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A podcast about music, and politics as told by musicians who sing about politics
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Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
Welcome to today's episode, where we journey back to the year 1982—a pivotal year in music history. This was a time when genres were in flux, new sounds were emerging, and the music industry was undergoing significant transformations. We'll explore the coming end of disco, the rise of heavy metal and hip hop, and some fascinating developments in Japanese music. We'll also examine the political climate of the time, the impact of MTV and music videos, and the exclusion of artists of color from this new visual medium.
### The Music of 1982
**The Decline of Disco:**
By 1982, the disco craze that had dominated the late 1970s was waning. The backlash against disco, epitomized by events like the infamous Disco Demolition Night in 1979, had taken its toll. While disco's influence lingered in pop and dance music, it was clear that the genre's heyday was over. Artists who had ridden the disco wave began to either evolve their sound or fade from the spotlight.
**The Rise of Heavy Metal:**
Heavy metal was on the ascent, with bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osbourne leading the charge. The genre's aggressive sound and rebellious spirit resonated with a generation looking for something more intense than what mainstream rock offered. Metal's rise was part of a broader movement towards harder, more complex music that also included punk and hard rock.
**The Emergence of Hip Hop:**
Hip hop was also beginning to gain traction. While still primarily an underground movement, 1982 saw the release of seminal tracks that would lay the groundwork for the genre's explosion in the mid-1980s. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message" was a groundbreaking track that highlighted the social issues facing inner-city communities, proving that hip hop was a powerful new voice in music.
**Innovative Japanese Music:**
In Japan, the music scene was vibrant and innovative. Artists like Yellow Magic Orchestra were blending electronic music with pop, creating sounds that were ahead of their time. Meanwhile, city pop, a genre that combined jazz, funk, and R&B, was becoming popular. Japanese musicians were not only pushing the boundaries of traditional genres but also influencing global music trends.
### Political Climate of 1982
The early 1980s were marked by significant political and social changes. In the United States, President Ronald Reagan's administration was characterized by conservative policies, economic changes, and a strong stance against the Soviet Union. The Cold War was still a dominant force in global politics, affecting cultural and artistic expressions around the world. Economic policies were shifting towards deregulation and tax cuts, which had mixed impacts on different segments of society.
In the UK, Margaret Thatcher's government was implementing neoliberal economic policies, leading to significant social and economic changes. These policies sparked resistance and protest from various groups, including labor unions and youth movements, which were often reflected in the music of the time.
### The Rise of MTV and Music Videos
**MTV's Impact:**
MTV launched in August 1981, revolutionizing the music industry by making music videos a crucial part of an artist's success. The visual aspect of music became as important as the sound, changing how artists promoted their music and connected with fans. Videos like Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" became iconic, setting new standards for production and creativity.
**Exclusion of Artists of Color:**
However, MTV faced criticism for its lack of diversity. Early on, the network primarily featured white rock artists, excluding many artists of color, particularly in genres like R&B and hip hop. This exclusion was symptomatic of broader racial biases in the music industry. It wasn't until Michael Jackson's breakthrough that MTV began to more regularly feature black artists, a shift largely driven by the massive popularity and undeniable talent of Jackson himself.
### Conclusion
1982 was a transformative year in music, marked by the decline of disco, the rise of heavy metal and hip hop, and innovative contributions from Japanese artists. The political climate of the time influenced these musical shifts, while the advent of MTV changed the way music was consumed and promoted, albeit with significant racial biases that needed addressing. As we look back, we can see how these developments laid the groundwork for the diverse and dynamic music landscape we enjoy today.
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