Inheritance from the region
Interpretations of values, social mores and acceptable modes of behaviour can vary from region to region, even though the manifestations of these thought processes could possibly be inspired by the same initial stimulus. On several occasions I have enjoyed mini cab rides with drivers of Bengali or Pakistani heritage, because they seem to love singing. I have read in the past that several Muslim sects do not approve of extravagance in music making, because the art form is regarded as an intoxicant of sorts.
The music of Morocco is attractive, but I can’t say that I am familiar with a lot of sounds from most of the Arabic speaking world. Whenever I read or hear the ideas of poets, journalists and authors from those parts however, I am usually enthralled by the florid use of words in their expression.
At the risk of stereotyping the strengths of particular heritages and cultures, there is no doubt that most of us carry some of the impulses of our forbears, which we find ways to express in updated modes to suit the times we live in.
If this is the case, then one can only hope that eventually we shall hear, see and feel sounds, colours, words, gestures and textures coming from formally trained Black British artists that remind us of who our forbears were.
Trifling things such as the use of languages, turns of phrase and mannerisms are only the sizzle. Content and intentions are the steaks – that come from within.
