All articles tagged with #musicculture
Pitchfork staff humorously ranks 101 memorable moments from 2024 in music culture, featuring events like Elon Musk's offer to father Taylor Swift's child, Kanye's dentist controversy, and viral appearances by YSL Woody. The list includes bizarre celebrity antics, unexpected collaborations, and notable pop culture phenomena, reflecting the year's eclectic and unpredictable music scene.
Kendrick Lamar's Juneteenth concert, The Pop Out, celebrated West Coast Hip-Hop and featured numerous artists, including Dr. Dre. However, Dr. Dre's appearance sparked controversy due to his history of alleged domestic violence, complicating an otherwise triumphant event.
Steven Hyden's new book, "There Was Nothing You Could Do," explores the impact of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." album and its music videos on his career and American culture. The book highlights how the music videos, particularly "Dancing in the Dark" and "Born in the U.S.A.," helped shape Springsteen's public persona, often creating a simplified and sometimes misleading image of the artist. This persona, dubbed the "Bruce Springsteen Character," has had lasting effects on his career and public perception.
Lol Tolhurst, founding member of The Cure, discusses the enduring nature of goth as a lens through which to see the world, rather than just a fashion or music genre. In his new book, "Goth: A History," Tolhurst explores the inclusive philosophy of goth and its fascination with darkness and death. He pays homage to influential figures like Siouxsie Sioux and highlights the impact of goth music on misfits and marginalized communities. Tolhurst also reflects on The Cure's own connection to goth and the band's ability to find solace and salvation in their music. He believes goth is still relevant today and will continue to self-regenerate in response to crises.
Jann Wenner, co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, faced backlash and was dismissed from the board of directors after excluding Black and female musicians from his book, "The Masters." Wenner justified his selection by claiming that women were not articulate enough. Critics argue that Wenner's comments reveal a pattern of cultural erasure and a biased narrative in the music industry. Rolling Stone Magazine, under Wenner's influence, has historically ignored genres like punk, hip-hop, and grunge. Wenner's exclusion of diverse voices perpetuates a homogenous power dynamic in rock music.
The Nashville music scene is experiencing fractures and divisions as musicians distance themselves from those with opposing political viewpoints. Backstage interactions have become standoffish, with artists avoiding discussions about politics. Controversies and online feuds have further strained relationships within the industry. The culture wars have impacted decisions related to booking artists, with concerns about potential backlash and associations. Festivals and concerts have also seen a decline in camaraderie among attendees. Despite the tensions, some industry professionals prioritize ticket sales over personal disagreements.
The hit song "Rich Men North of Richmond" by Oliver Anthony has sparked controversy and divided America, reflecting the narrative of grievance embraced by some right-wing politicians. The song's lyrics touch on issues such as welfare, politicians, and child abuse, drawing connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Similarly, the video for Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town" faced backlash and was pulled from Country Music Television due to its inclusion of Black Lives Matter imagery. The controversy surrounding both songs has boosted sales, but also raised concerns about the normalization of conspiracy theories like QAnon.
Lenin Tamayo, a social media phenomenon from Peru, has created a fusion of Quechua, the most widely spoken Indigenous language in the Americas, and K-pop, releasing his first digital album under the genre "Q-pop." Tamayo's music combines Spanish and Quechua lyrics with K-pop beats, garnering millions of likes on TikTok. He aims to embrace his Indigenous roots while incorporating modernity and globalization. Tamayo's music promotes love, unity, and freedom, and he uses his platform to address racism and generate change. His debut album, "Amaru," draws inspiration from Inca history and recent citizen protests in Peru.