My sister, a few days ago, posted a comment on me and music that almost brought me to tears. “My brother would play this song”, so went the comment with the song playing in the background.
I remember that I used to replay this song until I started doubting if it was still normal. It was like the singer was always talking to me with the right words and creating the appropriate ambience. In fact, I could recite that whole album’s lyrics unassisted, but it’s just that my voice is limited to talking, and my movements… the less I say about them, the better.
Thinking about it, I came to realise that I was not the only one listening to that song or that album.
The truth of the matter is that music is my trusted partner in crime, my comfort, my confidant – it’s one of my best friends when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’m contemplating, when I relax. Music is that constant companion that never judges, never leaves, and always knows how to strike a chord. Whether I’m belting out my favourite tunes, getting lost in a soothing melody, or discovering new beats, music is always there, weaving its magic.
A PULSATING RHYTHM OF ONE’S HEART
I am thrilled to share with you that music is the pulsating rhythm of my heart. In fact, it is that symphony that is flawless and precise, echoing the tempo of my existence and stubbornly infecting my mood.
My Beat of Life
Considering everything, the truth is that this gift called music has accompanied me since the dawn of my life, and I am convinced that it will be the last whisper of my soul. Though I am thoroughly untalented or incapacitated when it comes to vocal ability and very stiff when it comes to dance mobility, I am certainly one of the aficionados of the art of music.
As the first sign of my life’s journey was based on the first beat, the last sign will be bases on its absence. Yes – when my heart ceases to beat, my personal melody will fade into silence, but the echoes of that music will continue to reverberate, a testament to the enduring power of this universal vehicle. My music will echo my views, lucid or cryptic, genuine or imaginary.
Further, the heartbeat and music are intricately connected, with the natural rhythm of one’s heartbeat influencing and being influenced by the melodies and beats that one listens to. It’s like our heartbeat is the internal drum machine, and music is the external rhythm that syncs with it, affecting our emotions, energy, and overall vibe. Whether it’s the pulsing bass of a dance song or the soothing melody of an opera classic, music has the power to alter your heart rate, calm your nerves, or pump you up. It’s a two-way street, with your heartbeat responding to the music, and the music tapping into the rhythm of your heart.
Moreover, I’m told that this convergence is not accidental, as the first pulse, beat, and rhythm that you and I ever felt and perhaps danced or slept to, was whilst we were still inside our mothers’ wombs. Trapped, figuratively, within that limited area of development, one started identifying with rhythm. The first pulses that èver made any sense to our developing minds at that stage was the beat of our mothers’ heartbeats.
Then came a time when we could only watch these ‘older people’ walking up and down, not understanding a word we say – not that we understood them èither – perhaps our forgiving minds felt ignored.
Suddenly, they would force our busy bodies to sleep using music that they prefer to call lullabies. Once we startèd walking, they chased us around, playing songs and even singing certain songs to get us to dance or cunningly getting us to cooperate using our connection with rhythm.
You find yourself smiling at a compensation that you cannot explain. Music runs in our veins. Give us the benefit of the doubt when we play it – soft or loud for that beat has always called the shots.
A VILLAGE OF DIVERSITY
Music is as diverse as the human village. Where there’s human beings chances are that music will exist.
Complexity of Human Experience
The art of music encompasses a wide range of styles and forms, each possessing its unique characteristics and expressive qualities. Music has played a pivotal role in shaping many countries’ cultural identities and histories.
From the intricate rhythms of traditional African music to the contemporary sounds of global pop, music reflects the complexities and richness of human experience. Africa ceaselessly contributes to the ingredients that define the global catalogue of music showcasing the varied and vibrant heritage.
There’s a countless number of others that to one’s ears may sound strange but are normal to others. The Samba in Brazil or the Scathamiya in Africa all form part of this symbiosis.
MY MUSICAL ODYSSEY
I’ve got to admit, I’ve lost count of the many songs I’ve explored through music. I just love music. Whether it’s Soul Brothers’ Mbaqanga or Michael Bolton’s powerful ballads, Mirriam Makeba’s iconic sounds or Jennifer Lopez’s catchy beats, Bob Marley’s reggae or Eric Clapton’s bluesy riffs, Master KG’s Afro-House or Avicii’s electronic dance music, Julio Iglesias’s romantic Latin tunes or Papa Wemba’s Congolese rumba… to me, it’s all music.
My Mix Masala Playlist
I’ve got a playlist that’s a mashup of cultures, languages, and emotions, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The works of renowned musicians, including Hugh Masekela, Cece Winans, Beethoven, Mozart, Ray Charles, Brenda Fassie, and many more, have contributed significantly to the global music scene. Their beats remain eternal. I play it loud, mild, or soft, depending on my needs at the time. I dance, a lot when I’m sure that I’m alone.
My Conversation With Music
You know what’s crazy? I can sit and chat with my music, and it never disappoints. It’s like it understands me, speaks to me, and tells me exactly what I need to hear.
Sometimes I’ll put on a song, and the lyrics will hit me right in the feels, like they’re speaking directly to my soul. Other times, I’ll just vibe to the beat, letting the rhythm take over and guide me, and it always knows how to make me feel better.
Mood Controller
Beyond its entertainment value, music serves as a powerful tool for me to regulate emotions and influence the mood.
Research has shown that listening to music can have a profound impact on an individual’s emotional state, with the ability to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and boost mood. This phenomenon is often referred to as “mood management” or “mood regulation.” Music’s ability to control mood can be attributed to its complex psychological and physiological effects on the brain.
Music allows human beings to alleviate feelings of anger and frustration.
Many Singers Process My Emotions Through Music
Music has long been a source of comfort and inspiration for people around the world. I get drawn to many people’s music for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is the message behind a song.
For many singers and artists, songwriting is a way to process emotions and make sense of the world around them. A good songwriter invites you into his world, make you wear his shoes (which may be identical as his) and takes you through the ride of self and public confession on matters that are central to our hearts. This is what affects and infects some of us.
Song of hope – Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is a masterpiece of songwriting and a powerful exploration of love, loss, and redemption. Apparently, took over five years to write this song. He wrote over 80 verses before he settled on the final version that went for release.
He faced personal turmoil when he wrote this song. Despite the challenges he faced, the song has become an enduring classic, a testament to the human spirit’s ability to create something beautiful even in the darkest of times.
Vision of peace and unity- John Lennon’s “Imagine” is one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century, a call to action for a world in need of peace and unity. The song’s message of hope and unity inspires music lovers around the world.
This song envisions a world without borders, religions, possessions, poverty, or inequality where people live in harmony and that remains a powerful dream. This song is a reminder of the importance of striving for a better world.
The song cautions against the current economic system in use and call for a relaxation of the barriers.
Asong of resilience – Tracy Chapman’s “Trawlers” is a powerful and poignant song that reflects the artist’s experiences with violence and hardship.
It was written after her car was broken into. The song is a raw and emotional expression of Chapman’s feelings and a testament to her resilience in the face of adversity. The song’s message of hope and survival is a reminder that even in the toughest of times, music can be a powerful source of comfort and strength to us listening.
Through the wire – “Through the Wire” is Kanye West’s experience surviving a 2002 car accident that left him with severe injuries including a cracked jaw. The song features Kanye rapping about his feelings and experiences, with a haunting sample of Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire”. The song represents the pain and challenges that he faced on his painful road to recovery.
A call to action – Tupac Shakur’s “Changes” is an iconic song that speaks volumes about social injustice, racism, and the struggles faced by marginalised communities.
This powerful anthem samples Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” and addresses issues like police brutality, poverty, and racial inequality. Tupac’s lyrics are a call to action, urging listeners to recognise the systemic injustices that perpetuate inequality and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
Tupac Shakur’s “Keep Ya Head Up” is another powerful anthem that speaks directly to the struggles faced by marginalised communities, particularly women and youth, and calls society to stand up. The song urges listeners to stay strong in the face of adversity.
Facing monsters – In “Monsters,” James Blunt sings about his complex relationship with his father, Charles Blunt, who worked for the army. The song’s lyrics explore the emotional struggles that his father faced after serving the British Army and the impact it had on their family.
Blunt’s verses describe his father’s tough exterior and the emotional distance between them. He reflects on his father’s experiences in the army and how they shaped him, singing “You were just a soldier, and I was just a boy.”
The chorus, “There are monsters in the dark, but I’ll face them with you,” suggests a desire to confront and overcome the emotional demons his father struggled with. The song is a tribute to his father, acknowledging their complicated past. Blunt’s lyrics convey a sense of empathy and understanding, highlighting the often-overlooked emotional toll of war on soldiers and their families.
Reason – “Everything Happens for a Reason” by Josh Groban is a reflective and uplifting song that explores the idea that every experience, whether joyful or painful, serves a purpose in shaping our lives. The lyrics convey a message of hope and trust, encouraging listeners to have faith that even in difficult times, everything is unfolding as it should.
The song’s message is one of surrender and acceptance, urging us to let go of our need for control and instead, trust that life’s twists and turns are leading us towards growth, learning, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
7 seconds – Youssou Ndour sings this song with Neneh Cherry to emphasise a message to all. He suggests that we have a few seconds to make a difference, connect with others, and change the world.
7 seconds refers to the brief moment when a child is born, signifying their potential for a new life. It’s a reminder that every moment counts in creating a better world. Every second, a life is created whilst at the same time another one is lost. Every second makes, breaks and remakes our atmosphere. Every second defines the world.
MUSIC IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
There’s something about a particular melody or lyric that can transport us to a different place and connect us with our deepest emotions.
Music is a universal language that can bridge cultural and linguistic divides, speaking to people on a fundamental level. It has the power to comfort, to heal, and to inspire, and it’s amazing how different songs can affect different people in different ways.
Remember the famous Macarena and Jerusalema songs that brought people together, transcending language barriers and cultural boundaries. It’s wild how songs can unite people.
Macarena
The Macarena craze was a wild ride! It was one of those moments where a song and dance take over, and everyone is doing it. Why? Just for the fun of it.
The Macarena, performed by Los Del Rio, was super catchy, easy to dance to, and became a global phenomenon, beating language barriers as people worldwide sang and danced along, often without knowing the Spanish lyrics.
The iconic dance involved moving your hands and hips in a specific sequence, often touching your shoulders, arms, and waist, and was a staple at parties, events, and gatherings.
Jerusalema Danced Covid 19 out of Contention
The Jerusalema dance challenge was especially awesome, spreading hope and joy globally during tough Covid-19 pandemic times. Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode’s collaboration created something truly special, and it’s amazing to see how it resonated with people worldwide.
One of our correspondents, Dithako Nakedi, reported in 2021 that this song provided some iconic moments for leaders like President Cyril Ramaphosa, the French ambassador to South Africa joining in, various personalities, the police, etc performing it.
The song’s message of hope and resilience struck a chord, and it’s incredible that it became the most downloaded song globally. Moments like these remind us of music’s power to uplift and connect.
Apparently, an elephant in Zimbabwe had learnt the dance routine to the Jerusalema anthem. So powerful is music that it can turn giants into discovering their capacities to outdo small-sized pantsulas.
AS A TOOL OF RESISTANCE
In South Africa, music has long been used as a coping mechanism and a way to manage emotions.
During times of struggle and hardship, music has provided solace, comfort, and a means of expression and release. The country’s rich musical heritage is replete with examples of songs that have been used to express resistance, resilience, and hope.
Music played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement, with artists using their music to protest against racism and inequality.
That solo voice singing is bound to move you into action. “Uhola ngegazi labantu (He gets paid in exchange for people’s blood). UR100 igazi lendoda (A human life earns him R100). Ubaqedile uSabela…izimpimpi zisiqedile (Sabela and other spies have conquered our people). ESoweto, KwaMashu, EMlazi bakhuluma ngawe, nasePitoli bayakukhokhela (In Soweto, KwaMashu and Mlazi they are still talking about this snake who’s funded by Pretoria)”.
This was one of the protest songs associated with the revered playwright Mbongeni Ngema. These songs inspired hope and unity among those fighting for freedom.
FOR CELEBRATION
In South Africa, music plays a significant role in the world of sports, particularly soccer. Fans use music to express their passion and loyalty to their teams, creating an electric atmosphere in stadiums and arenas.
Chants, songs, and anthems are an integral part of the soccer experience, with fans using music to motivate their teams, intimidate opponents, and celebrate victories. Music has also been used to promote soccer events, with popular artists creating anthems and soundtracks for major tournaments.
This is identical with way songs are used in traditional African ceremonies.
MUSIC DOES NOT RESPECT TIME
Music transcends temporal boundaries, possessing the profound ability to evoke emotions, evoke memories, and unite individuals across diverse ages or times. Its ageless nature is a testament to its timeless appeal, allowing it to remain as relevant today as it was in the past, and ensuring its continued influence on successive generations. With the capacity to evoke nostalgia and sentimentality, music’s agelessness enables it to bridge the gap between eras, fostering a shared cultural heritage that is both enduring and dynamic, where the works of ancient composers can coexist with contemporary sounds, and ancient melodies can inspire modern interpretations.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON
It’s like a universal language that speaks straight to our souls, evoking memories that we didn’t even know we had. Whether you’re vibing solo or grooving with the squad, music’s got our feet tapping.
Music is, indeed, a tool for self-expression, social connection, and even personal growth. A particular song can transport us back to a specific moment in time or evoke feelings we thought were long forgotten. Music’s the soundtrack to our lives, influencing our emotions and enhancing the diversity of human experience in a countless number of ways.
Ngisadantsa kancane!!