The Importance Of Knowing Your Roots
The evolution of music is something that has been growing rapidly throughout the past decades. Nowadays you can listen to all sorts of sub genres and different waves for each kind — and is easily accessible thanks to the rapid change in technology. It all really started with a random, raw recording to which we can listen today as something that went through the whole song recording process. The artist of today has an easy path since there’s lots of reference material available thanks to this process. For example: Hip-Hop, a genre invented in the mid 1970's by DJ Kool Herc, used to be a completely underground genre. It was all about the Afro American and Latino community, but as time was passing by, all demographics listen to and create it. But, going out of the Hip-Hop history, is anyone aware who were the pioneers of the music they craft nowadays? Do they at least acknowledge the history? Unfortunately it’s becoming more and more rare that newer artists know anything about ‘where they came from.’ Main question: is it really important to know the origin of the art we perform?
Even though we have lots of information available in different media, some people fail to acknowledge where the music they craft comes from. Not too long ago, we’ve seen Hip-Hop artists that go by the term of ‘Mumble Rappers’ (not adding names here) not knowing where Hip-Hop came from or believe that it was originated in the mid 2000s. Even worse, in our eyes they disrespect the originators. In modern EDM, due to the over saturation of producers and DJs, people have also failed to realize where did the 4-on-the-floor beat originally came from. Brostep (this one, being the term used by most Dubstep artists leaning towards the UK sound) producers clearly don’t have any idea who invented the half step pattern over a 140BPM tune with bass drops. This creates a major sentiment of hate from some old-school fellows towards the new school.
“It’s like trying to be a scientist without knowing the periodic table” — Kemist.
In order to understand the music being showed, the roots must be understood. And not only for the fact that it’s gathered knowledge, but also because it maintains the credibility of any artist. It also helps for self inspiration and to not become repetitive in the short run. Understanding roots also creates a basis if an artist decides to branch out of the main genre. For example: myself being into the Dubstep music, I tend to create beats with Venezuelan (my country of origin) samples as my melodic basis, while at the same time the essential elements of Dubstep are implemented — take Digital Mystikz (Mala & Coki) & Loefah as the best example. In other words: Learning how the pioneers attracted people back in the day when it was heavily underground, will allow you to put on your own show with the right foundation.
The roots of every music genre we have are meant to be respected. Not just for the sake of respect, but rather because it all has a history and a reason to be present. Pioneers shed a lot blood, sweat and tears in order to pile up sounds we still enjoy as of today, even though they might sound completely different today. The key will always be to preserve that love given from the very beginning — that primal vibration. Especially because no one started a movement for the sake of filling up their pockets, but rather because another form of expression was needed.
Thanks for the reading!
Pedro — Signalfire
