I have looked on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to see trending topics and hashtags related to my story. I have discovered keywords like ethnic diversity and inclusivity among musicians, music and music education classes or events. I have also seen musicians of different gender identities and expressions showing their personalities through their music. Influencers driving the conversation include students, teachers and music artists all over the world and in local areas around San Diego, California and San Diego State University.
Musicians and audiences are talking about promoting diverse voices, instruments and ethnic backgrounds in the music industry and in music performances. Social media users are often not talking about a large spike in music diversity, but users are discussing the differences diversity makes in music, saying what they bring to the table and are sharing more posts related to spreading awareness of new and diverse music artists, communities and groups.
Fans support new musicians
Fans are supporting emerging artists such as Hadiyatou Diallo, also known as Haddie the Baddie, who is a Black female singer, songwriter and rapper in the hip-hop and rap industry. She writes songs related to her education and career goals, love life and experiences that have helped shape her life. Videos and images being used are self portraits, collages, vlogs, clips of artists performing their music in front of audiences, by themselves and in concerts.
Culture and diversity shine through performances
One theme driving the conversation is cultural, ethnic and racial diversity and inclusivity in race, music and self-expression through music performances. Three unique points and ideas I have taken from this research are how personal perspectives can change other viewpoints, unique anecdotes can influence audiences, and insights behind creations help inspire people of different backgrounds.
Music comes in all types of genres and versions. Instruments, voices and dance moves are used to convey art and self-expression through personal perspectives. Racial and ethnic backgrounds can make a difference in how artists influence audiences. Unique styles and forms of music help fans embrace the influences they come across through their favorite music artists.
Sharing personal experiences gives audiences a story
It is important to share diverse perspectives in the music industry and spread this diversity to people who can connect with or relate to personal situations from artists and their anecdotal experiences. Audiences can learn life lessons, inspirational messages and new ways to express themselves by covering songs, dancing to their favorite music performances and developing new talents by learning how to play different instruments.
Awa Khiwe, @Awa_Khiwe, Twitter, Sep. 10, 2021
Awakhiwe Sibanda, also known as Awa Khiwe, is a female master of ceremonies and vocalist. Her hometown is Makokoba, an old township in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She listened to hip-hop and kwaito songs by artists like Bongo Maffin, Brown Dash and Thrompies. These sounds have inspired her to make her own music that adds a unique cultural perspective and twist to the music industry.
CultureBrew.Art, @culturebrewart, Twitter, Feb. 18, 2022
CultureBrew.Art introduces and highlights Black music artists to celebrate Black History Month and diversity in music. Sharing social media pages to promote artists of different backgrounds helps change the perspective of what music sounds like and how audiences are affected by unique forms of music.
San Diego State University College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, PSFA at SDSU, @PSFA_SDSU, Twitter, Jul. 12, 2021
SDSU PSFA shares inspirational stories like this one about Richard Thompson discovering the orchestra he attended, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, performed a piece he wrote. This shows how hard work pays off, and SDSU is not afraid to let the spotlight shine on this artist.
Learning more about diversity in music helps people understand the value of a melting pot, where artists can collaborate, discuss and represent unique forms of cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. I look forward to hearing more about this topic when I attend virtual and in-person meetings and events featuring all kinds of artists pursuing music careers.
