This may sound corny, but the org has really sobered me regarding how music (particularly Prince’s, here) can really bridge certain social gaps.

For example, consider all the ethnic, generational, class and political backgrounds from which all the orgers hail. Despite our stupid bickering from time to time, I think it’s heartening that we converge here for a fairly common purpose. And while I appreciated this on a strictly abstract, intellectual and idealistic level, I honestly was really pleasantly surprised at the number of white people who get into “black” music and vice versa.

What role do you think music plays in bridging social gaps? Prince’s in particular? And do you think the music world is becoming more integrated or homogenized? Why?

oh most definitely. music can open up a new world to people
who wouldn't ordinarily have the opportunity to learn about
a different lifestyle & culture. hip-hop music is a classic
example where a totally different lifestyle has assimilated
into the mainstream...to many ethnic groups that you wouldn't think would appreciate this type of music.

on the other hand,i know many music fans on all sides of the
racial "fence" who don't like anything except one type of
music and usually it what their peers prefer.

these people only like a limited number of artists,too.

i'm not saying its wrong or right. everybody has a right to
choose what they like.
but those who open their minds to a variety of things are
the ones who would answer "yes" to your thread question.

A group like Parliament didn't have nearly as many White fans during their heyday in the 70s as they do now. I think it's partly because of the image Clinton's crew projected...those were Black folks with the freaky outer space gear, and diapers being worn onstage, lol...hey, that stuff scared off some parental type Black folks back then too! The thing about it; that image was no more radical than what Kiss or David Bowie was doing back then.
[This message was edited Sun Mar 28 11:05:51 2004 by Supernova]

Supernova said:

Once again, you are on point Will you give birth to my next child?

chickengrease said:

here's my outlook on things: music's still somewhat segregated, but not as much as it wuz...say, about 25+ years ago. there still seems 2 be some gaps (mostly thanx 2 the corporate music fat cats), but it could be a whole lot better.

mine!

Music doesn't do a damn thing--people come together for ten minutes and then they go back to being the miserable creatures they are in daily life. This is part of opus 6

chickengrease said:

No, I respect the sanctity of (your) marriage too much.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

DEFINITELY. And I believe it's mainly the marketing aspect of it that is segregated. That includes mainstream radio, which is more limited and blatantly bigoted today than at any point of my lifetime.

I think So More than ever.Rap/Hip-Hop has Bridged More Musical Gaps than any other Styles IMHO.the thing is that Now thanks To Rappers you get what the Kids are truly Buying being Pushed out to the ForeFrotn Even More.The Music Business on a Whole is as Racist&whatnot as Ever but Rap/Hip-Hop more than Any other Genrie has Opened More Doors&Brought more People together In My Lifetime than anything else IMHO.back in the day you'd have what I call the Acceptable Negroe Cross-Over Artist like MJ,Prince,Lionel,Tina,Janet,etc.. but nowadays it's Wide Open&Seeing a Black Artist Blow-Up doesn't quite have the same feeling&Meaning as back in the day.case in point with the Way Nelly Sells or 50 Cents,etc.. Now don't get me wrong Usher doesn't get the same Props as Justin Timberlake&Of Course there is a Heavy Push for Eminem but the Rap-Hip-Hop Game Leveled the Field.

handsclapsfingasnaps ,your words ring true. THE marketing
of the record companies plus the radio stations segregation
policies does harm things a bit.
however,fans don't have to be slaves to what is played on
mtv,radio,or marketed by the major record companies.

word of mouth among a network of fans,checking out a variety
of music magazines (in all styles) is a way to widen the gaps and to experience different music and such.

being a part of this online "club" is one way to expand
one horizons.

some people won't change their views and music won't
bridge the gaps...but that's cool.