Cultural Easter eggs

The R&B King, Usher, has once again made history during his halftime performance at the Superbowl. For music and pop culture enthusiasts, this is one of the most awaited presentations for the year. It would be big for the artist if he or she is announced as the performer for the year. This means that millions of individuals not only in the United States, but also across the globe, will be watching them perform. It is an opportunity not to miss. It is a show not just to share great music, but to tell a story and to convey a message.

In one review that I read, Usher made several cultural Easter eggs in the span of the 13 minutes that he was given to perform. He started off in a regal attire, sitting on a throne as he portrayed himself as the king of the said genre. His performance reveals the different gems of his discography. This included the contribution of colored individuals to pop culture. For instance, he made a tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson, when he threw one of his gloves. There were also several symbols referring to different colored icons in the music industry such as Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and many others.

This man, who has been in the industry since his teens, knew that he had to pay homage to the culture that raised him. It is important to highlight the importance of music throughout the years as it is a reflection of one's society at a specific time and place. Music is an art form, an intangible object that defines emotions and tells a story. However, the Philippines lacks appreciation for this industry. They regard it as low-paying and a no-brainer, a misnomer that has never been changed until today.

Over the weekend, ‘90's OPM band Rivermaya held their reunion concert. It was the first time that all original band members were seen completely on stage. They gave the feeling of nostalgia to fans who were with them during their peak and the new generation that has learned to love their music. It brings people together and explains the times that we are going through. The number of people who attended is an indicator that the power of performance transcends beyond other forms of convergence. It is a different experience in itself.

This National Arts Month, it is high time for the local government units to invest in this art form. It is not always about visual arts or paintings, among others. There are other forms that also express our daily ordeals which are able to archive a piece of our history. Remember the songs that are anthems of the different phases of your lives? Similarly, they are able to document society as a whole. Musicians need our support as they hold a great part in forming culture in the everyday scenario. Imagine life without music; what a deafening silence that must be.