The American culture has little to it, almost to the point of complete non-existence. Aside from the occasional Arthur Miller or F. Scott Fitzgerald, America does not have the most intellect driven culture; the most significant factor is America’s music, we are responsible for anywhere from the invention of Jazz to Rock & Roll. Needless to say when something is invented it typically spawns genius using its creator as
the host. In American history many great people with some of the most powerful minds to ever walk this Earth have graced our culture; not just ancient philosophers either. Our world has been bestowed with minds that can only be described as genius, these great individuals are none our modern day musical artists, and we hold them in highest regard culturally.
Many wonder, what is a genius and how do we determine that? Well, Webster defines a genius as a peculiar, distinctive or identifying character or spirit; without doubt I whole heartily agree. Genius is something odd, it’s one step from insanity and one step from perfection. Those who are regarded geniuses in my opinion are those who can embody two things: change and revolution. The people who represent those two ideas are other than our modern day iconic musicians; the musical game dangers.
Who are these “artists” of which I speak? There are nine artists worthy of being mentioned (only four will be focused upon): Marvin Gaye, Janis Joplin, Prince, Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Lou Reed, Lady Gaga and James Brown. We are going to focus on Marvin Gaye, Janis Joplin, Madonna and Prince because, they embody change and revolution; they are mavericks of change. These four greats’ social and political ideologies are what made them the legends they are in the same regards it makes them philosophers they are.