KARAOKE PERFORMERS: ONE OF THE FEW POSITIVE STEREOTYPES

Karaoke Performers: One of the Few Positive Stereotypes

            Image the following scenario: You’ve had a tough week.  The boss has been horrible, your deadlines were not met, your significant other has dumped you.  All you want to do is have a little fun with your friends and forget about the troubles you have experienced through the week.  So, what to do?  Why not go to a karaoke bar and let loose with your favorite rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” or “Born in the U.S.A.” while downing a few brewskis (or cocktails)?  Here’s the thing:  even though you may be as tone-deaf as they come, you will probably feel better, at least for a while.

            I’ve just described a common stereotype of the typical karaoke setting: a group of individuals who, while having imbibed (possibly) a few too many, sing (however badly) karaoke.  They may also encourage their friends, or even audience members, to participate.  In a way, karaoke is the social instrument used as a bonding agent for certain groups of people.  I’ve also described a ritual that, I am sure, has been performed millions of times, regardless of whether you are male or female.  Karaoke becomes the glue that combines a need to relax socially into a good time.

            Karaoke, by its explicit interaction between performer and audience, creates a way for social groups to bond.  And, as there may be ritualistic elements associated with Karaoke, it can provide a common ground as well.  In fact, I just read an article on CoolMomPicks.com that listed the best karaoke songs to sing for certain group settings: “best karaoke songs to show off rapping skills;” “best karaoke songs if your performance can make up for your lack of singing skills;” even “best karaoke songs if you are hugely pregnant” (Cool Mom Staff, 2012).  Although the article was written somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it did accurately convey that groups with commonality can be associated with songs chosen by an individual for a group.  And, in accordance with the nature of karaoke, one of the few positive stereotypes in our society today is that it is almost universally understood that performers can’t sing, and this is not a bad thing!  That’s the beauty of karaoke: although it may be a way to connect socially across differing spectrums, the fact that one is tone deaf is not looked upon with disfavor; in fact, it is usually a given this is so.

            So, what does this tell us about the true nature of karaoke?  We (including myself), assume that those who participate cannot sing, and that…is…ok.  Does karaoke have the ability to make one more comfortable in a social setting due to the above fact?  Is it because we, as a culture, simply want to connect and have fun with others?  Or is it the fact, for an evening, we put aside our troubles and simply enjoy life?  I think it’s a combination of all of the above: it “makes you happy doing it” (Young, 2009).  That assumption may also be a stereotype, but at least it is one that does not negate a person as an individual due to a perceived lack of musical ability.

Karaoke—rock and roll on!

References

Cool Mom Staff. (2012, June 8). The Best Karaoke Songs for Any Occasion. Retrieved from                              CoolMomPicks.com: http://coolmompicks.com/

Young, R. (2009, December 10). Why is Karaoke so Popular? Retrieved from Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/

KARAOKE: THE ULTIMATE SOCIETAL EQUALIZER

      

      What is it about karaoke that makes it so appealing to so many people?  For many, it is obviously not the best way to demonstrate exceptional singing skills!  Quite the opposite: for the millions who enjoy a “good karaoke time,” vocal ability is, in no way, a determining factor as to performance.  I believe the emergence and continuing use of karaoke is designed to connect individuals societally in much the same way that social media websites are intended.

            The Japanese word, “karaoke,” simply means “empty orchestra” (Karaoke's History, 2013).  Karaoke has been popular in Japanese culture for many years, and was initially meant as a source of relaxation for Japanese businessmen.  Some say karaoke was invented by a Japanese musician by the name of Daisuke Inoue in 1969 (Madrigal, 2013); other sources say that Filipino inventor Roberto Del Rosario was the inventor (Bellis, 2014). Regardless of the backstory, Karaoke quickly became a cultural phenomenon that continues to this day.

            So, what makes Karaoke such a popular means of interaction?  I believe it is the unspoken understanding that most of us can’t sing.  When one sees an individual perform (however badly) to a song or a ballad, most can relate.  In short, Karaoke acts as a social icebreaker and as a means to connect to others who share this inability.  Singing karaoke is not intended to be used as if one could sing on par with, say, American Idol contestants; it is designed to break down social barriers through the very fact that the majority of us can’t sing!  And if this is understood, Karaoke is fulfilling its role, regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what you do.  In short, Karaoke is the ultimate societal equalizer.

            I love to sing and have done so for most of my life.  When I perform, it is serious business to me.  Karaoke, however, is vastly different.  When I sing Karaoke, I still want to do the best I can, but performance anxiety is absent.  I relate to others who do Karaoke if only by understanding that most of us can’t perform.  And that’s the beauty of Karaoke; we can all relate as to what we would like to sound like, accept the fact we don’t, and enjoy the experience for what it is designed for; a way in which to connect to others, no matter how good (or bad) we are musically.

References

Bellis, M. (2014). Roberto Del Rosario. Retrieved from About.com: http://inventors.about.com/.

Karaoke's History. (2013). Retrieved from KaraokeKanta.net: http://www.karaokekanta.net/.

Madrigal, A. C. (2013, December 18). Someone Had to Invent Karaoke--This Guy Did. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/.

ICONS, ICONS, WHO'S GOT THE ICONS?

ICONS, ICONS, WHO'S GOT THE ICONS?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see this image:

Now, what do you think about when you see this one?

Our feelings or thoughts regarding our 16th president may have immediately changed because of what has been added in the second photo.  Both images depict a cultural icon, yet one makes more of a pop culture statement because of the inclusion of the cellphone.  In the first photo, President Lincoln's image may convey thoughts of an American Civil War, Gettysburg, the North and the South.  In the second photo, our eyes take us immediately to what is impossibly out-of-place for the time in which Lincoln lived, but is immediately recognizable because of its relevance in the majority of our lives.  We relate to both pics; but our focus is drawn more to what we know and can understand on a personal level.

That, in a nutshell, is how pop cultural icons can have an effect on our perception of everyday facts about our society and individuals within our society.  It may seem ludicrous to photoshop a communications device with a national leader who lived (and died) over 150 years ago, but the relevancy that he may have "taken a selfie" is relatable because of this image:

Pop culture icons remind us of the time in which we live.  They provide a topical time frame that is understandable to anyone living within that period.  I know that President Lincoln was a great leader.  I know he was president during one of the most troublesome times in the United States.  But the second photo of Lincoln conveys the suggestion he may have taken a photo of himself in the same manner as President Obama did during Nelson Mandela's funeral.  And here' the thing:  I CAN RELATE TO THAT.  I can relate to wanting to personally document a momentous period in my life.  There is power in understanding how icons such as described above can convey trivial or meaningful information both on a personal and professional level which is translatable across differing societal spectrums.

Regardless of whether we see this:

Or this:

Pop Culture Icons and images have the ability to relate, convey, and communicate a message, feeling, or time period that is incomparable simply because of the thoughts and/or perceptions those images portray .  And that, dear bloggets, is magic.

Nancy Jane

THE RELEVANCE OF POP CULTURE IN OUR DAILY LIVES

THE RELEVANCE OF POP CULTURE IN OUR DAILY LIVES

As we live and breathe, we are all affected at one level or another by aspects of pop culture.  We use, read, see, and interact with differing facets of pop culture every day.  As I attempt to define, in my own words, what pop culture means to me, this image comes to mind:

In writing this blog entry, I was interested to find out where this pop culture icon originated.  I was surprised to learn that it was designed by the British of Ministry's Information Office as a source of public morale during World War II.  Although thousands of these posters were printed, they were never put on public display and the campaign was considered a failure. The poster was rediscovered by a couple in 2000 going through an old box of used books.  They displayed the original poster at their bookstore, and the resulting popularity of the phrase became a cultural phenomenon.

It's interesting to me how different aspects of pop culture have an effect on groups of people which transcend economic and societal barriers that may be in place to divide us.  Pop culture can be defined as those cultural actions, images, relics, customs, and attitudes that are used to shape our society topically at any given period of time.  It is what we see, think, and feel that is relatable on a mass scale.  Pop culture, therefore, is important to recognize and understand for the impact it creates in our lives, personally and professionally. We use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc., to relate and communicate on a daily basis.  We use cellphones for not only calls but to download the latest apps and information for our use.  We use cultural icons such as "Keep Calm" to relay personal resiliency and forthrightness.  In each of these examples, our intent is to connect and to understand the world in which we live.

My major is Communications.  I think it is very important that I am able to know and navigate this new interconnected world in my professional life.  I want to be able to see trends in my career field that will further utilize my talents.  It is vital that I keep myself abreast of what is considered "now" culturally as well as to gauge what may be in the foreseeable future.  Understanding how pop culture is relevant in my daily life gives me the opportunity to be aware and knowledgeable of what my future may ultimately be shaped by.

In my premier blog, I wrote about the pop culture trends and icons I witnessed in 2013.  Although the post was somewhat light-hearted in tone, I hoped to convey a more deeper understanding of how pop culture can shape and influence us.  Whether it is myself taking a "selfie" to reading that President Obama did the same during Nelson Mandela's funeral is important.  It is important in the fact that in each instance, the intent was to document and share a moment in our respective lives on a cultural level, using the tools that help shape our world.  Understanding how pop culture allows us to understand the world in which we live is important. Pop culture can help guide us in our quest for understanding ourselves and others.

I'll leave you with this, dear bloggets:

 That is what I hope you all aspire to.

Nancy Jane

RUBY SLIPPERS, GRUMPY CAT, TWERKS AND SELFIES-POP CULTURE AT ITS FINEST

Take a good look at this image:

The famous "Grumpy Cat" feline "phenom" has over 1.3 MILLION likes on his own Facebook page, and the original UTube posting of his debut has been seen by over 14,217,713 people.  The question really is why...why did this cat create the world-wide type of media coverage that it did?  

The fact is, even I don't know.  Pop culture and those images that translate to our avidity on certain aspects, are hard to define.  In that respect, the definition of what pop culture really means is different for different people.  It may possibly be that types of information have such a visceral effect that we are then compelled to share and discuss.  Whether it's the Breaking Bad Finale, the Kardashian clan, or the Miley Cyrus twerks head 'round the world,  there are those cultural artifacts that we at time feel transcend certain societal and/or economic barriers to be analyzed and commented on.

I believe that pop culture is best defined in the sense that certain events, images, and icons help to create, shape, and define the period in which we live.  It is this sense of shared collectiveness that we use to navigate our personal and professional lives.  Let me give you a couple of examples:

"Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke was one of the biggest hits of 2013-

http://youtu.be/RA01pdI0jng

It's clearly a misogynistic type of song, but it also is widely known because of Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus' performance of it at the American Music Awards.  This trainwreck of a performance was discussed ad nauseum days and weeks after the event.  And Miley Cyrus' dance moves to Robin Thicke's rendition made "twerking" a topic of pop culture.

In the same respect, have a listen to this song:

http://youtu.be/1HRa4X07jdE

"Over the Rainbow", performed by Judy Garland, evokes a different sense of pop culture.  Who can honestly say they have never seen the "Wizard of Oz" or the meaning of what the ruby slippers meant in terms of the story?  For myself, this movie evokes a sense of the wonder of being a child, and the ruby slippers simply means home.  And this, my dear bloggets, is the real meaning and magic of pop culture: it allows someone to connect on an emotional level with others, regardless of circumstance.

It's all relative.