A friend here has done a brilliant work, breaking down the Marlian nonsense for what it is. He took time to dig into the guy’s lyrical library, to situate some of the anti-social tendencies that are being associated with the ‘group’.
His response was a timely one as we have just begun to notice here a groundswell of opinion playing down the Marlian thing as just another fad and nothing to be concerned about, as it will blow over.
Of course, it is futile expecting unanimity on any matter, least being this. Indeed, to weigh in as accommodating and liberal is the more socially correct thing to do. But then, some have even gone further to make it a generational thing, citing colourful or lewd lyrics that were generated in the previous eras.
Well-meaning as some of these interventions glorifying marlianism or downplaying it as some fad, they might not be in full grasp of the peculiarities of the different eras and the possible implications of that which they will have us let be.
Music and musicians have always thrived more on the edge. But no era offers the opportunity for anti-social music and behaviour to ‘blow’ as the one we live in. What is it that thing that distinguishes this era from the rest? It is the INTERNET.
The internet is the ENABLER that serves as fuel and lubricant for what otherwise might have only just confined itself to a life as street lingo or a behaviour within only selected segment, turning into a bushfire during the harmattan season.
I doubt that the Marlian craze would have as much a catch-on as it has had but for the internet. Reason why we must be more circumspect with what we excuse, endorse, or downplay, otherwise we might be enabling what we do not necessarily subscribe to.
Unlike the previous eras where music was distributed through a more restricted structure, with radio and television being the most important tools for dissemination, with all kinds of filters and regulatory mechanisms in place, that is not as much the case today.
Many of those citing lyrics from previous eras probably do not even know that those songs never made it to the Radio or TV, as they were adjudged not fit for broadcast. That some attained street credibility does not mean that they were accepted by the larger society then or they represented the ideals or values of those generations. It will be sad to see this generation see itself defined as the Marlian generation given the impressive body of work by other members of the generation.
We have a situation today where the internet is not just the leading distributor of music and video to a mass audience, with limited filters in place, we have a situation where the social network platforms are serving as instruments for shaping cultures and determining what is socially appropriate or not, socialising people into all sorts. That is why we have to be more careful.
We already have a situation where schools leave DJs to play all kinds of songs at Children’s parties, mouthing all sorts of obscenities and inanities, with adults either carried away or too lost to properly process what is going on.
We have a situation where some corporate institutions are giving wings to music that should not make it to a public broadcasting platform by laying them in their Television Commercials which not only enjoy massive rotation but find a way to intrude into what we once tagged the family belt in broadcasting.
A lot has gone downhill already. Many neither see it for what it is or what the future portends on account of it. The fringe is going mainstream, dictating lingo, style and trends. Debauchery cannot be labelled a fad. Mainstreaming debauchery cannot but come with negative consequences. It might not be socially correct speaking out. But some must do. For the sake of tomorrow.
- 08012020
