This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Lindsay Daneen. Find her on Instagram at @_lindsay_daneen. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Country singer, Linda Martell, once said, “Genres are a funny little concept… In theory, they have a simple definition that’s easy to understand, but in practice…some may feel confined.” Guyanese scholar, Rodney Walter, once said, “A culture is a total way of life. It embraces what people ate and what they wore; the way they walked and the way they talked; the manner in which they treated death and greeted the newborn.” So with these two incredibly accurate viewpoints, how does a musical artist comfortably and without offense create music that integrates various sounds and genres? Is mixing music genres acceptable? Is there a correct way to do it? I’m truly not sure but maybe after this article, we’ll have a better idea of where we each stand on this topic.
Culture is so personal. It truly is the core of every community. This way of life brings a group of people together outside of proximity and physical characteristics. And music, along with traditions and food, are at the core of those customs. That’s why I feel mixing culture in the form of music can be risky and nuanced. There’s a specific reason why I came up with this topic. It just popped up on my Instagram timeline. However, I want to be clear before I reveal my example that this is not a way to bring down or upset anyone but to simply discuss why mixing music genres can be a hit or a miss.
Meet Sarah Wickett
Have you ever heard of Sarah Wickett? Well, she’s a Canadian-born White woman who sings American country music with Punjabi influence. I did a deep dive into her background and music so I’d be informed. I was lucky enough to come across a Q&A with country music enthusiast and writer, Kyla Pearson back in 2021. In the interview, they discussed her Desi pop-country song “Momma’s Boy.” The song was based on her personal experience. It highlighted the “difficulties interracial couples face, from navigating cultural differences to meddling mothers.” She was intentional enough to include Punjabi songwriter, Vipneet Kaur, and incorporated the Punjabi language in the song. She unapologetically expressed her love and appreciation for Indian culture and even donned a custom-made denim lehenga to add more authenticity. This shows that she has clearly done her homework concerning Indian culture. But is that enough?
Is Research And Appreciation Enough?
Sarah Wicket’s attention to detail and intentionality do not go unnoticed (at least not by me) and I appreciate that she put in the effort but for many this may not suffice. The Indian and Punjabi culture is not just about the language and beautiful lehengas and sarees. The culture consists of a deep and rich history, traditions, experiences, food recipes, religious beliefs, etc. So, is it okay to show appreciation by simply mixing in some of the cultural concepts without having any genuine ties outside of friends or a significant other? Some would say that it is while others would disagree.
Let’s Take It Mainstream
It’s safe to say that we have all recently witnessed the backlash that Beyoncé experienced around her Cowboy Carter album. Some people who’d been in the country music genre for decades personally felt she was violating and infringing upon their cultural space. Even though she is by definition a country girl, it didn’t matter. She still experienced how people react when they see someone who doesn’t partake in their culture, engaging in their music genre. Of course, this is not the perfect example, since her roots are as country as they can get, however, it does show that people hold their culture and hence the music that stems from those cultures very near and dear and close to their hearts and identities. That is why it is difficult to determine whether mixing music genres is always appropriate.
Let’s Discuss K-Pop
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you know K-pop has taken the world by storm. People love the mix of American pop music and Korean star power and flare. However in my personal opinion although pop music is a major genre in American culture it is not something that we hold near and dear to our culture. I say this because it comes from popular music therefore it pretty much transcends cultures and incorporates everything all in one. Typically in pop music, you can hear the essences of R&B, hip-hop, house music, rock, and techno. They are often incorporated so well that you can’t easily determine what the base of the song is. I don’t hold personal and deep ties to the genre itself. By that definition, I feel that this is a safe and appropriate mix of culture and music genres that has developed over time.
Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Rihanna are perfect examples of pop music done right. Can you actually determine whether they are R&B singers? Can you tell which songs have rock influence and incorporate house music, dance music, or hip hop? American pop music perfectly embodies all American music genres in a way that does not appropriate one particular culture. As part of the cultural group connected to R&B and hip-hop (just to name a few), I don’t feel robbed or erased when listening to American pop music. So, perhaps this is evidence that mixing music genres can be done effectively.
My Final Answer
This is the final verdict. I’m not sure whether mixing music genres is always appropriate or can be done without offending some people. Does that mean that it has to stop being done? Not necessarily. However, it is essential to acknowledge this. Be sensitive to the fact that most music and the cultures associated with it are important to the overall identity people carry with them. It is not necessarily something that we should be mixing for fun or taking it upon ourselves to educate others about. Maybe that should be left to the people who identify with that culture. But then again you won’t ever be able to please everyone. Be mindful of why and how you are mixing musical genres. You will never fully understand how pivotal and how personal the music is to that group of people.
Music is certainly meant to be manipulated and explored in various ways. That is what art and creativity are all about. But there are limits to be aware of. And there are boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed. It’s up to us to all be honest with each other and express what those limits are. Consider how to maneuver through the evolution of music carefully, intentionally, and empathetically.
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