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Sounds like momentum


As the 2016 Olympics are winding down, I find myself reflecting on the truly inspirational seventeen days that the world has witnessed. Watching these individuals as they altered time and space around them to execute superhuman feats, I was especially struck by the fluidity of their physical prowess. They found the key to using the forces of physics to their advantage. They turned the forces aligned against them into allied forces to propel them. The sheer joy of moving within that moment must be exhilarating, especially considering the road to that experience. Whether or not they are bringing home medals to their respective countries, for all of these world-class athletes, their journeys toward Olympic glory weathered familiar challenges. For some, the path may have been frustratingly syncopated. Each trajectory riddled with exhaustive combinations of steps forwards and backwards. Yet even as the path towards realizing their Olympic dreams tested their physical and mental limits, each athlete faithfully--and sometimes painfully—carried on towards their goal. As many have attested, finding the strength within was sometimes nearly impossible. A little outside inspiration can be magical, and many looked to music for that extra pound of motivation. Music's ubiquitous role for these Olympians was visibly undeniable during the course of the events. Many athletes could be seen with a set of headphones cradling their heads and accenting their facial determination during their few moments of mental focus for their push towards Olympic gold. Whether joyously bouncing around during their preparation, quietly diving into their focused mental space, or using a previously curated music mix for floor routines, music was the (additional) fuel that helped to propel their momentum against forces aligned.

While my personal athletic goals may not hover at Olympian heights, they are still ambitious goals in their own right. Granted, music is already ubiquitous in my world, but I have been lucky enough to experience its true power as adrenaline and an energy source to align my own adversarial forces to work with me. The majestic sonic wall of an amplified chord, the sublime potency of a fluid melody, heavyweight rhythms of thundering percussion, these have all incanted my spirit to achieve what sometimes seems virtually impossible.

From the personal, to the political, the power still amazes and energizes in the same fashion.

Adding to the usual drama of competitive sports, these Olympics were set against a particularly volatile global stage. Around the world, catastrophes--man-made and natural--have been collectively pushing us closer towards and up against social and political adversities to our livelihood and well-being. Whether reacting against violent manifestations of fear and terror, the struggle against oppression and bigotry, or a rallying cry for a more sustainable lifestyle, our voices have become a little louder, our strides a little stronger, and our (com)passions have become a little deeper as we all navigate through our collective test towards better living.

The Refugee team at the 2016 Olympics was another stark reminder of our current crucial times. Time and again, music has been the fuse and the fire towards unleashing the indomitable spirit within us to help us stand up against those negative forces in the world. My awe and respect for those athletes was especially pronounced. I wondered how much of their worlds were constantly aligned against them and the strength and stamina they required to use those forces that opposed them.

In celebration of this energy, and the courage to rise above forces, the playlist, Sounds like Momentum explores burgeoning musical movements in some of those countries that made particular marks for the 2016 Olympics. Whether they addressing social ills or empowering those who have felt voiceless in the past, these movements are examples of music inspiring talent to move time and space and create momentum through adversity. Check out music from the following:

Brazil

As a natural progression to the current economic challenges that it has been faced with, Brazil is currently undergoing major social and cultural shifts. With these shifts, some have said that the new independent sound of Brazil is much more critical and outspoken. These sounds and perspectives are brilliantly captured in the biting social critique of Brazilian rapper, Criolo, São Paulo funk trio Metá Metá's colorful and cutting edge, jazz-influenced style, and the raucous, dance music fury of Mariana Da Cruz.

Canada

For the past couple of years, several of Canada's independent music scenes have been finally getting the long-overdue attention it deserves. Beyond the usual suspects that have become household names, there is a wealth amazingly talented artists who are merging their craft with socially-conscious lyrics and themes.

Montreal's Nomadic Massive and Ottawa's Blakdenim are both experts in using their mixture of hip-hop prowess and diverse musical genres to spotlight social ills both in Canada and worldwide. In the same fashion, the eclectic and hypnotic music of Alysha Brilla includes subject matter that tackles the immigrant experience, as well as racial and gender issues.

Chile

Chile's current vanguard of new artists are the results of the slow but steady flourishing of the arts and music after the fall of the Pinochet regime of the early 80's. While that may seem like a long time, it has not detracted from the vibrancy and urgency flowing through its current music scene. Check out the socially-conscious soulful flow of French-Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux, the electro-pop sensibilities of the group, Astro, or the dance rock of Adrianigual.

China

Since the revolt at Tiannenman Square in 1989, young Chinese began to question their country's social and political aspects that many previously just accepted. As a result, scenes of independent music have been erupting throughout Chinese youth culture. More recently, the concerning effects of rising Consumerism have directed current Chinese youth towards the power of punk and raucous independent music. New Beijing-based artists like Chui Wan, Queen Sea Big Shark and Second Hand Rose combine elements of western independent rock and traditional Chinese musical elements to create a unique soundscape to carry their social commentary on modern Chinese culture. As China's first all-female punk band, Hang On the Box craft visceral songs addressing sex and relationship issues with pure vibrancy.

Egypt

Since the Arab Spring, music has been the engine to fuel and propel the ideas and revolutionary spirit central to much of Egypt's new music. Artists from different genres--traditional and experimental--have embraced this maverick spirit to create music that is not afraid to challenge the social issues of the day.

With her accordian by her side, Youssra El Hawary creates disarmingly lilting music in the spirit of traditional Egyptian music and the french chanson to create biting commentary on current Egyptian life. Straight out of Cairo, Myam Mahmoud injects her fluid lyrical skill with her passion and determination towards women's rights. The raw, electronic beats of Egyptian mahragan has become the current musical vehicle to express daily struggles of Egyptians. Madfaageya is currently one of the artists mixing this genre with other eclectic styles to further spotlight these struggles.

Kenya

Kenyan music has long had a history of political commentary and lyrical protest. While these days, it may not flourish as much as it had in the past, there are still some artists who still include this social edge in their compostions. The 6-piece Murfy's fLaw is one of the few predominantly-female Kenyan "alternative rock" bands. The unique eclectic soundscape of Just A Band still inspires many new Kenyan artists to incorporate seemingly disparate genres into their musical stew. The soulful H_art the Band infuses their sound with heavy lyrics that speak to the everyday struggles of the Kenyan citizens.


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