Technology Roots: Why Hip-Hop and Dance Leaves Rock Behind in the Streaming Era

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by Zach Fuller

19 Aug 2016

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The Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music exclusives Cold-War reveals something telling: from Drake, to Chance the Rapper, Frank Ocean and The Weeknd, the quest to garner exclusives has been done almost entirely with R&B, Hip-Hop and Dance artists, with...

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CPT
It's not so much that rock looks back to its antecedents while hip-hop and dance are technologically based and, as such, inherently forward-facing. The reality is that rock doesn't recognize technology as an innately good thing. It doesn't find the same value in the "soundscaping" methodology of fusing what is produced with the means of production. Historically, the trajectory has been rock introducing a minimalist, primal aesthetic, only to be followed by and elaborated on by more ornate and technology-based content (like early disco). Which precipitates a renewed desire for more unfettered sounds (like punk and rap). Right now, rock is in a historic trough as glittery, over-produced pop holds sway. But that won't stay for too much longer. Mylie Cyrus, Yeezy and Taylor Swift will be replaced by something rawer and more substantive. A lot of that is fomenting in the brew of up and coming indie bands with the rise of new country paving the way. Technology may engender sonic novelty, but simplicity and directness are better left to primitivists of the rock persuasion.
Zach Fuller
Great points Bas. Your last one plays into a trend thats arguably been in motion for far longer; mainstream entertainment moving from Orchestras to Jazz ensembles to Bands and finally DJs. A good question to ask would be if this is motivated more by changes in technology or simply economics and logistics.
Bas Grasmayer
Thanks for the insights, as always. And I think there's even more to it. It plays well into the reality of networked individualism of the 21st century. It's easy to create from inside your bedroom. It's easy to distribute. Easy to tour, because you don't have much equipment... And from that last point of view, it's economically more interesting than rock: you split your income with a lot less people and have much less costs.