MUSI 3200 "Pop & Dance Music 90s"

What is the topic of the lecture from March 16, 2026?

Pop and Dance Music in the 1990s

Which Michael Jackson song from 1991 is featured in the slides, and what is its central theme?

"Black or White" from the album Dangerous (1991). Its central theme is racial equality, encapsulated in the repeated lyric, "it don't matter if you're black or white."

According to the slides, what small group discussion question was posed about Michael Jackson's "Black or White"?

"What does this song tell us about attitudes toward race and racism in the early 1990s? Use evidence from the music or lyrics to support your claims."

Who was En Vogue, and what musical style were they associated with?

En Vogue was an R&B vocal group from Oakland, California, who debuted in 1990. They were associated with the New Jack Swing style

What is a key example of En Vogue's work from 1992, and what social theme does it address?

"Free Your Mind" from the album Funky Divas (1992). The song directly confronts prejudice, stereotyping, and racism

Who played electric guitar on En Vogue's "Free Your Mind," and who directed its music video?

Jinx Jones played the electric guitar. Mark Romanek directed the music video, which won MTV Video Music Awards

What lyrical example from En Vogue's "Free Your Mind" challenges stereotypes about appearance and race?

Examples include:

• "I wear tight clothing, high heeled shoes / It doesn't mean that I'm a prostitute"

• "I might date another race or color / It doesn't mean I don't like my strong black brothers"

What is the repeated, central message of En Vogue's "Free Your Mind"?

"Free your mind and the rest will follow / Be color blind, don't be so shallow."

What is Madonna's song "Vogue" (1990) known for celebrating?

It celebrates self-expression, imagination, and inclusivity, particularly through the dance style of voguing. The lyrics state, "It makes no difference if you're black or white / If you're a boy or a girl."

What album was Madonna's "Vogue" originally from, and who were its writers/producers?

It was the closing track on the I'm Breathless album (music from and inspired by the film Dick Tracy). It was written and produced by Madonna and Shep Pettibone (Sire Records)

Who choreographed the iconic dance moves for Madonna's "Vogue" music video?

The choreography was done by voguing pioneers Luis Camacho and Jose Gutierrez of the House of Xtravaganza

What common lyrical theme about race appears in both Michael Jackson's "Black or White" (1991) and Madonna's "Vogue" (1990)?

Both songs contain lyrics stating that race does not matter. Jackson sings "it don't matter if you're black or white," while Madonna sings "it makes no difference if you're black or white."