Don't Hate a Musical Genre for the Wrong Reasons

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

I often get in conversations about music with people because it’s one of my passions. A common topic is the like or dislike of specific musical genres. Music can be subjective. Therefore, not everyone will like the same music. However, don’t hate a specific musical genre for all the wrong reasons.

For one reason or another, some genres are discriminated against, such as rap or hard metal. I’ve never been a fan of stereotyping in any form. Therefore, I’m unsure why in the past I’ve done so in regards to music. Flash forward to now and you’ll find all kinds of music in my playlists.

I started coming to the conclusion of being more open-minded about things myself, just from listening to music I wouldn’t have before. However, having known artists who write and perform in genres I would have discounted in the past, it sealed the deal. Now some of those genres are my favorites.

Like any other form of writing, music is a form of creative expression. One doesn’t need to have the same experience as described in a song to enjoy it. This is no different than when someone relays a life experience. We’re all different with various experiences and each has its own purpose. Can you imagine if all music sounded the same? What would be the point? It would get quite boring very soon.

While I may not always agree with or participate in some of the actions taking place within the lyrics of a song, it can still be enjoyable. Think of songs like movies or books. One who enjoys horror books or films is not necessarily a killer or monster. That’s a ridiculous notion. So why then do some people apply it to music? It’s possible to enjoy a song without it applying to one’s own life.

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Another very important point is that just because one song or group of songs inside of a genre relay one type of message, doesn't mean they all do. It is one thing to discount a particular song for its message, yet quite another to take that out on the entire genre. Just as there are songs advocating violence across all genres, there are also songs about peace and love in all of those genres.

One should never discount an entire genre based on stereotypical notions alone. If you simply don't prefer the sound, that makes more sense than disliking music just because of the category it's placed under. Labels are extremely subjective and blanket applications rarely are true, due to variances.

For instance, the following selections are all from the same genre but are completely different, with entirely separate messages: (www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYG-jj0XkH0, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s716EpraBB4, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNaeuNd0Ogo, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQEhmT7AJ44). If one were to judge the entire genre on just one of those songs, that judgement would be inaccurate regardless of which one they chose.

I don’t expect everyone to enjoy every musical genre out there. We all have our own tastes. Mine happens to be varied, but that’s just me. However, it seems unfair to base a dislike on stereotyping, rather than actual taste.

Have you discriminated against music either knowingly or unknowingly? What are some of your favorite genres?

**Photo Credit/Copyright: Lyn Lomasi

*** I originally published this here: http://www.bubblews.com/news/1428152