Music makes society
COMMENTARY
Ryan Salzman

Growing up in the Salzman household meant two things. First, politics were to be discussed at length, but argument fostered nothing productive. Second, music was an integral part of daily life.

Many a weekend morning has greeted me with rumbling bass from the stereo in the living room. Whether it was Ottmar Liebert, The Beatles or Bob Marley, it did not matter.

When I was planning to leave for school in the summer of 1999 it quickly became apparent that my father could have cared less if I had a computer or a car.

He would say, “Do you have a stereo?” I would reply that I had one ready to go and he would quickly follow, “Good. Every time I moved the first thing I would do is set up my stereo and throw on a vinyl.” Then I could start to unpack.

We must have gone through that routine a half dozen times before school began. Now I find myself getting ready to leave TCU and music has cemented itself in my life as it has in my father’s. I try to attend live music as often as possible. Sometimes it is as if the ringing in my ears drowns out the noise of life. It allows the art to linger.

By seeing music as art, I have found satisfaction in many different forms. Eric Clapton, The Roots, Phish, the Eels, Weezer, Talib Kweli, Bob Marley and Red Hot Chili Peppers have all found their way into my music collection and into my everyday life. Some music makes me laugh (They Might Be Giants, Tenacious D), some makes me bob my head (Outkast, Atmosphere), some is very involved (String Cheese Incident, Pink Floyd) and some is quick and easy (Weezer, Ben Folds).

All is necessary.

In my years of music experience I have never found an artist with as much talent and a socially conscious message as Eminem. Many of you are nodding and many more of you are shaking your head. The great thing is that everyone has a strong opinion of him and his work. Not since Madonna has our culture been so overwhelmed by an artist.

Many people contend that Eminem offers nothing but hate. I say that he is a direct reflection of our society and those who disagree probably have trouble finding any fault with our country or culture. For every verse that is negative (i.e. verbally “murdering” someone) there are two that make a valid point. Most artists make about one valid point an album.

In a society that wears blinders such as ours, artists like Eminem, Rage Against the Machine and Bob Marley are necessary to make us realize that there is a peripheral spectrum of reality. This reality exists outside of television and popular culture as a whole. This society has incredible race issues that are far from being resolved. This society has poverty and drug problems and obtuse leaders. Eminem comments on all of these aspects of society that we and our leaders prefer to ignore.

Even Willie Nelson recognizes this as true. He says, “Rather than trying to put an end to Eminem or some other rapper, politicians should think about why they are rapping. It’s easier to try to censor some kid who is swearing about poverty than it is to stop the poverty.”

Eminem’s ability to captivate with his unrelenting talent paired with his message creates a gift that is rare. As of now, Eminem is the greatest musical artist of the new millennium.

Music is one of man’s greatest creations. It is vital to my life. I only hope more musical artists make the effort to shape society. Musicians have a responsibility to society.

Ryan Salzman is a senior political science major from Temple.