All articles tagged with #cultural influence
Originally Published 15 days ago — by BBC
Ethiopian jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, known as the godfather of Ethio-jazz, played his last live concert in London after a six-decade career, leaving a lasting legacy in blending traditional Ethiopian sounds with jazz and global music styles. Despite retiring from touring, he remains committed to promoting Ethiopian music worldwide.
Originally Published 18 days ago — by ScienceAlert
The article explains why people often have room for dessert after a meal, highlighting physiological factors like stomach flexibility and brain reward pathways, as well as psychological and cultural influences that make sweet foods particularly tempting and enjoyable, even when physically full.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by Euronews.com
Taylor Swift's new album rollout has sparked a global branding trend in 2025, demonstrating her influence as a cultural and entrepreneurial force, with major companies leveraging her branding for marketing and economic gains.
Originally Published 5 months ago — by The New York Times
The article discusses China's increasing influence over UNESCO following the US's withdrawal, highlighting efforts to shape cultural and educational policies, expand Chinese heritage sites, and use UNESCO as a tool for soft power, while the US retreats from international organizations under Trump.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
Leonard Leo, a key figure in establishing the conservative supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court, is now focusing on expanding conservative influence in American culture through the Teneo Network. This initiative aims to counter liberal dominance in sectors like Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and finance by creating a talent pipeline for conservatives. Leo's strategy mirrors his judicial influence efforts, seeking to promote traditional values and reshape cultural power centers.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Good Morning America
Beyoncé's upcoming country-inspired album "Cowboy Carter" aims to honor her country roots and highlight the historical and ongoing contributions of Black artists to the genre, which has long faced challenges in welcoming and promoting diversity. Despite the significant influence of Black musicians on the roots and sounds of country music, research shows that Black artists have been largely marginalized in the industry. Beyoncé's album and the experiences of Black artists like Charley Pride and Linda Martell shed light on the ongoing struggle for recognition and representation in the country music industry.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
North Korean authorities publicly sentenced two 16-year-olds to 12 years of hard labor for watching K-pop and South Korean movies, as shown in video footage released by the SAND Institute. The tough sentencing is part of North Korea's crackdown on outside influences, particularly South Korean culture, under a new "anti-reactionary thought" law. The video, which cannot be independently verified, depicts a public trial with about 1,000 students in attendance, all wearing face masks. The sentencing reflects North Korea's ongoing battle against foreign cultural influences, as it seeks to maintain control over its society.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
British supermodel Kate Moss celebrates her 50th birthday, still revered as a cultural icon after a three-decade career that began with her breakthrough at 16. Known for her unique beauty and off-set style, Moss became the face of '90s "heroin chic" and fronted campaigns for top fashion houses. Despite tabloid speculation and a publicized drug scandal, she climbed Forbes' highest-paid models list, retired from the runway in 2004, and established her own modeling agency and wellness brand. Immortalized in art and music, Moss remains a pop culture legend.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Elvis Presley, born on Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, became an enduring icon whose influence spans music, fashion, and entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on successive generations. Known as the "King of Rock ‘n’ Roll," he revolutionized music with hits like "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Jailhouse Rock," and his dynamic stage presence and daring style set him apart. Despite his passing on Aug. 16, 1977, at the age of 42, his legacy endures through his timeless music, cinematic presence, and profound influence on culture, resonating with fans worldwide.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
As Disney celebrates its 100th anniversary, its status as a generation-spanning cultural force is no longer certain. Once known for creating a modern shared language and a set of reference points recognizable to almost everyone, Disney now faces challenges in a fractured cultural landscape. The company's rigid brand management and resistance to evolving its language hinder its ability to adapt to the changing times. The rise of the internet, streaming, and digital era has further contributed to the erosion of Disney's dominance as a monoculture. While still the most dominant entertainment company in Hollywood, Disney's recent relative flops and struggles at the box office highlight the need for a more realistic approach. The studio's ability to capture imagination across generations and propose its own way of seeing the world is being challenged, and it remains to be seen if Disney can maintain its cultural influence in the future.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by ABC News
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing 2023 as the "Taylor Swift era" in honor of the singer's birthday. The resolution acknowledges Swift's economic and cultural influence, particularly her impact on female agency and narrative. Swift's concerts in Pennsylvania have brought an economic boost to the state, and she has donated proceeds to hunger relief organizations. Lawmakers praised Swift for inspiring young people to become politically active, and highlighted the progress of women in local politics.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News
The Pennsylvania State House of Representatives has passed a resolution recognizing 2023 as the "Taylor Swift era" in the state. The resolution acknowledges Swift's accomplishments and impact, both musically and culturally, over the past year. Despite some opposition, the resolution passed with a vote of 103-100. Swift, a Pennsylvania native, has been praised for her role as a role model and for encouraging young people to become politically active. The resolution also highlights the power of female agency and comes at a time when women are breaking glass ceilings in local politics.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by PsyPost
New research in Psychological Science explores the psychological and neurobiological foundations of musical pleasure. The study reveals that familiarity and anticipation of musical endings play a crucial role in music enjoyment, with prediction errors impacting listeners' liking ratings. The research suggests that music evolves from a novel stimulus to a rewarding experience through the brain's auditory and reward systems. The study also highlights the influence of cultural factors on music preferences and identifies that musical anhedonia, the inability to derive pleasure from music, is linked to affective rather than cognitive processing deficits. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) observations indicate increased brain activation and connectivity between auditory processing and reward-sensitive regions when listening to familiar music.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Africa is experiencing a youth boom, with its population projected to nearly double to 2.5 billion in the next 25 years. This demographic shift is expected to transform African countries and reshape their relationship with the rest of the world. The implications of this "youthquake" are immense and uncertain, but already Africa is becoming the most rapidly urbanizing continent, exerting cultural influence through its music, fashion, and art, and demanding a bigger say in global affairs. However, Africa also faces challenges in managing its unbridled growth, including chronic unemployment and the need for sustainable economic development. The continent's booming population will push Africa to the forefront of pressing global concerns such as climate change, energy transition, and migration.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
MTV News, a cable news division programmed for and largely run by American youth, has been shut down by Paramount after 36 years. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to MTV News' star reporters and executives to reminisce about the glory days of the outfit, where they covered music, politics, and pop culture in a way that spoke to young Americans. The team's coverage of the 2000 election cycle, Choose or Lose, ultimately led to Bill Clinton coming on MTV and talking about "boxers or briefs." The team's coverage of 9/11 was also a significant moment for the network.