A recent news report by CNN talks about Asian Hip Hop.
Apparently, Hip-hop is quickly becoming the most popular style of music across Asia, even eclipsing today's big rock acts.
Hip-hop in Asia is taking a softer approach to a music genre often criticized for glorifying gang violence and drugs.

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT JAPAN...J-POP

Have been doing some research on asian music and came across Japanese music. Though i'm not a J-pop fan, something struck me (i guess it's the thought that some of my friends are so crazy over j-pop stars..i wonder why?) to continue to find out what's all these japanese music genres is all about. Have seen so many J-pop MTVs on MTV Asia music channel when i was back home..guess this is a chance for me to find out and learn something about the japanese music scene.

Apparently, the music scene in Japan is second only to that of the United States in terms of volume, and easily equal in diversity. Pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, ska, jazz, punk, metal... all of these and more can be found on the Japanese charts and in music stores. Besides those catagories that most Westerners are familiar with, there are some genres and terms that are uniquely asian: J-pop, J-rock, K-pop, Visual Kei (this last one sounds pretty interesting...wonder what it's all about).

What exactly is Visual Kei? Found out that this genre began in the early 1980's (hmmm...that's when i was born, it's as old as me), a Japanese band called X, heavily influenced by American glam-rock, stormed onto the Japanese music scene with what they called "Visual Shock". Over the past 20 years, the spandex and two-foot-high mohawks have evolved into a wildly theatrical style known as Visual Kei. Visual Kei, or style, refers more to a look than a sound. But that look is widely varied, from glamorous to dark to whimsical to horrific and alien. Whether dressed in suits or skirts or goth-industrial-kabuki finery, however, it's all about the show. Music and visual style are inexorably linked. There is an abundant presence of androgeny and sexual ambiguity. Most V/K music tends to be loud. And fast. And loud. It is no real surprise to find that many visual artists cite Marylin Manson and KISS as influences. Conversely, Marylin Manson's look and stage presence has been heavily influenced by Visual Kei. Of all asian music genres, Visual Rock seems to be in the biggest state of flux currently. And being a subculture thriving on originality and individuality, many visual artists are trying to re-define the limits of their look and sound.

I'm so behind time, yikes! =P Guess lots of students have already started researching for the second assignment...as i can see from the blog entries made so far. Have been caught up with personal issues lately that i've not been keeping myself in touch with blogging. Have read some of the entries made so far by other students and some are real good. As an international student from Asia, i'm more familiar and in touch with the Asian music industry and i guess i'll have more stuff to say about that. But hey, don't get me wrong, it's definitely interesting to learn from western music culture as well, that's what this blogging is all about, to learn from one another. Would therefore like to share with you stuff about the music scenes in Asia. Hope it is not too late to make entries now...we've got 2 more weeks right?

Found an article on Digital music and subculture, check this out!
It talks about SHARING FILES and SHARING STYLES

Construction in Progress... =P