Music’s Eulogy
By Raphael Baker
Music won’t be there to help you through your breakups and heartaches. Music will no longer be there to make you laugh, cry or celebrate. We are gathered here today, with tears in our eyes, to mourn the death of music.
Long gone are the days of music’s past when Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, Billie Holliday and others lifted up its name. Let us not forget the 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s where the eras were defined by music. Let us not forget the 90’s when R&B dominated the scene. We will miss EnVogue, Dru Hill, SWV, Boys II Men and Xscape. Let’s remember amazing albums put out by Mary, Mariah, Faith and Kelly. Brian McKnight, Babyface and Johnny Gill will all be sadly missed. We’ll always love Big Poppa, and will never forget Jay-Z, Tupac, Foxy or Kim. Lauryn educated us, we learned who Jill Scott was, Musiq told us about love and WuTang Clan was nothing to f*** with.
Music’s health began declining in the new millennium. The first sign of failing health came when artists of the likes of Soulja Boy began dominating the charts. A guy with an electrolarynx and another one with marbles in his mouth have numerous number one hits. Catchy beats and elementary school lyrics became common. We knew music was sick when it succumbed to vulgar, crotch-grabbing, misogynistic songs. Even the veterans in the game became affected by the illness. Beyonce was fine with her first two albums, but became terminally ill with her latest. While many are putting their hands up to "Single Ladies", the rest of her album gets a thumbs-down. Mariah, we love you, but what has happened? Your latest album was not bad, but many songs were snooze-worthy. Mary, Mary, why are you buggin’? We will always be fans, but do you think that we will buy it just because you put it out? Kanye, we are praying for you. Instead of being in a studio, please lay down on someone’s couch. We all know misery loves company, but please do not make our ears continue to suffer.
Yes, music has died. The decline in CD sales is a direct reflection of that. The rise in illegal downloading has taken over the industry because consumers are afraid to buy CDs, since there are usually only one or two good songs.
There is hope that music can be resurrected. All the real artists will have to stand up and be counted. They will have to take a stand and refuse to put out this garbage that has killed music. Rappers will have to stop trying to be R&B crooners. Singers will actually need to be able to sing, and not just be cute (no offense Ashanti and Keyshia). Songwriters will have to start writing something more meaningful.
Until music can be reborn, please close your eyes and have a moment of silence.
