"Now I don't know you/ You don't know me/ But I can show you/ Where is the beat/ You can do as you feel/ As long as you move/ Two perfect strangers/ Sharing a groove." That is a verse from, a 311 song. I choose to start my essay with that line because of its truth. Music is unity. It does amazing things. Not only is it a universal language, but it also brings different people together.
             Two weeks ago, Chris and I went to California for the Smoke Out Tour. Among the artists perrforming were Limp Bizkit, Redman, Gangstar, Pennywise, 311, System of a Down, and Cypress Hill. The work of these seven performers included hard core, rap, hip hop, punk, and acid-rock.
             When we decided to go to the show, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to. I wanted to see only three of the forty artists that played. Also, I wasn't sure what the audience would be like. With all of the hip hop and rap artists, I thought most of the people there would be gangsters. That was reason enough for me not to go. Even so, I was convinced into going, and I'm glad I was. When we arrived, I was surprised to see that the audience was a mix of white, black, and Hispanic people.
             For seven performances I was in the mosh pit. Three of the seven were hip hop artists I had never heard of before. I didn't know what to expect during these performances, so I was a little worried. To my surprise, the crowd was actually calm. The audience members remained in their own space, danced, and had a good time. When Pennywise played, I however, was pushed this way and that but I never had so much fun at a show. The best part about the show was that no one cared which artist the crowd was there to see. People were just happy to be there listening to music.
             I listen to everything from reggae, to R&B, and to punk. I even listen to Frank Sinatra. When people see me, they probably think I listen to 'NSYNC, Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and others. The...