The Music That Moves and Inspires Me (Alphabet "G" ) | My Artist Playlist: R&B and Soul: MARVIN GAYE

That's why I've always believed that music is universal. I feel it's one thing that brings people together that they all can appreciate. They understand without being able to speak each other's native tongue. Music is not only a way to express one's feelings, but also a way to relieve stress anxiety, or tension. In other words, it helps to calm you.

On the other hand, music can be used to excite an individual, a group, or a nation. It can be a rallying cry for social issues or just an inspiration to a nation. To me, music portrays a message. The message can be universal also, or it can be personal and interpreted individually. It means something to all and to each person.

Numerous genres within music exist for everyone's listening pleasure. I once heard that there now exists over a thousand genres. From some of the main genres such as, Reggae, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, Classical, Hip-Hop Latin, Alternative, Rhythm and Blues, subgroups exist that encompasses music for everyone's taste.

According to Today's 2018 article, it's well established through research that "music is the universal language of mankind." This quote was made by poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow over 200 years go. However, the essence of music is ancient. Many examples throughout Europe, from the rising sounds of organs in cathedrals, across the world to Buddhist singing bowls, to the continent of Africa's drum beats, have been documented how humans utilize music to transcend, heal, inspire, or connect its people in religion and culture. ²

Music can also be a part of a people's heritage that is passed down from one generation to the next. For example, when I think about the music from my heritage, I think about the music and songs from my enslaved ancestors brought about by the Atlantic Slave Trade practices.

For victims of slavery, music was a way to express their feelings. The music they produced was borne out of tradition. It didn't matter if the feelings they portrayed were of hardships they were facing; sorrow for their plight; joy to be alive despite their circumstances;, hope for a better day to come; or, inspiration in knowing God would deliver them from their bondage whether they were still alive to see it. They would sing in harmony. They would pass down those songs from one generation to the next. They would teach their descendants the meanings of each . These lyrics enveloped and created an entire genre of music known as "Negro Spirituals".

In the U.S., the African-Americn music evolved into some interesting genres such as Soul and Rhythm and Blues (R&B). Over the decades, the music produced has left a profound effect on the music industry with amazing artists and songwriters.

Today's music list singer I want to highlight and share with you is from the alphabet "G" and consists of the following artist:

MARVIN GAYE

For three decades, Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr., also known as Mr. Marvin Gaye or the Prince of Soul, touched people's lives on the domestic as well as the international stage.

He was one the most prolific and talented African-American musical artists. Marvin was born in 1939 in Washington, D.C. He died in 1984. Motown was his home where he was a soul singer.

I grew up in the early 60s when Marvin first came on the came. He was powerful and dynamic. His voice was melodious. I'd never heard anyone sing with the smoothness. The sound made it even seem as though he wasn't singing with any stress in his voice.

Marvin, like numerous other soul singers, began singing in the church. In fact, it was his father's church. Music was his peace he retreated to. After being discovered by Berry Gordy of Motown, Marvin was recognized for his voice range

Later, he became a songwriter that tackled important and controversial issues of his era. I'd say he was an activist in song awakening people's eyes to the true state of the country and the plight of many impoverished and underrepresented.

It was during 1970 that Marvin became an activist. He was inspired by the political upheaval the Vietnam War was causing. He wrote his most prolific and monumental song What's Going On. Of course, Gordy valuing his record empire and label, wasn't pleased. However, Marin forged ahead. The song was released the next year and became an instant success both in the U.S. and abroad. ³

Of all the music by Marvin Gaye, three of his songs I share with you today touched me deeply. I listen to them daily, and they will forever be a part of my music playlist collection:

"Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)"

^{Official music video for Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) courtesy of YouTube}

"What's Going On"

^{Official music video for [NameofVideo] courtesy of YouTube}

"Trouble Man"

^{Official music video for Trouble Man courtesy of YouTube}

During his lifetime, Marvin Gaye was awarded several honors which includes the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ³