(My take on) Music Today

The past. Music has and will always be a manifestation of our lives. As our lives fall apart, evolve, and change, so does the state of music. These changes are necessary, but not always welcome. Each generation seems to be disappointed with the state of music during the time of it's successor. Generation Y is no different. With the rise of hip-hop, rap, modern pop, alternative, current rock music, and other popular genres that disappointment has risen to new heights.

The message. The single most important factor in music ,besides sound of course. The message is, for lack of a better definition, what the song means. Over time, the message has taken on a shrinking variable in the equation of music today. It has become an option rather than a necessity. Songs today lack any hint of progression or social change. Of course that doesn't have to be the message. The message is valid as long as it comes from within the soul. I highly doubt that rims, grills, the club, come from anywhere near the soul. We have gone from the "Wu-tang Clan" to "Young Money", from KRS-One to Lil Wayne, Michael Jackson to Justin Beiber, and from Pink Floyd to Nickleback. The list of digressions goes on. Of course this is all my humble opinion.

Accept it. Music is similar to politics. One may want to make a drastic change, but it must be taken it one step at a time. Worry about the things that can be changed , and hope for the best when it comes to the things that can't. We must define our taste in music and be proud of our definition. Whether it be a soul wrenching ballad or a club-banger at the average party, embrace those preferences.

The future. "The night is darkest before the dawn." Whether the state of music is dark is up to personal opinion; but, I see the dawn in sight. The promising artists are showing their faces, and those from the past are producing promising works of art. The message is slowly coming full circle, it is regaining it's depth. Music today still isn't what it should be, but it's getting there.


- Jared Hunte