Why were the muses black?
Is it because of the stereotype that blacks are naturally good at singing? That they are the only ones who can possess "soul"? Because the ancient Grecians were white.
shareIt's funny but I never even wondered about it. XD I was too entertained to wonder why they had dark skin. I love the Muses. XD
shareThis topic is a mess, and entirely unnecessary. The Muses happened to black, and they were based off black American gospel singers. Quite frankly, it was a risk for Disney to take, and it turned out to work extremely well in the movie. They are easily the best expositional and vocal aspects in any Disney movie. Every song they were featured in was amazing, and I'm quite happy to have those songs in my music library.
And for the record, the voice actresses were not black. Look at the IMDB casting list. They're white as snow.
Whoa whoa whoa. I agree with the first part of your post, and of course the muses are black. But you're incorrect buddy. I know for a fact that the plump muse is voiced by Roz Ryan, I know her voice anywhere after years of watching her on television. And I'm pretty sure the rest were working black actress/singers. By working I mean some of them at least are pretty well known. Perhaps you're looking at the fates, who are white.
But this thread is quite ridiculous. Who cares?
What does it matter that the muses were black?
I think it might just be because they found that the vocal talents they wanted for their songs (which were kind of poppy-gospel) just happened to be black and they weren't going to have black vocalists and draw them as white people as it would give off a racist impression to the audience. I would say that might be why the muses were black.
Just my opinion...
Can't rain all the time...
An obvious answer that (curiously) no one else has suggested is that the movie revolves around gods. Gospel music, the type of music the muses sing, is written in praise of the Christian God. I think this suggests Mencken came up with the idea of an "ancient gospel choir" singing the praise of the Greek gods and heroes the story is about just like modern gospel singers (stereotypically black) sing the praises of God today. Another anachronistic joke from a movie brimming with type of humour.
I thought it was quite clever. :)
There may be something to what you say, but I remember watching a behind the secnes featurette where the directors said they hit upon the idea of including gospel music in the movie because the story had a very "gospel" feel to it, in terms of Herc's journey.
Oh yes, and @patrni91 - all the Muse singers were definitely black.
Supermodels...spoiled stupid little stick figures mit poofy lips who sink only about zemselves.