In a world that is steadily blending and meshing into one, the effects can
easily be seen in the music industry. “Trans-genre” music has emerged
and evolved, leaving scores of new musical categories in its wake. The art of
mixing different kinds of music together into a brand new and edgy sound is
the basis behind the idea of trans-genre music.
Musical blends have been around for a long time. Categories like rhythm-and-blues,
pop-rock, and country & western are all examples of blended genres. In these
cases, however, the original two categories were so close in origin and sound
that the blending was inevitable. These days, artists are blending completely
different musical genres together to form interesting new hybrids.
Perhaps one of the most prevalent examples of a new category formed by the blending
of sounds is the new country-pop phenomenon that is sweeping the nation. Artists
such as Faith Hill, Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, and the Dixie Chicks are all
blending country music and pop music together. The result is a lively pumped
up beat with the usual country themes and accents. Country-pop has been tremendously
well received by the public. Those who turned their nose up at country music
before are now drawn to the funkier and edgier sound.
Two genres that are seemingly opposites-rap and rock-have found their way into
the blender as well. Artists like Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony mix rap lyrics with electric
guitar riffs, while rock icons such as Limp Bizkit throw in lots of rapping
into their music. While these genres generally retain their own category and
do not fully blend, they are borrowing from each other’s repertoire to
come up with a sound that will make them stand out from the rest.
Another odd, yet pleasing, connection is the merging of classical music and
pop music. Artists such as Sally Harmon are mixing classical symphonic sounds
and backgrounds with popular songs. There has also been a movement toward a
jazzed up version of old classical songs.
Another phenomenon seen in the musical blending today is the incorporation of
ethnically diverse sounds in popular music. For example, Sting, a huge music
icon, incorporated enchanting Indian sounds in his song “Desert Rose”.
Sting isn’t the only one mixing it up internationally. Groups like the
Fugees, Offspring, and Bryan Adams also enjoy borrowing international sounds.
The huge Latin insurgence on the music scene has also produced some trans-genre
music. While most of the prominent Latin music from artists such as Jennifer
Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, and Ricky Martin has been pigeonholed into the “pop”
category, it is obvious that a new genre has been formed. The mix of Latin backbeats
and movements with pop instruments has led to a whole new world of music.
The emerging new musical categories are generally very well received by both
the public and the music industry. Music lovers enjoy hearing new things and
new sounds that are not simply repeats of everything they have heard in the
past. The music industry enjoys the additional record sales the new genres bring
in, as well as the new talent.
Trans-genre music also works to bring different cultures together. Sects that
had little or no respect for other sects are now choosing to view everything
in a different light. We are all shown that each musical genre has something
to offer everyone. Trans-genre music is working to further the globalization
of the world.
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Copyright © 2002 by Tara Nichols. All rights reserved.
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