Culture surrounding music and its genres has changed innumerable times through the ages. However, in today’s society, stereotyping tends to cause major shifts in engagement with certain styles of music.
Unfortunately, stereotypes and music tend to go hand in hand and reflect onto people. This has created a trend of outcasting or grouping certain people together with negative assumptions because of their music taste, especially among kids.
“It’s immature that kids apply stereotypes of music to people” says Haddie Schedler ‘25.
“It doesn’t happen as much now that we’re older, but it was definitely a problem when we were in middle and elementary school.”
Bullying is subjective, as are all opinions. Even though everyone is entitled to their own thought process, berating someone else for having contrasting opinions makes little sense. Especially if someone is bullied for their interpretations or affinity for a certain style of art.
“Music is subjective and out there as a form of expression. If it doesn’t resonate with someone, then it won’t mean the same. It has to link before you can enjoy it” says Dr. Markley, the Middle and Upper School Music Director, “It’s best to just try everything and have appreciation for the whole process of how the music was made. Like when you try new food. You have an appreciation for the process of what it took to grow the food, how it was prepared, the presentation, etcetera. It’s the same way with music.”
“The older you get, the more open you are to more music. You can recognize good music even if you don’t like the genre.” Mr. Luce, the Head of the English Department.
He also warns not to get too attached to any one genre. “Our notions of genre and music are formulated by marketing executives of companies pumping out the music based on how [they] sell to people,” says Mr. Luce. “[We] need to branch out. Just listen.”
When asked about the effects stereotyping has on people’s perceptions of music, Dr. Markley said, “ It’s not a good conclusion, but can be a good starting point as long as it’s met with an open mind. For example, ‘This is what other people say, let me find out if it’s true.’ One group’s opinion, how people view certain others, can shade the object (the music). Nothing can be observed without the impact of the observer. We just need to observe with a more open mind.”
“When stereotypes are used as a means of tearing it down, it’s not good. When people use them to learn more about new music, however, the effect is positive,” Dr. Markley explains.
To help with this issue, Dr. Markley suggests this, “Drive your argument towards understanding it instead.”
Barstow’s Dean of Student Services and Middle and Upper School & ID+E Co-Director, Mr. Muhammad, helps us understand some of his favorite genres, and we can use what we learn from him to avoid stereotyping.
Mr Muhammad’s favorite genres are, “Hip Hop, Jazz, R&B and Soul. They’re American born genres created by people who didn’t have access to classical realms of music. Hip Hop does a great job of telling unheard stories, and Jazz is the most direct tie to African Heritage in music for Blacks in America.”
“Some aspects of hip hop can be degrading, misogynistic, and glorify bad aspects of society. Rock and roll does the same by talking about things like drug culture. But, Hip Hop is the biggest art form out right now,” says Mr. Muhammad. “It’s dominated by one culture, Black Americans, who are the most marginalized also by power standpoint. Putting out the most vulgar and challenging music out there becomes all people see.” This has been especially true when it comes to genres dominated by Black musicians.
“A lot of people say ‘All rap music sounds the same. Everyone talks about the same thing’. And, to be honest, with mainstream music it is kind of true. Artists try to replicate it for the winning formula, but this happens in every genre,” he says.
As a creator, Mr. Muhammad deals with all these issues directly. Some artists prefer to chase trends, and others would rather aim for individuality. “Stereotyping has had a super negative impact on Hip Hop. Too many people buy into the stereotype because it sells. Creators start to believe that’s who they are, and it limits creative ability. You know, ‘When are we gonna get the rapper who can also play the violin?’ Then it becomes unsafe for the person who finally is because of how much negativity surrounds the culture,” he explains.
“Everyone’s lying if they say they don’t care what people say or how popular they are,” he said.
Muhammad explains, however, “I’m at peace with never being mainstream. I’m not trying to follow a trend. I really want to make music I would want to hear, something I can be proud of.” We can both acknowledge that we care what others think while accepting we cannot please everyone. The most important thing is to be authentic to yourself.
“Being trendy can run its course of sounding good to people. I don’t want to sound dated. That’s how we get one hit artists,” Muhammad explains. On the contrary, “there are a lot more artists that you don’t hear,” says Muhammad.
Though there is more opportunity now than ever to find new music. “Everything is so accessible nowadays,” Muhammad muses. “You used to have to wait until the CD or record came out and sometimes spent hours at the store waiting and sifting through artists trying to find one to even give a shot. You had to spend your money to see if you even liked it, and if you didn’t, you were stuck with it. Now you can immediately listen to any kind of music you can think of. Take advantage of it. Work harder to find new music.”
As a reminder, when having friendly discord about music, Dr. Markley says, “Don’t say you don’t like it until you can specifically articulate why. What is it you don’t like about it? Be specific. Don’t blame someone for liking or dislike something because it’s not what you agree with.”
Finally, take Tyler Bauman ‘25 and Haddie Schedler ‘25’s advice, “Listen to Playboi Carti if you are a true Belieber.”
