Are Blackness and whiteness useful concepts in the study of popular music?

I do not agree that blackness and whiteness are useful concepts as it is almost impossible to define what white or black music. Many people may say rap is black music when one of the most successful rappers is actually white (Eminem). Some could argue that rock is white music, however it was formed from the blues which is played by many black artists. It is possible to say they are both the same as music nowadays is formed from various genres. Hatch and Milward state "Pop music has always depended upon the interaction between white and black traditions". This backs up the point that pop music is built up of genres that come from both black and white artists. Pop music is rarely a pure form which is why blackness and whiteness is not useful in the study of pop.

Bhangra is a genre that crosses many influences and it is impossible to call it black or white music as it is from the asian origin. Bennet states that since the 60's immigrants use their music to establish their background and culture in Britain. This may not be true in this day and age because you can have someone of any race playing any genre out there in music. This is why the concept of using blackness and whiteness in the study of pop music is not ideal.

Can Pop Music achieve genuine Political change?

I think pop music can deter young people from voting for parties as they see their idols and are eager to be like them which is a generalisation but I'm sure it has happened. Eminem had a pop single opposing President Bush called Mosh. This song must have had an impact on young people as it is essentially propaganda to not vote for Bush and was around the time he sent troops to Iraq which is a heated debate between right and wrong. John Street states that pop music can inspire people to take action, this could be against certain parties in politics for young people as pop music is aimed at young people.

Paul weller, Billy Bragg and Jimmy Somerville formed Red Wedge, an organisation to promote the labour party using pop music, this proved to be unsuccessful which is an example of music not being able to achieve political change. Rock against racism however has promoted music as opposition to racist parties such as the BNP however it can never be proved that it was pop music that achieved genuine political change.

Does the emergence of the digital download signal the end of the music Industry?

The emergence of the digital download has damaged the music industry in a big way. Millions of songs are being downloaded illegaly worldwide. I do not think it has signalled the end of the music industry but it has affected it. Some artists may not make as much music as they would have done before the emergence of the digital download as people can get it for free at the touch of a button without leaving the house. iTunes reported it had sold its tenth billion song in february which just shows how the digital download is beneficial still to the music business regardless of illegal downloads.

However, maybe the emergence of the digital download system is just a good way to promote the music industry. This can be seen through the release of Radiohead's Kid A which was illegally downloaded millions of times before its official release on Napster. When it was released, it went no. 1 in the US, UK, Ireland, France, New Zealand and Canada. This is an indication that illegal digital downloads can benefit record sales and the music industry. Thom Yorke even stated from Radiohead "it encourages enthusiasm for music in a way that the music industry has long forgotten to do".