pop culture

Modern, popular, and iconic pop culture moments in music. From current events, to trending topics and more.

Sarah Darling Asks Fans for Album Title Ideas
Sarah Darling is a much loved country music artist from Iowa. The 35-year-old songstress has been living and working in Nashville since she was 19 and over the past two years she has become a treasured part of the UK Country scene.
By Laura Klonowski7 years ago in Beat
Decoding Childish Gambino's 'This Is America'
At Vanity Fair, Austin Collins’ review of Childish Gambino’s “This is America” analyzes the artistry and reveals the deeper meaning behind the quick flashes of explicitly consequential imagery. The multi-hyphenated entertainer Donald Glover dropped a bombshell video sparking a flurry of conversation around the topics of American life, gun control, racism, and most importantly, negating the existence of these issues for voguish diversions. America at large would rather be pacified rather than closely examine what we are placating ourselves from.
By Katana Haley7 years ago in Beat
Is Rock N' Roll Dead?
I call it the auto-tune age. The present, nowadays, for today the sound of perfectly in key mumble rappers loom. The mainstream, as they call it, is filled with non-worthy 'beat-tapes' and meaningless repetition. Pop music is seemingly fading as pretentious individuals such as Lil Pump and Cardi B rise to fame and fortune. It makes me sad to think that many years ago, music was something that took effort, years of practice and dedication, band rehearsals, percussion, harmony, synth, brass, strings, and real instruments. Where has the real music gone? Believe it or not, it's still out there, and although a few of what I would call the greats, Bob Dylan, AC-DC, Pink Floyd, Guns N' Roses, Eric Clapton, etc. are still performing and producing, I can't help but notice the 'real' music scene has declined. Blame it on the internet if you like, blame it on technology, I blame today's generation, of course, I am part of it. Clichéd as it is, it seems this generation isn't right for me. I hear others saying the same thing too, but it's really true. Of course, I don't wish to escape it, I'm just bewildered. Rock n' roll, once a thriving empire built upon the sound of electric guitar riffs, endless rhythms, and meaningful lyrics such as that of Led Zeppelin, Dylan, or Dire Straits is now overlooked by talentless buffoons who can't even write their own songs. Auto-tune it seems makes it impossible to compete with the likes of modern pop stars. It cannot be, these talentless morons don't deserve this, and as for the rise in rap, 'artists' calling them self 'rockstars' and so on, I am truly saddened.
By Josh Bennett7 years ago in Beat
A Letter to The Late Jonghyun
Dear Jonghyun, I miss you dearly. Nothing has been the same since you left us last December. I find myself still thinking of you daily. Most people say that it's stupid or dumb that I cry over a celebrity. I still wear your ring everyday and keep that signed picture on display. You had made an impact on my life whether I had known you personally or not. The band you were in, SHINee, was one of the first bands that I got into and honestly you really stood out to me. You had the most unique voice and the most bubbly personality. Though you weren't my favorite in the group, I still loved you just the same. The songs that you wrote now make sense since you're gone. No one ever thought twice to ask you how you were or if you needed a break. I feel sad that you felt the way you did. But somehow I am glad that you have found peace and rest.
By Lynn C.7 years ago in Beat
All Five My Chemical Romance Albums Ranked
Those more than vaguely familiar with the work of the mid 2000's rock band may read the title of this and think to themselves "What? Five? They only released four studio albums?!?!". And while that is technically true, in 2013 they released a series of five two-song-EPs titled Conventional Weapons shortly before the band announced they were splitting up. But despite them not releasing these songs in the form of an album, the work is worth considering while one is evaluating the discography of My Chemical Romance, and the five EPs add up to ten original songs, which is almost as long as their debut album. That being said, let's dive into the discography of My Chemical Romance.
By Micah Jardee8 years ago in Beat
Consent Is Sexy
I love country music. Most of you who have read my past articles with the header “Musing on Music” are already aware of this. Perhaps you don't know that I love it for the funny, yet relatable songs like “Buy Me A Boat” or the more modern-style party songs like “Fix A Drink”, both of which are sung by Chris Janson. However, the most important reason that I love this genre is for the beautiful songs with important messages, like “Drunk Girl” [also] by Chris Janson.
By Gabrielle R. Lamontagne8 years ago in Beat
Why Is Pop Music So Sh*t These Days?
We've all thought it though, haven't we? Every time you put the radio on, you know exactly what to expect, even if you don't know any of the songs. It's always the same sh*t.Okay so let’s say it’s 1998, would I be writing this same article about boy bands, Queen and Michael Jackson? It’s a possibility. Except that, dare I say it, the charts in the nineties (East 17 and Robbie Williams included, I guess) actually had at a little bit of depth to them. Even cheesy pop-music was distinct and rich in musical texture and diversity.
By Juan Nisbet8 years ago in Beat
Girl Groups to Listen To
From the Spice Girls in the 90s to Little Mix now, the world has seen a whole lot of girl groups. The Fader released an article in June of 2018 hosting the question, "Where are all the girl groups?" In the article, they mentioned that it seemed like the world had a plethora of boy bands, but the girl groups were nowhere to be found. Then, they spent half of the article talking about boybands. Here's a hint: maybe, if they hadn't done so much in-depth research on the boybands of today, they would've been able to find some girl groups like the ones I'm about to mention. Here, the Fader, I did the dirty work for you!
By Mina Johnson8 years ago in Beat
The Image of Music
When I was researching my article on What Is Metal? a number of people mentioned 'the look' of musicians and how important it is:
By Mark Cridland8 years ago in Beat
Greatest Showman's Gay Anthems
Everyone who has seen this musical masterpiece will tell you to go and see it for yourself. It has an indescribable power with its hypnotic music and stunning visuals.
By Justin Young8 years ago in Beat
'Straight Outta Compton' Sequel???
Released in 2015, Straight Outta Compton told the story of the up and coming rappers based out of Compton, California. The plot involved Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E, DJ Yella and MC Ren who came together to form the group NWA in the late eighties. Granted 72 percent on behalf of Metacritic as well as 87 percent by Rotten Tomatoes, F. Gary Gray’s picture received favorable reviews. In addition to N.W.A., cameos were provided to characters such as Snoop Dogg and Tupac prompting the notions of a sequel. Met with overwhelming public perception, the film demanded a sequel. Remaining unaffiliated with the Gray film cannon All Eyez on Me, directed by Benny Boom was released last year only to be met with extremely poor perception. This biographical portrayal of Shakur on the screen demands a redemption of the acclaimed rapper. A redemption that can only be delivered with the continuation of Gray’s series.
By Spencer MacAdam8 years ago in Beat
Making Freddie Straight
"The only thing...more extraordinary...than their music...is his story." Recently, 20th Century Fox released a teaser trailer for the upcoming Queen/Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Set to a clever mashup of the band's biggest hits, the trailer guides its viewers from the stage to the studio, from well-known moments still in some of the public's memory to private scenes exclusive to those present at the time. To some viewers, however, a crucial element seemed nearly absent: Freddie's homosexuality.
By Samuel King8 years ago in Beat