There is an almost universally
shared opinion that this past decade has been the worst decade for music in
recent music history. Whenever I search for music video for a certain artist or
act on YouTube, there is always a comment about how the state of the music
industry is disintegrating. There is plenty of discussion throughout the
Internet regarding to finding the reason why so many people are unhappy with
what mainstream music is churned out in the past few years.
As for my own opinion, I hold two
beliefs that can explain why current mainstream music is poorly received in
general.
Music Industry is Bankrupt- Most
major labels are desperate to make a quick buck to save the industry. Therefore
in order to make a quick buck, the record industry is pushing songs and artists
that appeal to the lowest common denominator (sex, drugs, and teenage girl
fantasies) which can collectively be summarized in the video below.
NOTE: K’ronikka’s Booty Wave is not available on
I-Tunes unfortunately.
Billboard adding separate charts for
different genres of music- Throughout the 60’s to 90’s the Billboard Hot 100
featured songs from various genres of music. Therefore, many people who
listened on the radio and kept track of the Hot 100 would be exposed to genres
of music that they would not be normally exposed to. When Billboard started to
make more charts dedicated to specific genres of music (Hot Mainstream Rock
Tracks, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, etc.), listeners did not have the same
opportunities to find artists as easily as they once did. As of now, the
Billboard Hot 100 features pop music while the other genres of music are
isolated in their own specialized charts. Therefore fans of only pop music
could be satisfied with the mass airplay of the songs featured on the Billboard
Hot 100.
Do you believe that mainstream music
is popular or unpopular with the masses?
What is your reasoning in believing
so?
What is would you believe is the
most/least popular decade of music and why?
What do you feel music will be like
in 10 to 20 years?
What are your musical tastes and are
they well represented in mainstream music?
SAPPY MORAL OF THE BLOG: Some of the best music that is near and dear
to my heart are classified in genres of music that I did not normally listened
to at first. Try to expand your musical horizons because there is so much great
music waiting to be heard and you are surrounded by it. While watching a music
video, try clicking on one of the related videos in the related videos column
on YouTube for once. (I promise that you are not going to break your finger by
doing this.)
Any other thoughts or personal
opinions about this matter would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
PERSONAL OPINION: Before anyone asks me, I do not think that
the 2000’s were the worst decade in recent music history. In fact, I think that
the 2000’s are the most underrated decade in recent music history.
I believe mainstream music is popular with the masses because it gives people common ground to listen to music to. People like to have common music to listen to with their friends while driving, parties, or concerts, etc. There are a large group of people that choose to separate from the norm therefore they stay away from popular music. The least popular music of this decide is probably rock music. So many genres have split away from rock so there is no one genre of classic rock anymore.
ReplyDeleteIn the next 20 years, I believe music will be more computerized than now. Voices will be changed and music will have a technology sound to it. My musical tastes are kind of represented in mainstream music. I like all genres of music, but country is my favorite. I hear the popular country, but I also listen to old country that isn't popular anymore. I believe that my favorite bands and artists have not been found through mainstream music. They were found by my friends and myself who listened to random playlists and heard a song randomly.
I definitely believe main stream music is popular within the masses. It's pretty much the only music I listen to if I am understanding this idea of mainstream music. I am not a music expert by any means, I turn on the radio or look up artist on Pandora I like. I don't even have an ipod or itunes, yes I am behind in the music world but I do enjoy listening to music. So, I guess I usually only listen to mainstream music because that is always whats playing on those stations. When a popular song comes on it's something you and friends can bond over and have a good time to. So mainstream music is definitely popular with the masses. I have no idea what music goes with what decade, but I would probably go with the 90's; yes the music is fun to joke around too but I wouldn't listen to it on the regular. All I can think about with 90's is Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys.
ReplyDeleteIn ten to twenty years I think that music will be a lot of the techno things we hear now; so very computerized or in my hopes and dreams it will all be country and old school music. I am not a rap fan but techno and rap are fun to dance to to their are always exceptions. It's hard to say but I definitely think very computerized even more so than now; or even something cray like inted of listening to music you feel it.
I think most people look down upon the current music industry because it’s an industry that revolves around computers. Until the late nineties you had to have true talent in order to become a popular musician. Maybe artists nowadays rely so heavily on computers that there aren’t actually instruments played during a performance. I think this is one of the problems. Older generations have lost all interest in listening to current music. With such a large amount of the public not willing to buy music anymore there’s no wonder why the industry is bankrupt. Instead of trying to make a quick buck the industry needs to return to its roots, making music again and not a combination of random sounds together with someone singing that without a computer couldn’t hit a single note correctly. Computers might be the downfall of the whole industry by not only making it a no skill business, but also making it very easy to download the music illegally. So, if the industry wants to make money again they need to sign artists who are actually talented. Some songs only have maybe five different lines that are just repeated over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting to see how everyone is commenting on how computerized music is become. Both in terms of vocals and how it is purchased/downloaded. Will you are making very strong comments about how “computers might be the downfall of the whole industry.” I don’t think this is necessarily true. Yes, it opens the door to less talented singers, but it also creates a new form or media. Say for example, there is an individual who writes amazing lyrics but isn’t the best singer. Yes, they could be a song writer and sell their songs, but what if they want to sing/their own words with the world? Computerized songs, while serving no comparison to the real thing, open the doors for more individuals. In addition, computerized songs has helped create a new genre of electric dance mixes. Is this my favorite music? No. Nothing compares to true vocals. But I think the computerized aspects in the music industry provide for a chance of change and growth. Rather than making it easier to download music, it can serve to reach a broader audience with advertising or provide more free listening sites like Pandora or grooveshark.
DeleteThe funny thing is I was just talking to a friend how nothing beats 90’s and early 2000’s music, which held the last songs that were like the 90s. And do not get me started on anything that is 80s and before, because that is pure creative genius. I think that mainstream music is popular according to the masses or else it would not be mainstream music. Now as for me I could not tell you too many songs that they play on the radio. The problem is that it is a new era and I feel the music now is harder to appreciate. Everyone knows the Beatles and Michael Jackson are pure innovators of music, but no one has stepped up to that roll today. Lil Wayne will always be eclipsed by the Biggie and Tupac that 90’s graced us with. I could not even imagine the music in 20 years, but I feel we are migrating to an era dominated by rap and MGMT like songs with groups, such as Fun.. Me I prefer the musical styling’s of bands, such as the Dropkick Murphys, Reel Big Fish, Title Fight, and Blink-182.
ReplyDeleteI believe mainstream music is popular with the masses. There is a reason why pop stars, such as lady gaga and rihanna, are extremely. They sell, they have a vast market that generates revenue. In fact, one of the reasons why I think music has gotten worse over the years, is because of the popularity of main stream music. People just want to hear a dance or club track, and not really take into account the meaning or the message of the song. Hence, the major music labels are now targeting and releasing more songs like this. I believe in twenty years, the quality of music will have greatly improved. People will get tired of the same old dance music, and will want something fresh.
ReplyDeleteI think that mainstream music is popular with it's target demographics of pre-teens, teens, and people in their early twenties. While it may not have wide spread acceptance from other age groups (the majority) this is not a requirement for the music industry to make money which is their main object. I think every decade has iconic figures that promote the popularity for the decade for instances Michael Jackson in the 80's Elvis Presley in 50's and Justin Beiber in the 10's and thus picking a most popular decade is impossible because everyone is popular. The future of the music industry is a mystery to me because music often reflects our cultures values and I don’t really know what our culture will be like in 20 years. I usually only lesson to music while I’m studying or doing homework so the majority of the music I listen to doesn’t have lyrics because I find it distracting. So some genres that I listen to our techno, classical, and dubstep. I don’t know if I would call my taste in music mainstream my type of music is pretty popular but I don’t think it’s as popular and mainstream as pop and rap.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the music today is just as popular with the present generation as it was in previous decades. It is a fact that the music industry is changing due to illegal music downloading and the rise of the internet. However I believe that the industry can and will find a way to turn the tables in its favor in the future. The fact is that it is the only way the industry as a whole can survive. I defiantly think that the music today is semi popular and is probably seen as inferior by some because it is different from other previous generations of music.
ReplyDeleteMainstream music is simply the music that everyone likes. Everyone likes the music nowadays because we live in a technological era so people like hearing voices that are super auto tuned because it sounds "computery"
ReplyDeleteOK not really. I don't believe that there is anything such as bad music. No one can really say that the music of this generation sucks because if its mainstream, it's popular with the masses, so it must be good. Then again, "good" varies from person to person. While I personally don't enjoy listening to those rap musics about sex, drugs, booze and swooze, i certainly don't degrade it. I'd rather listen to Foo Fighters or Rise Against. The most popular music would have to be the era now, simply because it's mainstream and we have a bigger population than before if I recall correctly. Down the future, in 10-20 years, I feel like the music will return back to the 90s a little bit. Pop rock is becoming more of a thing these days, like Passion Pit.
My musical tastes are Rock/Punk Rock mainly, but I'm pretty open. Some artists I listen to are Foo Fighters, Rise Against, Blink 182, Passion Pit, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Against Me! I feel like rock is getting more recognition these days because during the grammys, Foo Fighters took home 5 grammys! 5! That really shows that people are starting to look past the technology that goes behind most pop songs today and really listen to the instruments.
Mainstream music is very popular with teens today. I personally don't like the music played on the radio, because its all about sex, girls, and what you can do on a weekend. Like stated before there's a reason for new albums to be coming out from artists who sing about these certain topics. I really don't like listening to mainstream music. I believe they get overplayed like Super Bass did. I love the olden day music like Jimmy Buffet. But I love John Mayor, Miley Cyrus (don't judge), Taylor Swift, and One Direction! I do feel like the music today may be a little dirty for pre-teens who also love these songs, like We are Young.
ReplyDeleteMainstream music is definitely popular among the masses. If it wasn’t then people wouldn’t buy it and the music companies would lose money. Right now the music companies aren’t making as much money as in the past but they are still making millions of dollars a year. I have no idea which era was least popular for music. I would have to imagine that music is growing with the technology today like youtube and datpiff. In 10 years the music will probably be more techno and dubstep. Music tends to go in trends like jazz to rock to hip hop to rap and now into dubstep. People will still have their preferences but more of a certain type will be played. Personally I like rap the best but will listen to everything except classical.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the 2000's are the worst decade for music to date. My personal favorite music comes from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, although anything before that is okay as well. Music has become less of an art form and more of a way to make money. With the mass commercialization of music over the internet and iTunes, it is simple for any two-bit producer to churn out a terrible song and get people to buy it. Before the advent of online music (which, I will admit, is a FANTASTIC innovation), producers and artists had to make an entire album full of good songs, because you couldn't buy a record or CD piecemeal like you can today. Nowadays, many artists churn out mass-produced junk, with one or two decent songs mixed in to promote the album, which they will play ad nauseam, conveniently remaining silent on the other terrible songs in the album.
ReplyDeleteI think mainstream music is popular with the masses, because many teens and adults are starting to listen to the “new” types of music. I personally listen to the more popular music when I’m hanging with friends because it is music that everyone can enjoy together. Everyone likes different types of music, so mainstream music is something a whole group can enjoy for the most part. I listen to a lot of country and pop-punk bands, which some of my friends really don’t like especially country, so I just have learned to enjoy the top hits music as well. I feel that people will listen to any music as long as it has a catchy beat, no matter how bad the lyrics are. If a song has a catchy beat, people aren’t going to care for the lyrics all too much. That is what music industries are focusing on now, just creating a song with a catchy beat. Lyrics in songs are getting worse, because I feel like industries know not many people are going to care for the lyrics. Nowadays it’s all about auto tuning singer’s voices, and techno/dub step music!
ReplyDeleteI think that mainstream music is a lot more popular in the masses because it is what is mainly on the radio. It also is advertised a lot more than other forms. I think that the best music times were the 80's and 90's. This is where most of the music I listen to comes from. I personally like to listen to some mainstream music, but I prefer 90s alternative.
ReplyDeleteMusic in general has not gone downhill or uphill, it simply has evolved. For example, Rock & Roll in the 60's will always remain the best because it was the period in which it was born and in which artists such as Elvis or the Beetles really reached their crowds. The 90's are considered the Golden Era of hip hop, and it was. Rap artist during this time focused on style and narration, as well as delivering a message. Now a days you can listen to five different rappers and not tell the difference. On the flip side, genres such as techno, house, or dubstep are continuously evolving and producing quality work. Nevertheless, it is known that music labels will do anything for profit, and if that means promoting monotonously sounding teenage pop singers, so be it. The rest of us who enjoy quality music will have to turn of the radio and seek it for ourselves, but its still there.
ReplyDeleteDepending on the target market and who you really ask, music has gone both up and downhill. I do agree that among masses mainstream music is popular, but then again it is all about perception. If we perceive that the mass is all about mainstream music and we look for unique underground artists, then there remains the possibility that there is a certain balance between mainstream and not so mainstream music. In the span of 10-20 years I believe that music will advance with technology and its appropriate mixed genres, and eventually I think music will hit a stage of devolution. I personally have a very eclectic preference in music ranging from rock to experimental genres.
ReplyDeleteI guess you could say that I listen to mainstream music. That is what plays on the radio so that is what I typically listen to. I like to broaden my horizons, for instance, when studying I will play classical music through my headphones. If you look on my ipod, I have a very wide range of genres of music. Just about everything can be found on my ipod. With mainstream music and the music industry in general today, I don’t think it is bad. The use of the internet has only increased access to music and boosted the profits by companies. Although piracy is an issue, the companies are still making money, and the artist are for sure still making plenty of money. As you can see music has drastically changed through the decades with each decade having its own unique flare. In the future music will keep evolving. One can already see a change occurring in the mainstream music today. The mainstream music is gradually moving toward electronic beats and synthesizing. And many new genres have emerged to be very popular among the masses for instance Dupstep. Although the music industry may seem to be doing bad, the people making the music are still making money, and I don’t think that it is as bad as it seems
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of the music now is unavoidable, meaning we hear it in the mall, coming from peoples' cars as they are driving down the street, restaurants, etc. It's everywhere. As a result of this, people tend to get tired of songs because they are overplayed. I rarely listen to the radio because I honestly don't really like a lot of the new music coming out. I hardly ever know about new songs until someone tells me about them. Practically all of it is auto-tuned and I prefer listening to natural artists. I will literally listen to any type of music. From bluegrass, to pop, to hard rock. Not only do I listen to a lot of genres, but I also listen to different decades. I feel like the more recent the song was made, the more people that are annoyed by it when they hear it. That's because they hear it everywhere and it is repeated over and over. Some people will like older songs better because it was not played everywhere like music is now.
ReplyDelete