Music is one of the rare things in life that can unite people of all shapes and sizes. Present in nearly all societies, music has been an integral part in improving race relations throughout history. Many societies have used song and sound as a way to rejoice, mourn, and even to extend friendship to another people who may not be able to communicate effectively through words. Music is truly a universal language. Throughout the evolution of music in the U.S., there have been artists who have transcended not only the music industry but also the social landscape of the country. Singers like Diana Ross and Lionel Richie garnered such public adoration for their music, which in a way caused historically black music to come together as American music. People of all shapes and sizes liked these singers, which lessened the polarization of the music genre as a whole. There was not just music for black people and music for white people. R&B started to unite us. With the immense current popularity of hip-hop, I believe the same kind of evolution can happen now.
The large following of hip-hop makes it a perfect catalyst for social change. There are little things that can compete with the amount of public attention hip-hop receives (I would have to say sports has a legitimate claim to the most attention in our society). The common ground we share when listening to the same songs and artists can unite us. In a way, it just points out simple commonalities of which all of us can be apart. It is through these artists that we, the listeners, can feel more connected with other listeners as we both share the appreciation of a specific type of music. In order to gain a better understanding of people around you, you must first be able to see into the lives of others. And I think hip-hop allows many people to see not only into the lives of the people rapping the songs, but also into the people that have experiences similar situations. Yet at the same time that much positive can come from hip-hop, I think we must be very weary on the affects lyrics can have. I see a potential divide among listeners who have actually have endured violence and gangs and those who have not. The lyrics can accentuate differences between the rich boy who listens to hip-hop and attempts to act thug, and guys who grew up encountering the situations that are so often described in rap songs. I don’t think that rich guy truly understands what the lyrics can mean to people. They are not always just witty, comedic rhymes to everyone. When some people ignore this fact, it shines light on the differences that still remain in our society.
I've always appreciated music as one of the greatest common denominators the world possesses. The way I'd sum up the first paragraph of your post by posing a question - Who is Jimi Hendrix? The most common response here would likely be, "Jimi Hendrix is one of the greatest American guitarists of all time and an institutional figure in americana" (or something along those lines). That answer contains no mention of Hendrix's race whatsoever. That generation of music possessed the ability to transcend race (along with your examples of course). However I'm not sure I can completely agree with your argument that Hip Hop acts as a catalyst for social change. I think it might have the ability to, but I'm just not convinced. While millions of white Americans consume Hip Hop music, the artists within the genre itself make such incredibly frequent commentaries on their personal struggles with race and identity that alienates the white population. I think white Americans have the ability to appreciate these elements of sound, flow, and lyrical witticisms, but they do not have the ability to personally relate to the messages of the music in the same capacity as those who have experienced it, thus this genre really doesn't act as a complete social unifier.
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