the case that nobody is addressing it. However, at a time when you would expect so many to have a say and talk about the atrocities happening, there is a lot of silence. The same goes for other subjects too. At a moment when women’s rights are threatened and there is this rise in misogyny and influential incels, I do wonder why this too has not been documented more in music. I have been considering all the ways in which music can make a difference. From the rights of trans people through to misogyny and women’s reproductive rights right through to an increase in division and toxicity in the world, there does seem to be a fringe of artists who write about this. They are in a definite minority. I have said before how it used to be the role of Hip-Hop and Rap artists to bring this in. Punk artists also had a political edge. However, right now, there does seem to be an absence and void. Is there this risk of backlash and fans not accepting it? I know it can be risky for artists to take a position that might stand against what others feel. However, this is a point in history where music can make a difference. It is definitely down to artists to have their say. Though to an extent I guess. We can talk about freedom of expression and how artists like Kneecap are arguing this. Is what they said freedom of expression or was it reckless?
Also, if you alienate some fans with various views then that can have a big impact. I am caught between this idea that artists really do need to do more but also this danger that can occur. Social media backlash and the negativity they might face. It is a pity. When artists do make statements in interview and speak about important issues it is really important. It can lead to conversation and change. People might say that fans won’t want to listen to songs that talk about political divides, violence around the world and misogyny. That is can be hard-going and like being lectured to. It does not have to be the case. For the artists who already do bring this into their music, they can do so in an accessible manner. It provokes a deeper and wider conversation. Not only why many artists stay away from very important and timely subjects of discussion. What are the results going to be if they do go ahead and use their music as a platform to tackle these areas? I look around music now and there are so many phenomenal artists out there. Most of the music I hear tends to be personal or it revolves around that artist’s personal life and love. It rarely goes outside of that border and addresses big themes. It is a very scary and troubling time. You get the feeling that things might get a lot worse before they get better. I do wonder if there is too much at stake. Is there another reason why music largely does not go into a more political direction? People reading this might say that there is plenty of music out there that does go into these important areas. I am going to wrap things up in a minute. I was thinking about the Kneecap furore and weighing up all sides. If they had talked about Palestine and members of parliament in their music and done so in a different way then would they have been getting respect instead of attack? Is it a balancing act and hard thing to judge? Artists like Self Esteem and Kae Tempest are examples of artists who can balance the more political and personal. The former’s new album, A Complicated Woman, addresses sexism, misogyny and the patriarchy alongside heartfelt and revealing tracks. Kae Tempest’s latest music is among his best. Challenging and thought-provoking.
One cannot deny that it is really important that music makes its voice heard. Artists need to call out genocide, political fracture and the rise in misogyny and how women’s rights are being removed. In terms of mainstream artists and the biggest radio stations, most of that music is personal and does not really tackle politics in a meaningful way. I hope that this changes. I can see women releasing great albums that talk about the patriarchy and sexism. Not many men do that. Artists in certain genres singing about genocide and violence but then that being isolated. Others might spotlight sexual assault and women’s rights (there are more subjects that I could mention but I am using these as examples) but then there is not great unity and consistency. It does seem to be concerning. You can go about things and not enflame a situation. Especially when it comes to trans rights, how many artists are talking about this through music? Not many right now. It is easy for me to say but you do need to consider the bigger picture. There might be some blowback from fans and people having their say on social media. Think about the people these songs would help and support. I think that matters a lot more. Such a minority of artists looking around and people who are being marginalised, killed, abused and having rights taken away. There should be an army of artists joining together right now. I can see those musicians out there who are using their music in a way that others are not. Going beyond their own lives. Don’t get me wrong. Artists talking about their romances, struggles with mental health issues and personal issues is really powerful. However, there is more to be done. A very tense time that requires more musicians to step up. I do hope that this happens…
PHOTO CREDIT: cottonbro studio/Pexels
BEFORE too long.