America will be Islamised next. Initially, this will happen through the blacks. Again, that process is already well under way, as disaffected black youth discovers a sense of identity by reference to the Islamic kingdoms of West Africa (whose black, Muslim rulers sold those youths' ancestors to the Arabs and the Europeans, but never mind), and as many a deep-thinking young black woman decides that being a princess of such a kingdom is preferable to being a hip-hop "bitch" or "ho".
Many in both categories, and others, are re-living Malcolm X's journey from the Nation of Islam (which has influenced hip-hop profoundly) to mainstream Islam (which has itself influenced much of black music, notably jazz). And black popular music has enormous "crossover" appeal.
After Eurabia, Amerabia.
"Nation of Islam (which has influenced hip-hop profoundly) to mainstream Islam (which has itself influenced much of black music, notably jazz). And black popular music has enormous "crossover" appeal."
ReplyDeletePerhaps some evidence of Islam's current influence on hip hop would be useful. Which record labels are you thinking of?
All of them. Hip-hop is shot through with the Nation of Islam's vocabulary, symbolism, and historical and cultural references. Surely you aren't trying to deny that?
ReplyDeletei'm not denying anyting. All I ask is for some evidence of this? As someone with an interest in music, I cannot see what you claim.
ReplyDeleteSee, for a start, http://www.daveyd.com/commentaryhiphopislam.html. I should be writing something longer on this soon, once I've assembled some material. So watch this space.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to concede your point about Hip-Hop and (c)Rap. But Jazz? No Way!
ReplyDeleteJazz grew out of Rag-time and the Blues. The Blues was African folk music that predates any Islamic influence, and Rag-Time was an effort to combine this music with the Western Classical tradition. Jazz is truly said to be the only original American art form, and that is because America was the point at which Northern Europe and Black Africa could meet and meld their music.
The only other point this could happen is Islamic North Africa, and crucially IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THERE.
And actually, there isn't much tradition of Islamic (as opposed to pre-Islamic) music because Mohammed wasn't fond of music. And indeed, some Moslems even claim that the only acceptable musical instruments were those known to Mohammed. Lack of true musicality explains Rap and Hip-Hop, but not Jazz.
I never suggested that Muslims invented jazz. But many jazz musicians have been or are either converts to Islam or very sympathetic towards it, at least in the way that it relates to African-American popular culture.
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