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.
