A_Masquerade_Revived_by_Aretha_Franklin_(“Respect”)

Music is a general topic in which transitioned through time according to struggles and hardship faced by mankind during their lifetimes. According to music experts and professionals, music is considered to be an art form whose medium is sound. Black Music (African Music) had 4 main categories—Gospel, Rock/Roll, Rhythm & Blues, and Jazz. These categories described the multiple affections and hardships African Americans went through within the 1900’s (mainly 1960-1987). We as people defined music, to be what we see fit the descriptions and as new generations unfold so did the image of music with the inclusion of its sound, beats, and lyrics. For instance, R&B with the addition of Rock/Roll transitioned and became a new genre-Black Rock. With the sweet and tuned melodies of these varieties of music genres, artists also masquerade messages to promote awareness within the general population about issues and perspectives regarding emotions and opinions of not only the artists but also their listeners. In time, mankind gave birth to one of music’s greatest prodigies-Aretha Franklin, an African American woman who was well produced and promoted by John Hammond who signed her to Columbia records. History recalls Franklin to be an American singer, songwriter, and pianist; sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Soul” for her soul recordings which emphasized her renowned reputation. However Franklin, also adept at rock, blues, pop, jazz, R&B, and gospel music. According to Rolling Stones Magazine, Franklin progressed to be No. 1 on the list of The Greatest Singers of All Time. She was honored at the Grammy Awards, with a total of 18 Grammys to date which included the Living Legend Grammy and the Lifetime Achievement Grammy. She also scored a total of 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart of which included “Respect” (1967). A song written originally by Stax recording artist Ortis Redding in 1965, “Respect” soon became a signature song in 1967 as it was reintroduced by Aretha Franklin. Franklin reversed the original plea of the song (Respect) and was considered a landmark for feminist movements. Respect was intended to be a love song, for the male patrons who are in love to show love-through means of respect. Franklin focused on the female cries and necessities from their male companion and promoted “male awareness” in order for the general population to be conscious of feminine desires. Franklin advertised Respect in order for her male audience along with the general male population to treat women with the same respect that men request; moreover, for men to treat women with upmost respect that they deserve and somewhat recognition of their duties as the opposite gender. Although, respect for the female patrons may not be the only case, respect over all can be the ideal message taken into consideration. With the cries of women for Respect from the opposite gender, so does the desire of music genres to be treated with respect from other genres. With the transition of music, so have the sweet tunes, melodies, and lyrics. Respect overall is the key term—from the lyrics, tunes, and melodies, to the modeled figures, advertised messages, music should be respectful over all. Today’s music expresses a small amount respect (sometimes none) to their performers, artists, and mainly their audiences. For example, lyrics today are vulgar and present their targeted audience with crude materials that promote messages such as “sex” and “offensive touching”. Today, music genre’s such as R&B has made a turn—a decline from the standard that was once met by genres such as jazz and soul. Aretha Franklin stressed Respect to her male audiences to be given to the female gender, however today; respect is required from not only the audience, but also from the artists. By doing so emphasizes the importance of respect—on how to earn, receive and give respect and how better the world would be if “there was a little respect”.