What is World Music?

World music is a genre like no other. Artists fall under this catagory not because they follow similar musicall patterns, but because they make music that is linked to the identity of a certain country or peoples.

Native music from all over the globe features in this genre, regardless of how different they are. World music is music that doesn't conform to cultural imperialism, namely America and the United Kingdom. Instead of making music that would prove popular in the American and English market, world music artists make music that stays true to their roots, more often then not, representing their country of origin.

Pop acts sample so much music from around the world, that its origins can become diluted. World music exists as it represents the countries purest form of music, without being corrupted by the need to make money. It acts as a historical record.

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

Adorno claims that popular music cannot be considered art as it is an example of pseudo individiualism. He beleives popular music is a business, rather then creative expression, and therefore not an art form.

His ideas, which hold some truth (consider the X Factor) fallshort however with closer analysis. Many artist use music as a genuineform of expression reflecting social and political ideas. Others use it to evoke emotions, or tell stories.

Inevitably some of these artists get popular. Like :

• Notorious B.I.G.

• The Smiths.

• Metallica.

All these artists are extremely popular, and undeniably more then just cash cows. There are expressive artists making art.

Adorno sees pop as a commodity but doesn't clearly define what is pop. Making it easy to prove him wrong.

How useful is the production of culture perspective in understanding the birth of rock n roll?

Peterson’s production of culture perspective on the understanding of the birth of rock n roll is both interesting and insightful. He cleverly sums up his six main reasons of how rock n roll first emerged, as:

• Law
  
  
• Technology
  
  
• Organisational Structure
  
  
• Occupational Structure
  
  
• Industry Structure
  
  
• Market
  

The production of culture perspective looks at the social factors surrounding the emergence of rock n roll and explains how the climate at the time allowed it to flourish.

Although Peterson explains how rock n roll emerged as music for the young and rebellious, he fails to explain why.

Why rock n roll?

Why not jazz? Why not blue grass? His perspective completely ignores the music itself, failing to explore what was so special, intriguing, exciting and original about it. It’s because of this that his perspective cannot be relied on completely, when understanding the birth of rock n roll.

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

Rock n roll is a man’s business. Not because men are better at it. But because socially they are allowed to get away with it.

“Lead guitarists are made, not born. The reason for women’s absence is entirely social”. (Mavis Bayton).

‘You Shook Me All Night Long’. A classic rock song describing one women’s sexual prowess and ability to satisfy her man “all night long”. It perfectly encapsulates the idea of sex, drugs and rock‘n’roll. However the song also represents why women struggle to succeed in rock music.

Society insists women are not to be promiscuous or wild, but lady like and motherly. Bragging about sex is something that women are brought up to think is the behaviour of a whore (whereas men can get away with it).

As long as society looks down on women for behaviour that is fundamental to rock, men will continue to dominate the industry.