>I would tend to agree with Doug that "[the] narrative of relentless
>homogenization and decline badly needs some fact-checking." and
>"that there are all kinds of cultural microenvironments." However, I
>think Wojtek does have a point. While there is a lot of interesting
>cross-fertilization within mainstream American music genres and
>certainly an important creative regeneration in R&B for example
>which has to some extent eclipsed Rap/Hip Hop, it is in fact more
>difficult for so-called 'world music' to break into these same
>markets - without diluting or compromising its authenticity - which
>defeats the purpose. So, from an internationalist perspective, the
>American music scene does seem rather insular - even though it might
>even be said to be experiencing a mini renaissance. The same people
>who enjoy "Green Day, Snoop Dogg, and cross-genre collaborations
>like Nelly/Tim McGraw and Jay-Z/Linkin Park" are quite insensible to
>musics (sic) from outside - while 'world music' enjoyed phyrric
>popularity during the late 80's early 90s, (with a little help from
>samaritans like Paul Simon and Ry Cooder - Graceland/Buena Vista
>Social Club) it has been increasingly difficult for musicians in
>these genres, who enjoy great popularity and marketability in
>Europe, to gain a meaningful foothold in the US, notwithstanding the
>growing immigrant populations and seeming creative fecundity of
>mainstream American musicians.
Oh, I agree that the U.S. scene, with some exceptions (I hear all kinds of stuff just walking around NYC), can be pretty insular. But Woj's view of the rest of the world drowning in American crap just isn't true.
Doug