Introduction.
Music is an art of sounds arrangements to produce a composition of melody, harmony and rhythm. It's helps to convey emotions and ideas, it is also a medium of expression and a stage for cultural displays.
In this post, I am supposed to choose between either of western or African music. This is however a difficult decision to make. Thats because i do enjoy both western and African Music. I love songs fom Don Williams, Michael Jackson, 2pack, Beyonce, Rihanna, Kenny Rogers etc.
Since I must make a choice of the two, I will choose I will choose African music over Western music. I love listening to artists like; Oliver De Coque, Chief Osita Osadebe, Umu Obiligbo, Bright Chimezie, Mklike Ejeaha, Lagbaja, Victor Uwaifo, Fela, Ishola, Yosuf Olatunji, Davido, Asake, Wizkid etc.
African music are unique with each people, examples.
Nqom :- Is for South Africans. It is known by its electronic beats and repeatative rhythms.
Taarab :- This is a traditional music that is popular in East Africa, especially; Kenya and Tanzania. It's Swahili lyrics is it's distinguishing factor.
Soukous :- This type of music is unique with the people of kongo. It's distinguishing factor is the beat tempo, the guitar melodies and the rhythm that are pulsating.
Mbaqanga :- This is unique with the Zulu tribe of South Africa. It is a combination of Zulu music and jazz. It is a very danceable music.
Highlife :- This type of music is unique with Nigerians and Ghana. It is characterized by it's fusion of traditional rhythm. For this type of song, there is a combined use if both traditional and western instruments.
Afrobeats :- This is a type of music from African countries with some elements of hip-up, hance hall, R&B and Reggae. It's end results is danceable and infectious.
Reasons I Chose African Music.
- African music helps promote our cultural heritage.
- African music helps us gain some influence in globally. For example, Wizkid, Davido, Fela,have always put Nigeria on the global map.
- African music is mostly used for community gatherings and celebrations. This gives joy and help in comunual bonding.
- African music is used as a form of story telling. This helps to preserve our culture and values in a verbal form.
Conclusion.
I hope that by these points have helped to emphasize the richness, global significance and diversity of African music. They are the reasons I chose African music over it's western counterpart.