pop songs ch 14
K.D. Lang
Canadian, country vibes came to attention in late 80s appeared on country top 40, grammy for best female vocal (country) image did not fit w/ Nashville- commercial for "meat stinks" campaign, came out in '92
Run-D.M.C.
MCs: Run and D.M.C. DJ: Jam Master Jay signed $1.5 mill deal with Adidas "Walk this way" with Aerosmith
Gangsta Rap
about dilemmas in urban communities- grim survivalist outlook w/ celebration of gangsta lifestyle avenue to express control, dominance over themselves controversy- images used to promote records played into negative stereotypes
Snooooooooop
aka Calvin Broadus, born in Long Beach album: Doggystyle '93 debuted at top of charts, included "What's my name?"
Difranco, Hill, and Lang
all 3 have "alternate" perspectives informed by historical knowledge go their genres all 3 committed to crewing music that engages w/ issues all 3 have achieved a degree of commercial success w/o compromising passion
Def Jam
both run dmc and Beastie boys released their albums under this record label 1984 co-founded by Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin
alternative music
by end of 90s almost every genre had subcategories alternative dance, alt pop/rock, alt country, alt country rock, alt comtemporary, alt metal, alt rap
Nirvana
commercial breakthrough in 92 2 multiplatinum albums 92-94, moved style into mainstream debut album: Bleach of '89 dave grohl, kurt cobain, krist novoselic
hardcore
developed in West Coat clubs variation of punk from early 80s in SF and LA frenzied energy of Sex pistols and pushed limits from surfer culture and into skate culture
"not a pretty girl"
difranco '95 lyrics: self-revealing- repines to man who wronged her, society's treatment of women minimalist studio sound, focused on guitar and voice
Beastie Boys
finged to Def Jam in 85 Krush Groove: first films to deal w/ hip hop toured as openers for Madonna and Run DMC
Techno
focused on Djs and producers attempt to remain anonymous small groups roots traced to detroit blacks living in white suburb in 80s developed it began to diversify in 90s- influenced by punk, art music, hip-hop key to rise of rave
Ani Difranco
folk singer in punk clothes avoided corporate music business built independent label mid 90s mainstream noticed her homey music 1996 album Dilate on billboard top 100 living in Clip became her first gold album little plastic castle was her highest charting album
Lauryn Hill
hip hop artist conscious to sexist lyrics of Biggie, 2pac, Dre inspired by Queen Latifah started career with the Fugees album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill shot to #1
"Holiday in Cambodia" Dead Kennedys
independent label alt tentacles in 1981 lyrics: sarcastic as shit written by lead singer Eric Boucher directed at spoiled suburban kids opens with scary guitar, hendrix inspired and band builds to very fast tempo
"What's my name?"
intended to crossover to pop charts- released a "clean" version for radio play enters with scratchy sound reminiscent on public enemy texture gets smoother, more dance-oriented sound medium-tempo dance groove established by drum machine and keyboard synthesizer lyrics: gangsta persona and street cred quintessential pop record, perfect for dance clubs
REM
interpretation of punk w/ folk rock and catchy hooks
"Nowhere to Stand"
lang, album Absolut Touch and Twang traditional 4-line verses and repeated triple meter chorus lyrics: untraditional country, child abuse begins quietly w/ guitar and voice, intensity builds as message of song becomes clear chorus is when we see message of song
Grunge- Seattle sound
mid 80s-mid 90s sub-genre of alt rock w/ punk and heavy metal heavily distorted electric guitar and contrasting song dynamics lyrics: angst, social alienation, frustrated, sad, depressed record label: sub pop
hip hop break outs 80-90s
mid-80s rap moved to pop mainstream 1986 release of 1st 2 multiplatinum rap albums: Run DMC (#3 pop charts) and Beastie Boys (#1 for 7 weeks) expansion of audience was key to success; rebelliousness of genre attracted white fans
doo wop and importance to hip hop
mixes sweet and assertive rapping R&B horns and digital groove serious and playful
N.W.A.
music expressed gangsta lifestyle, sex, violence 1986 Compton, CA Ice Cube- middle class L.A. Dr. Dre- sometimes member of funk group World Class Wreckin' Cru
House
named after gay dance club in Chicago pioneered by DJ Frankie Knuckles 79-83 purely instrumental, elements of Eurpoean synth-pop, reggae, rap, jazz, latin soul over an insistent beat
"Smells like teen spirit"
off Nevermind top 10 hit combo of heavy metal instrumental and pop song writing combines 4 chord navy metal harmonic progression w/ formal structure of 4,8, and 12 bar sections
album Nevermind
released in 91, quickly sold out reached #1 in 92, remained on charts for 5 yrs sold 10 mill+ copies
Alt rock 80-90s
strong underground rock scenes REM (georgia) and Sonic Youth (NY)
dance music in 90s
up-tempo, repetitive: developed in club scenes NY, Detroit, Chicago influences from Europe dozens of subcategories
"Doo Wop (that thing)"
written and performed by Lauryn combines 50s R&B- 4 part vocal harmony and horn section, w/ her sexist observations starts w/ reminiscence of good ol days digital drum machines groove into her first rap directed towards girls tells girls to be more selective with sex & avoid hypocrisy then to men: shitting on the "tough guy" rappers and calling them mommas boys and immature
