Assignment task:
Prompt: Compare Billie Holiday's version of "Strange Fruit" to Kanye West's "Blood on the Leaves" (lyrics were handed out in class). Billie Holiday was willing to risk her freedom and/or life to perform "Strange Fruit." If she were alive today, consider what she would think of Kanye's sampling of the lyrics to her song. Respond to the following questions: Does Kanye's sampling of "Strange Fruit" degrade the sacredness of this anti-lynching protest song? Why or why not? Or is Kanye's sampling of "Strange Fruit" merely evolution of African American Vernacular Traditions? A way to keep the message alive in modern society? Or is it offensive?