POP MUSIC final
Yo! MTV Raps
WHAT: American TV show that made debut in 1988; first hip hop show on the network -host=fab five freddy -attracted different audience than it aimed for -got involved in social issues; voting, safe sex WHY: crucial to spread of hip hop gloablly
MOR
WHAT: "middle of the road" : a commercial radio format and pop music genre in the 1970s -consisted of soft rock and easy listening -fight for audience and avoid station switching -safe, family-friendly music so people keep listening WHY: allowed for mainstream of all genres --> diminished genre markets -more competition in radio industry; strategy
stax records
WHAT: American soul record label founded by Steward and Axon Stax in Tennessee in 1960s -known as Hit Factory for their own songwriters and houseband -Otis Redding = Stax biggest star -Booker T. and the MGs; instrumental background band for singers in stax; racially integrated WHY: example of racial integration for america; involved in civil rights -released several hits in popular music in 60s
soft soul
WHAT: MOR genre consisting of philly sound, 1970s into today -vocal groups with clean produced songs -solo/funk base; updated Motown versions -rich strings and horns
singer-songwriter music
WHAT: MOR genre, consisting of personal and introspective songs that are reflective, intimate, and confessional -extension of folk music but personal -acoustic instruments -EX: James Taylor and Carole King -emerged in 1970s because of baby boomers getting married; reflect committed lovestory WHY: fit into 1970s society; social movements dwindling, gave people path to find meaning
soft rock
WHAT: MOR genre, mellow and slow tempo and acoustic instrumentation -safe lyrics like soft soul -EX: Elton john "tiny dancer" billy joel , fleetwood mac
MTV
WHAT: TV channel in the 1980s consisted of video jockeys who introduced videos to audiences -often featured rejected bands, like second british invasion -said to have ignored some audiences, rap and blacks -started to integrate because white artist started to feature black music -EX: only willing to play MJ bc of van halen solo WHY: rise of many artists -new technological medium for bands -for a while, demonstrated how conservative radio stations were -ad business: selling commercials
kool herc
WHAT: a jamaican-american dj credited with helping originate hip hop in the bronx in the 1980s and 1990s -sought out obscure records, played instrumental breaks until sounded like new records -"break spinning" ^^: "Apache" WHY: massive musical contributions to hip hop through invention of new techniques
freeform "FM" radio
WHAT: a radio station format in which DJ has total control over what's being played; contrasts with commercial radio stations -1940s/1950s: FM played classical/jazz and FM channels owned by AM station -1960s: progressive; radio with both FM and AM channels separately -played things not typically on radio; psychedelic rock -EX: KSAN: hippy radio station of the 1960s; diff songs and diverse audience WHY: allowed for more diversity in the mainstream -all about musical discovery -aided in the counter-culture
DIY
WHAT: a type of music where you can write about your own experiences -it asserts that rock should be open to everyone -played a key role in punk rock -imperfect music as a purposeful choice EX: The Ramones, the Clash
break dancing
WHAT: a way of dancing to hip hop in the 1980s; consists of a medley of moves, slides shuffling, robotic moves, leg whipes -started with gang members in dance battles, AA and hispanics -demanded to be heard at parties WHY: breakdancing affirmed that certain tracks were good for breaking -influenced DJs and Mrs who pioneered hip hop's earlier sound
grafitti
WHAT: act of people drawing or painting on walls after WWII, mostly illegally -started with teens from De Witt Clinton high in the bronx, became guerrilla arts rather than defiling -act of rebellion, anti-establishment during Reagan admin -kids used "tags" to conceal themselves -1980s: more so for artistic ends, hip hop used these designs for flyers and such WHY: facilitated the rise of hip hop, graffiti as an announcement of the existence of hip hop
college radio
WHAT: aired new wave music, source of truly freeform broadcasting that was not professional and commercial free and student run -diet of rock, r&b, and reggae -commercial springboard -commercial radio began to sound like college radio
AOR
WHAT: album oriented rock: focused on album tracks by rock artists -became a progressive rock radio of the 1970s WHY: causes freeform DJ to lose power -succeeded because people did not miss edgy stuff played on freeform --> wanted popular stuff
motown records
WHAT: american record label started by berry gordon jr and named after "motor" city of detroit; most prominent in 1960s and 1970s -a style of soul and pop music, such as Marvin Gaye "whats going on" and stevie wonder -greatest success story of AA businesses in country ; Gordy kept creativity and finances under AA control WHY: broke boundaries of race, religion, class, creating "sound of young america" -contribution of music from NY to LA
the monkees
WHAT: an american rockbound in the 1960s known for songs "Last train to clarksville" or "I'm a believer" -put together in hollywood, boyband to market as TV stars and popstars -had TV show called "The Monkees" WHY: raised important questions about authenticity, as they didn't play instruments at first and not rly rock -pioneered music video format, example for other boy bands -unique cultural phenomenon of melding TV and pop music
native tongues
WHAT: collection of late 1980s/early 90s hip hop artist known for their positive-minded and good-natured Afrocentric lyrics -people like De La Soul, queen latifah, a tribe called quest WHY: pioneered use of eclectic sampling and jazz-influenced beats -multi-ethnicity in mainstresm
the british invasion
WHAT: emergence of british groups and music into the american mainstream in the mid 1960s -america has previously been sending their music to britain, but this marked the reciprocal process -EX: the rolling stones, the who, the kinks WHY: put british music into the american market -new music/bands: the BEatles -American groups began to mimic british style aspects; fashion, haircuts, music -internationalized rock n roll
new jack swing
WHAT: fusion genre in 80s and 90s mix of rap with tradition pop -Teddy Riley developed it -balancing frequencies : what they're known for WHY" camouflage radio-unfriendly characteristics of rap
country rock
WHAT: genre in the 1960s and 1970s, fusion of country and rock -influenced by bluegrass and honky tonk -began with artists like Bob Dylan, the Byrds, Grateful Dead -the Eagles -often looked down by hippies (for the south's history) and country (lack of authenticity) WHY: key genre of the 1960s and early 1970s, synthesis of past genres
funk
WHAT: genre in the 196os and into 70s -built on "living in america" and catered to working class -originated in AA communities in the 1960s -mix of soul, jazz, and r&b to form a dance tune -Sly and the Family Stone --> psychedelic funk -James brown, stevie wonder
punk
WHAT: genre in the 1970s and 1980s characterized by resistance to mainstream rock -fast paced, hard edged, melodies/singing, anti-establishment lyrics -first began in NY, then moved to UK -returned back to simplicity, DIY elemtn WHY: extended rock conventions -key genre at the time
disco
WHAT: genre in the 1970s that emerged from US urban night life scene and recorded music in those clubs -DJ would play disco sounds at clubs -discos in NYC: money, sex, race; diff clubs for each segment -began to be signed by major labels -Donna summer "i feel love" WHY: opportunity for black popular music to enter mainstream -key genre of 1970s -correlated with the rise of the DJ
psychedelia
WHAT: genre of music influenced by the subculture of psychedelic drugs in the 1960s and 1970s -bands like the Byrds "Eight miles high" or Jimi Hendrix "May this be love" -free jazz, new guitar sounds -*improvisation was the hallmark* -main idea=expansion WHY: key genre of 1960s early 1970s comment on society at time -provoked questioning war and anti-burgeouis
metal
WHAT: genre of rock music in late 1960s early 1970s, largely in UK -black sabbath "paranoid" also led zeppelin and deep purple as pioneers -some crosses into the mainstream -guitar solos, loudness, amplified music, vigorous vocals, electric guitar WHY: -identified with subculture -devoted to music, not the mainstream -arguably most commercially successful genre of rock
girl groups
WHAT: groups consisting of young female singers that became prominent in 1960s/1970s; example=the Supremes -originated in NYC in brill building -typically consisted of safe music -target audience: preteen or slightly older women with subjects of women's liberation, empowerment WHY: allowed AAs to be role models for women; Diana ross -contributed to female liberation
run-D.M.C.
WHAT: hip hop group from queens in the 1980s led by produced rick rubin -first album in 1984 - > considered first great rap album -loud and abrasive sound, identifiable -"The Hip Hop Drought" : collaboration with walk this way WHY: one of the most influential acts in hip hop and first groups to break into mainstream -made rap acceptable for white suburban youths across US
public enemy
WHAT: hip hop group in 80s and 90s from NY known for their political music and criticism of american media -their minister of info said the jews were responsible for wickedness across society -however, band as a whole not viewed as anti-semetic -jamming, screeching tracks to highlight tension btw. blacks and whites WHY: rap's most politically charged group -introduced public to rap -reminded people that rap came from the streets
fragmentation
WHAT: idea that public audience is divided into segments -audeicnes had more in common back in the day because of media events being consumed at same time (live aid and grammys), national broadcast TV or radio being more common, and local broadcasting -audiences consume fewer music texts in cmmon -somewhat more democratic today because of things like soundcloud
max martin
WHAT: major songwriter of the past 20 years, born in Stockholm in 1971, wrote hits like "I kissed a girl" and "one more time" -also wrote for John Lennon and Paul McCartney -written nearly 2 dozen #1 hits -not a fan of celebrity culture: no public recording WHY: introduced revolutionary song-writing methods, like collaboration
iTunes store
WHAT: media library application developed by apple and prominent in 2003 -stressed dominant point of sale -allowed people to buy what they want; do not have to buy the whole album WHY: put pressure on record companies because selling songs for cheaper
EDC
WHAT: most famous festival of the new wave raves of EDM music -in Las Vegas, features dance-fests with a variety of head-liners -LED graphics, visual technology -2010 edc breakthrough for EDM resurgence -candy raver image WHY: represented techno-rave in American mainstream -brought US electronic dance music basck into the mainstream without negative connotations
the second british invasion
WHAT: music acts from the UK emerge into american mainstream in the 1970s -human league, duran duran -at the time, pop and rock tracks in a slump because of audience fragmentation and anti-disco backlash -characterized by synth pop and new wave -MTV played a huge role in this WHY: bring change to a wider audience -music associated with risk taking -led to rise of synth pop and glam metal and dance music -dominated charts
world beat
WHAT: music genre that blends rock and pop with world/traditional music in the 1980s -revitalization of music through appropriation of other music -Paul Simon: used afro-beats and rhythm from the 1950s WHY: raised subjects about power, control, domination between races -introduced AA cultural music in mainstream
napster
WHAT: peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing internet service that distributes music simultaneously, instantly, and for free -ran into copyright infringement case -sued by A&M records and others and lost WHY: changed the way music was distributed -also led to easy download of songs that were difficult to obtain
sampling
WHAT: pieces of existing records are isolated and digitally stored and reconstructed like a montage for a new track -controversial because of copyright laws -EX: De La Soul WHY: copy right laws emerge -affected hip hop ; sample fewer songs, less creativity with sampling
the Ramones
WHAT: punk rock band that formed in NYC in the 1970s -cited as the first punk rock band : "Blitzkrieg Bop" -loud fast straightforward musical style WHY:recaptured simple nature that pop strayed from -but with trash culture humor and minimalist guitar sound
david bowie
WHAT: rock star in the 1970s known for his performativity and androgynous persona -goes against macho rock authenticity -"Starman" WHY: revealed gender as a social contrustct -music and stage presence impact popular music -visual representation and self-reinvention
payola scandal
WHAT: scandal in the late 1950s of record labels illegally paying commercial radio stations to get music on the air -dick clark and alan freed were DJs in court for it WHY: -put power into station owners and made radio more mainstream -DJ's role diminishes, as radios play the same top 40s -DJ's replaced if did not play the songs being paid for
soundcloud rap
WHAT: swelling subgenre; creators' preferred streaming service -most vital and also most disruptive movement in hip hop; rebellious music, energy, occasions of malevolence -unpolished and youthful sound WHY: led to key artists like lil pump and XXX -led to music discovery with lowest barriers to enter
the loudness wars
WHAT: trend of increasing audio levels in recorded music -began with compression: dynamic range becomes far greater -believe louder songs catch attention and appeal to people more -compressed songs tire ear drum -grammyS: top songs=loudest WHY: demonstrates how our body is tied with music -way of making music has changed
glam
WHAT; a style of theatrical rock music in the 1970s, characterized by musicians who wore crazy costumes, makeup, and haristyles EX: david bowie -opposed macho rock authenticity WHY: allows for rock n roll conventions to be extended -influenced a ton of stars, Lady Gaga, Panic! at the disco
Sly and the family stone
WHO: 1960s racially mixed band from San Francisco known for their soul and psychedelic music -hit : "Everyday people" -followed trajectory of society; dressed like hippies, counter-culture -late 1960s w MLK assassination and vietnam war, became darker and less upbeat WHY: -songs were a force for positive change in 60s -connected with counter-culture -dominated later 1960s charts -1st american rock group to be racially and gender integrated
aretha franklin
WHO: american singer known for being the "queen of soul" and releasing pop tracks in the 1960s, such as "respect" -her vocals were gospel-based -signed by columbia records and then atlantic records -embodies multiple positions in black womanhood WHY: aided feminist movement, "respect" became anthem for feminist movement -revolutionized soul music with her unique sound and subjects
james brown
WHO: american singer, businessman, and entrepreneur in the 1960s and 1970s; known for being the hardest working man in show biz -his performances did not have a set form, different sections with freedom to improvise -extended form and improvised transitions -vocalS: short and sharp :"cold sweat" WHY: performed after MLK assassination to keep peace: social activism -left trademark on stage presence, model for others -shaped popular music with creative sound and performativity
De la Soul
WHO: an american hip hop trie in the late 1980s, praised for distinguishing themselves from mainstream rappers with new funk and hip ho -represented new masculinity at work, nerds @ school -sang about more friendly subjects like twister, not political -known for *SAMPLING* but this led to copyright issues WHY: led to copyright law that shapes future of recycling music forever -protect property without hurting creativity
beach boys/brian wilson
WHO: best selling and celebrated american group of the 1960s -"good vibrations" -brian wilson formed the beach boys; known for reverence of previous rock n roll artists -uniquely used recording studio as a musical instrument; microphones, multi-track recording, compression, echo WHY: spearheaded new stylistic possibilities and cultural contexts for rock n roll -brian wilson established model for many to follow as an innovative performer, writer, producer
grandmaster flash
WHO: dj during the 1980s responsible for many technological breakthroughs for DJs -made flashing matter -punch phasing -break spinning -mixed and entertained hip hop WHY: major contributions to technology of hip hop that still exist today
afrika bambaataa
WHO: dj in the 1980s from the bronx -founded zulu nation; collection of djs, breakers, graffiti artists -included bits of african, carib. soca music; multi-ethnic quality to hip hop -"planet rock" -influenced by kraftwerk -"master of records" WHY; -discovered tracks, featured and added them to hip hop canon -influneced development of hip hop -spread hip hop throughout world bc. of zulu nation
skrillex
WHO: electronic group likely most popular in the EDM scene -incorporates edm elements into his own rocktronica electro-dance genre -bulk of income from live shows -worth 15 million WHY: key player in resurgence of EDM into mainstream -rep. how artists tried to out-dazzle one another
the beatles
WHO: english rock band who was part of the british invasion in the mid 1960s and whose music dominated the american mainstream -used recording studio as a canvas -unique layering of sound, harder to pick out different instruments -earlier: live band, changed to studio band WHY: integral part of using popular music as an artform -developed counter-culture of the 1960s -not only changed musc, changed way it was made -responsible for british invasion of 1960s
phil spector
WHO: established songwriter and producer of the 1960s who had his own label "phillies records" by age 20 -preferred recording spot: LA -records had distinctive sound that was dense and clear, later known as "Wall of Sound" -achieved sound through multiple instruments, doubled each part, used ethos, vocal to front WHY: Phillis records created model for the production and marketing of pop/rock records -by recording in LA, shift from NY as base of popular music -wall of sound ry importance -the ronettes "be my baby"
dolly parton
WHO: female country singer from tennessee in the 1970s and 1980s known for "9 to 5" -epitome of feminism; counter orgs with exaggerated appearance -country music twang with no percussion WHY: country music more modern, appealed to time -first leading female singer in country, typically dominated by males -female empowerment
madonna
WHO: female pop singer in the 1990s known for visual self presentation, choreography, and dancing -typifies disco and dance music -used music videos like MJ -"Like a Virgin" -controversial about womanhood, Grammys initially ignored her WHY: female empowerment, key pop singer of the 90s
kraftwerk
WHO: german electronic band in the 1970s known for electronic music and songs such as "Trans Europe Express" and "Autobahn" -move from the past and not copy british music -new music with electronic synthesizers -experimental, improvisational -emphasis on timbre and rhythm; futuristic feel WHY: electronic music was a new emergence in the 1970s, kraftwerk facilitated it -influenced psychedelic rock -gave template for electro music
bob marley
WHO: jamaican singer and songwriter known as the pioneer of reggae in the 1960s/1970s -blend of moral, spiritual, political, commercial identities -frist figure of world music -social activism through resistant of vietnam war "i shot the sheriff" -seen as last rock star WHY: -worked through harmful raicsm -promoted peace during dark time in society -fought for freedom and rights -created reggae
the byrds
WHO: l.a. based folk rock group in the 1960s who were later influenced by psychedelia -somewhat paid tribute to bob dylan with their music -"Eight Miles High" or "Mr. Tambourine Man" WHY: key band in the folk rock movement; ignited genre -influenced by beatles and british invasion
the american indie movement
WHO: movement in the 1980s and early 1990s characterized by series of bands joining independent labels and their rise in popularity -started because there were great bands who'd never get signed by the majors -quality and importance over finance -cultural underground railroad WHY; reclamation of rock -personal connection to bands -introduced great artists: EX: The Strokes
michael jackson
WHO: pop artist during the 1980s who began as the greatest child prodigy in music past 1955 with "Jackson 5" -known for his music videos and interaction with audiences, performativity -also physical transformation raised questions about his stance on race -"Beat IT" 1982 WHY: know n as king of pop; one of the greatest entertainers of all time
lee abrams
WHO: radio consultant for more than 100 stations in the 1970s -created "superstars" radio format: played mostly pop rock artists like elton john and the eagles WHY: caused homogeneity in radio -accredited for developing AOR -promoted rock-radio programming
bruce springsteen
WHO: rock n roll artist of the 1980s who stands for core values of rock -honors being ordinary and commonplace -"born to run" -video era helped him rise WHY: satisfied urge to return to rock and roll that was forming in the 1970s -big on musical integrity: communicated that music should not be a commodity
the rolling stones
WHO: rock n roll band of the first british invasion in the mid 1960s known for major songs like "satisfaction" -often featured sexual lyrics, buzzing guitar -known for bad boy image (deliberately. contrast to the beatles) -experimented with instrumentation and unconventional forms: intensity, grit, darkness WHY: kept and continue to keep basic spirit of rock n roll alive -huge impact on youth culture and counter-culture
spotify
WHT: internet platform today that streams audio and operates as a business -it is an on demand platform, allows people to stream music based on their mood -affects habit of consumption's; makes playlists for its users -reveals psych tendencies: snowball effect WHY: -impact on creativity of composition -major most popular platform of music streaming
the twist
what: teen-oriented rock n roll dance in the 1960s with 12-bar blues structure -consisted of hip-swivelling -took hold when people saw it on TV show "American bandstand" -began with single by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters -Chubby Checker covered it WHY: brought rock n roll music to a broader audience -freeform dances after this inspired/accomplished pop music from 1960s onward
folk rock
what: term coined in 1965 with emergence of Bob Dylan's career; fusion of folk and rock genres -several artists: the birds, simon and garfunkel -sonny and cher: "I got you babe" -more serious subjects, sense of nostalgia WHY: fused rock and folk -important genre in the 1960s -folk rock often commented on society at the time : Bob dylan "blown in the wind"
the supremes
who: girl group in the 1960s; most successful of the tiem -based in NYC or motown label -had multiple number one hits; "Where did our love go" WHY: female empowerment, liberation -dominated charts
Fab Five Freddy
who: host of Yo! MTV rapes and promoted hip hop in general -organized graffiti artists for downtown art scene in the city -promoted rebellious and progressive art
brill building songwriters
who: served as base of operations in new york for some of the most talented songwriters in the early 1960s -worked with phil spector -rock's tin pan alley WHY: songwriters were center of American music industry that dominated charts in early 1960s
