BLACK MALE SINGERS

Individuality of the black male singer is a deterrent to commercial success due to the social construction of pop idioms in contemporary audience tastes

Individuality of the black male singer is a deterrent to commercial success due to the social construction of pop idioms in contemporary audience tastes

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study:

The ethnocentrism has affected mankind since ancient times. The most obvious have been known in European countries, China, Japan and North America. American pop music industry has been one of the means that have wider spreading of this phenomenon in the United States. This bias is manifested mainly of white Anglo-Saxon and native-born Americans against blacks brought from Africa to work as slaves during the seventeenth century, and more recently Chinese, Japanese and other immigrants and Hispanic Americans or others. African background or as they say Black singers have strived hard to prove their mettle in pop industry and it can be observed that audience praised them in the form of famous artists such as Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. In present times one can say that black singers and to highlight their masculine gender face difficult times in gaining commercial success due to various ethnic stereotypes having been developed in contemporary audience tastes.

This Research Proposal considers famous literary works on this topic and after contemplation and critical evaluation, a thoughtful opinion has been developed as expressed in this paper regarding the individuality of black male singers being deterrent to their commercial success due to the social construction of pop idioms in contemporary audience tastes.Thesis Statement:

Individuality of the black male singer is a deterrent to commercial success due to the social construction of pop idioms in contemporary audience tastes.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Contemporary pop music audience is way more aware and mature as compared to 80s and 90s audience. The primary reason for this development is dynamic role of contemporary mass communication media that includes electronic, print and social media in affecting and creating audience opinion. Often the critical opinion of media pundits in pop music industry are unable to impact audience opinion regarding a singer, this is because audience puts emphasize on innovation, creativity and productivity in the musical product created by singer.

Instances supporting the opinion:

American pop industry has witnessed instances of racism regarding black male singers. There have been numerous instances showing top black male singers beginning their career in American then moving to Europe due to their individuality become deterrent in their commercial success. Willard White after finishing his studies at the Manhattan's Julliard School left United States saying that he felt the pressure of racism. The producers and board of directors in pop music industry have developed a stereotypical attitude towards casting singers. There have been instances where audience has resented to casting black male singer in a duet with a white female singer as was evidenced in the case of George Shirley. There is not even a single black male singer at Lyric Opera in Chicago.

Role of media in affecting and creating audience opinion ...