critical Review 10: Hamm

Hamm takes a critical approach to examining Simon's "Graceland" album and its effect or lack of effect on troubling race relations in South Africa. Upon receiving criticism, Simon and supporters have defended the album, claiming that it focuses on South African music, the musicians benefit financially from the recording and publicity, addressing political content in the music may have put the musicians' musical careers in danger, and it publicly protests racism because of its "mixed-racial character" (page 299). Hamm explains that the album was popular in South Africa, but primarily among whites; the album was pricey and sold mostly in locations in which whites shopped, and it received positive reviews by the press and newspapers in South Africa. Hamm argues that the members of the band Simon played with, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, were actually fairly wealthy to begin and were not particularly or actively concerned with the struggles for black liberation in South Africa. Furthermore, Hamm explains, the South African government permitted blacks and whites to attend the same popular music performances, and so Simon was not really challenging race relations with his music. In fact, the music may have actually been perpetuating racial stereotypes that African music is all about percussion and should serve as the background in a song, and that the black man is willing and privaleged to assist the white man. Overall, Hamm contends that musicians such as Simon who incorporate music of countries that are in political turmoil are ultimately just taking advantage of the media attention focused on these countries for the profit of the musician and the music industry.

Question:
Are there ways in which such CDs as "Graceland" can benefit the social and political situations of such countries as South Africa, even if the music does not specifically address these issues? Is it immoral for a musician to selfishly take advantage of such situations as Hamm discusses, even if it is ultimately beneficial and promotes awareness and action? Is it immoral if it does nothing for the country or culture?