African American Spirituals and Black Lives Matter Anthems
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#BlackLivesMatter: The "Spiritual" Revolution
Music has always been a powerful tool for social and political movements, and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is no exception! Over the last 150 years, we have seen how spirituals, jazz, and rock-n-roll have all been used to influence and reflect the social and political movements of their time. In recent years, the Black Lives Matter movement has grown to become a powerful force for social justice in the United States. Taking inspiration from the African American spirituals of the past, many modern songs have emerged in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
A Different Type of Spiritual: The Modern Spiritual
The term “spiritual” has been used to describe traditional folksong music for centuries, but in recent years, the term has taken on a much broader meaning. It is now used to describe a wide range of music, from gospel to hip-hop, and from jazz to rock. According toRolling Stone, the anthems of the Black Lives Matter movement have emerged to be seen as a new type of spiritual. While there is a clear distinction between songs written by slaves and those written in more modern times, there is no denying the similarities in their message and power. These modern spirituals are a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the African American community and they serve as a call to action to express the feelings of those who are fighting for justice and equality. Rolling Stone has provided a list of these modern spirituals. Although their list provides an excellent place to start, it is not a holistic view of all songs that have become associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Take a look at this example of a modern spiritual: "Glory" by Common & John Legend
A Deeper Look Inside
The music video for "Glory” is a powerful song that has sparked a lot of discussion about the state of African American culture in the United States. While the song itself is not an African American spiritual, Glory has similar characteristics to African American Spirituals in that it speaks to the struggles of African-Americans throughout history. The song begins with "One day when the glory comes, it will be ours, it will be ours. Oh, one day when the war is won." This line references the hope and resilience of African Americans, who have endured centuries of oppression and injustice. The song also features a strong call-and-response structure that is used to emphasize the importance of community and solidarity in the face of adversity.
The differences between "Glory" and traditional African American spirituals are also evident. Glory is heavily influenced by hip-hop and R&B. The song is driven by a strong beat and a catchy chorus and features a variety of instruments, including drums, keyboards, and synthesizers. The lyrics are uplifting and inspirational and focus on themes of hope and perseverance. In contrast, traditional African American spirituals are typically performed with melodies that are simple and repetitive, and the rhythms are often syncopated. While traditional spirituals focus on the struggles of enslaved Africans in the past, Glory speaks to the efforts of African Americans in modern times. The lyrics of Glory are direct and explicit in their references to the civil rights movement, while traditional spirituals often use biblical metaphors, allegories, or coded language to express their messages.
It is important to recognize the history of African Americans through the spirituals that were created in the past. However, I don't think it is necessary for a song to make references to enslaved Africans in order to be considered a modern spiritual. It is clear that the BLM movement has inspired a new wave of music that speaks to the movement’s goals and values. While these songs may be different from the spirituals of the past, they still reflect the same themes of empowerment and justice. What are your thoughts about modern spirituals?
I am very interested in the song you chose to analyze. Most modern songs do not have call and response, so the song "Glory" really stands out. Like you, I agree that this is a direct connection to spirituals and freedom songs from past movements. The songwriters intentionally wanted to harness the cultural power of the spirituals as a way to move the modern man. This revitalization of the spirituals is a fantastic way to pay homage to the past and continue the growth of the nation.
"Glory" is a very good choice of what represents the "new spiritual". I liked how it reminds of events from the past social movements, so that present supporters would be reminded they are not alone, but others before have been in the same tough situations. The text of the song is very uplifting and as usual, the message is empowerment and hope for a better day. I feel that rap/ rap-influenced songs are very good at delivering complex messages, due to the nature of a music genre. Definitely I think rap will remain an important agent in the dissemination of the fight for social equality in America.
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Hello everyone! My name is Rebecca Fakunle, and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I'm a sophomore studying Behavioral Neuroscience with aspirations of one day becoming a Medical Doctor. I have 1 older brother and 2 younger sisters. I am passionate about healthcare and technology because of the potential they have to make the world a better place. In my free time, I like to read, sing/listen to music, and exercise. I also love exploring new cultures and traveling. Fun Fact: I was part of a research team that was exploring the role of octopamine in female Drosophila mating behaviors and ovarian germline stem cells. For this term, I am most excited about the off-campus activities that I will have the opportunity to participate in because I believe that being in the presence of spirituals will be an enlightening and enriching experience. I consider myself to have a pretty good background with spirituals and music in general because...
I am very interested in the song you chose to analyze. Most modern songs do not have call and response, so the song "Glory" really stands out. Like you, I agree that this is a direct connection to spirituals and freedom songs from past movements. The songwriters intentionally wanted to harness the cultural power of the spirituals as a way to move the modern man. This revitalization of the spirituals is a fantastic way to pay homage to the past and continue the growth of the nation.
ReplyDelete"Glory" is a very good choice of what represents the "new spiritual". I liked how it reminds of events from the past social movements, so that present supporters would be reminded they are not alone, but others before have been in the same tough situations. The text of the song is very uplifting and as usual, the message is empowerment and hope for a better day. I feel that rap/ rap-influenced songs are very good at delivering complex messages, due to the nature of a music genre. Definitely I think rap will remain an important agent in the dissemination of the fight for social equality in America.
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