Trending music is a global phenomenon. From soundtracking television ads to creating an atmospheric background for videos and blogs, these versatile sounds can be utilized in creative ways.
Kenya Grace’s upbeat track makes for an excellent choice when editing time-lapse footage or just wanting to express yourself more freely in video format – as evidenced by this Instagram video from Alexa Rosa (@alexarosa).
Slowcore
Writing about music should encompass everything from live events and album releases to cultural analysis. Unfortunately, even sites claiming to focus solely on it often treat it like just another commodity; this is unfortunate given there are so many wonderful songs out there worth listening to! Luckily there are also several websites who write about music in an engaging way – this chart showcases some.
Drift Phunk
At the close of 2021, it seems like pop music is more open than ever. We witnessed an indie-pop celebration of queer love; reggaeton star digging deep into Eighties synths; self-celebratory pop rap that scandalized conservative Americans; unforgettable anthems from K-pop, rock and country artists alike – these all created music that opened up music’s possibilities further than ever before.
Though pop landscape may feel more open than ever before, it also feels increasingly homogeneous. According to Theodor Adorno’s theory of cultural saturation by popular music is marked by lack of innovation and an overwhelming feeling of conformity to trends that have become an integral part of our lives.
Adorno contends in his essay on mass culture, “The Theory of Mass Culture,” that basic archetypes of pop music have become so standardised that songs from vastly different genres sonic almost identically, leading to outward conformity yet internal discontent and hatred toward those leading the trend.
Adorno wasn’t known for being a fan of pop music; nonetheless, his criticisms of it remain relevant today. Although modern theorists may have disproved him at times, his analysis still holds. Even whether you love or loathe popular music, remembering how long and effort goes into its creation requires special consideration; producers spend hours agonizing over lyrics before restarting them until their masterpiece is perfected; in the case of The Weeknd’s hit “After Hours,” for instance, taking eight years just reflecting how slowly pop music progresses today.
Start off your Drift Phonk productions on a solid rhythmic foundation. Similar to house and techno music, phonk requires a mechanical drum machine groove. Keep the groove interesting through syncopation or rhythmic variations so as to engage listeners while layering creates atmosphere; just be mindful not to overdo it since phonk often features lo-fi sounds with saturated sounds that require layering for proper atmosphere creation. Beware though; overdoing this could quickly turn muddy or undefined without proper mastering techniques applied correctly!
Amapiano
At first listen, it can be hard to believe amapiano jams could just be passing fads. After all, this genre grew out of South African’s marginalized townships in Johannesburg and Pretoria (and elsewhere), as an offshoot of house music hybrid kwaito/gqom/Bacardi house with many followers who believe rhythm-magic can offer purification and dissolution both psychically and physically.
As with Afrobeats before it, amapiano operates outside traditional music industry gatekeepers–it is typically shared via WhatsApp and file sharing apps by taxi drivers and DJs who play local clubs. This gives artists who create and spread their music more control of their creative destiny while at the same time providing rapid evolution that keeps the genre sounding contemporary and fresh.
Tyla, 22-year-old from Johannesburg is the latest Amapiano artist to make waves with her debut album “Water.” Following in the footsteps of her first hit single – piano-driven tech-house beats fused with progressive pop and R&B rhythms – the result is an engaging album that sets Tyla apart from Afrobeats peers looking for crossover appeal.
As Amapiano continues its surge into global club scenes, it finds itself at a critical juncture. Either it could dissolve into fully commercialized international settings while losing its independence and creativity; or it can fight hard to retain its cultural cachet while welcoming an expanded global audience.
Shannen SP and Joe Cotch of UK radio station NTS’ new compilation “Amapiano Now”, featuring established and emerging talent that explores its full scope is testament to this. Artists such as Kabza De Small, Unlimited Soul, DBN Gogo, Sisters On Vocal and Kamo Mphela all showcase its melodic side; there’s even some rap tracks on offer from Kamo Mphela that showcase his infectious rhythmic energy that’s hallmark of Amapiano music! With such dynamic energy on display this compilation is sure to become a smash hit hit among dancefloors worldwide!