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Rap started either in the 60's or 70's? I don't know of any actual year. A lot of people say it all started in New York. I haven't heard anyone challanging that. After awhile it spread out to the whole nation. Western States (mainly California) got ahold of it and put their own twist to it *Gangsta Rap. Then the Southern States came out with their style too *Southern funk, and the fast Bass Music. Even Canada is coming with some rap artists. Rap is part of the whole hip-hop culture that consists of Graffiti, D.J.'s, M.C.'s, and B-Boys (dancers).

Rap also has many nationalities coming out. Natives rappers are coming around along with Spanish rappers, white rappers, and even Asians have their rap artists. Hip-hop is seen to be a black oriented culture, but it influences anyone and everyone. Movies, commercials, tv shows, radio, and any form of media has spun into a hip-hop frenzy. It still sells even with the coming back of commercial Pop artists (backstreet boys, Nsync, etc., etc.,). In the 90's, Rap was, and is, a big money maker for large companies.

Rap is also seen as very controversial. Look at Tupac. In his lyrics he rapped about cheating, or faking death. He was shot and killed in Las Vegas back in 96. To this day, people believe he is still alive because he prophecized his own death. His new music still being released. His videos coming out. A lot of people aren't buying he's gone. With that, his albums continue to flourish in sales and make money for whichever company releases them (Amaru records or Death Row).

Because many rappers are from low income housing projects or whatever, they rap about their environment. A lot of people don't realize this and that's why they're so shocked to hear the things being said. Killings, stabbings, Jail, Police harrassment, Drug use, Drug sales, and the madness of it all. I am not in conditions as bad as some of the areas they went through, but I've had my share of stress and madness. Being native on a reservation doesn't seem that different from some ghetto's of major cities. Granted, the reservation I stay on isn't too bad, but there are some really bad reservations in Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and some southern tribes as well. They have it just as rough as the low-income housing projects of major cities. To vent out, violence is easily picked up. To relate to certain music, rap is preferred.

The main thing being said is that rap is bad. Not so. Their are times when rap is very good. Some artists dedicate an entire song, or album to a loved one they have lost. They bring back some old memories with their lyrics. The rap business isn't all bad. When you're forced to survive in harsh conditions, taking offers from drug dealers or whoever to start your career isn't so bad. The only downfall to that, is if you make it big and are trying to be positive, you're past comes up and is held against you.

R&B is just as influencing as rap is. A lot of people use R&B to relax, think, or wind down. It's also used to get into a sensual mood. R&B is not limited to sex though. There are groups out there that are not all about a women's body, or vice versa. Gospel music seems to be well linked with R&B. When I think of this, "The Color Purple," always comes to mind.

Rap and R&B seem to collaborate a lot. Artists such as Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Blackstreet, Janet Jackson, K.C. and Jo-Jo, Mya, and many others do songs with Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, DMX, The Lox, Too $hort, Jermaine Dupris (Also a very good producer too), Bone Thugs ~n~ Harmony, and so on... and so on... The combinations do seem to work out well for all artists. Singing and rapping were bound to be a compliment for each other.

R&B is also reaching out to pop music. A lot of these new artists around say that their influences come from the likes of Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Brandy, and whoever else is out there. Then you look at those artists and their influences come from the likes of Cameo, George Clinton, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and James Brown just to name a few. The roots of R&B run deep. Those roots help this style of music to flourish and grow along with other forms of music coming about.

With those roots comes out oldies radio stations. I hear some of those old songs and notice that many of the new music uses pieces of those songs. A chorus or part of the beat was already used 10-20 years ago. That's strange to me. I guess if there's a good thing already out there, why not use part of it for yourself?

Native contemporary covers a wide range of music styles. It could be a blend of traditional songs (such as long house or ceramonial songs) mixed in with other instruments. Also, Native Contemporary is other forms of music done by natives. Rock, Country, Rap, Raggea, salsa, and R&B have all been done by natives at one time. It's hard to ever hear them though. Usually they only stay local, due to the fact that Native music is dominated by Pow-wow drum groups and Native Flute music. As I go around to the small pow-wows I attend, I do see more artists being sold at concession stands.

Native Contemporary is also home to many artists breaking new ground. So much so, that natives got a native american music award (NAMMY'S). There are awards for best new artist, best traditional artist, and a host of other awards. Groups from southern states all the way up in canada and alaska have been nominated. Also, overseas, Native music is in demand. I'm guessing, that more Native Music reaches people overseas, than it does in the states. I'm hoping that'll change though.

To name some of the Native Contemporary artists I know of are:

One day, I hope I may be one of these names mentioned. I know I'm an alright rapper. I do write some poetry that's good. I've really got some good ideas for music as well. I hear something and get inspiration to write or to blend that song with something else. So, one day, down the road, I will be known for my place in making native music.

Pow-wows rule. There are so many groups out there. Southern style and Northern style. I remember when it was luck to hear any drum group on tape. Now there are so many tapes and cds available. Even in major stores, like Hastings and I think in Sam Goody, I've seen drummers' albums. Blacklodge seems to be the most heard group out there. Look at all the volumes of tapes they have. Look at how many record companies they've been with. I don't think they can be touched when it comes to sales.

Southern drumming is different from Northern. I really don't know how, but if you'd listen to both styles, you could probably pick up your own reasons how they're different. To me, northern drums have more high pitched vioces leading, and southerns have deeper vioces. The style of singing also varies, but I'm not too sure on how.

At one time, long ago, I was a traditional dancer. I sometimes hear some songs and want to dance again, but the time isn't right. I do like pow-wows. I don't know if I'd go to the extent of travelling all kinds of miles to go to a pow-wow and not know where I'd stay. Not knowing how to get back home. It's crazy, but if you're dedicated that much, Money isn't too much of an issue. All those, who are that dedicated, have fun. It's only natural that natives attend a pow-wow. Local, or other places they happen, natives got to show up.

The dancers are many. There are Men's Traditional, Men's Fancy, Grass Dancer, Women's Fancy, Women's Traditional, Jingle Dress, and I think that's it? There are all kinds of different contests for whatever categories. Iron Man/Woman Specials, All-around specials, Winner Take All specials are all different kinds of specials. There are also Owl dance and team dance specials to watch as well. All different ages take place in these specials and contests. It's fun to watch and probably the same to participate in, if you love to dance.

Now I'm going to go off on Flute music.

I've seen some sites advertise that they sell native flutes, authentic. And with these flutes you can buy sheet music to learn to play this native flute. I can't help but laugh. Native flutes don't go by whites keys or whatever they're called? Sharp 'c' or 'a' long 'g'. No!! You can do what you can to interpret the flute, but each flute is made to the maker's specifications. The holes are bigger or smaller according to the player. Spread out or not, again, according to the player. Flutes are specially made, not mass produced. Besides, those who played the flutes did so for a reason. It wasn't for recreational purposes. There was a specific meaning for playing a flute, whether it was sacred or not. You don't see people picking up diplomas at random because they think they may want one for whatever reason. You got to earn that diploma, badge, rank, and position just like a flute player did in the past. You can't take it up because its neat.

Now that's out of the way I'll continue. The flute players are in a class all their own. Many years ago, the flute was played to win the attention of the person you liked. Maybe they haven't made up their mind and another person was in the picture. If you played the flute pretty well, they may have tended to sway your way. But from the looks of it, mostly men played the flute. Nowadays that isn't so. Mary Youngblood has over 50 flutes to play and goes all around playing her songs. She's out to show females can play as well as the fellas.

Flute music is very soothing and relaxing. Listening to it is like listening to lite classical music. It's calming and something that will ease your mood. Others may think different, but I've always came to this conculusion.

Got any views different from mine?? I'm sure you do. If you want, you can post them up on my message board, or you can E-Mail me.

~My Message Board~




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