why are there so few african-americans in metal?

1

Why Are There so Few African-Americans in Metal?

By Nicholas Pell Fri., Dec. 21 2012 at 9:25 AM

Anne Jakobsen

Long Beach-based metal band Hirax has a unique sound, blending the galloping beats of

the new wave of British heavy metal with the intensity of thrash. Katon W. De Pena's

operatic and aggressive vocals lead the way. Since 1984 De Pena, who is 49, has fronted the

legendary thrashers.

See also: Top 20 L.A. Metal Albums

He's also part of an elite club: metal bands with black singers. He's not entirely alone --

Jimi Hendrix and Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy blazed trails, and today we have Byron David

of God Forbid and Howard Jones, formerly of Killswitch Engage. And, of course, the late

'80s gave us Living Colour.

Though Latinos are common in metal, African-Americans are not. Why is that?

"These are questions that need to be asked," De Pena says, adding that although he's never

felt excluded, he's felt "misunderstood by other black folks. You get looked at differently if

you're black and into metal. I still get that today."

He believes many listen at home but are wary of stepping into the scene either because of

misconceptions about metal fans or peer pressure -- hip-hop continues to reign supreme,

after all. "There are tons of black kids who love metal, but they think that there won't be

any other black kids there and they won't be accepted."

Funk Gumbo Radio: http://www.live365.com/stations/sirhobson • @FUNKGUMBO • [email protected] • www.funkgumbo.com

http://blogs.laweekly.com/author.php?author_id=3315

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/10/top_20_los_angeles_metal_albums.php

http://www.live365.com/stations/sirhobson

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.funkgumbo.com/

2

He believes their anxieties are misplaced, however. "I think if black people went to shows,

they'd be stoked. It's not like what people hear about on talk shows." De Pena believes

metalheads to be an open-minded and accepting bunch. "People come from all religious

backgrounds, skin tones and hair lengths. I was more accepted because we're all outcasts

and misfits."

For what it's worth, De Pena himself was taken aback by the metal scene while cutting his

teeth. "I saw Motörhead on their first U.S. tour and it blew my fucking head off," he says,

"but it was kind of unnerving. When you see something that intense for the first time, it's a

weird feeling." Nonetheless, he was quickly drawn to both the music and subculture of

metal.

Apparently the metal scenes internationally tend to be more diverse. "The bulk of our

shows are overseas," he says, "In South America you notice a lot more black people. Even I

was surprised."

And things have changed since the days when Hirax was formed, albeit slowly. "It used to

be me and two other black guys. Now it's a couple dozen," he says.

"I'm very proud to lay groundwork for guys who will follow me in the future," he adds.

But it's not clear that he's talking about race anymore; De Pena is, over and above other

identities, a metalhead. "The thing that attracted me to metal is that I felt more at home

there than anywhere else. [It's] important for people to know they'll be welcomed in."

Hirax plays the Key Club tomorrow, Dec. 22.

Follow us on Twitter @LAWeeklyMusic, and like us at LAWeeklyMusic.


http://www.voiceplaces.com/key-club-los-angeles-2415910-l/

http://twitter.com/LAWeeklyMusic

http://www.facebook.com/LAWeeklyMusic




3

Comments Sort: Newest | Oldest

funkgumbo 5pts

Jan 18, 2013

Jipali, you should read this great Spin article called Red Menace which is about Exreme Metal in Cuba.

Maybe that will help you learn more about Hispanics in metal...Money Train with Funk Gumbo Radio

http://www.spin.com/articles/red-menace-inside-hidden-world-extreme-cuban-metal

ShareFlag

LikeReply

funkgumbo 5pts

Jan 18, 2013

And Funk Gumbo Radio also plays artists and bands like Janelle Monae, Prince, The Skins, Radkey,

Divinity Roxx, The FountNHead, Baby Baby, Skindred, Noiseaux, Alabama Shakes, Praise The Dead, Jimi

Hendrix, Ben Harper, Vintage Trouble, Slash, Lenny Kravitz, Death Grips, Nneka, Rise of Saturn, Carolina

Chocolate Drops, Pure Hell, Thin Lizzy, and many others.

The links to our Funk Gumbo Radio station and Pinterest board are below:


http://pinterest.com/funkgumboradio/artists-bands-on-funk-gumbo-radio/

ShareFlag

LikeReply


http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/12/african_americans_in_metal_black.php

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/12/african_americans_in_metal_black.php

http://www.myvoicenation.com/funkgumbo

http://www.spin.com/articles/red-menace-inside-hidden-world-extreme-cuban-metal



http://pinterest.com/funkgumboradio/artists-bands-on-funk-gumbo-radio/






4

funkgumbo 5pts

Jan 18, 2013

So before Nicholas tried to widely speculate why Blacks in general do not show in large numbers at

metal shows. He should have at least learned what Black owned radio station was already supporting

Hirax on our many social media outlets and playing Hirax’s songs--as well as all-if not-the vast majority

of Black Heavy Metal bands in the world. Contacting us might have greatly changed the writer’s limited

perspective and stereotypical assumptions about the commercial viability of Heavy Metal appealing

mainly to whites and not to Blacks. This does not even mention the Black rock group DEATH, another of

our station’s bands, from Detroit that was playing punk rock songs in the early 1970's several years

before anyone in the UK and the U.S. knew what punk rock was about. There is a huge global Black fan

base and multi-racial fan base of rock, metal and punk rock and it cannot be accurately or realistically

discussed by one merely trying to count how many Blacks attended Ozzfest this year, last year or in

years past.

ShareFlag

LikeReply

funkgumbo 5pts

Jan 18, 2013

This a good, simplistic and inquisitive article, but the article’s writer, Nicholas Pell, should have known

that there are far more Black Heavy Metal bands or Heavy Metal bands with Black lead singers than the

few he mentioned. We at the new funk/rock/alternative online radio station called Funk Gumbo Radio,

which is on www.Live365.com, regularly plays 24/7 Black rock/metal bands like Sound Barrier, God

Forbid, Black Death, Sevendust, Killswitch Engage, Straight Line Stitch, Bury Your Dead, Trash Talk,

HelixDown, Aviator, King's X, Black Vengeance, God's Weapon. We also have played a local all-white

Heavy Metal band like intakeCa as well many African Black Heavy Metal bands such as Mortal Soul

(Kenya), Skinflint (Botswana), Crystal Axis (Kenya), Witch (Zambia) and Last Year's Tragedy (Kenya).

ShareFlag

LikeReply




http://www.live365.com/






5

Jipali 5pts

Jan 8, 2013

Where are the hispanics in heavy metal?

ShareFlag

LikeReply

pluckinmageetar 5pts

Jan 7, 2013

Don't forget about Eric Gales Band!

ShareFlag

kdrumlab 5pts

Jan 7, 2013

Whether there are few African-Americans in Rock/Metal scene or less White Americans in the Hip-Hop

scene doesn't matter as much as the fact that Rock bands and Hip-Hop artists that happen to be White

get way more air play than those that are African-American. I remember, while living in Boston, MA in

the early 2000's, Eminem being in heavy rotation on both Rock and Hip-Hop stations. At the same time,

you never heard a song by Method Man or any other African-American rappers on any Rock stations.

Also a band like Fishbone, who's music was filtered way down for their early studio albums seemingly to

be made more accessible for the pop scene of the 80's, barely were on the air; especially on MTV, BET

and commercial radio. Even though their sound and image was "weird", fun and encompassed various

styles, comparable to Talking Heads, B 52's and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, they never received the

recognition that they deserved and still deserve.


http://www.myvoicenation.com/jtsinit

http://www.myvoicenation.com/pluckinmageetar

http://www.myvoicenation.com/kdrumlab




http://www.myvoicenation.com/jtsinit

http://www.myvoicenation.com/pluckinmageetar

http://www.myvoicenation.com/kdrumlab

6

I believe this is because the music industry (TV and radio) fear the impact of the mainstream world

witnessing brothas' and sistas' behavior- fueled by frustrations with racism, economic struggles and

other calamities faced in the world we live-through hardcore Rock/Metal music.

ShareFlag

2 LikeReply

meehespeaches 5pts

Jan 7, 2013

Because people regard it as "white" music. the world is made up of sheep who do whatever the ruling

class needs them to do and there is nothing the ruling class needs more than to divide, control and

conquer.

ShareFlag

1 LikeReply

420cheelin 5pts

Dec 24, 2012

Awesome question. I think a great follow-up article should be, "Why aren't there more Asians in

mariachi bands." Inquiring minds want to know !!!

ShareFlag

laxx1559 5pts


http://www.myvoicenation.com/meehespeaches

http://www.myvoicenation.com/420cheelin

http://www.myvoicenation.com/laxx1559




http://www.myvoicenation.com/wegjr42

http://www.myvoicenation.com/blakcitrus




http://www.myvoicenation.com/laxx1559

7

Dec 25, 2012

@420cheelin Makes no sense. Asian's have no connection to mariachi type music. Blacks created Rock.

ShareFlag

3 LikeReply

jfparr3 5pts

Dec 24, 2012

!!!SUFFOCATION!!!

ShareFlag

jonanamary 5pts

22 Dec

@TheRamblingElf really interesting. Have you heard of @Lainad's book on the subject too? Can't wait to

read it.

Reply on TwitterRetweetFavoriteShareFlag

LikeReply

David Maximilian Ramos 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Hello! What about Wicked Wisdom? Jada Pinkett Smith is the frontwoman!

ShareFlag



http://www.myvoicenation.com/jfparr3

http://www.twitter.com/#!/jonanamary

https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=282415564914298881


https://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=282415564914298881

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1590646487






http://www.myvoicenation.com/nicholasjamespell

http://www.myvoicenation.com/jfparr3

http://www.twitter.com/


8

LikeReply

This comment has been deleted

gaspazzio22 5pts

21 Dec

@LAWeekly LOLZ


Danielle Morrison 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Racism and segragation Period... even though the pioneers are black ex. Chuck Berry Jimi Hendrix, Bad

Brains, Fishbone. Black people straight invented Rock n Roll but they dont get the deserved credit.

ShareFlag

1

Alysha Walker 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Black people are in all kinds if music and represent every art form. The seeming absence has had more

to do with the challenges black artists face in "crossing over" to get the mainstream recognition their

white counterparts get. Case in point: www.afropunk.com

ShareFlag


http://www.twitter.com/#!/gaspazzio22











http://www.myvoicenation.com/blakcitrus


9

David Torres 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Wocka flocka is punk rap

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Win Chavez 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

BAD BRAINS you motherfuckers it's maybe not Metal but they're one of the greatest bands EVER

ShareFlag

Daniel Penunuri 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

present day rap and ego greedy capitalism ruins everything

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Daniel Smoo 5pts

Dec 21, 2012













10

Sepultura has a black singer. Also, local band Machete Dildo has a black singer. I've played shows where

there is a lot of pitting and headbanging by black guys and girls. I think death metal is more open

minded in regards to race. If its heavy with a good groove, people will dig it, regardless if you are a

sunburned eskimo with web feet. Black metal on the other hand...

LikeReply

Jesus Lopez 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

LA weekly needs to do more research on this hahaha

1

Carmene Jackson 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Agree with Jesus. And Ed, there are a lot of Asians in Metal. But like all things "mainstream/popular" it

looks homogenized from the surface.

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Bill Gray 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Yeah, Kevin... I was going to say something like that also. I like Metal. But I go for the more melodic stuff.

If it's just screaming, and thrusting out, I'm not really into it at all. :-)









http://www.myvoicenation.com/toomuchbooty4dapants



11

Kevin Hill 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Cuz it sounds like a bunch of screaming noise and has no sense of a True rhythm! Many Afro-Americans

love to dance, you can't dance to it...at least not in any way that looks good. Bahahhaha!

1 LikeReply

Bill Gray 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Oh, please! African Americans invented Rock and Roll. :-)

ShareFlag

1

Tyree Dawson 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

needs affirmative action

ShareFlag

LikeReply














12

Doug Gonzalez 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

BRUJERÍA-MATANDO H*****

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Legator Guitars 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Black Metal..you mean like Mayhem?

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Randy Armenta 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

No Koreans. But a lot of Japanese metal.

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Lesa O'Daniel 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Death (there's a new documentary coming out about them)... Bad Brains (who some label as punk, but

they prefer heavy metal categorization), Black Death...












13

Ed Kim 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Not a lot of Asians in Metal either. Don't see anyone whining/complaining.

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Jesus Lopez 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

theres a good amount of Brothas in metal, Oceano,Suffocation,Animals As Leaders,Trash Talk, Terror

Andrew Gardiner 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Mayne it's because most metal is made by skinheads

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Kenneth Hinegardner 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

why are there so few whites in rap?













14

Gina Lane 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

They have that punk festival in Brooklyn every summer. Are you sure that's accurate?

ShareFlag

LikeReply

Nick Capertina 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

Because they don't have good screaming voices. Sevendust sucked, the new lead singer of Killswitch was

too much like newer Disturbed, and I don't know any others?

cheko7 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

because they do have a rythm?

ShareFlag

LikeReply

LAWeeklyMusic moderator5pts

Dec 21, 2012




http://www.myvoicenation.com/cheko7

http://www.myvoicenation.com/LAWeeklyMusic








15

@cheko7 It's a racist, condescending and poorly-spelled hat trick!

ShareFlag

LikeReply

cheko7 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

@LAWeeklyMusic @cheko7 oh come on, grow up please!

ShareFlag

LikeReply

cheko7 5pts

Dec 21, 2012

@LAWeeklyMusic @cheko7 you cannot deny that jazz, r&b, and all the afro-caribbean rythms aren't

closely related to black culture? nothing racist about that!

ShareFlag

LikeReply

lastAtheist 5pts

21 Dec

Because they have better taste? @laweeklymusic *rimshot*










http://www.twitter.com/#!/savage1267










why are there so few african-americans in metal?

Documents