James Brown

70’s music marked a time of great experimentation, as new media outlets helped bring different cultures and audiences closer together than ever before. Rock music was expanding. There were many new genres such as hard rock like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Other parts of the country, the underground punk started entering the mainstream due to the success off the Ramones, Sex Pistols, and the Clash. Other genres such as the village people and the Bee Gees were also really popular. During the black arts movement, hip-hop music and culture have caused numerous of controversy and forged their way into a marginal position along side that of popular culture. Through rhythm and poetry, hip-hop has endeavored to address racism, education, sexism and drug use.

During the 70’s, The Black Arts Movement gained force and generated controversy. Many things were booming during this period. A black arts repertory theatre/school in Harlem was intended to awaken black people to the meaning of their lives. Black artists were also called upon to be morally and culturally responsible to black people for their work. James brown is a really famous artist during the Black Arts Movement period. “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” is a funk song written and recorded by James Brown. It is notable both as one of brown’s signature songs and as one of the most popular “black power” anthems of the 1960s. He proclaims that “we done made us a chance to do for ourself/we’re tired of beating our head against the wall/workin’ for someone else” This song means “Say it loud” with “I’m black and I’m proud!” It explored similar themes of black empowerment and self-reliance.