Music as an expression of identity

Since the beginning of time, music has been used as an expression of cultural identity. Ancient tribal societies used music as the basis for meetings and to express their history, ethnicity, and cultural beliefs. Music has changed over time, but the use of music as an essential part of cultural and individual expression has changed very little.

Music’s integral connection to identity is often difficult to recognize, especially in today’s society, where music may not be seen as message-oriented as it used to be. There were times when entire generations or cultures of individuals knew the same songs. During World War II, entire nations of people sang songs that expressed their national identity with their cause and their connection to their fighting forces. Once again, with the protest songs of the 1960s and 1970s, the people of the nation explored their feelings about war, youth, and race riots. And, as music as a form of expression has grown, different individuals within the same society have come to identify with different forms of music as their own individual expression of themselves.

Although music may not be as blatantly descriptive as the songs of decades past, music speaks to the individual in the same way that the individual speaks through music. A nation of parents were stumped while their children were fascinated by the sounds of rock and roll, and now there are so many types of music to identify with as generational cliques to adapt the musical message. Parents are still perplexed by young people who dress up as Britney Spears and Eminem and use the language expressed in songs. The addition of music videos has also added a note to self-expression through music that wasn’t around until the last few years. Unlike generations past, today’s youth can see how music is expressed and can visually identify with their chosen genre. Television and the Internet have also allowed international peoples to share their cultures through music.

Whether music is considered an influence for young people or an influence by youth, is still secondary to the fact that it has always been present as a socializing factor. Whether socialization takes place as part of group membership or as a way of expressing individuality, there is no way to ignore the fact that the influence and expression of music expands as the global community shares more. of their musical styles. People may find that music speaks to them in a certain way, moves them in a certain way, or that they identify with its message. People may also discover that they can use music to express themselves as individuals, as well as to adapt to a group. Music and its connection to individual and group identity will undoubtedly take new forms as people continue to be exposed to various forms of music and culture.