Music 1600
how recordings reach us?
1996: CDs, albums 2016:internet, single songs, streaming, or MP3
how recordings are made?
1996: high-quality records require you to book a studio singers had to hit the right pitch or they sound bad 2016: software can do everything, auto tune fixed wrong pitches
how we pay for music?
1996: person to person payment for the physical product 2016: payment for file streaming, indirect payment for being subjected to ads
how we hear recordings?
1996: stereos with speakers, portable cd player with headphones 2016: computers, phones
American Popular Music is. .
A tool for the construction of listeners identities. A mirror that reflects America's cultural values, social structures, and economic conditions. A craft based in artistic expression, which is dependent upon the creativity of its makers.
Radiohead
British alt-rock band blended punk influenced rock with experimental sounds experimented with new models of music distribution
Hip Hop goes mainstream..
Mid 1980s, drew wide base of listeners and became profitable Breakin movie played a role in mainstreaming hip hop Rappers Delight and The Message expanded hip hop beyond NYC.
Who wrote, produced and recorded "When Doves Cry"?
PRINCE [1984]
When Doves Cry [1984]
Prince did everything, even played instruments used synthesizers, had no bass blended funk, disco, and hard rock released two versions , long/short video tied to film Purple Rain
Her first album (1989) was a official pop album, won a Grammy for "Album of the Year" and had three #1 hits.
Taylor Swift
Generation X
a label attached to Americans born between mid 1960s-1980. seen as distrustful of authority figures, anxious, unmotivated (slackers) associated with Grunge movement due to disaffected lyrics and sloppy clothing.
mainstream hip hop
aimed toward mainstream commercial success [MC Hammer] ; led to backlash (wasn't authentic enough)
Alternative Music in the 1990s..
alternative "indie" became most common word to describe countermovent. every genre of popular music has an "alt-" version. tied to questions concerning commercialism in popular music.
conscious hip hop
based on social issues, including race. [Public Enemy]
MCs in early hip hop
began as host of large dance parties with DJs started rapping over break beats rhyming turned in verbal bragging
Doo Wop (that thing)
blended rapped verses with elements of 1950 R&B and 1960 soul soul-style singing on chorus, back up harmonies lyrics ridiculed gangsta men and warned the women who sleep with them
Smell like Teen Spirit
blends intensity and timbres of hardcore punk with elements of pop like, a clear melody, quiet verses and loud choruses. video reflects a subversive version of a high school pep rally lyrics: sense of unease, helplessness, and dissatisfaction
digital sampling
borrowing of prerecorded music on new hip hop recordings
Run DMC and Beastie Boys
both had extremely successful albums in 1986 released on New Def Jam Records, produced by Rick Ruban blended rock and rap elements [raprock] members came from middle-class families, all attended college
In 1990s, country In 2000-10s, country
country borrows from rock. country borrows from hip-hop.
The Message
example of social criticism lyrics depict bleakness of ghetto life, danger of crime made larger with a synthesizer [keyboard]
Taylor Swift
financially, well-off, supportive family moved to Nashville to start country music career (14 yrs old) debut album released when she was 16. multiple Grammys. all songs written exclusively or collaboratively by herself. lyrics focused on her romantic life appealing to younger audiences.
Rappers Delight [1979]
first big hip hop record produced by Sylvia Robinson based on groove from Chic's Good Times (lead to a lawsuit) popularized rap beyond NYC the SugarHill Gang
Nirvana
grunge band from Washington State fronted by singer-guitarist Kurt Cobain. on had 3 full length albums from 1984-1994 provoked fans and tried to shock new followers
21st Technological Changes in Music
had 4 different categories
Blank Space [2014]
had a synth pop style. beat had a hip hop groove. straight forward chorus with bridge. lyrics still centered around her love life, turned into a satire.
the production of a celebrity in 1980s
industry put all eggs in a few baskets [Michael Jackson] powerful marketing: video, movies, interviews, tours
Grandmaster Flash and Furious Five
influential hip hop group, formed in 1979, active 5 years worked with Sylvia
gangsta rap
lyrics based in criminal lifestyle [NWA] became most popular, profitable sub-genre of hip hop led to public arguments at a time of racial tensions rivalry between East and West coast led to murder of Tupac/Biggie
Walk This Way
originally written/recorded by Aerosmith, their popularity faded their version was a natural fit for a raprock remake. remake was a crossover hit
Beginning of Hip-Hop
originated in Bronx as neighborhood music economically depressed, few opportunities began with black and Latino DJs spinning records in public included more than music: break dancing, graffiti art, and fashion.
Music borrowing in hip-hop
originated with the borrowing of funk/disco, by DJs. mid-1980s, recorded audio had gone digital with use of CDS and audio tapes. late 1980s, hip hop sampled from older records creating a sonic collage of past music.
Prince [Prince Rogers Nelson] life
parents from Louisiana, mixed race, identified as black, both parents were musicians. grew up in Minneapolis parents divorced, unstable home. talented on multiple instruments sexual orientation lead to controversy changed his name to a symbol [1993-2001] died in 2016 from overdose.
Prince's Music and Influence
recorded music and some haven't been released. influenced black musical styles 1984-film "Purple Rain" soundtrack was a best seller long tradition of film and music tie-ins elaborately marketed by Warner Brothers
Who Am I? Whats my name? [1993]
reference to Snoops earlier collab with Dre. heavily sampled George Clinton, he got co-author credit. word play, heavy use of slang, gangsta bragging, cop killing, etc.
bro country
rock or rap based in country pop
Country Pop
since 1970, country singers had crossover success on mainstream pop charts. is a countermovement. ex: "urban country" film pushed mainstream embrace of country pop music.
Kurt Cobain
singer-guitarist struggled with depression, heroin addiction committed suicide in 1994, age 27
Bodysnatchers
sonic power of alt-rock guitar driven, heavy distortion, halfway through atmosphere changes lyrics: alienation, powerlessness, a metaphor for musicians relationships to big record labels
Lauryn Hill
started career with the Fugees, a hip hop group in 1990 solo album won 5 Grammys
Grunge Rock [1990s]
style of alternative rock from Pacific NW, especially Seattle. draws from punk rock and heavy metal originated in mid-1980s as a regional style, became best known alt-rock in 1990. use of electric guitar with timbre altered through heavy electric distortion, intense screaming. lyrics reflected dark subjects: anxiety, depression, ect.
G-Funk
style of gangsta rap developed by Dr. Dre slower speed, laid back feel frequent sampled from funk musician 'George Clinton'
DJs in early hip hop
used existing disco/funk to create a new kind of music turntables modified, combined and changed songs
Neo-traditional Country
when country pop clings to country roots.
1900s Hip Hop Diversification
when hip hop grew and split into different styles.
Who wrote and recorded Smells like Teen Spirit [1991]
written and recorded by Nirvana
who wrote and recorded BodySnatchers?
written and recorded by Radiohead [2007]
Who recorded and produced "Who Am I? (Whats my name?) [1993]
written by George Clinton, Gary Shider, Snoop Dog, and David Spradley produced by Dr. Dre recorded by Snoop Dog
Who wrote and recorded "Walk This Way"? [1986]
written by Joe Perry and Steven Tyler [1975] recorded by Run DMC w/ Aerosmith [1986]
Who wrote and recorded "The Message"?
written by Sylvia Robinson, Ed Fletcher, and Melle Mel recorded by Grandmaster Flash and Furious Five
Who wrote, recorded and produced Blank Space [2014]
written by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback produced by Shellback, and Max Martin recorded by Taylor Swift
