ATTIRE IN MUSIC, TECHNOLOGY, AND CULTURE (Research Paper Sample)

ATTIRE IN MUSIC, TECHNOLOGY, AND CULTURE Name: Institution: Professor: Course: Date: ATTIRE IN MUSIC, TECHNOLOGY, AND CULTURE Music has undergone great revolution since its inception. Previously, music was confined to a handful genres that were mainly meant to soot a child, give praise to brave warriors, and not limited to preserving events of paramount importance to the communities. During those times, music was hardly done as a business and therefore, value addition was not incorporated by those involved in the art (Barnet & Burriss, 2001). Today attire, among other things, has taken the center stage in the music production. The effects attire has on music were greatly felt in America during the 70’s when singers such as Michael Jackson (MJ) popularized their outfits and dancing styles. Attire has affected pride of the peoples, created changes in the dressing trends and marketing strategies, besides influencing the creation and development of the various musical genres that we have presently (Hallam, Cross & Thaut, 2016). Attire has greatly revolutionized and defined the music industry on major fronts. Dressing and dress codes are important forms of non-verbal communications. Dress codes speak volumes about those who subscribe to them. For instance, the uniqueness of dressing by African musicians has brought pride. The dresses they use in their music are much adored in Africa (Griffin & Bone, 2013). These musicians have defined a way forward on what seems to be Africa’s official attire. Apart from their peculiar rhythm and dance styles, South African music has also been known to associate the continent with the best attire. Africans perceive these clothes as respectful since it portrays African conservativeness and dignity (Ferguson, 2006). This aspect has been illustrated in Mafikizolo’s Khona and most of the Nigerian videos have, with pride, demonstrated what seems to be the official African dresses. With technology, the traditional African regalia have been recreated. Therefore, besides basic importance of clothes, they have extensively served as tools that portrays the character, interests, and musical affiliations of the people (Page, 2005). These attire are of great significance to the people since they give a reflection of the culture of the past; how people dressed and their socio-economic aspects (Cunningham, 1991; Buckingham, 2008). Music, through dressing, gradually eroded the traditional African culture. Nudity is largely not accepted in most if not all of African cultures. It has been a trend in music to find such dressing. Youths try to emulate the kind of dressing that their favorite musicians put on (Buckingham, 2008). Some other musicians promote culture on how they dress. Gospel artists usually dress in a manner that largely promotes African culture. They dress on clothes that are traditionally accepted (Cunningham, 1991). Culture erosion can either be direct or indirect. Direct erosion occurs when fans of a given musician dresses on the clothes that the musician has put on. In contrast, indirect one is a case where one artist copies what another artist has dressed on and passes it to his/her fans. Culture has been nose-diving with the advent of many activities with music contributing the most. What was initially perceived to be decent is now an illusion and a conceptual fact that may not be restored due changes that are being experienced in the music sector with each wake (Keith, 1999; Negus, 1999). In the recent past, dressing trends has featured as a key component in the marketing of music. The attire used to produce music videos have influenced how people from various walks of life relate to them (Marshall and Sensoy, 2011). Trendy fashions in music will mostly attract the younger generations whereas attire that would be considered decent has its popularity with the old, conserved people (Buckingham, 2008). For example, the music video Loyal by Chris Brown received prime time amongst the youth. In fact, most of them dressed in a similar manner as the dancers in the video did. Trends on social media sites such as Twitter has been instrumental in marketing music. It has affected how technology is easily utilized to search and obtain the music on sites like YouTube, iTunes, and other online music stores. Also, rock bands such as Glam Rock of England made musical headlines in the 1970’s while wearing shirts bearing their faces. The attire of this genre changed with the technology. The same rock outfit made to the top of charts once more in the year 2011 while in black tight trousers, t-shirts with "kiss" marks, and other glittery wear (Buckingham, 2008). Therefore, it is clear that attire has great effect on the marketing of music and music-related products. Lately, there have been an increase in the demand of African traditional regalia in music industry. These cultural outfits have since become rare since they were made from animals that are being protected for they are now endangered. However, technology has made it easier for the production of replica materials (Miller & Shahriari, 2013). Technology has therefore facilitated the propagation and conservation of culture through use of these materials. Besides promoting music, technology has come in handy in helping the conservation of endangered wildlife species and environment in its totality. Hallmarks of African traditional clothing materials included skins from leopards and monkeys. Materials from such animals are beautiful and were mostly used in ceremonies. Replicating the past in a manner that appeals to the people’s culture require the use of these materials that have been made available by technology (Posey, 1999; Laird, 2010). The aspect of attire in music has also affected the clothing industry. Most clothes in fashions depicts the kind of music that is popular among the people (McRobbie, 1994; Suggs, 2015). In the 80’s, people dressed in similar clothes as MJ. This was because his music was popular at the time. Moreover, some of the singers aped the same dressing style as MJ. Also, fashion people dedicated themselves to producing cloth lines that gave attention to a particular musician who is popular at the time. Today, the young have generated demand and thereby promoted production of trendy attire used in the video of their interests. Therefore, the relationship created between music and attire is mutually inclusive (Belch & Belch, 2003; Buckingham, 2008). The choice of clothing used by musicians in their pieces has influenced the market for their songs. On the other hand, music genres have dictated the kind of dressing that exemplifies their identities (Buckingham, 2008). Dressing in music has created genre identities. This is because musicians dress in a specific manner to associate themselves with the kind of music they perform (Garfias, 2004). The way reggae, rock, hip hop, and gospel musicians dress is distinct from each other. With such signatures, people and musicians can be distinguished. These dressing styles by the musicians also influence how their fans present themselves and the beliefs they subscribe to. For ages, though, reggae music lovers have strongly been linked to the use of marijuana, dreadlocks, and most importantly clothing that bear the drawings of marijuana and in the colours of Ethiopian flag. Sari are exclusive to the Hindi while baggy clothing is associated with the hip hop group. Nowadays, it might be hard to tell the kind of music like due to blends in clothing (Schenker & Oster, 1979; Ramsey, 2003). Attire has played a significant role in the music industry. The effects attire had on music and culture were not felt before as it n...