Category: Music Genres

Music Genre – Alternative

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Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a genre of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s and 2000s. In this instance, the word “alternative” refers to the genre’s distinction from mainstream rock music. The term’s original meaning was broader, referring to a generation of musicians unified by their collective debt to either the musical style or simply the independent, D.I.Y. ethos of punk rock, which in the late 1970s laid the groundwork for alternative music. At times, “alternative” has been used as a catch-all description for music from underground rock artists that receives mainstream recognition, or for any music, whether rock or not, that is seen to be descended from punk rock (including some examples of punk itself, as well as new wave, and post-punk).

Alternative rock is a broad umbrella term consisting of music that differs greatly in terms of its sound, its social context, and its regional roots. By the end of the 1980s magazines and zines, college radio airplay, and word of mouth had increased the prominence and highlighted the diversity of alternative rock, helping to define a number of distinct styles (and music scenes) such asgothic rock, jangle pop, noise pop, indie rock, indie pop, grunge, industrial rock, alternative hip hop, and rap rock. Most of these subgenres had achieved minor mainstream notice and a few bands representing them, such as Hüsker Dü and R.E.M., had even signed to major labels. But most alternative bands’ commercial success was limited in comparison to other genres of rock and pop music at the time, and most acts remained signed to independent labels and received relatively little attention from mainstream radio, television, or newspapers. With the breakthrough of Nirvana and the popularity of the grunge and Britpop movements in the 1990s, alternative rock entered the musical mainstream and many alternative bands became successful.

By the end of the decade, alternative rock’s mainstream prominence declined due to a number of events that caused grunge and Britpop to fade and led to the hiatus of the Lollapalooza festival. Nevertheless, post-grunge remained commercially viable into the start of the 21st century, with the commercial success of Creed and Matchbox Twenty; Radiohead‘s critical acclaim, and the success of some post-Britpop groups like Coldplay. Emo attracted attention in the larger alternative rock world, and the term was applied to a variety of artists, including multi-platinum acts. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, several alternative rock bands emerged, including The White Stripes, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Franz Ferdinand, and Interpol, that drew from post-punk and new wave. Post-punk revival artists such as Modest Mouse and The Killers had commercial success in the early and mid 2000s.

Newest Alternative Albums & Song Releases


  • Billy Talent

    Afraid Of Heights

    The EndReleased 07/29/16


  • Velvet Crush

    Pre-Teen Symphonies

    OmnivoreReleased 07/22/16


  • Good Charlotte

    Youth Authority

    MDDN/KobaltReleased 07/15/16


  • Biffy Clyro

    Ellipsis

    Warner Bros.Released 07/08/16


  • Switchfoot

    Where The Light Shines Through

    VanguardReleased 07/08/16


  • The Rave-Ups

    Town & Country (Expanded Reissue)

    OmnivoreReleased 07/08/16


  • Bat For Lashes

    The Bride

    Warner Bros.Released 07/01/16


  • Blink-182

    California

    BMGReleased 07/01/16


  • Augustines

    This Is Your Life

    PIAS AmericaReleased 06/24/16


  • The Bangles

    Ladies And Gentlemen…The Bangles! (Reissue)

    OmnivoreReleased 06/24/16


  • Misfits

    Friday The 13th (EP)

    MisfitsReleased 06/17/16


  • SWANS

    The Glowing Man

    Virtual Label Group/Young GodReleased 06/17/16


  • They Might Be Giants

    Phone Power

    IdlewildReleased 06/10/16


  • 10,000 Maniacs

    Playing Favorites

    OmnivoreReleased 06/03/16


  • Imagine Dragons

    Smoke + Mirrors Live (DVD+CD)

    Eagle RockReleased 06/03/16


  • The Kills

    Ash & Ice

    DominoReleased 06/03/16


  • Beth Orton

    Kidsticks

    ANTI-Released 05/27/16


  • Real Friends

    The Home Inside My Head

    FearlessReleased 05/27/16


  • Summer Cannibals

    Full Of It

    Kill Rock StarsReleased 05/27/16


  • Suns Of Thyme

    Cascades

    NapalmReleased 05/27/16


  • Saosin

    Along The Shadow

    EpitaphReleased 05/20/16


  • Donots

    ¡CARAJO!

    OK! GoodReleased 05/13/16


  • Nothing

    Tired Of Tomorrow

    RelapseReleased 05/13/16


  • Pierce The Veil

    Misadventures

    FearlessReleased 05/13/16


  • Holy White Hounds

    Sparkle Sparkle

    Razor & TieReleased 05/06/16


  • The Virginmarys

    Divides

    Wind-UpReleased 05/06/16


  • White Lung

    Paradise

    DominoReleased 05/06/16


  • Candlebox

    Disappearing In Airports

    PavementReleased 04/22/16


  • 7Horse

    Livin’ In A Bitch Of A World

    CENReleased 04/15/16


  • The Hellflowers

    Come On Let’s Dance (EP)

    Hellflowers MusicReleased 04/15/16


  • The Dandy Warhols

    Distortland

    Dine AloneReleased 04/08/16


  • Smile Empty Soul

    Shapeshifter

    PavementReleased 04/01/16


  • Enrique Bunbury

    El Camino Mas Largo (DVD)

    Eagle RockReleased 03/25/16


  • Plague Vendor

    Bloodsweat

    EpitaphReleased 03/25/16


  • Iggy Pop

    Post Pop Depression

    Loma VistaReleased 03/18/16


  • Soul Asylum

    Change Of Fortune

    Entertainment OneReleased 03/18/16


  • RNDM

    Ghost Riding

    Dine AloneReleased 03/04/16


  • Violent Femmes

    We Can Do Anything

    PIAS AmericaReleased 03/04/16


  • Wintersleep

    The Great Detachment

    Dine AloneReleased 03/04/16


  • Colours

    Ivory

    VictoryReleased 02/26/16


  • Santigold

    99¢

    AtlanticReleased 02/26/16


  • Wakey Wakey

    Overreactivist

    The EndReleased 02/26/16


  • Dr. Dog

    The Psychedelic Swamp

    ANTI-Released 02/05/16


  • Game Theory

    Lolita Nation (Expanded Reissue)

    OmnivoreReleased 02/05/16


  • John Cale

    Music For A New Society/M:FANS

    DominoReleased 02/05/16


  • MONEY

    Suicide Songs

    Bella UnionReleased 01/29/16


  • Night Beats

    Who Sold My Generation

    PIAS AmericaReleased 01/29/16


  • Savages

    Adore Life

    MatadorReleased 01/22/16


  • The Jam

    About The Young Idea + Rockpalast (DVD)

    Eagle RockReleased 01/22/16


  • Crippled Black Phoenix

    New Dark Age

    Season Of MistReleased 01/08/16

Music Genre – Hiphop

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Hip hop music, also called hip-hop or rap music, is a music genre formed in the United States in the 1970s that consists of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted.It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching, break dancing, andgraffiti writing.[6][7][8] Other elements include sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing.

While often used to refer to rapping, “hip hop” more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture.The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music,though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJing, turntablism, and scratching, beatboxing, andinstrumental tracks.

Hip hop as music and culture formed during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York City, particularly among African American youth residing in the Bronx. At block parties DJs played percussive breaks of popular songs using two turntables to extend the breaks. Hip hop’s early evolution occurred as sampling technology and drum-machines became widely available and affordable. Turntablist techniques developed along with the breaks and the Jamaican toasting vocal style was used. Rapping developed as a vocal style in which the artist speaks along with an instrumental or synthesized beat. Notable artists at this time include DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Fab Five Freddy, Marley Marl, Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, Whodini, Warp 9, the Fat Boys, and Spoonie Gee. The Sugarhill Gang‘s 1979 song “Rapper’s Delight” is widely regarded to be the first hip hop record to gain widespread popularity in the mainstream. The 1980s marked the diversification of hip hop as the genre developed more complex styles. Prior to the 1980s, hip hop music was largely confined within the United States. However, during the 1980s, it began its spread and became a part of the music scene in dozens of countries.

New school hip hop was the second wave of hip hop music, originating in 1983–84 with the early records of Run-D.M.C. and LL Cool J. The Golden age hip hop period was an innovative period between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. Notable artists from this era include the Juice Crew, Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions and KRS-One, EPMD, Slick Rick, Beastie Boys,Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Ultramagnetic MCs, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest.

Gangsta rap is a subgenre of hip hop that often focuses on the violent lifestyles and impoverished conditions of inner-city youths.Schoolly D, N.W.A, Ice-T, Ice Cube, and the Geto Boys are artists most frequently associated with the founding of gangsta rap. These artists were known for mixing the political and social commentary of political rap with the criminal elements and crime stories found in gangsta rap.

In the West Coast hip hop style, G-funk dominated mainstream hip hop for several years during the 1990s. East Coast hip hop in the early to mid 1990s was dominated by the Afrocentric jazz rap and alternative hip hop of the Native Tongues posse as well as thehardcore rap of artists such as Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, and Notorious B.I.G..

In the 1990s, hip hop began to diversify with other regional styles emerging on the national scene, such as Southern rap and Atlanta hip hop. At the same time, hip hop continued to be assimilated into other genres of popular music, an example being Neo soul. Hip hop became a best-selling music genre in the mid-1990s and the top selling music genre by 1999. The popularity of hip hop music continued through the 2000s, with hip hop influences also increasingly finding their way into mainstream pop. The United States also saw the success of styles such as crunk, a music that emphasized the beats and music more than the lyrics. Starting in 2005, sales of hip hop music in the United States began to severely wane. During the mid-2000s that alternative hip hop secured a place within the mainstream, due in part to the crossover success of artists such as OutKast and Kanye West.

The Best Hip-Hop Songs Of 2016 So Far

So far we’ve been blessed with huge street anthems and club bangers from Drake, Kanye West, Meek Mill and more.

Jay Z Performing on stage

2016 has already been a huge year for Hip Hop, with Kanye West dropping his long-awaited album ‘The Life Of Pablo’ and Drake releasing his new album ‘Views’.

There have also been big releases from newcomer Desiigner and Meek Mill – who has attempted to bounce back from his 2015 feud with Drake.

Remember to check back for updates and hit play on the freshest 2016 Hip-Hop songs so far:

Desiigner – ‘Timmy Turner’

Desiigner turned his XXL freestyle into a real song after popular demand and followed up his debut single ‘Panda’ in style.

DJ Khaled Feat. Jay Z & Future – ‘I Got The Keys’

Following DJ Khaled’s incredible rise on Snapchat, the music mogul followed up with a huge collaboration alongside Jay Z and Future. Major song alert!

Drake – ‘4PM In Calabasas’

After receiving some criticism by hardcore Hip Hip fans for the lack of rapping on ‘Views’, Drake showed that he is still very sharp with lyrics on a huge freestyle.

Fat Joe & Remy Ma Feat Jay Z & French Montana – ‘All The Way Up’ (Remix)

Following lots of controversy over Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’, Jay Z made a triumphant return to Hip Hop with a huge feature verse.

Drake – ‘One Dance’

Drizzy switched up his signature style to provide one of the biggest hits of the year so far, sampling classic Funky House track ‘Do You Mind’.

Yo Gotti – ‘Down In The DM’

Memphis rapper Yo Gotti’s hit single ‘Down In The DM’ is the perfect soundtrack for people who are obsessed with social media.

Kendrick Lamar – ‘Untitled 7’


A standout track from Kendrick Lamar’s surprise EP ‘Untitled, Unmastered’, the rapper showed off his outstanding lyrical ability.

Kanye West – ‘Ultra Light Beam’


Kanye West kicked off his highly-anticipated seventh studio album ‘TLOP’ with a huge gospel anthem featuring Chance The Rapper!

Jay Electronica – ‘The Curse Of Mayweather’

Despite very rarely releasing new music, Jay Electronica is very highly regarded in the Hip Hop world and ‘The Curse Of Mayweather’ proves why. The rapper combines his signature hard hitting lyrics with an infectious beat.

Desiigner – ‘Panda’


Easily mistaken for Future, New York rapper Desiigner announced his entrance to Hip Hop with a huge trap anthem that was also sampled on Kanye West’s ‘The Life Of Pablo’.

Kanye West Feat. Kendrick Lamar – ‘No More Parties In LA’

Kanye West surprised many fans when he initially teased his first official collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. However Ye’ doesn’t disappoint – holding his own against the Compton rapper over a soulful beat.

Meek Mill – ‘Pray For Em’

Despite being written off by many following his feud with Drake, Meek Mill made his return to Hip Hop with a huge street banger.

Drake – ‘Summer Sixteen’

Drake unveiled the first official song from ‘Views From The Six’ – a hard hitting track that took shots at Meek Mill and fellow Canadian Tory Lanez.

 

Music Genre – Pop

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Pop Music/Popular Music

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the Western world during the 1950s and 1960s, deriving from rock and roll. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular (and can include any style).

History Of Pop Music

David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop music as “a body of music which is distinguishable from popular, jazz, and folk musics”. According to Pete Seeger, pop music is “professional music which draws upon both folk music and fine arts music”.[Although pop music is seen as just the singles charts, it is not the sum of all chart music. The music charts contain songs from a variety of sources, including classical, jazz, rock, and novelty songs. Pop music, as a genre, is seen as existing and developing separately. Thus “pop music” may be used to describe a distinct genre, aimed at a youth market, often characterized as a softer alternative to rock and roll.

The term “pop song” was first recorded as being used in 1926, in the sense of a piece of music “having popular appeal”. However, the term was in mainstream use at least ten years earlier. Hatch and Millward indicate that many events in the history of recording in the 1920s can be seen as the birth of the modern pop music industry, including in country, blues and hillbilly music.

Etymology of Pop Music

The term “pop song” was first recorded as being used in 1926, in the sense of a piece of music “having popular appeal”.However, the term was in mainstream use at least ten years earlier. Hatch and Millward indicate that many events in the history of recording in the 1920s can be seen as the birth of the modern pop music industry, including in country, blues and hillbilly music.

According to the website of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, called Grove Music Online, the term “pop music” “originated in Britain in the mid-1950s as a description for rock and roll and the new youth music styles that it influenced …”. The Oxford Dictionary of Music states that while pop’s “earlier meaning meant concerts appealing to a wide audience … since the late 1950s, however, pop has had the special meaning of non-classical mus[ic], usually in the form of songs, performed by such artists as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, ABBA, etc”.Grove Music Online also states that “… in the early 1960s [the term] ‘pop music’ competed terminologically with Beat music [in England], while in the USA its coverage overlapped (as it still does) with that of ‘rock and roll'”.

From about 1967, the term was increasingly used in opposition to the term rock music, a division that gave generic significance to both terms. Whereas rock aspired to authenticity and an expansion of the possibilities of popular music, pop was more commercial, ephemeral and accessible. According to Simon Frith pop music is produced “as a matter of enterprise not art”, is “designed to appeal to everyone” and “doesn’t come from any particular place or mark off any particular taste”. It is “not driven by any significant ambition except profit and commercial reward … and, in musical terms, it is essentially conservative”. It is, “provided from on high (by record companies, radio programmers and concert promoters) rather than being made from below … Pop is not a do-it-yourself music but is professionally produced and packaged”.

Top Hits of 2016

1. Justin Timberlake – ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’
https://youtu.be/p5RobDomh5U

Justin Timberlake returned to music in 2016 and we hadn’t realised how much we’d missed him! His first song of the year ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ is probably the happiest tune you’ll ever hear (yes even more than Pharrell‘s ‘Happy’).

Download Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ right now.
2. Little Mix feat. Jason Derulo – ‘Secret Love Song’

We couldn’t believe our ears when we heard Little Mix had teamed up with fellow chart superstar Jason Derulo however when we finally got to hear ‘Secret Love Song’, the world of pop collaborations was put right.

Download ‘Secret Love Song’ by Little Mix & Jason Derulo now.

3. Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign – ‘Work From Home’

Along with Little Mix, Fifth Harmony are by far one of the biggest girl bands in the world right now and their collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign is all the evidence you need.

Download Fifth Harmony & Ty Dolla $ign’s ‘Work From Home’ today.

4. DNCE – ‘Cake By The Ocean’

It’s catchy, fresh and pure pop magic. DNCE’s breakthrough single ‘Cake By The Ocean’ will make you smile from ear to ear whenever you hear it with its pure feel-good vibes.

Download DNCE’s ‘Cake By The Ocean’

5. Lukas Graham – ‘7 Years’

Well well, what can we say about Lukas Graham. The Danish group knocked ZAYN off the top spot after he held onto pole position for just one single week. ‘7 Years’ is a truly special song and if you haven’t heard it already, where have you been?!

Download Lukas Graham’s Vodafone Big Top 40 No.1 ‘7 Years’ now.

6. ZAYN – ‘PILLOWTALK’

This was always going to be a big one wasn’t it. ZAYN was the very first member of One Direction to leave the nest and go solo. To say his first venture on his own was a success is a massive understatement. The song went instantly to No.1, obviously.

Listen to the incredible moment ZAYN found out ‘PILLOWTALK’ was No.1!

7. Jonas Blue feat. Dakota – ‘Fast Car’

Who would’ve believed that one of the biggest chart hits of 2016 would be a brand new rendition of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’? The song came out of nowhere in January 2016 and hasn’t looked back since.

Download Jonas Blue’s epic cover of ‘Fast Car’ now.

8. Sia feat. Sean Paul – ‘Cheap Thrills’

Sia and Sean Paul are a duo we never imagined we’d be able to actually see but here it is! The Australian songwriting goddess hired in Sean ‘DUTTY’ Paul for a verse and it is so…damn…good.

Download Sia & Sean Paul’s hot collaboration ‘Cheap Thrills’

9. Snakehips feat. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper – ‘All My Friends’

Snakehips with the beat, Chance The Rapper with the verses and Tinasche with the hook. What more can you ask for? This tune has been a mainstay in the Vodafone Big Top 40 countdown and we can see why.

10. Jason Derulo – ‘Get Ugly’

Whenever Jason Derulo drops a new single, we all know it will only be a matter of time until we’re all jumping around the living room trying to emulate the ‘Talk Dirty’ star’s moves. We’eve since learnt, we’ll never be able to match Mr. Derulo’s shape throwing *sigh*.

Download Jason Derulo’s ‘Get Ugly’.

11. Major Lazer feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG – ‘Light It Up’

Major Lazer have produced one of those singles that will bury itself into your brain after just one listen. That trumpet hook is catchier than any song we’ve probably ever heard.

Download Major Lazer’s ‘Light It Up’ feat. NYLA now.

12. Lawson – ‘Money’

Andy, Joel, Adam and Ryan are back with some brand new music for us to absolutely devour (trust us, you’re going to need more after this). Their new single ‘Money’ is the first track we’ve heard from the boys new album following on from the debut LP ‘Chapman Square’.

Download Lawson’s ‘Money’ today.

13. One Direction – ‘History’

Please say this isn’t the final goodbye?! One Direction‘s epic ‘History’ music video charts the boys’ meteoric rise to success all the way up until they finally announced their hiatus. There are even little glimpses of ZAYN in the video!

Download One Direction’s epic single ‘History’.

14. Shawn Mendes – ‘Stitches’

After Justin Bieber‘s run at the top spot which started in 2015 and ended this year, Shawn Mendes’ ‘Stitches’ was the first No.1 of 2016. The Canadian singer, 17 at the time, started his career on the social media app ‘Vine’.

Who exactly is Shawn Mendes? Here are a few facts you might like to know.

15. Alessia Cara – ‘Here’

When we talk about breakthrough artists of 2016, Alessia Cara is the first name on everybody’s lips. Her very first single in the Vodafone Big Top 40 was this instant pop classic ‘Here’.

Download Alessia Cara’s ‘Here’ right now.

16. Ellie Goulding – ‘Army’

Ellie Goulding has been a chart veteran for a few years now. In fact she holds one of the longest running No.1 singles of all time with her track ‘Love Me Like You Do’. ‘Army’ was her first offering of 2016 and she absolutely nailed it.

Download Ellie Goulding’s ‘Army’ right now.

17. Meghan Trainor – ‘NO’

Meghan’s breakthrough hit ‘All About That Bass’ was easily one of the biggest pop songs of 2015, so it only makes sense for her to return with a new smash hit this year and it’s called ‘No’.

 

 

Music Genre – KPop

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K-pop is a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements. Although it comprises all genres of “popular music” within South Korea, the term is more often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music covering a range of styles.

The genre emerged with one of the earliest K-pop groups, Seo Taiji and Boys, forming in 1992 and disbanded in 1996. Their experimentation with different music styles “reshaped Korea’s music  scene”. As a result, the integration of foreign musical elements has now become common practice in the K-pop industry.

K-pop entered the Japanese market at the turn of the 21st century and  grew into a subculture among teenagers and young adults in Asia. Currently, the global spread of K-pop and Korean culture known as the Korean Wave is seen globally. This is owing largely to Internet social networking services.

Many fans love Korean Music because of it’s beautiful and unique style.

 

Brief history of KPOP Music

Korean pop, or Kpop as it will be more popularly identified as a huge struck among Korean and also worldwide students. Together with Korean music having recognized on the international level, Kpop has become extremely popular.

The background of Korean appear music is just not extremely old. Although many folks point out that bands just like Wonder Girls are in fact inspired by the actual Western girl bands off their make upward to the music that they make. It is in fact that most modern dance music actually has a common language and style. The Korea youngsters are totally in love with their particular Korean appear music bands as well as are really very pleased of the truth that most of them have got gained reputation on an international degree as well. The history regarding Kpop music is quite exciting, although it’s very short, with the rapid spread of Kpop music radio framing it. Pop songs has become quite popular in Korea due to the actual Western influence regarding appear music. In fact, more than a period regarding only twenty unusual years, To the south Korea itself has developed through being a poor country, to like a major international gamer with incredible commodities and technology. This doesn’t mean that Traditional western culture is ruling the Korean culture, but more that it was the begin of different well-liked music programmes as well as web sources who have distribute pop audio as well as had a excellent impact upon the actual motivation of Korean music artists, as nicely as general audio lovers.

When we all look into the history associated with the Korea take music, we find out that the Kpop music radio provides indeed played a great role in marketing it and getting that to the masses. Since then, several rings and singers have got emerged in the scene, several of which even proved to be world class players. The Korean take music history does not can date to extremely old times, as It was just back in the 1990’s which pop music began to becoming actually popular in Korea.

 

In 1989 SM Entertainment Lee Soo Man founds what would become the largest and most successful Kpop company to date. In 1992 Kpop is Born Seo Taiji and The Boys became a wildly popular group, implementing American rap, rock, and techno into its music. A dance group, Korean pop music is still dominated by dance groups to this day. In 1997 JYP Entertainment Kpop artist Park Jin Young founds JYPE which would house mega star Rain and acts such as 2PM, 2AM, and Miss A. In 1998 Kpop Rises An SM boy group, H.O.T. tops Taiwanese charts. Kpop, along with Korean dramas and film, begin to gain international fanbases. In 1998 YG Entertainment Yang Hyun Suk, a former member of Seo Taiji and the Boys, founds the second largest Kpop Company YG. It would house Psy, Big Bang, and 2NE1. In 2001 Japan Enters the Fray Another SM artist BoA tops Japan’s Oricon chart and begins the trend of Kpop groups moving on to do large volumes of work and press in Japan after developing popularity in Korea. Japan will prove to be the largest market for Korean cultural products. In 2011 The New Triple Alliance The “Big Three’ companies and other Entertainment corporations come together and form United Asia Management. Way back 7/15/12 Gangnam Style was born. It is the most viewed video on Youtube (thus arguably the internet) and has entranced the world and everyone’s grandmothers. 2013 onwards An SM boy group, EXO. Tops charts with their albums

Top Hits 2016

Release Date: June 9,2016

 

Release Date: July 10, 2016

Release Date: June 28, 2016

 

Release Date: July 22, 2016

 

Release Date: July 4, 2016

 

Release Date: July 5, 2016

  • TWICE- Cheer Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7rCyll5AeY

Release Date: April 25, 2016

 

Release Date: May 2, 2016

 

 

Release Date: March 21, 2016

 

Release Date:  Febuary 25, 2016

Music Genre – Ballad

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Music has been part of our everyday lives. We listen to music as if it’s the most normal thing we do. Music maniacs, however, have their own kind of music that they like listening to. Some of us, people like me, just love listening to ballad music whenever I just suddenly felt nostalgic for a second or when maybe I’m in love or happy and in a need of a relaxing or slow music that suits my feelings at the moment.

A ballad is a song that tells a story, and it can be dramatic, funny, or romantic. You can find ballads in a variety of musical styles, from country-western to rock n’ roll.

The ballad is an old musical form. Ballads are often by anonymous composers, passed down from generation to generation. You may know “The Ballad of Jesse James,” about the notorious bank robber, which dates from the 1880s and has been recorded by everybody from Woody Guthrie to Springsteen. A ballad can also be a slow, romantic song, the kind of thing crooners like Johnny Mathis and Bing Crosby made famous. The word ballad comes from medieval French balade, a dancing song.

Many ballad singers or balladeers have paved their way into the music scene, singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dolly Parton, and Elvis Presley.

As a ballad lover, I want to share my personal favorite ballad songs of all time! J

  • TOP 10

One of my favorite ballad song is “Runaway” by The Corrs. I love the sweet lyrics and the feelings that is being conveyed in the song. To be honest, I think Runaway is the one of the best from The Corrs. The black and white themed Music Video I think added the sentimental feel, which I think is great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMnUHASwCmo

  • TOP 9

Next on the list is no other than Nina’s iconic “Someday”. The songs itself was well received by critics and became a commercial success. The song’s lyrics is a little bitter, it’s about wanting someone to appreciate her someday and that she would soon forget her past love. Many other foreign singers have admitted they like this song that is composed by a Filipino singer-composer Nina and even sung and made a cover of the song.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkEJH_st870

  • TOP 8

Korean-pop is very popular for its killer visual, aesthetic MVs and their knife-like choreography but they are also known for their heartfelt ballad songs. Korean Idols Kim Taeyeon and Kim Jonghyun, both from the same entertainment company, SM entertainment, sung the Korean version of this song from the album S.M The Ballad Vol. 2 and made a great stir in Korea, Japan and China. What I like about the song is that most importantly, it is sung by two amazing singer, and the song’s meaning is about the story of a couple who recently broke up and missing each other. The Music Video is also visually-appealing, as expected.

“Breath” is also released and made into three versions. The Chinese version is sung by Chen and Zhang Liyin, while the Japanese version is sung by Max Changmin and Krystal.

Korean Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJEn29QUwZ0

Japanese Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25IfYq_DbzE

Chinese Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57egtGI1kLY

 

  • TOP 7

“If I Were a Boy” is a midtempo pop ballad with folk rock and soft rock influences. It’s from an American singer and songwriter, Beyoncé  in her third studio album I Am… Sasha Fierce(2008) and is praised by critics and has made an international blow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWpsOqh8q0M

 

 

  • TOP 6

Speaking of personal favorites I’d say EXO’s “What is love” just captured my heart. I really like Kpop and I can’t help but add this to this list. You should definitely listen to this! Well, that is if you don’t mind the language barrier.“What is Love,” is a slow R&B Ballad co-produced by Yoo Young-jin and Teddy Riley. The Music does not make sense with the video because its main purpose is to showcase the members fave but the song enough is aesthetic.

 

Korean Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6fPzVNIEB0

Chinese Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PMRe4k3OSw

 

  • TOP 5

Coming down to Top 5! This song depicts pain regarding her broken relationship. Adele’s “Someone like you”. The song is just about a boyfriend who broke up with Adele but it is also saying that she’s fine without him and that she’s moving on. She wrote this song with American songwriter and producer Dan Wilson during her break up with 18-months relationship with a 30-years-old man she thought she would marry.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0

  • TOP 4

Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold” made it to my list! This song is released on Feb 23, 2016 and it has grown into me. I love the MV and given that Demi is in it. I like that it is centered in piano melody highlighting Demi’s killing vocal. Total eargasm. The lyrics are about seeing your ex happy with someone else which was seen in the MV and Demi’s superb acting. Watching the video makes me actually feel a certain pain which I think is pretty good.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDAd0S92Uko

 

  • TOP 3

Moving on! Next ballad hit on my list is “I have nothing” by Whitney Houston. The song is a richly orchestrated power ballad about deep love and commitment to one’s lover. This song’s success is huge that many aspiring singers made a cover of this song. This again, proves Whitney’s talent as a singer to influence listeners. The MV shows Whitney singing the song to audience in a dining room and also a few clips from the movie “The Bodyguard”.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxYw0XPEoKE

 

  • TOP 2

My top two is claimed by Ariana Grande with “Almost is never enough” ft Nathan Skyes. Their vocals are just amazing! I love their voices combined. The lyrics are about a love that two people are afraid to admit. A war that you are constantly fighting. Debating whether you should tell the other or not. The Music Video only shows the two of them singing and a few scenes from Mortal instrument which I love.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b87dBaL4qI0

  • TOP 1

And my cream of the top is tenenenenen… None other than Mandy Moore’s “Only Hope” from the movie A walk to remember! Switchfoot’s Jon Foremen wrote this song which is a Jesus follower and believes that God is his “Only Hope”. What I like about this song is the way Mandy sang this song and how the song does not suddenly goes up or suddenly goes down but not plain boring, it’s plain but dynamic, ironic but yes. Also, the orchestra doesn’t dominate the entire song which I like very much; it does not overshadow Mandy’s voice.

 

Here’s the clip taken from the movie A walk to Remember

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnH9xU5qyVo