It’s 2019, And Single Genres Of Music Are Dead
A popular trend of mixing different genres into a single song is on the rise, and people are calling it genre-bending.
Whether you were at a frat party, jamming to new music in the car or anywhere doing absolutely anything, you've heard Lil Nas X's song "Old Town Road." The catchy tune has remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 for the second week in a row, and the world doesn't know whether to call it a disgrace of a country song or the worst rap song to exist. I call it one of the most successful examples of a cross-genre song.
Billy Ray Cyrus sings about diamond rings and Maseratis in Lil Nas X's genre-bending song https://t.co/HOaQozwk0X https://t.co/pcRp5SbuxT— CNN (@CNN) 1555156868.0
Genre-bending, or the concept of mixing two or more genres of music into a single song, has been around for awhile, but it has gained popularity in recent years.
This video published by NPR Music demonstrates genre-bending for over 15 minutes.
Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan: NPR Music Tiny Desk ConcertYouTube
Not only is creating cross-genre tracks a reflection of a versatile artist, but it is a skill that demonstrates creativity, thoughtfulness and talent. Artists like Mac Miller (R.I.P.), Kanye West and Jesse Rutherford from The Neighbourhood use genre-blending in much of their music, and they do it well.
Mac Miller's song "2009" from his most recent album Swimming begins with a classical intro before beginning the talk rap tune that he did so well.
i got woken up by my bro playing mac miller's 2009 yesterday, and i honestly haven't moved on from the high, the mo… https://t.co/o3kQxPiaLO— ℤia | ia until i graduate probably (@ℤia | ia until i graduate probably) 1555238403.0
Kanye weaves the vintage song "Bound" released in 1971 and "Sweet Nothin's" from 1960 into his rap song "Bound 2". According to Genius, the soulful rap tune peaked at 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
*turns on Bound 2 by Kanye West* Pizzy: "Is this the Jackson 5?"— car (@car) 1460153710.0
Jesse's "Tunnelovision" begins as an upbeat rock song but transitions into a trap-like rap intermission at 0:41 before returning back to rock-n-roll.
OUT TODAY! "Tunnelovision," produced by @jesserutherford himself, is a defining example of his versatility as an ar… https://t.co/6sM3Nyl5ld— Doug Fir Lounge (@Doug Fir Lounge) 1554926927.0
While some are opposed to cross-genre songs, others are welcoming the style with open arms. It's refreshing, it's pushing boundaries and it might even save the music industry.
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