The Holy Profane: Religion in Black Popular Music - Softcover

Reed, Teresa L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813190924 ISBN 13: 9780813190921

Publisher: University Press of Kentucky, 2004

Synopsis

The Holy Profane explores the strong presence of religion in the secular music of twentieth-century African American artists as diverse as Rosetta Tharpe, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Tupac Shakur. Analyzing lyrics and the historical contexts that shaped those lyrics, Teresa L. Reed examines the link between West-African musical and religious culture and the way African Americans convey religious sentiment in styles ranging from blues, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, and gangsta rap.

About this title

Review:

Well told and full of strong anecdotes, Reed's book is a fine example of how the study of popular culture can be informed by the study of religion. - Publishers Weekly; ""Her treatment is, of necessity, multi-disciplinary, providing data and challenging ideas that will attract the attention of individuals well past the fans of pop culture."" - Choice

About the Author:

Teresa L. Reed is associate professor of music and director of the African American Studies Program at Tulsa University. She spent her childhood surrounded by the music of the black Pentecostal church.

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0813190924
• ISBN 13: 9780813190921
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200