What is World Music?

World music is often used as a catch-all category encompassing virtually any music which  doesn’t fit into the mainstream popular categories; rock, pop, dance, urban, folk. World Music is often synonymous with traditional music or folk music composed and played by   native people of a specific region. However it should be noted that world music is not exclusively traditional folk music as it can also refer to modern cutting-edge pop music styles. 

The world has got smaller - people are travelling more frequently, and to further afield, experiencing different cultures. This has fuelled the growth of the World Music category, as well as demand for the genre. However the category is still not as popular as it’s mainstream counterparts such as pop or rock in the European market. It fails to resonate with a large number of people, and due to it’s lack of widespread popularity it doesn’t receive the support of the global media to help it’s promotion.   

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

Theodore Adorno takes the stance that popular music is a mass produced commodity, stating that the ‘fundamental characteristic of popular music is standardisation’, using the idea of part interchangeability and pseudo individualism to support his view. However, Gendron argues against Adorno, believing that music is consumed differently to other mass produced commodities. He believes that the context of the song is fundamental; artists can in their own way change the true meaning of a song through their performance of it. For example, the contrasting versions of ‘My Way’, one by Sinatra and the other by the Sex Pistols.   

Defining something as an ‘Art Form’ does have difficulties as you have to consider what constitutes ‘art’. If we use this idea in terms of music, we have to question, who is the artist, writer, or performer? Some people believe that  shows such as ‘The X-Factor’ provide us with creative, talented young artists such as Leona Lewis or Alexandra Burke. However, the ‘X-Factor’ is a prime example of Adorno’s Pseudo individualism as the winner for the past four years has released a cover version rather than being given the chance to write and perform their own music.        

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

Richard A. Peterson’s article entitled ‘Why 1955?’ tries to explain the formation of the Rock and Roll era by focusing heavily on the social context of the time. Peterson claims that there are six key elements that brought about the birth of Rock and Roll; law, technology, industry structure, organisational structure, occupational careers and market but considers no other factors. 

One fundamental problem with Peterson’s theory is that it is based on the assumption that Rock and Roll began in 1955. However, it is very hard to pinpoint an actual date. Critics have other beliefs, with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine suggesting that Elvis’s 1954 hit ‘That’s All Right Mama’ was the very first rock and roll song. Another flaw with ‘why 1955?’ is that Peterson does not mention the actual music itself, instead he chooses to discuss the circumstances that came together to produce a form of music. He fails to address the excitement that was to ensue this new era of liberating music or how much of a ground breaking phenomena it was, especially with teenagers. It is apparent he has no real feel for the music itself.  

Is it reasonable to consider Rock music is gendered male?

Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant – all synonymous with rock n roll ‘cool’, and feature in the top ten ‘Greatest Artists of all time’ polled in Rolling Stone magazine. The characteristics of the genre - the fuzzy, over amplified guitars, and lyrics celebrating women and cars lend themselves to an inherent masculinity. Notably, the only female representative in the top ten was Aretha Franklin. Bayton stresses that females are more prominent in pop music, where they take the lead of the vocalist. Are women simply less talented, or under represented due to the male dominance in the rock industry? Certainly music journalism influences our understanding of the rock genre. The discrimination of female rock artists is prevalent, focussing largely on discrediting them for their private lives as opposed to their musical success; Courtney Love has been continually slandered by the press for her drug addiction and child welfare dispute. Conversely, when the private lives of male rock artists such as Ronnie Wood and the Gallagher brothers are displayed in the media, it’s often dismissed as simply ‘the sex, drugs & rock n roll’ lifestyle.