Life in a New Time.

 

Part of intellectual growth is about studying new kinds of facts pertaining to life. Country music has been part of American culture for over 100 years. I wrote about R&B music, pop music, rock and roll music, and gospel music. Today, it's time to write about a different genre being country music. I like to research information, and this is a new challenge that I will enjoy experiencing new journeys. Many human beings know about country music's history, culture, legacy, and lyrical content. Yet, other people, even many Americans, don't know a single thing about country music. Many people don't know its origins and compositions. This is where we come in to show people the truth about country music's multifaceted styles. I wrote this piece of prose of this work specifically for people of every color to understand the historical flow of country music from its inception to modern times (in 2024 near the 2024 Paris Olympics). The rural culture has inspired tons of country music artists and human beings in general from the architecture of farming to cowboy living. Cowboys existed among men and women of every color spanning over 150 years in the Old West. Back then, cowboys had to handle cattle, build lands, and develop communities prodigiously. Today, the rural area remains as one large cultural heartbeat of American society just like in urban locations. Rural and urban lands help to build our economy, give diversity in our souls, and make us aware of our interrelated values as human beings. Cowboys exist now as well. This new series will cover artists from Reba McIntyre to Beyonce Knowles-Carter (whose new 2024 country music album of Cowboy Carter has been groundbreaking in its genre-merging content). Cowboy Carter has inspired a new generation to embrace the diverse nature of country music. Also, it is important to recognize using country artists who are just as important as people we know like Garth Brooks, Charlie Pride, Hootie and the Blowfish, Brooks and Dunn, and Shawna Twain. The fundamental truth is real country music is meant for everyone, regardless of your background. This work will prove that 100 percent. 

Cowboy Carter is the eighth studio album of Beyonce Knowles-Carter. Many naysayers said that she can't make a country album. Some people said that Beyonce didn't know country music when her ancestors were members of the Deep South, and she listened to country albums throughout her life, long before 2024. When the album came out on March 29, 2024, everything changed. People witnessed the power of a black woman's talent exceeding all expectations. The album mixes genres filled with hip hop, classic rock, R&B, folk, blues, pop, opera, house, Jersey club rock, and gospel. I like the American Requiem song especially. That song personifies her views on her country album and her response to her critics. The album is the second installment of Beyonce's trilogy project. American Requiem is a song desiring America and the world to embrace love and change. Many of her best vocal performances in her career are in the album too. She worked with Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, Willie Neslo, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Rhiannon Giddens, Steve Wonder, Nile Rodgers, Raye Ryan Beatty, and Jon Batiste. Universal critical acclaim existed for the album Cowboy Carter. This album was done by Beyonce to showcase the black roots and contributions of country music. Tons of unsung black country women and men artists should have their due respect for their roles in the history of the genre. The listenership of black country artists on streaming platforms and country radio has increased recently. Vice President Kamala Harris told the truth that, "Beyoncé: Thank you for reminding us to never feel confined to other people's perspective of what our lane is. You have redefined a genre and reclaimed country music's Black roots. Your music continues to inspire us all." The album of Renaissance laid a foundation for Cowboy Carter. People love the diverse songs found in Cowboy Carter like Ya Ya, Protector, Bodyguard, Daughter, Tyrant, Spagetti, etc. With the new Beyonce country music album, it is clear that Beyonce is the most influential and greatest artist of the 21st century. I don't use that term lightly, but it is what it is. I like the American Requiem song and the song of Protector especially. Anyone who says that Beyonce can't sing, need to listen to her music. Obviously, she can sing, dance, and write. Her album should inspire us to honor especially the legacy of black country legends, both in the past and in the present. Black folks like me have been in country music since its inception. 

Ten years has been a journey since the historic events in Ferguson, Missouri. Ten years ago, I was in my early 30's, and now I am forty years old. The events of Ferguson back in 2014 changed everything in American society and the culture of the world in general. Black Lives Matter, as a movement, existed before 2013, but the events of Ferguson (i.e. the death of Michael Brown and the subsequent events afterward) helped to accelerate the growth of the overall modern-day black freedom struggle on another level. By that time, we witnessed the assault of Dialo, the murder of Sean Bell, and further oppression of black human lives. From protests, rebellions, and defiance against overt racial and economic oppression, the people of Ferguson, Missouri stood up against the face of an evil, decadent, and reactionary capitalist system of terror. Let's not sugarcoat what happened in 2014. Racial profiling, economic exploitation, police brutality, and other evils (as proven by a DOJ report exposing many members of the Ferguson police department) constitute terrorism against freedom-loving people (especially against black working-class people and all poor residents of Ferguson). The solution to the paradox of immense wealth among the oligarchy and overt oppression is to unite to end oppression. We want a system of justice to prevail wholeheartedly. We desire black liberation. We demand an immediate ceasefire for Palestinians and Israelis to live in authentic peace without occupation (and without terrorism). So, Ferguson is a city that should inspire all of us to present the truth uncompromisingly.

Entertainment comes in many forms and manifestations. From music to movies, we have witnessed how entertainment has changed the world for good or ill. Likewise, video games have shown a similar legacy. Video games can inspire community, creativity, and the essence of STEM culture. Bringing jobs, hope, and positive energy are legacies of the technology in video games. Others have exploited the genre of video games to promote bigotry on online platforms and a detachment from society. Yet, the vast majority of video game users and fans desire the sacrosanct qualities of joy to be expressed in a fundamentally just way in society. PlayStation, X Box, Sega, and other platforms brought a lot of people together to enhance their lives for years and decades. Some video games are meant to be utilized by children, and debates about video games are commonplace, even today. There must be a balance. There is nothing wrong with playing video games at times as long as your other responsibilities in life are honored and fulfilled. In our lives, we will continue to put things into context to make sure that video games are used to improve our overall society. 

By Timothy