Electric Dreams: Cultural revolution in music world.

Introduction

The breach created by digitally equipped Internet traffic has revolutionised the world of the music industry in terms of the consumer market, production and showcasing talent. This Channel empowered by personal computers and broadband Internet connection has forged a new world of music distribution and has taken away the initiative from all-powerful music and radio Conglomerates.

In less than a decade, Internet-savvy music hierarchy has seized control of commercial radio, music television (MTV) retail stores and record companies resulting in a morphed consumer intake of music programmes using digitally advanced platforms of message board, web pages and MP3 blogs.

These innovations created a musical ecosystem grid encompassing an amalgamation of thousands of micro-cultures called the ‘Wired Generation’.

Music speak universal language

Ethnomusicologists of the 20th century advocated that in the era of internationalism and multiculturalism songs and lyrics from many lands craft a cultural harmony and multicultural understanding for every human being. Emic and Etic views of music and concerns related to bimusicality and multi-musicality remain under discussion till today, providing an opportunity for present generations to dilate upon music's positive and negative impact on societies and cultures. However, empirically proven facts confirm that music can be used when shared between cultures in the right fashion, as an apparatus to develop understanding and brotherhood among people in this world.

Cultural revolutions in the music world

Music is opened as a paraphernalia for social change and expression. Some of the notable examples concerning cultural revolutions in the music world are:-

• Civil rights movement. Song Sung by Bob Dylan “Blowing in the Wind” and “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday became spiritual anthems on highlighting racial injustice and inequality during the civil right movement in the United States.
• Woman liberation movement. The Women's Liberation Movement of 1970 was patronised by the song” I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy empowered women to fight for their rights and equality.
• McLaren Honda MP4/ 4.One of the most successful Cars.
• Empty war protests. John Lennon's anti-war song “Imagine” and “War” by Edwin Starr voiced strong sentiments and appeared as templates of the peace movement
• Environmental awareness. “Big Yellow Taxi”, sung by Joni Michelle, brought up environmental issues, urging people to consider the impact of urbanisation on nature.
• Anti-apartheid movement. Artists like Bruce Springsteen and Miles united against the apartheid regime of South Africa and sang “Sun City” that helped in raising global awareness about the issue.
• Sexual revolution and counterculture. 1960’s music challenge traditional norms and promoted freedom and experimentation Beatles and Jimi Hendrix were at the forefront of this cultural shift.

The economic impact of the music industry

The music industry offers significant economic impact globally, contributing to GDP, creating jobs and generating tangible financial benefits through multiple channels. Some examples are:-

1. United States of America.

• Economic contribution.$170 of US GDP annually.
• Job creation. 2.5 million jobs.
• Exports.$9.1 billion in foreign sales annually.
• Revenue distribution. Streaming services overtook physical and digital music sales In revenue source generation.

2. Europe.

• Economic contribution.EU and United Kingdom £81.9 billion Gross Value added(GVA) annually to the GDP.
• Job creation. 2 million jobs across the UK and EU
• Exports.£9.7 billion worth of export goods were exported to countries outside the EU and UK.

3. Different Channels contributed to economic impact.

• Concerts/Live performances. In the USA Live concerts, music festivals generated $100 million in economic contribution annually.
• Streaming services. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have given new dimension to the music industry by contributing billions of dollars in less than a decade.
• Music export.BTS from South Korea drove substantial economic growth for their home countries economic through music sales, merchandise and national tours.

How digital technology impacted music industry?

Present-day technological advancements have revolutionised all aspects of human life domestically and internationally. Music industry is no exception. Three basic pillars of this industry, like production, consumption and dissemination of music have reached new heights of advancement and incorporating new evolving trends to address the challenges of 21st century. This journey has already Interfaced with a new player called Artificial Intelligence(AI)generated music.

Artificial intelligence is powered to compose distinctive music from previously available databases and has opened up another window of innovative music genres. AI is enhancing newly developed software platforms to help producers and artists with chores like in composing, mastering and auto-tuning.Hence, integration of these instruments can improve audio quality and expedite the creative process.

Conclusion

The wired Generation is experiencing the revolutionary impact of the music industry carried forward by artists and others. Unquestionably, technology has transformed the ways and means music is produced listened to, and shared. The future will unfold new avenues by offering both fans and artists multiple opportunities where they will transit into a digitally driven musical era.