Prince's Musical Legacy Essay

Para 2: However, one can argue that Queen’s I Want to Break Free, could be seen as a heterosexual text. One can argue that drag is not queer because drag is a performance – the idea that anyone can perform drag regardless of gender and sexual preference. For example, in Jean-Marc Vallee’s Dallas Buyer’s Club (2013), Jared Leto plays Rayon – a drug addict transsexual women who is HIV positive. Leto’s performance in Dallas Buyer’s Club is what earned him the academy award for best supporting actor. It was his win which sparked critique as the Vallee’s casting of Leto, a straight white male, to play and perform as a transsexual

Few people today know the true meaning of the word gay. Even fewer use it in its original context. To be gay was once a common and positive expression. When describing one’s mood, it meant that they were feeling lively and carefree. Gay could even be used to describe something that was “brightly colored” or “showy” (Merriam Webster, “Gay”). No one thought twice about it when people said they were “feeling gay” or “the sunset was gay.” However, this word is rarely used in that context in today’s society. Instead, it has taken on a completely different meaning and connotation. While gay had become something of a euphemism for prostitutes and their clients throughout the 19th century, it was ever changing. This change was gradual and began in the 1920s and 1930s. By this time, a “gay man” was no longer just a man that was promiscuous with women, but also one who was

. During the 1980s, the way Americans perceived homosexuality, race, and violence was challenged. In response, Prince’s eccentric and extravagant music style and attire dismantled conventional gender barriers of what it meant to be masculine and feminine in American society. Therefore, his musical creations set an example by pushing the limits of authenticity and self-expression. Prince’s fearless dedication to breaking down conventional expectations of style, music, gender norms, and conformity can be seen in his vocals, instrument choice, and lyrics. In the late 1980s, Prince was a music icon who blended funk, soul, pop, and hip-hop and presented his work in an androgyny atmosphere to advocate for racial and gender equality. His musical creations and appearance had disrupted the societal confines that fenced in the minority groups and pushed the limits of what it meant to be a black man. Prince’s distinct attire, extravagant performances, and persona helped contribute to a new music era of funk-rock and challenged the taboo concepts of the 1980’s. Prince’s musical work impacted society by encouraging wildly free and creative behavior during a time where it was not acceptable to be who you were. In this paper, I will analyze the auditory significance of two of Prince’s songs: “If I was your girlfriend” (1987) and “I Would Die 4 U” (1984). Analysis for both songs were based on music videos and a scene from Prince’s film, Purple Rain. In addition to these songs, Prince’s

They are taught to be tough and have a “manly front cover” in everything that they do. If you ask most fathers they would not appreciate their son wearing pink and playing with dolls because it’s “gay” and not masculine. Any sort of display of stereotypical effeminate behavior, dressing nicely, sensitivity, and being emotionally expressive, is perceived as being gay. If a guy walks, talks, and acts in a manner that is different from someone who is gay he will be a man. In Hip-Hop, the worst thing one can do is take away someone’s manhood or associate him with anything to do with being feminine or gay by referring to them as a “faggot” or “bitch nigga”, not only disrespecting the homosexual community but women also. Eminem often use the word “faggot” in his when he is battling someone. It doesn’t necessarily mean gay, it’s just taking away his opponent’s manhood (612) Hip-Hop artists often portray images that are “hyper masculine” and over exaggerated to be far from the effeminate behaviors that contribute to being mistaken for being gay. Instead, they attempt to be thugs and gangsters.

Within three days of Prince’s death, his album sales rose dramatically to approximately 600,000 and another 2.3 million songs were also purchased during that time. This does not include the paid online streaming that fans used to listen to his songs. Reuters reported that the "sales of his music, with 15 of the top 20-selling albums, and 19 of the top 20-selling singles on iTunes belonging to Prince. Prince also accounted for 19 of Friday's top 20-selling records on Amazon.com”

For many decades popular cultural icons, Michael Jackson and Prince dominated the music scene. Over the years there are always countless discussions about both of their careers. Although Michael and Prince bear some superficial similarities with their musical influences on the world, the differences between their careers and upbringings are clear.

This article has a direct connection to my irp, pertaining to pop culture. Pop culture consists of ideas, that attract the mass, through media. Prince’s life entirely consisted pop culture because his music had such an influence the public and other artist. Additionally, when I interviewed Amy and Nancy Harrington they stated that all celebrities had a passion for what they did, and the public was able to see this. Like these people, Prince had a passion for music, he projected his emotions out towards others, which is also another reason why people were in awe of his appearances on

“The essence of jazz- making something new out of something old, making something personal out of something shared- has no finer exemplar than Armstrong.” (Hasse par. 3) During the 1920’s a young African American man, otherwise known as Louis Armstrong, helped create and represent a new twist on popular music. This music that became so famous and well loved today is also referred to as jazz. Louis Armstrong had a very successful jazz career performing and composing popular jazz hits in the 1920’s.

Michael Jackson, a man that changed the music world forever. Jackson made his professional singing debut in 1964 with his siblings in a band called the Jackson 5. Jackson made it big with Jackson 5 having many singles reach the top 100 in the United States. But, when Jackson decided to start his own solo career in 1971 we were seeing a side of Michael Jackson that we have never seen before. Most importantly Jackson 1982, mulit-platinum selling album Thriller. Michael Jackson broke music barriers and made a change for racial equality in the music industry.

Composers rely heavily on ritornello form. More freedom in the form although a sinfonia proper is later developed.

In 1965 Robert Wise presented the world with his smashing box office hit film, The Sound of Music. Over time it has become known as one of the most loved and well-known musicals of all time. Shortly after its release it won many Academy awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Adapted Score, Best Film Editing, Best Film-Musical, Best Color Cinematography, and Best Costume design (Freiden par3). The movie is based upon the true story of the VonTrapp family and allows its audience to relive their family experience as well as their flight from Nazism just before the outbreak of World War Two.

The classical music period extends from 1740 to 1810, which includes the music of Haydn, Mozart, and the first period of Beethoven. The classical period of music combined harmony, melody, rhythm, and orchestration more effectively than earlier periods of music. With the natural evolution of music slowly changing with the culture, the baroque era had ended. That era had left a structure, articulation and periodic phrasing of music which would shape classical music.

As we all waited in line to go into the concert there was a thrill of

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop would not be who he is today without his inspirations, James Brown and Jackie Wilson (Taraborrelli, 2). James Brown, the godfather of soul, emphasized the genre of soul and the formation of a new music style called funk. He was a well-known singer, dancer, composer and performer. In his songs, he focused on the rhythm and groove making him different from the rest of the music artists of his time. His performance style was full of energy and different with his various dance moves and he was always ready at the mic on perfect que (Appell and Hemphill 320). Jackie Wilson on the other hand was well-known also for his stage performances and his songs would be a mix between James Brown and