What we owe to Pop Culture

Source: American Pop Culture _ 2019_05_31 – Another cool mural along… _ Flickr

Popular culture, or pop culture, refers to the products and trends which are consumed and followed by the majority of the population. The emergence of pop culture and its impact on almost every other global trend is phenomenal. The driving force that is pop culture has become so integral in our everyday life that it impacts everything from music to fashion. We can’t imagine living in a world without it now.

As the world becomes more connected with the help of social media and other digital platforms, the influence of pop culture has only grown and transcended borders to reach even the most remote corners of the world. It plays a pivotal role in setting cultural trends and also influences consumer behaviour.

Music as a Trendsetter

Popular music, or pop music, refers to music that is commercially produced in a way that it is received and appreciated by a wide audience which is normally dominated by urban culture. It is quite different from traditional folk music in the sense that it is produced by professionals and does not involve the process of oral transmission.

The first popular song-publishing industry was Tin Pan Alley that emerged in the 1890s. It was a hit and their work was used over the next century in a new kind of genre called the musical. At the same time, African Americans had started mixing African rhythms with European harmonics to create the jazz genre.

This was extremely appreciated and as technology advanced, their audience grew as well. The phonograph records had been introduced into the market in 1930 which were then followed by the entry of the microphone and radio broadcasting. Soon, figures like the Beatles and Elvis Presley started developing the role styles of pop music after the 1950s and paved the way for future musicians.

The elements of a pop song include catchy melodies, hooks, choruses, and relatable lyrics. And some of the most popular genres are rock, disco, dance-pop, Rock, electronic, and R&B.

Today, the rise of apps like Spotify and YouTube have made it easier for artists to reach even their international audiences and has made music a mainstream sensation for almost everyone. It has also opened the gateways for music to have an influence on culture and global trends.

We can take the rise of K-pop for example. The emergence and globalization of bands like BTS and black pink have amassed millions of fans from all over the world and created a new cultural phenomenon called the “Hallyu Wave” or the Korean wave. Their music and style influences not just other types of music but also fashion, choreography, language, food, beauty trends, and social media presence. How can we then say that pop music isn’t a cultural trend setter?

Film and Television

Film and television have been just as important factors that affect and are affected by pod culture. Film industries Hollywood, Bollywood, European cinema, Hallyuwood, Chinawood, etc., have been set up and produce blockbusters which influence consumer behaviour, food, fashion and more. Many movies are so beloved that they have created their own fandoms and communities all across the globe.

Adding to this is the fact that success of any film from a less developed region brings that area to the four front and captivates global attention. Such is the power of cinema. And the influence extends beyond the screen with people picking up fashion styles, dialogue, and even character archetypes from their favorite TV series or movies.

Fashion as a mirror

Lastly, we have fashion, which acts as a mirror between the trending pop culture and the changing taste and trends of society. It has been doing so throughout history and from that, we know that designers continuously keep on changing the fashion, according to the pop culture in trend at that time. For this, they look to either the music, films, and social media for inspiration.

We have seen in the past that fashion brands created by popstars like Rihanna and Kanye West have had significant influence in the industry. West’s brand Yeezy has become a global fashion phenomenon by blending High fashion with streetwear. The same has been done by many other brands like Supreme and Louis Vuitton to cater to the change in demands of the consumer.

This development has been fueled by social media apps like Instagram and TikTok where influencers as well as celebrities post photos of their own outfits and inspire pop culture moments. In many areas, such pop culture elements are mixed with the traditional ones to create a new, culturally fit style.

So, it becomes obvious that the influence of pop culture on global trends is undeniable and it shapes everything from our music to our fashion. It can transcend borders to create a shared global experience while encouraging individual cultures to adapt and integrate themselves at the same time. By doing so, it continues to redefine what is the global community.

Resources

Music as a Trendsetter

‌ Barbara. (2023, July 13). Pop Music: From Origins to Evolution and its Impact on Culture. Our Music World; OurMusicWorld.com. https://www.ourmusicworld.com/archives/2576#google_vignette
‌ Popular music | Description, History, & Facts | Britannica. (2024). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/popular-music
Yellowbrick. (2023, August 23). The Power of Pop Culture Influence: How It Shapes Society – Yellowbrick. Yellowbrick. https://www.yellowbrick.co/blog/music/the-power-of-pop-culture-influence-how-it-shapes-society

Film and Television

mpcAdmin. (2022, November 4). Television Through Time and Why Does Pop Culture Influence Us? | Mr. Pop Culture. Mrpopculture.com. https://mrpopculture.com/television-through-time-and-why-does-pop-culture-influence-us/
‌ Englehardt, N. (2017, March 13). Film and Society: How Films Impact Society and Popular Culture – Platt College San Diego. Platt College San Diego. https://platt.edu/blog/film-society-films-impact-society-popular-culture/

Fashion as a mirror