3/17/07 Entry Three: Soundtracks Part two (Chapter 4,5,6)

Connell and Gibson look at how lyrics in songs reflect relationships with place. For example, hip-hop lyrics in France parallel those found in the same genre in other urban sectors of the world. The interesting thing is how each performer localizes their lyrics based on the unique circumstances they experience. This means that the political discourse for example will be different in rap from France than that in Japan or the US. Connell and Gibson also discuss other genres such as country music. The analysis here is the same as for hip-hop. Universal themes make up the foundation for country. Location-specific lyrics address local themes.

Interesting to note is the section entitled See the Noise. This scratches the surface of analyzing the culture of music through visual means. How do visuals reinforce the authentic? The authors brush upon visuals from record sleeves, CD jackets, and music videos. Important here are how the musicians are depicted – clothing, paraphernalia – and their depicted location. Codes are constantly at work, such as in hip-hop: “The neighborhood and the ghetto became the focus of funk and then hip-hop cultures, both in a discursive sense…and physically (as the site of ‘authentic’ performances and cultural roots…).” (p. 85)