Will Bassing - Contemporary music vs. Gregorian Chanting

In class today we discussed music and different cultures.  I found most of these to either be soothing, or annoying.  One of the one’s a particularly liked was the Gregorian chanting.  I thought it was soothing and powerful at the same time.  I also think it was a great example of losing the sense of “self” through the performance of music, because there were many individuals but together they were all producing one voice.  It is almost comical when that style of music is compared to contemporary music, especially rap and hip-hop.  In most rap and hip-hop songs, the artist wants you to know how much money he has, how many and what kind of expensive cars he has, and how many women he spends the night with.  Today artists want a specific sound that can be associated with them, they want people to see how great they are and the things they have.  I think this reflects the motives of the performing artists.  Gregorian chanting is a solemn religious style of song, and contemporary music is done to make money.