Task 3

Historical Text

The Specials

The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English 2 Tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rock steady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups. The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude boy outfits (pork pie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers)." In 1980, the song "Too Much Too Young", the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP reached number one in the charts. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart.

How is it similar/different to your main text?

It is similar to my text as it is a music video. It is also similar to my text, because it is not the normal mainstream track which everyone would normally listen to. The songs are also about money, or the lack of it.

The difference between these two texts are that The Specials' song had a meaning to it, and the main reason for the song was to inform people, but Nines' track was to entertain.

How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?

The genre is obviously different to rap, but the issues and society have remained the same. This is because; the song “Ghost town” Was about unemployment and riots. This taps into a lot of rap songs, especially Chip’s SBTV F64 where does talk about unemployment. Also, both songs came out after riots which mean those riots may have the reason those songs came out, with those particular lyrics.

I think the society between 2011 and 1981 has changed a lot. But in regards to the riots, they were rioting for the same things, unemployment and the treatment of black people.

N.W.A

How is it similar/different to your main text?

Both texts are rap music that provide a negative connotation due to their content of their lyrics and what most of their lyrics are about.

Obviously, the time and also the place are factors that cause it to be different. Also, the genre of rap now has a larger following than ever before, meaning more and more people have seen the videos and heart the content of the music in this time. This causes more opinions to be thrown out.

How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?

Both texts are the genre of rap. N.W.A is arguably the pioneers of rap music and the negative representation of women and the glorification of drugs and money. Rap music now is the same. Women, drugs and money are seen to be a good thing to aspire to, just like music in 2014.

The difference in society is that it isn’t just N.W.A or an equivalent, but there are much more artists and groups and gangs which means there is larger rumours of violence in the tracks and more people listen to rap now than before.