Author: OpenMinds

Here to express whats on my mind, come along..

Understanding Genre

Genre within the world of Music Ft. XXXTentacion

For as long as I could remember, Genre has been a word used in everyday conversations when talking about music, film and even art; But not once did I fully understand what the term Genre really meant. Now to me, Genre is used to group various types of art according to a predictable range of features and expectations. So for example if you where to go to into a music shop and and buy a rap album, you’ll be expecting to hear strong verses, fast and heavy beats compared to 30 minutes of ear bleeding Oprah.

With that being said, my word isn’t reaaally going to teach you anything about it, so what does Genre really mean? Well according to John Hartley; “Genre can be understood as the categorisation of media texts according to shared characteristics. Arising from film studies, the term can also be applied to fiction, popular music and television as well as media” (Hartley, 2018) This was also backed up by Steve Neale as he argues that genres can be understood as “systems of orientations, expectations and conventions that circulate
between industry, text and subject”(Hartley, 2018) So as this may be the correct way of explaining Genre. an easier way to understand what Genre really means is to think of it as a way of categorising, nothing more nothing less. Now with that being covered I would like you all to meet xxxtencation.

 

xxxtent

Over the past two years, the late rapper XXXTentacion (real name Jahseh Onfroy) had experienced numerous ups and down within his career. From being framed for beating his ex girlfriend to being caught with possession on weapon’s X had it tough from the day he stood into the limelight. The reason as to why xxxtentacion is a perfect example when talking about genre’s within music is that he was never really help down by just one genre, he was able to express and live within any. “More often, a genre name will come from a musician’s works”(Matos, 2018) Many artist’s can usually state which genre they are apart of just through their music itself, many rappers have been using the same ‘rap’ flow for years now, so its easy to place their music under the rap name, but not X.

xxxt

Even though xxxtentacions music is in some ways classified as rap, most of his music was a lot more then that. For a lot of us we know the basic and most popular genres of music; Pop, RnB, Classical, Rap, Country, EDM, ect. But what X was able to do is combine and sometimes even confuse us into believing that his music is nothing like what we have ever heard. His music variety from depression rap to hype up music as he grew older and more mature, yet after the suicide of a close friend something sparked within X’s that helped him create his famous and most well known tracks such as “Moonlight” and “SAD” Which where both tracks mixing rap with hints of guitars and even classical instruments.

I guess what i’m trying to say after looking deeper into the term and the information  surrounding it, is that it can be a very confusing and sometimes even unimportant term to hold yourself down to. If we as creators and listeners within the world on music, film or even art lock ourselves down to the everyday genres, then there is no room to explore the possibilities. That is why I believe X was such a great influence on genre within music, representing that music or any art in which someones creates DOES NOT need to be categorised according to how similar their work is to someone else’s.

RIP XXX 1998-2018

 

References 

 

The One And Only.. Flume

Style is a phrase thrown around a lot in the world of fashion, certain lifestyles and even the way in which a individual proceeds to show themselves off to the world. Style to me, means bringing your own taste and touch to the industry in which you are within. In today’s society, it seem to be a dangerous and somewhat bold move to even think about standing out and  bringing your own feel to the world even if your where certain it would succeed. But what does it REALLY mean to have your own style? “Style means the display of difference and serves not only to differentiate, but also to forge an identity “(Hartley,2002, CCMD) Imagine being the first person to create a trend no one had ever seen or heard before, pretty hard right? Well, let me introduce you to Flume.flume

Also known as Harley Edward Streten, this 26 year old from Australia is now seen as one of the biggest EDM Dj’s in the world. Flume became hooked on music throughout most of his schooling years, always listening to music, watching film clips on the way to school and he actually decided to buy his first mixing software at the age of 17. As Flume grew into a young adult so did his imagination, begging to sample sounds from Wind chimes, people humming and even buying cheap sample sounds of the internet to begin throwing together what soon would be his famous EDM style.

“Your style of sound is you when you are completely vulnerable, not concerned with anything in the studio. It’s when you let your heart speak” (Zac, Citron, 2013,)

flume 2.jpg

Flumes Influence on Myself & My Industry  

There are many aspects of Flume that influence me to better myself as a creative individual within the Film world, but the most obvious would be his style. Being able to create and stand for something you are so passionate about without knowing if its a flop or not is something that really inspires me. In a industry  where creativity is key, it is incredibly hard to branch away from the main stream norms in which are succeeding to push for something that could potentially have a severe back lash on not only your career but also your look within the industry.

Even though I am not in the Music industry, style is something in which I believe after exploring the definition, is incredibly important. As Film is too a creative art, being able to push and create something that shows the real you is what creating is all about. So to end this Blog I would like to express to follow and explore your own style, test and fail with the skills your mind has to offer and remember their is only one of you… So lets show the world what we got. flume album.jpg

 

References

Citron, Z. (2013). How to Find Your Own Sound. [online] Pro Audio Files.

Google.com.au. (2016). flume skin – Google Search. [online]

Hartley, J. (2002).(pg.219). Style. (Communication, Culture and Media Studies)