Pop: The Boomer's Thorn
For years now, it has seemed that the generational divide really begins to expose itself when looking at music taste. In the ‘80s, my mom was yelled at for listening to “Darling Nikki” by Prince; I got lectured for blaring “S&M” by Rihanna at the 8th grade pool party; and I’m sure someone yelled at Bach or Beethoven when they played the piano too hard. Regardless of some boisterous Boomer’s opinion or the hipster who refuses to participate in anything mainstream, music taste seems to be fueled by controversy and blatant statements.
Post Grammy Awards, Twitter took the time to argue over a meme-worthy photo comparison that boastfully stated, “Pop music has died.” While the sentiment of a genre dying out is a big cliché, it does bring up a conversation worth having. I don’t think Pop music has died, nor is dying, but it is definitely evolving.
From left to right: Katy Perry, Rihanna, Ke$ha, and Nicki Minaj
From left to right: Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Finneas O’Connel
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the four queens in the first photo, but the latter photo shows a new form of diversity and evolution that listeners have been wanting for decades.
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connel managed to shatter world records and sweep the Grammy’s largest categories by creating a debut album about depression and suicidal thoughts that was recorded and mastered in their childhood bedroom. Lizzo gained global fame and recognition for her constant uplifting outlook and body positive messages that she incorporates in everything she does, while also managing to win three Grammy’s for her talent. Lil Nas X broke the Billboard World Record for the longest Number 1 Track and broke rap barriers by coming out at the peak of his career (thus far). The 20-year-old, neon cowboy took home two Grammy’s for his work and continues to put forth his most authentic self.
These artists, along with so many others, are genre-bending, youthful voices that place as much emphasis on activism and authenticity as they do with their music. The younger generation isn’t wanting, nor listening to, the white-washed tracks played on the radio or the stereotypical pop recipe. And neither does the Recording Academy.
Rosemary Joseph, 26-year-old Global Brand Licenser for Warner Music Group, finds that the industry as a whole is leaning in the right direction and evolving into a sector that is becoming known for inclusion and artistry:
“These artists, that seem to have blown up over the past year-or-so, are so successful because they’ve allowed their authentic image to be selling point in their work. Yes—they are beyond talented and enigmatic in their fields, but it’s their personality, their interests, their non-musical voices that are garnering the massive fan support and acknowledgment.”
Ten years ago, if you asked music’s top influencers and executives to predict the type or artists or the music that would be put out by our generation, I don’t think they could’ve come up with any of the artists listed above. We are living in an age where individualism reigns superior and music genres are far more complex and open than its predecessors made them out to be. I could nosedive down a rabbit trail of groundbreaking pop artists and albums to listen to but go discover them for yourself. Find your pop princess, your emotionally muted musician, your sex-filled fantasy icon or your version of the king of pop.
“(Pop) is dead. Long live (pop).”