Liberation

Mary J. Blige, "Just Fine," R&B, 2008

Mary J. Blige, "No More Drama," R&B, 2001

Bob Marley, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," Reggae, 1988n (sung by Bobby McFerrin)

Fantasia Barrino, "I'm Doin' Me," R&B, 2010

Jennifer Hudson, "I'm Changing," R&B, 2008

For the aims of liberation and worldy success I found it easier to find songs about wordly success.  As I mentioned in my previous blog, America is an individualistic society and people tend to be more focused on their own pleasures and success more than coming together as a whole to free each other from whatever may be holding us back from succeeding as a group.  What is not surprising to me but something I did notice is that most of the songs I found about liberation have something to do about one person being liberated from personal issues that may cause stress.  It was hard for me to find a song where an artist encouraged everyone else to liberate themselves as they may have done.  Eventually, I found Bob Marley’s song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” in which he encourages people to be happy no matter their situations.  In other words, free yourself from the daily situations that may bring you down and make you feel depressed and restrained.  By the way, the song is awesome. 

The Hindu and American belief in wordly success are almost the same except for one thing, Hindus acknowledge the fact that achievements are temporary.  I have noticed that in the songs I have found, most of the rappers talk about their achievements as if it makes them untouchable or as if they cannot ever lose all that they have achieved.  This is one of the reasons I selected Biggie Smalls song.  He acknowledged where he came from and tough times he had to endure which gave me the impression that he knows fame and wealth can come and go.  I also noticed within the American culture pleasure and wordly success is parallel.  Because a lot of Americans are materialistic, they spend their money on things that show a degree of their [wordly] success.  Moving on to liberation, there is not a difference between it within the American culture and Hindu religion.  They are pretty much the same.  Everyone wants to feel free from sorrow and pain.  Just about everyone wants joy and happiness and to feel peaceful.

Wordly Success

Lloyd Banks, "I'm So Fly," Rap, 2004
Plies, "Plenty Money," Rap, 2010
Trina ft. Keri Hilson and P. Diddy, "Million Dollar Girl," Rap and R&B, 2010
Bow Wow, "Fresh Azimiz," Rap, 2005
Biggie Smalls, "Juicy," Rap and R&B, 1994

Community Service

Bob Marley, "One Love," Reggae, 1984
Whitney Houston, "Count On Me," R&B, 1995
Monica, "For You I Will," R&B, 1996
R. Kelly ft. Celine Dion, "I'm Your Angel," R&B, 2008
Ben Harper, "With My Own Two Hands," R&B, 2003

Pleasure

Asher Roth, "I Love College," Rap, 2009
Snoop Dogg, "Sensual Seduction," Rap, 2007
Black Eyed Peas, "Party All The Time," 2009
TLC, "Red Light Special," 1994
Nelly Furtado ft. Timberland, "Promiscuous," 2006

While doing my research, I found the aim of pleasure to be more prevalent.  I think it is more prevalent because America is an individualistic society.  Instead of focusing on unity people tend to focus on their own pleasures and needs.  Another thing about the pop culture is that some of the artist tends to talk about the good as well as the bad.  For example, while they may be talking about some of the things they enjoy, they may also put the severe consequences that they may face in the same song.  Nothing surprised me about this particular aim at all because these are songs that I listen to often.  In regards to the difference of the Hindu understanding of pleasure and the American pop culture, Hindus believe in please “reasonable limits.”  Some American artists have no problem with having fun until the police are called or if having fun requires them risking their lives’.  The song “Pursuit of Happiness” by Kid Cudi is a good example of this.