Muslims in America
It was in the beginning of the 20th century when there was a rise of American converts to the Islamic religion. Many muslim Americans saw and practiced the Sufi concept where one can have a connection with Allah or be one with Allah through music. By the 1940's and 1950's many jazz musicians converted to or were affected by Islam. While African Americans made up the majority of the American Muslims there are still many muslim migrants coming from South and Southwest Asia.
Through out the years many Islamic communities in the United States have become involved in and found success in music with genres such pop and hip-hop. Many songs have mentioned or expressed the acts of the Islamic faith, while other artists have decided to make songs purely about Islam creating a new generation of Islamic music for Muslims to express their faith.
Through out the years many Islamic communities in the United States have become involved in and found success in music with genres such pop and hip-hop. Many songs have mentioned or expressed the acts of the Islamic faith, while other artists have decided to make songs purely about Islam creating a new generation of Islamic music for Muslims to express their faith.
Hip-hop
In the 1980's and 1990's Islam became a very important component of hip-hop culture. Many rappers during this time have found to put references of Islam or even declare themselves Muslim.
It is strange to think that hip-hop could be used as a concept prayer as it is often a genre of music that is easily associated expletive language, self glorification, and anything that is frowned down upon in the Islamic music world. Because of this more traditional muslims question whether or not hip-hop is a legitimate and acceptable form of music. Yet it is unfair to say that all hip-hop is is not legitimate as there is Islamic hip-hop that both satisfies the requirements for the content of islamic music and is music that make younger muslims proud of their religion. |
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Pop
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The westernized styles of music have often found there way all around the world including the music genre of pop. There is no question that there is a misunderstanding of the Islamic religion often associated with broad and hard generalizations due to terroristic attacks all around the world by those who identify as Muslim.
It is these misconceptions that inspire artists to create content that represents Islam the way they see Islam, as a religion that is all loving and peaceful. Pop music is just another median for artists to help people understand that these misconception are exactly what they are, just misconceptions. |
Taqwacore
Taqwacore is sub genre of punk that may be the most controversial style of Islamic music. It so controversial that many don't consider it as a part of Islam at all. It is much like punk in the sense that to some it seems senseless and violent, while others would say it simply misunderstood.
Taqwacore incorporates Islamic philosophies and references into its music and takes very strong political stand in terms of its religion. Many listeners or artists of Taqwacore reject more traditional and strict views of Islam, thus create their own way of living. A way of living that often rejects the government and higher spiritual leaders. |
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Citation
J, H. (2015). Harris J: Pop Music Meets Islam [Online interview].
Laith, U. (2013). Grove Music Online. Islam. Retrieved from Oxford Music Online.
Header Image:
Chatriwala, O (2011). Girls of Jerash. [Digital Image]. Retrieved From https://www.flickr.com/photos/omarsc/6240090763/in/photolist-avq6zM-cvzDuC-cvzydL-8ZFrQu-aPdF8p-avH4Fh-aPdFDa-bxcYL8-bxdxuH-4uGHZH-bELyqT-iNHkFp-avsKud-iNJzY8-4uGJbT-avsKcu-iNJAsz-bELEf8-czRthb-cyJLu5-7xjCn5-aNi6UB-iNKcAw-aPdEuB-iNHnwD-iNMjoC-iNKa7o-iNHkTi-iNHveH-iNMia5-cyGMDU-cyGFQh-913BWk-hP7vgs-5HQSLm-4uGHeH-da6okp-iNJKGB-iNKjCN-iNJJKX-cyGBWw-cyGJPY-iNKc51-cyHS7S-wAY8Bu-bEQzGF-5VnuSj-ctPDc9-ctP8LG-9uf32F. Available Under CC BY-NC
Hickey, J (2006). cdcovers/john coltrane/crescent.jpg. [Digital Image]. Retrieved From https://www.flickr.com/photos/exquisitur/2552577184/in/photolist-4TyCgs-4Tgc9Z-9hgAz9-4TiEaM-4TmZBJ-4TzBSG-nbkaPg-BRHEP-4TnFJm-5hFysg-2gWzg4-5DoE2x-9SZrxG-7p9vyc-4X2pou-6ggArv-881ncq-6hLsCu-6ggAUx-6ggyu4-7u9Wk-7cJczL-7cJcPS-7cJdeo-91xay6-8hnUUf-7iNknU-8hjEjV-AFd4U-5DiCpr-94wVtB-BRHje-ma7u8F-8C88nw-8hoXhD-6gkL5d-6gkK5u-64B5gW-4tXufp-AgtMzP-6hGiyn-6hGjfx-6hGhYT-cy837J-7nGTad-7fLksj-9p61PQ-AfcM7t-aDQhxG-9Sks1. Available Under CC BY
Laith, U. (2013). Grove Music Online. Islam. Retrieved from Oxford Music Online.
Header Image:
Chatriwala, O (2011). Girls of Jerash. [Digital Image]. Retrieved From https://www.flickr.com/photos/omarsc/6240090763/in/photolist-avq6zM-cvzDuC-cvzydL-8ZFrQu-aPdF8p-avH4Fh-aPdFDa-bxcYL8-bxdxuH-4uGHZH-bELyqT-iNHkFp-avsKud-iNJzY8-4uGJbT-avsKcu-iNJAsz-bELEf8-czRthb-cyJLu5-7xjCn5-aNi6UB-iNKcAw-aPdEuB-iNHnwD-iNMjoC-iNKa7o-iNHkTi-iNHveH-iNMia5-cyGMDU-cyGFQh-913BWk-hP7vgs-5HQSLm-4uGHeH-da6okp-iNJKGB-iNKjCN-iNJJKX-cyGBWw-cyGJPY-iNKc51-cyHS7S-wAY8Bu-bEQzGF-5VnuSj-ctPDc9-ctP8LG-9uf32F. Available Under CC BY-NC
Hickey, J (2006). cdcovers/john coltrane/crescent.jpg. [Digital Image]. Retrieved From https://www.flickr.com/photos/exquisitur/2552577184/in/photolist-4TyCgs-4Tgc9Z-9hgAz9-4TiEaM-4TmZBJ-4TzBSG-nbkaPg-BRHEP-4TnFJm-5hFysg-2gWzg4-5DoE2x-9SZrxG-7p9vyc-4X2pou-6ggArv-881ncq-6hLsCu-6ggAUx-6ggyu4-7u9Wk-7cJczL-7cJcPS-7cJdeo-91xay6-8hnUUf-7iNknU-8hjEjV-AFd4U-5DiCpr-94wVtB-BRHje-ma7u8F-8C88nw-8hoXhD-6gkL5d-6gkK5u-64B5gW-4tXufp-AgtMzP-6hGiyn-6hGjfx-6hGhYT-cy837J-7nGTad-7fLksj-9p61PQ-AfcM7t-aDQhxG-9Sks1. Available Under CC BY