British Female Singers

We are looking at artists such as Amy Winehouse, Estelle, Adele, Duffy, and Leona Lewis and how they assert their British identities in their music and how that might hinder or help them in the American music industry. We are also looking at what it is about their music, such as the content and lyrics, that lends to their success in this particular culture. Questions such as how they were able to so successfully crossover, how they maintained or changed their images in that crossover, and the kinds of perceptions people have about their music.

Stephanie Singleton & Danielle Johnson

Hip-hop Vs. Rap Music

For our mix tape project, we would like to explore the differences and some similarities between the music of “conscious” hip-hop artists vs. “non-conscious” hip-hop artists from the 90s to present day. Which, in turn, divides Hip-hop and Rap music. We will define our idea of each term. In doing this, we will examine the effect their music has on the social, cultural, and political views of society and vice versa. We will do this by analyzing the lyrical content of the music and the historical background of the artists. Common, Lauryn Hill, Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Mama, Will.I.Am, and Soulja Boy are some examples of artists we will use to support our analysis. Although rhythmically very similar, they are separated by their lyrical content and their targeted audience. In other words, the difference between musical talent and profitability. We will relate this to the concept covered in class of the idea that rock music is an art, whereas pop music is more superficial and plastic.


(Tamir M. & Priscilla Q.)

Gender and J-Pop

Our mixtape project will explore the gender and sexuality issues of Japanese pop, also known as "J-Pop." J-pop has several prominent female artists and groups who have asserted stereotypical views of femininity but there have been others who have transgressed certain ideas of female gender roles in Japanese culture. Such artists include Ayumi Hamasaki and SPEED. However, for the purposes of this project, it is important to define gender within the cultural context of Japan; this imperative because while some aspects of "J-Poppers" may appear to be gender-bending in American culture, they are accurate portrayals of Japanese socially constructed norms of gender and sexuality.

Ginny Driscoll and Elvira Tran