Genre Research

Hip/Hop

Genre ConventionsPoverty- Artists describe working class roots and how the environment they live in can often lead to crime and violence.

Struggle- Artists explain the way they have to struggle to get noticed in the industry, or to make a name for themselves.

Crime/Violence- A substantial amount of Hip/Hop artists have aggressive lyrics and videos that emphasise the violent conventions of the genre

Drugs- Drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and crack are mentioned in a huge amount of songs within the genre, the distribution of drugs is also a common theme

Notorious B.I.G- Juicy

“It was all a dream, I used to read word up Magazine, Salt ‘n’ pepper and heavy D up in the limousine”- Discusses how his lifestyle has changed from ghetto to Lavish

Odd Future“OF Shit that’s all I got, to my little brother Frankie to my little brother Tac, to the Father figure rock to that skatey nigga Lac”-Discusses how he and his friends are working class and that their friendship is their strongest asset

Indie Rock

Genre Conventions

Friendship- As the majority of indie artists are formulated of male musicians, friendship is a key convention of the genre

Love/Heartbreak- Lyrics and videos often surround the theme of love, and pain caused by relationships and break-ups. The male dominated genre has a unique twist on the theme of love that is not seen in more female dominated genres like mainstream pop.

Youth- The theme of youth and coming of age is a popular convention of the indie genre

Typical Lyrics- Indie/RockJoy Division- She’s Lost Control

‘Confusion in her eyes, that says it all. And she’s clinging to the nearest passer by, she’s lost control. And she’s gave away the secrets of her past, and said I’ve lost control again’ –Portraying the story of a couple dealing with an affair, also hints on themes of mental illness that is common in Indie/Rock.

Blink 182- I miss you

‘Hello there, the Angel from my nightmare. The Shadow of the background of the Morgue, the unsuspecting victim of darkness inthe valley, we can live like jack and sally in the if we want’ – Supernatural themes of death and crime (victim). Themes of love and despair.

Arctic Monkey- Riot Van

‘Up rolled the riot vans and sparked excitement in the boys, but the policemen looked annoyed, perhaps these are ones they should avoid’