7. MUSIC - What is the influence of African Americans on the music industry in the US (including music and the spin-off industries of fashion etc)? How important is rap music to American popular music? What is your opinion of rap music and rap artists? What is your favorite type of music to listen to?

Do you ever listen to music that comes from another country? Which country? Why?

Music- There are all types of music and I love every kind has something to offer in some way to each Generation. My opinion of rap is there is good and bad rap, just like any genre of music. You don’t have to like the singes actions to like the song he/she sings. The only other music I have heard from another country was Egyptian and I felt relaxed with it.
JAMES W

African American music has become hugely popular in the US., especially the rap artists. I do not enjoy this type of music and feel it has a bad influence on our society. The majority of it concerns putting down women, violence, and drug use. It gives younger boys the impression that women are to be taken advantage of sexually and are there for their pleasure. It has given rise to a whole fashion industry of baggy pants hanging down to their knees, which I find distasteful. My favorite music is Retro. Yes I do listen to music from artists from other countries. I like Tatu, Enya and Falco to name a few. I also like to listen to Classical music, and enjoy going to the symphony and the opera.

Renee R

I detest rap music. Some of the artists have no respect for culture, heritage, women, historical perspectives of dealing with African American culture. Not all of them, though. There are some whose music has a message. If you can get past all the obscenities, and anger-laden lyrics, and get to the bottom of what they are saying, they have a message. Dr. Horsfall told me that. Personally I like jazz, R&B, I like gospel, and some classical music.

Jennifer R