Response Paper (Soundtrack) 1 Social Sciences Essay

Essay Instructions:

As referenced in the syllabus, the response papers, entitled Soundtracks, require you to offer analysis and insights into several songs affiliated with the assignment. In completing the Soundtrack assignment, you will be responsible for listening and responding to questions and research items that are attached to each question. In your response, you may reference any of the music, films, readings, and other texts that we have engaged in class, but your response should include direct analysis of the song(s) mentioned in the question. Your responses should be at least a total of 1,000 words between the two questions below (500 words per question), though you may certainly write more if you deem it necessary. Once complete, upload your response on Canvas. Your first Soundtrack is due on Thursday February 6, 2020 by 11:59pm. The questions are below.
Question 1:
In the fall of 2017, pop songstress Lizzo released a second single that ultimately appeared on the deluxe version of her third studio album. The song, aptly entitled Truth Hurts, is a melodic, bombastic anthem decrying the perils of commitment, or lack thereof, in a romantic relationship. The song debuted at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May of this year after experiencing a revival of sorts earlier in the year in part from the Netflix film Someone Great incorporating it, in addition to a surge on social media. Following this renewed popularity, Truth Hurts re-entered the US Spotify Charts in April, and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, making it Lizzo’s highest charting song to date. Would you consider this selection a good example of hip-hop music? Why or why not? What elements of the song (or video), if any, could be considered components of hip-hop music? What components of the song are not good examples of hip-hop music? Your answer should include a definition of hip-hop, accompanied by explanation as to why this song falls within it, or should be excluded from it.
You may hear Truth Hurts by clicking here:
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=P00HMxdsVZI
Question 2:
Amazing Grace, a treasured Christian hymn written in Olney, England by former slave trader John Newton, is perhaps the most well known song in world. Music journalist Steve Turner describes it as "America's most beloved song." Performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI collectively list 972 separate arrangements of the song. The version of Amazing Grace performed by Judy Collins, released in December of 1971, soared to the top of the best-seller charts in the US and UK, and helped re-popularize it.
Please listen to Judy Collins' rendition of the song. You may do so by clicking here:
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=AtteRD5bBNQ
Another popular rendition of Amazing Grace was performed by Aretha Franklin during a live recording at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Please listen to the Aretha Franklin rendition of the song. You may do so by clicking here:
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?reload=9&v=LGN64GwVIRM
Though the two women sing the same words, at times the two renditions could be no more different. Judy Collins' rendition covered four stanzas and repeated the first stanza in four minutes and four seconds. Aretha only sung two stanzas in the period of fourteen minutes. How does Aretha Franklin's rendition incorporate elements unique to African musical expression? How does the difference between the Collins' rendition and the Franklin rendition illustrate the difference between the Eurocentric style of musical expression and the African style of musical expression as described Ortiz Walton?
The writing does not need to be excellent, no advanced vocabulary, and normal grammar errors
Is a homework for a free elective class

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
Response on Songs
Truth Hurt by Lizzo
Recently, Truth Hurts by Lizzo became one of the hottest songs, especially in the United States. It has been among the top on the Billboard's Hot 100. Thanks to the current technology, millions of people around the world have listened to Lizzo’s song “Truth Hurts.” Like never before, the way people consume music is driven by technological trends. Music has always been considered a universal language around the world. However, as one listens to “Truth Hurts,” categorizing it to any type of music can be personal. Even though there are various types of music that this song might fall into, various elements such as break dancing, rapping, and deejaying, to mention but a few, make "Truth Hurts," a hip-hop song.
“Truth Hurt” elements qualifying it as a hop-hop song
While watching and listening to “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo, one can agree that the song is comprised of rapping, break-dancing, graffiti, and deejaying. These are some of the core elements that make hip-hop culture. In its simplest form, hip-hop is defined as a subculture that consists of rap music, break -dancing, graffiti, and deejaying (Karvelis 46-47). Other minor elements of hop-hop music include fashion, double Dutch, and political activism. For example, as a minor element of hip-hop, fashion can easily be acknowledged in the video of “Truth Hurts.”
As much as ‘rap’ is commonly associated with hip-hop music, which might be missing in this particular song, it is only part of the big culture (Jenkins 2). Lizzo employs conversation to deliver a message over a musical beat. Thus, one can call this type of rapping. In 2019, the song became iconic because of its interesting lines. For example, “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch” makes the song even more of hip-hop. In fact, such lines in the song inspired viral memes on the internet. The fact that the song has gained popularity more than two years after its initial release, it makes it a good story in hip-hop culture. Musical aspects such as rapping, singing, and twerking cannot be ignored in the hip-hope music, and Lizzo is seen applying all these elements in her video “Truth Hurts.”
Furthermore, what makes Truth Hurts a hip-hop track is its style. It has its own, and unique sounds and instruments seem to be originally composed. Its sound makes it a unique hip-hop beat, and this contributes to its current popularity. What gives “Truth Hurts” a unique identity in hip-hop is its unwritten fundamentals of rapping, as well as formation of the lyrics. Even though Lizzo did not participate in the battles like what many rappers do, she maintains her unique element of being a bitch rapper. “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch” continues to inspire memes on the internet. Based on the above analysis, it is hard to deny that Truth Hurts by Lizzo is one of the modern hip-hop beats that should be celebrated. Even though it took about two years for the beat to conquer the internet, it has got the attention it deserved.
Comparison between the ren...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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Response Paper (Soundtrack) 1 Social Sciences Essay

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