Introduction
Aesthetic music is important in providing listeners with the unique experience that makes them enjoy the rhythm and harmonization of songs. Many people are interested in listening to music that has the ability to present the beauty and human enjoyment desired by fans (Bowman 2). Music needs to fulfil emotional needs of listeners and create the aesthetic valuation in terms of tone, tempos, the taste and judgement (Davis 61). The fact that music has the ability to affect emotions and intellectual capacity of the society means that artists ought to compose and perform songs that offer unique exposure while moving ahead to improve the welfare of the society (Daykin 2). Such great musical works have been proved by both contemporary artists of the 90s such as Diplo and those who were popular in the 80s such as Prince. The two artists are recognised for their contribution to providing the best experience to listeners and ensuring that they appreciate the efforts done by artists in adding flavour musical compositions. The two artists are acknowledged for having played a key role in writing songs for musicians, who through their songs, have shown the extent to which cool music enhances the welfare of society. This essay, therefore, compares Diplo to Prince in discussing ways through which elements of aesthetics present themselves in their works.
Thomas Wesley Pentz whose stage name is Diplo was born on November 10, 1978, in Mississippi and grew up to become a record producer, songwriter, and business person. The capabilities of Diplo have seen him take various roles besides being involved in the musical world where he has played the role of a teacher in Philadelphia and is also an entrepreneur managing Mad Decent records. Diplo’s capabilities have seen him work with popular celebrities in the music industry including the likes of Usher, Chris Brown and Beyoncé. The fact that Diplo is a deejay, rapper, record producer and songwriter put him in the list of the coolest artists of modern time. Diplo is also interested in dancehall music where he is the lead member of the Major Lazer dancing group. Diplo’s music such as 2013 EP Revolutions has made a significant impact both in the local and international arena with big firms like Hyundai and WWE using the song in their commercials. Just like other musicians who have grown to fame from their mentors, Diplo owes much appreciation to M.I.A, a British musician who was instrumental in exposing Diplo to the music industry. Diplo is among the musicians from a multicultural setting since he is of German and English descent thereby proving that music is key to bringing together individuals from different cultural groups. However, having spent much of his early childhood in the U.S, Diplo adopted the culture in America where he initially acquired rapping skills. His artistic works have gained much credit from the public due to the aesthetic value derived from his music such that people get to enjoy an organic and cohesive piece that has attention grabbing effect on listeners. Rising from a little-known deejay, Diplo represents the contemporary artists who have managed to take off successfully and landed significant collaborations with famous artists. His passion for aesthetic value in music he produces saw him acquire the services of a Brazilian dancing crew, the Bonde do Role that shows the kind of energy and fascination everyone would want to witness in a dancing group. The ability to tour and learn from the culture of other artists globally has seen Diplo improve his music profession in a way that makes him use variety of sounds in producing captivating music. The primary focus for Diplo is to ensure that his music creates the impression of the excitement that ought to accompany cool music that satisfies the needs and expectations of everyone in the society. Diplo’s songs and collaborations have been instrumental in changing the perception of people about the world since through collaborating with fellow artists, Diplo has advocated for ways through which everyone could play a role in creating a safer society through peace missions. Such is the kind of artists contemporary societies need since besides relying on music as a form of entertainment, they go ahead to address ways through which the future could be sustained. The passion to help little known music scenes gain attention has influenced travelling of Diplo where he has played a significant role in raising the profile of underground artists by giving them the opportunity to appear in television pieces. Diplo has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and has gone ahead to win awards such as the best dancing recording and producer of the year in non-classical genre.
Musical career of Prince
The fact that Diplo exhibits great function of voice, storytelling ability, general influence and creativity in his art make him comparable to artists such as Prince Rogers Nelson who made a global impact through his songs, multi-instrumentation ability and records produced. Prince through in a different genre from Diplo’s proved the extent to which musicians need to go if they are to make a significant impact in the society. His energy and passion for music earned him the title of music innovator and was widely recognized for his eclectic performance on stage. Like Diplo, Prince developed the passion for music at a younger age where he went ahead and made his debut at the age of 18.
Among the early songs to be released by Prince included, For You in 1978, Dirty Mind in 1980 and Controversy in 1981 that received major acclamation from listeners globally. Prince music also brings the concept of how individuals could grow up in a multicultural environment and become among the most influential people in the society considering the fact that he was an African American. However, to a larger extent, it is possible to rely on the fact that Prince could have been influenced into music by his father who was a pianist and songwriter and stressed the fact that he would have wished Prince to have the passion for music. His mentor, Jimmy Kim played a key role in improving the musical talent of Prince and linking him with mastery of various musical instruments that are important ion enhancing aesthetic value in songs.
Similarities between Diplo and Prince
Both artists proved to have impacted positively on a large number of fans through their musical mastery. Driven by the passion for music, the two artists believed that it is possible to bring people together through music and that good music plays a significant role in providing a unique experience in the society. While Diplo had the German descent, Prince was an African American thereby proving the ability for artists to cope in a multicultural environment through the use of music to influence the masses. The value of enhancing aesthetics in music is delivered in the great works of both artists such that they understand the important of improving their music through a rhythmic and harmonic organization of their work. The fact that both artists are songwriters made them realise the need to ensure that they compose songs that could be used by popular artists which in the end improves the profile of both musicians. The main focus of all music is to ensure that listeners experience the beauty and enjoyment in all the aspects that in the end everyone would want to listen more of the songs not only at the time when they are released but for a longer period (DeWitt 115).
Besides the need to bring the attention of listeners through music, the two artists also realise the need to express their emotions in their songs with efforts on the need to bring peace in the society. The tone, tempos and the tastes of their music are elements that have contributed to the aesthetics of music (Gfeller, Christ and Knutson 391). Instrumental music needs to have the capacity to communicate emotions and images among the listeners and be able to formulate a story capable of raising the attention of listeners (Prest 3). The two artist identify the fact that music has the potential to trigger emotions if listeners and that the compositional structure, as well as the playfulness of the music, need to incite the passion of listeners. Music is, therefore, a tool that needs to be used to create a good atmosphere in the society and provide a situation where the society can learn from the message delivered in the songs (Bowman 2). Such is the value that both Diplo and Prince have attached to their work in efforts to promote songs that could be understood by those in a multicultural environment.
Differences in the works of the two artists
While Diplo concentrated on rap, Prince’s music was made up of rock, R&B, Soul and pop with dancing used to enhance a great experience for viewers and listeners. Prince was able to achieve major success in his work since, in the 80s, genres such as soul and pop were among the most preferred by listeners. The ability to integrate a variety of styles in his profession was among the key elements that enabled Prince to sell hundred millions of copies and hence becoming one of the best sellers in history. Prince went ahead to become a favourite in the rock category which then made him be recognised as one of the greatest artists of all time. As for Diplo, he uses rap to influence his fans but still manages to write songs for artists in the rap and R&B categories including famous individual like Beyoncé, Shakira, and Chris Brown.
Prince also relied more on the use of instruments including vocal guitar, bass guitar, drums and keyboards that are not widely used in the rap genre. In addition, Prince was known for his flamboyant stage presence and extravagant dress and makeup, unlike Diplo, who relies on neither of the elements the former used to create the unique atmosphere among listeners and viewers. The other key difference that is evident between the two artists is the fact that while Diplo is focused on travelling in other nations trying to identify unique talents and giving artists a platform to prove themselves. Prince focused mainly on the local scene and only travelled when he had concerts to perform in other countries.
Conclusion
The fact that music has the ability to affect emotions and intellectual capacity of the society means that artists need to compose and be able to perform songs that offer unique exposure while moving ahead to improve the welfare of the society. Such great musical works have been proved by both contemporary artists of the 90s such as Diplo and those who were popular in the 80s such as Prince. The value of enhancing aesthetics in music is delivered in the great work of both artists such that they understand the importance of improving their music through the rhythmic and harmonic organization of their work. The fact that both artists are songwriters made them realise the need to ensure that they compose songs that could be used by popular artists which in the end improves the profile of both artists. The main focus of music is to ensure that listeners experience the beauty and enjoyment in all the aspects that in the end everyone would want to listen more of the songs not only at the time when they are released but for a longer period.
Works Cited
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Davis, Anita. "Aesthetic Response to Choral Music: Response Comparisons of Performer- Participants and Non-Performer Respondents." International Journal of Research in Choral Singing (2003): 60-68. Document.
Daykin, Norma. "The Role of Music in an Arts-based Qualitative Inquiry." International Journal of Qualitative Methods (2004): 1-10. Document.
DeWitt, Tom. "Visual Music: Searching for an Aesthetic." Pergamon Journals (1987): 115-132. Document.
Gfeller, Kate, Aaron Christ and John Knutson. "Musical Backgrounds, Listening Habits, and Aesthetic Enjoyment of Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients." J Am Acad Audiol (2000): 390-406. Document.
Prest, Anita. "The Importance of Context, Reflection, Interaction, and Consequence in Rural Music Education Practice." Journal of Research in Rural Education (2013): 2-12. Document.
