Overview
In the 21st century, the modes of music creation and distribution changed quickly and drastically. With the advent of the internet, file sharing, and affordable music production software, aspiring musicians could create their music at home without a huge or expensive recording studio, and they could distribute their music online via free downloads or YouTube videos. These new means of creation and distribution furthered the careers of many musicians. At the same time, traditional mediums such as television remained important ways for musicians to be recognized. As we will see in this lesson, although the means of discovery and creation have changed, the ultimate goals of fame, recording contracts, and respect have remained the same for many musicians in the 21st century.
Objectives
- Recall the significance of American Idol and the role it plays in both American popular culture and in the careers of the musicians who perform on it
- Examine how YouTube has offered opportunities for musicians to be “discovered”
- Define the term “mash-up”
- Identify several significant examples of “mash-up”
- Recall the significance of The Grey Album and its relationship to art and to copyright law
American Idol
In 2002, the reality singing competition television program American Idol premiered on FOX. American Idol is one of the highest-rated programs ever to air on television, and its multiple episodes per week regularly top television ratings. Contestants audition in major cities around the country, and the top performers in each city then compete with each other. Judges select the top twenty contestants. Each week, the twenty contestants perform and are then critiqued by the judges.
Viewers may vote for their favorite contestants by calling, texting, or recording their votes online. Each week, one or more contestants with the least votes are eliminated until a final winner is announced. The winner of American Idol receives a record deal with a major record label for up to six albums. Runners-up and other contestants sometimes also receive recording contracts, but those are not necessarily guaranteed.
In its first year on the air, American Idol became a phenomenon, propelling the FOX network, the show's judges, and the show's contestants to success. For the first eight seasons of the show, the judges were bassist and record producer Randy Jackson, singer and choreographer Paula Abdul, and A&R executive and producer Simon Cowell. The judges' critiques, particularly Cowell's often cruel remarks, were as popular with audiences as many of the singers were. By Season 12, none of the original three judges remained. New judges have included singers from many different genres of music, television personalities, and record producers. The judges did not decide the winners, however. Instead, they offered critiques, encouragement, and suggestions to the performers.
"I think YouTube has destroyed the genre barrier. People can be into Justin Bieber and Eminem at the same time. It's a good thing."
