By: Kurt Romero, Hoang Phuong Vy Nguyen, Jingyi Dong, Miggy Cruz
Our song was inspired by Elijah Thao's Kuv Zoo Siab/I’m Happy song
and Eminem’s film 8 mile. We wanted to continue the discussion on
mixed-race. The focus is on common misconceptions society has in terms of
biracial individuals having the ability to choose who they want to be. However,
mixed raced individuals have internal struggles between accepting their identity
versus the stereotypes and belief systems that determine who they should be. We
sought to utilize music as a building block to construct the interconnectedness
between race, ethnicity and culture with the purpose of embracing the intricacy
of multiracial identities and struggles through the eyes of a Filipino-American
boy living in a white neighborhood. We wanted our song to be relatable, so we
chose a common mixed race group.
In the process of creating the lyrics, we began writing in diary
format. The final composition includes key phrases and significant experiences.
The song is performed through a mix of ballad and rap. Although a ballad sets
up the arc of the story, the rap allows the artist to express their emotions
even more.
There are many different ways to define an artist. Here, to be an
artist means being able to create a piece of work that reflects the
individual’s life struggles and/or achievements, and allowing the audience to
feel those experiences. When the beat drops, all that is suppressed is released
through the song. Our core belief in creating art is that it is limitless, and
with any medium, we can do so much. Any piece of work can be considered art; it
is a matter of personal interpretation.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbSig0EVj6E
I enjoyed it! I think it definitely does reflect the theme and readings of this week due to the declaration of pride of being different despite society's opinion and rejection of a mixed race individual. The work definitely reflects the mission statement which is emphasized by the phrase "I'm brown and I'm proud." The artist statement is well written and needs no improvement!
ReplyDeleteYour art project definitely touched upon a few of the themes mentioned in class last week regarding identity and the struggles that mixed-race individuals face. Your artist statement addressed all components of the requirement and was well thought out. Overall, great job, and there is little improvement needed.
ReplyDeleteThe song does reflect on the themes of this week of racial pride and self-acceptance despite the public opinion on mixed race people. The artist statement addresses the concepts brought up in the song well, especially the idea of struggling between stereotypes and personal racial identity. I believe the song and artist statement as a whole are great and there is no need for improvement.
ReplyDeleteThe artist statement explains the song clearly -- I like how you detailed the process. Picking a narrative like this one works really well, because you're channeling your own experiences into a story that appeals to a potentially 'broader' audience (in the sense that -- like the artist statement says -- addresses a 'more common' mixed race group). Good job on the song and great statement! I really loved it!
ReplyDeleteI loved the hook, very empowering. The song reflects the theme of being mixed race from last weeks reading, and add a very empowering hook proclaiming that they are proud of their identity. The artist statement does a good job describing the concept of the song as well as its meaning. The artist statement did a good job explaining the song, I see no need for improvements.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis art project does reflect the theme and reading of week 1 of mixed race individuals. The art project match with the artists’ statement by stating: “I am brown and I am proud. Nobody can change that.” – thus, accepting their identity rather than accepting the stereotypes and outside influences of society that determine who mixed race people should be. The artists statement is well written and there is no need for any change. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThe artists' examination of reinforcing one's marginalized ethnic identity despite being outcasted for their mixed race heritage is reflected in their work. The song matches the artists' statement well, because the statement challenges their ethnic group's tendency to marginalize mixed race people through the power of art production. However, the song still needs to connect to the theory and theme of the week, because it does not discuss about the idea or history of mixed race people as race traitors explicitly and beyond the surface level analysis of race and identity politics. The song lacks the explicit mentioning of Dr. Valverde's theory of race traitors (which comes with a very specific definition and criteria) and analytical, more complex, and more thorough synthesis of week one's readings with the theoretical framework of race traitors in mind.
ReplyDeleteI believe this project well reflects one of the themes of the week as they, through their lyrics and artist statement, state that they are proud and accepting of who they are. The project itself reflects the pride they have being who and how they are despite the struggles that mixed race people have either internally or due to what society pushes them to be or not to be. I believe the artist statement was thoroughly explained. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI like that the lyrics are very genuine and personal. The song does a good job on reflecting the issues of mixed races individuals face in society, which is the theme of this week. The song matches with the artists statements because it elaborates on how the artists were inspired to write this song and what messages they were trying to convey. However, I wish the statement would included how all of this tie back to the main concepts of the course.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics do relate to the theme and readings. In addition, the artists' statement does support the music video's message and relates everything back to the theme of what is race and how can it be defined. I don't know how the statement can be improved.
ReplyDeleteI think my group’s project only touched on the surface of this week’s analysis on race and identity. Like Leslie mentioned, we did not go in-depth and discuss the history of mixed-race people. I personally think it would have been better if we incorporated a few terms and themes we learned in class — to demonstrate our understanding a little better. However, I am proud of our artist statement and believes we don’t need to make any improvements because it followed the syllabus’ guideline and clearly explained everything we wanted to say.
ReplyDeleteThe song's message is related to the week's readings and importance of acceptance yet confusion among mixed race culture. I like how the statement mentions the effectiveness of music and song writing as a whole. The project matches the artist statement regarding the song being relatable and focusing on misconceptions with mixed race people. For the statement elaborate on what "diary format" is.
ReplyDeleteI'm Brown and I'm Proud" attempts to discuss issues of racial exclusion and how a young person embraces his racial/ethnic background. Though quaint and catchy, the song and statement lacks deeper analysis and just becomes a superficial understanding of Mixed Race experiences. It seems off from the exhibit themes of Race Traitors, War Baby/Love Child, and Mixed Race Box.
ReplyDeleteThis song really portrayed this week's reading about being mixed race. It talks about how other's think of the artist and the experience of being mixed race. The artist statement was very detailed and walked me through the experience of making this project, and I loved the paragraph about what it means to be an artist for this song.
ReplyDeleteChloe
Definitely appreciate in bringing in how people "internalize" mixed race in your statement. Your group brought many artistic and musical elements into the song piece. I just wonder why not all the group's voices are in here? At least some background singers. I think it would be nice.
ReplyDeleteI think this song addresses so many perspectives of mixed race individuals. The beginning address the "guessing game" and how others don't know where to start.
ReplyDeleteThen it addresses growing up experiences. Seeing these experiences through a mixed race lens show how even jokes follow racial ideas of boxing and categories
This was Ryan Tom
Delete