Asian Music Response

In response to the readings on Asian artists such as Bally Sagoo and Radical Sista, I found it interesting that these people used music as a form of resistance, political action, and public expression by fusing modern sound with their traditional Indian roots. Their music is a direct response to the UK’s Assimilation and Dispersal Policies and Immigration Acts that fuel racist views against Asian immigrants. As Professor Chaturvedi said, these artists wanted to create a place where Asians could come together. And for me, I interpreted this as a celebration of their culture, their origins, and the need for accepting diversity. And similar to other immigrant groups throughout history, Asians and Afro-Caribbeans needed organizations in which to express their views through. For Bally Sagoo, Radical Sista, and the Asian Dub Foundation their political and personal views are expressed through their music. Overall, the lyrics and music of these artists call for social change in society and they are influentially successful by winning playtime on radio stations and during daytime discos. The existence of these political views reminds the British government there will always be dissenters and an ever-present need for transformation.

Re Mixing Identites article

I think that it is really cool to look at this type of music and to have a small glimpse of how it has progressed from its beginning. I like the part in the interview where someone mentioned how every place has to have its stages. It is so true. In history you can look around at different societies and each has stages of development and they don't have to be identical, but they all follow a certain mold. Another point, Bally is great because he understands that for his music to reach the popularity he desires he must be promoted by the Western market. I feel like maybe the fact that other musicians have not realized this has hindered their success. It is important to understand that the Western music stations may be playing meaningless and talentless pop music for entertainment, but that these stations are still legit. even though they play that music. It is upsetting to see musicians who are great say "I don't want to be a sell out" and so they don't attempt to become popular or share their talent. I also wanted to comment on the racism issue. I think that it is another main reason why the Asians were stifled and I am still seeing the same thing today, but in another way. Those who listen to specific types of music, be it rock or hip hop or whatever, are extremely closed minded to other styles. Yeah, that isn't EXACTLY racism but it is a bias and an attitude that reflects racism in that certain musical styles have certain specific racial followings and, for example, a white girl listening to hard core rap or whatever will be judged much more harshly than a black guy listening to it.... because its "his music." I believe that it is important to have the musicians like Bally R. and Radical Sista out there who just want to spread the music to whoever will listen because the general population feels like they have a claim on music that comes from their own race.