Culture

Does the Music Industry Promote Immoral Behavior?

The music industry is a creative one, and artists have long been linked to so-called “immoral behavior.” There’s just one problem: What is immoral behavior, and who defines it?

Published

6 years ago

February 6, 2018

Trevor McDonald

Photo by Maurício Mascaro

Parents and the music industry have gone head-to-head since the beginning.

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Music industry and immoral behavior

There was the push back against Elvis in the 1950s, the rallying that KISS was satanic in the 1970s, and of course, the parental advisory stamp that seasoned so many CDs in the nineties quickly became a cultural icon in itself.

The music industry is a creative one, and artists have long been linked to so-called “immoral behavior.” There’s just one problem: What is immoral behavior, and who defines it?

For some, immoral behavior means illegal behavior. However, now that marijuana is being passed for recreational use in various states, does that make it no longer immoral for those who deemed it so for so many years? What about the fact that marijuana was a perfectly legal substance for thousands of years until the early 1900s when it was used as a pawn in racist law-making campaigns?

Immoral is subjective

What’s immoral is only partially governed by what’s illegal. Every person also has their own personal morals and value. In other words, “immoral” doesn’t mean much because it’s highly subjective and constantly evolving within each person. Still, creative communities have long pushed the barriers and ignited controversy, and there’s no denying that designer drugs are featured heavily in some lyrics. The party drugs are dropped like celebrity names, and that can make a big impression on, well, impressionable listeners.

Music

Some music can also seem to glorify violence, slut shaming, and much more. Does this make the music immoral? How about the artists? What about censorship—or lack thereof? Artists push boundaries because that’s their nature—and, oftentimes, their job. Everyone knows that the whole “parental advisory” labeling doesn’t work, especially in an era when it’s easy to stream and download just about anything you want.

What can be done?

Regardless if music is immoral or not, a question that can’t be answered, the bigger question is what can we do about it?

Separate art from reality. Art and reality can mimic one another, but they’re not necessarily one and the same. There may be musicians who sing regularly about being with a lot of women when in reality they’re happily in a monogamous relationship. Artists create personas and can highlight the worst of human nature. That persona sells, and they’re making a statement. However, impressionable listeners may confuse their art and persona with reality. We need to work towards separating the two and discussing these matters with youth.
Talking openly about the reality of behaviors discussed. The opioid epidemic largely occurred because the pills were made so readily available and patients weren’t told of the possible risks—like the high addiction rates. When music is showcasing dangerous behaviors, but listeners aren’t in environments where they have access to the full story, that’s when trouble starts brewing.
Artists should continue to take responsibility for their position in the limelight. There was a time when artists could be kept very separate from their music. Now, they’re active on social media and fans can get a chance to “know them” beyond their music. Artists have a big responsibility to use their platform for good. Like it or not, they’ve skyrocketed to role model status, and it’s up to them to address issues that they cover in their art.

Music and the controversy over immoral lyrics is a battle that will never end. It’s organic. Just like writers, painters, and filmmakers will continue to get discourse started by way of controversy.

In tough times, it’s the artists who have the voices, talents, and platforms to be heard through creativity. However, just as powerful is how we receive and share that talent.

Photo by Maurício Mascaro

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Black Excellence

Inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards

Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Get a look inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

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About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.

Honorees

This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.

Check out some photo highlights inside the 17th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Shavone Charles attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Loni Love attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Nkechi Okoro Carroll attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Danielle Brooks attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Host Method Man speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Joey Badass, Gail Bean, Patina Miller, Kathryn Busby, Brandee Evans, Da’Vinchi and Shannon Thornton onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Patina Miller attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Tamera Mowry attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Boris Kodjoe attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

For more, please visit http://www.essence.com/bwih2024

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Culture

U.S. Virgin Islands Announces the Performance Line-up for St. Thomas Carnival Village Featuring Shaggy, Sizzla, Patrice Roberts, and Machel Montano

The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.

Published

1 month ago

March 13, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals has announced the performance line-up for the 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village.

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72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village

The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.

“The anticipation around this year’s St. Thomas Carnival is at an all-time high, and the Village night performers reflect the continued influence and growth of our territory’s three carnivals,” exclaims USVI Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.

Center Stage

Adam O, Rudy Live, Temisha, Karnage, Blind Earz, VIO International, and Spectrum Band are among the performers who will take center stage to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Every year, our goal is to pay homage to the vast Virgin Islands and Caribbean culture that is at the cornerstone of these annual celebrations for natives and visitors alike,” added USVI Division of Festivals Director Ian Turnbull.

Haitian kompa band VAYB and Dominican salsa orchestra Chiquito Team Band will provide a cross-cultural immersion of sound, highlighting the diverse musical interests of Virgin Islands residents.

First-time performers

Rounding out the village are a few first-time performers in the territory, including TeeJay, Jada Kingdom, and Kollision Band, and returning favorites Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, and Grandmasters.

Kids Night Out Village Night

This year, the Division of Festivals will host its first Kids Night Out Village Night, with activities including the Toddlers Derby, Best Dressed Doll, and performances by TMK and OTB.

More information on 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village

For up-to-date information about the 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival, visit https://www.instagram.com/usvifestivals/.

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Culture

Online romances get a dose of reality in OWN’S all-new love & relationship series ‘The Never Ever Mets’

Published

1 month ago

March 11, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced an all-new relationship series that takes online dating into the real world, The Never Ever Mets.

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About The Never Ever Mets Series

Hosted by Ta’Rhonda Jones, this 10-episode series features seven couples who have been virtually dating for some time and believe they may have found lasting love – only they have never met each other in person! Now, they’re meeting face-to-face for the very first time and sharing a house together for three weeks to see if their internet love can survive off the screen and in real life.

Synopsis

As all seven couples convene under the same roof, dating in person rather than through their computers or phones quickly proves to be the biggest challenge yet.

While many couples have been years in the making, some quickly find the in-person relationship is not what they anticipated.

To test the strength of their love connections, the group participates in a series of fun and flirty relationship activities, couples therapy and for some, a trip to the “boom boom room.” But visits from discerning loved ones, meddling opinions and tension from others in the house challenge their bonds even further. At the end of their stay, some will go home together…and some will be signing off for good.

Premiere

The series premieres on Friday, April 19 at 8pm ET/PT, on the OWN Network.

Check out the trailer below:

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