Across the world, music has created unity despite cultural barriers. Songs from different languages top world charts; musical elements, such as lyrics, instruments, techniques, and meaning, are included in them. Each musical element stems from different places around the world, and these five songs all have multicultural aspects.
The first song including a multicultural element is, “Boy With Luv” by BTS (방탄소년단) featuring Halsey. BTS has conquered the world stage and as their popularity has grown, they have incorporated more English lyrics. BTS is a K-pop boy band that debuted in 2013 and, more recently, performed at the United Nations. The lyrics of this song include both the English and Korean language. It has won numerous awards as well as the MYX Music Award for International Video. K-pop continues to transcend the language divide that holds much of music back.
You can find this song here:
The second piece of music is the English album “England is a Garden” by Cornershop. Cornershop is an indie rock band from England. This multicultural piece uses the tabla. The tabla is a traditional Indian musical instrument similar to a drum. It was first heard in the 18th century in Hindustani classical music. Another Indian instrument in this English folk-rock album is the sitar, which creates a mellow flow. Cornershop was created by Tjinder Singh and its name originated from the stereotype that British Asians own “corner shops.” This piece has a beautiful instrumental sound and the incorporation of Indian sounds contributes to the uniqueness of this band.
You can find this song here:
The third song is “Achilles Heel” by J. Maya, a recent Harvard graduate. This upcoming singer released this song on January 1, 2021. In an interview with The Cultural Reset, she describes her music as a fusion. She says, “I feel like my music tends to sound a little more R&B and a little more indie R&B pop that’s slower.” Her lyrics of Achilles Heel, mention the River Styx, Sisyphus, and Prometheus. This Greek mythology-inspired pop song creates a unique and wordplay-driven song. Her use of the phrase “Achilles’ heel” has led to millions of listeners for her multicultural song.
You can find this song here:
The fourth song I chose that includes a multicultural element is “This Is America,” by Childish Gambino. Childish Gambino, also known as Donald Glover, is a successful American artist. This song explores gun violence and being a black man in America. A Time article says the first gunshot “happens during the song’s move from choral tones to a trap sound.” The racial attacks and discrimination in America has inspired the artist to spread the message of awareness, as well as use distinct sounds to create a beat. Gambino’s portrayal won him eleven awards, including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2019.
You can find this song here:
The last song is “Señorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are both high-profile artists who publicized their relationship in September 2019. This song includes Spanish elements such as Spanish words and instrumentals. This Latin-inspired song took 8 writers and 15 months to write. In the music video, you can see romantic and Latin-inspired dance. This song has won many awards, including the Music Award for the International Song of the Year.
You can find this song here:
All of these five songs have multicultural aspects, which are increasingly being shown in music. The ever-changing world thrives on globalism and exchanges between cultures, creating articulate and beautiful music. This is the inevitability of music.
—ICS Chapter Editor Karis Yim can be reached at kariseyim@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram @karis_key.
Resources:
https://www.cultural-reset.com/post/tcr-artist-interview-maya-j
https://cheerstothevikings.com/2021/01/03/j-maya-achilles-heel/
https://time.com/5267890/childish-gambino-this-is-america-meaning/
