Music is always changing. Music decades ago sounds really different from music today. At the forefront of these changes are artists, singers, and musicians who have taken the world by storm and changed music forever.
Very few artists are timeless enough that their relevance spans generations and cultures. Some artists are one-hit wonders, amassing fame instantly with one popular song, only to slip into obscurity just as quickly. Others are truly timeless, creating works that remain celebrated centuries after the artists themselves have died. Just think about how often piano players perform the works of composers like Beethoven and Mozart.
When you think about cello music, what do you think about? To most people, cellos are classical and traditional orchestral instruments. They are not known for being cool or trendy. Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser are trying to change that. Together, Šulić and Hauser make up 2CELLOS, a Croatian cello duo. These musicians brought both rock and classical music together, creating a unique crossover.
2CELLOS aren't the only crossover musicians. There are many artists that have blurred the lines between classical and non-classical styles of music, like Polish tenor Andrzej Lampert. Carrie Underwood is another well-known crossover musician. She is both a country and pop singer. Concurrent with Carrie Underwood's fame and success was the emergence of Taylor Swift. Swift became a worldwide sensation with her pop and country crossover music.
Crossover music can help with the revival of lesser-known genres. However, this kind of music can carry negative connotations. Some crossover music has taken certain genres and changed them so that it would be more popular with mainstream audiences. The problem is that the group who started the original genre could be left out of the music scene. The crossover can also overshadow the original genre.
Online video streaming has changed the way consumers receive music. Everyone around the world who has access to the internet can see music videos. The most popular music videos have one thing in common. They allow audiences to reinterpret the musical styles and dance moves in their own lives. Have you seen ‘Gangnam Style’ performed by South Korean musician Psy? It was the first-ever YouTube video to reach one billion views! There are many reenactment videos online of this popular dance.
Countless groups and individuals have posted their own versions of popular videos online. You might even have been part of one yourself! The best thing about music is that nobody owns the art of music. The right to make music truly belongs to anyone.
Popular concerts used to have to take place in large venues with anywhere from hundreds to thousands of attendees. It required a copious amount of planning and organizing. With technology, concert-goers can support their favourite artists from their own living room couch! Attendees from other countries can also enjoy the concert without travelling. Some concerts allow attendees to interact with the musicians too! With enough cheers, maybe the singers will do an encore at the end!
Some businesses are looking for more ways to monetize the music industry in the world of rapidly developing tech. Some artists and companies have organized online and real-time fan meetings. There are also virtual tip jars that allow fans to monetary support artists.
How we listen to music has changed a lot over the years. Many people are opting for wireless wearables, such as Bluetooth earbuds to enjoy their music. Music fans are able to stream their favourite songs on different services. Some platforms allow users to pay a monthly fee to listen to music. That fee then goes towards royalties for artists.
Those in the music industry underscore the importance of keeping up with what's new in technology and adapting in order to not be eliminated in the music scene. New apps are always just around the corner offering more engaging ways to listen to music. The app that is on the fringe right now could be the next hit!
As technology constantly changes the shape of the musical world, who knows what the future of music might look like? Perhaps the next big star will be AI-generated!