What Is World Music?

Traditionally world music was viewed as anything that wasn’t Anglo American Music, Still this can be widely argued as there is no true definition, it is merely a matter of perception. To some Turkish Rap or Egyptian Pop could be considered as World Music, whereas to others Music which incorporates the ‘Local’ Language (Non English), Instruments or Rhythms is World Music, But it can be argued that Popular Western (Anglo American) Songs incorporate these elements (Eg ‘Pitbull- I Know you want me’ Xzhibit – Concentrate’) still many argue that World Music is just a marketing ploy to group music that won’t fall into any other category whereas others see it as some different or alternative to mainstream music. Ultimately although Anglo American music is considered ‘Mainstream’ due to its global influence world music can differ from nation to nation and with the development, growth and accessibility of the Internet along with a lot of western Films and Theatre incorporating ‘world Music’, Exposure is being increased potentially further blurring the lines between ‘World and Global Music.

Is popular music a mass produced commodity or a genuine art form?

When one first thinks of Art often the words Creative, Original and possibly unique come to mind and although this could have once been true pop songs (when the mould was first created) I feel this is no longer the case. Adorno states that ‘The popular music industry is an all consuming production line that churns out mass produced, inferior commodities’ claiming that the structure has been ‘Standardized’. Still this can be understood by realising popular music is not consumed in the same way other commodities are, for example if you like a particular flavour of crisps your more inclined to buy it again, whereas if you like a particular song you are not going to purchase the song over and over again. Instead you are going to by tracks that have a similar sound, style or connotation whether by the same artist or not. Ultimately a ‘mould’ has been created in which many follow, is there really a difference between Five, Blue and JLS (Simply Pseudo Individualization)

How useful is a production of culture perspective in understanding the birth of Rock & Roll?

In 2004 Richard Peterson presented us with a theory on why he believed the Production of culture (‘symbolic elements of culture are shaped by the systems within which they are created, distributed, evaluated, taught, and preserved.’) lead to the birth of Rock n Roll. In this theory he claims disapproves myths such as Rock n Roll being a result of the baby boom and the development of the new teenager and Rock n Roll being born because of such stars as Elvis Presley. In this theory Peterson covers Six factors (Law, Technology, Industry Structure, Organisation Structure, Occupational career and the Market) in which he believes lead to the birth of Rock n Roll developing on each one creating somewhat of a time line. Still one major flaw in this theory is it fails to show why Rock n Roll was so successful, it merely shows that there was a lead up to a new kind of music but fails to show why Rock n Roll became and why that particular mix of music worked so well

Is it reasonable to consider that Rock music is male gendered?

Female equality has come a long way, Still it seems they do not receive the same recognition for it, in a 2003 Top 50 guitar players list not one woman was able to grace the list, though if any consolation there were two in the Top 100 but one asks why this is the case. We all know lead guitarists are developed not born (though some element of talent is) but social parameters allow it so the guitar is considered the male domain, with such genres as rock closely following suit. Some may argue it’s a physical issue, claiming the guitar was designed for the male others claim the lyrical content and mannerism of Rock was designed to be performed by a males a strictly boys only club and for a female to join club they have to be considered one of the ‘boys’ like Janis Joplin. So considering Rock’s background, Image and fundamental instruments its fair to say its gendered male with female’s only really either being acknowledged as part of the content of the songs.