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unconvenTional Black suB cultures
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Black life and culture have made far-reaching contributions in the lives of all people, but that does not mean we cannot look outward to find inspiration.
We have produced the best contributors in the fields of science, medicine, and performing arts, so it’s known that we have the range. But sometimes we may want to step out of what is created in our image and enjoy things simply because we like it.
There are many enjoyable things created by non-Black cultures. It may be hard to love, because of historical implications, but we love the things they create. Humans have the intrinsic need to connect and engage with a common thread, but if every master narrative seeks to tell us that only certain people are fit to like a certain thing, we are shunned. Despite societal norms, there is no universal law that says that we cannot enjoy these things.
It’s natural for Black women, men, and children to like music from other cultures, but we have to do in a way that makes sense to us. In these spaces, we have to show what being Black means to us and how can we apply that to who we already are. You may feel alone, but everything you love that is wholesome and good is a safe space and you deserve to be there.
As a Black woman, I grew up at the intersection of my Caribbean heritage and African-American upbringing. I loved musicals, popular music, and family-friendly television shows, which often were not considered popular with my peers. They were more interested in rap and hip hop. I was only marginally interested in those things. It would take some time for me to actually love it. Evidently, I was teased.
After I got over not having something in common with my peers, getting older, I realized that the spaces I moved in were dominated by more non-people of color. I started to doubt my passions; maybe there was something not great about these things and my people knew why.
I definitely had moments when I felt like I shouldn’t memorize the lyrics, spend money on the posters or attend the events. Like I should retreat into myself. But that’s not my personality. I love knowledge and all of the things that would make me “cultured” just as much as I ride for my heritage.
I’m still going strong with Broadway musicals; I love the cadence, musicality, poetic language, and story-telling. Hamilton: An American Musical is really important to me. It normalizes people of color and changes the historical narrative marrying hip-hop and Broadway standards.
This led me to clipping., an underground rap trio based in LA that reams out virtuosic lyrics over the wildest noise instrumentals you couldn’t even dream of. Think of a scanner, microphone feedback, and marbles rattling inside of a tin can.
Never in a million years did I think I would love listening to them because of their style and lyrics. Funny enough, it has become a passion project for me to listen and piece together the culture so beautifully embedded in the music.
Mainstream music has never excited me. The main takeaway from this is that finding your passions and being a fan is completely about knowing your truth and walking in it despite anyone else’s opinion.
Knowing your strengths is what brought Lil Nas X to where he is now. He created the song “Old Town Road,” a country and hip-hop crossover qualified for its unique rhythm, production, and lyrics. It is an intrinsic part of Black culture woven into something one would think is “white music.”
“Can’t nobody tell me nothing” was his mantra, and the rallying cry which led fans and collaborators, like Billy Ray Cyrus, to fight for his song to stay on the Billboard country charts.
Lil Nas X’s journey to viral internet fame actually began with him being unafraid to show his true colors. He became famous for sharing snippets of his humor and personality with his social media following. Creating memes and choosing music samples that fit his tastes. His openness brought him closer to the success he earned.
Black people have always been integral to the success of “white spaces.” Our labor supported the creation of their buildings, our courage progresses their moral conscience, and our dollars sustain their industries.
History has seen us make monumental and impressive additions to the world as we know it. That said, we belong in all spaces.
The time has come to embrace all of our passions and not be deterred by the burden of not belonging. Black people have contributed to the success of all spaces, and we have a right to be here.
