Popping Off
Picking a Genre
Having done a handful of tiringly extensive research on music videos in our primary research, me and my team members now move forth to *drumroll please*...SECONDARY RESEARCH!!! So exciting (cap).
Firstly, we had to decide upon a genre which we could not agree upon initially since Fajar wanted a Punjabi rap bop, Aimen wanted a Pakistani Indie tune while I had no idea as to what I prefered.
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To combat this, we came up with "Potential Grade-Determiners"; a playlist we added a bunch of music that we liked to narrow down our choices.
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What we saw constantly recurring were Pop tracks thus our genre was decided to be exactly that, Pop (finally something we agreed on.)
Deconstructing Pop
After all my research upon pop as a genre, my conclusion was that it is a chameleon in the music industry. Unlike other genres with distinct identities, pop defies easy definition. It's a chameleon, constantly evolving and adapting to incorporate elements from various styles, all while maintaining a core focus on accessibility and catchy hooks.
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Pop's origins can be traced back to the mid-20th century, emerging from a desire for music that resonated with the masses along with having links to the Postmodern era which I further brief upon in later blog posts. Furthermore, this focus on broad appeal remains a defining characteristic of pop music today.
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Elaborating upon this genre being a chameleon, what I observed in my research was that the key strength of pop is its ability to borrow from other genres. From the rhythmic beats of hip-hop to the electronic flourishes of dance music, pop readily absorbs influences, creating a constantly refreshing soundscape. Its relevance emerges from exactly this; adaptability reflecting the ever-changing tastes of audiences.
Here are two contrasting examples of pop music videos that I believe to showcase the genre's chameleonic nature; Dynamite (2020) and Someone Like You (2011). These two contrasting music videos demonstrate the vast spectrum of pop music, highlighting its ability to incorporate diverse influences, aesthetics, and emotional registers. While "Dynamite" thrives on its energetic performance and visual spectacle, "Someone Like You" focuses on raw emotion and stripped-down presentation. Both of these examples stay proving that pop music isn't confined to a single formula and can effectively cater to a wide range of artistic expressions and audience preferences.
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At its core, "pop" is an abbreviation of "popular." This straightforward connection highlights the genre's fundamental characteristic which its widespread appeal and commercial success which I have found is due to its chameleon-like nature. Pop music is crafted to resonate with a broad audience, rising above cultural and demographic boundaries. It can easily be called the music of the masses.
However, the emphasis on accessibility sometimes leads to criticism of pop music as being formulaic or lacking depth. Pop songs often follow a predictable structure through their incorporation of catchy choruses and simple lyrics manufactured to be easily remembered and sung along to thus whilst this formula can be effective in creating instant hits, it can also lead to a sense of homogeneity.
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Despite these criticisms, pop music's cultural impact is undeniable. Pop stars are often seen as global icons and their music shapes trends in various aspects of everyday life such fashion, dance, and even language through it's heavy impact. Pop music also serves as a powerful tool for social commentary with artists using their platforms to address issues like love, loss, societal struggles, and personal identity.
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I would like to conclude that pop music is more than just catchy tunes and chart-topping hits rather it's a constantly evolving genre that reflects the cultural zeitgeist and serves as a powerful tool for both entertainment and social commentary making it a genre that will likely continue to dominate the music industry for generations to come.