Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Miles, Stephen

Keywords

Genre, Internet, Sound, Cloud, Audio

Area of Concentration

Humanities

Abstract

This thesis is intended to provide a framework for discussing new relationships between music and genre which have come to light due to relatively recent technological developments. The social networking website Soundcloud.com has become a widespread and global phenomenon that has gained use and support from both major and independent recording artists since its creation in 2007. This thesis argues that Soundcloud has become an entity with a unique presence and role on the internet, in the music industry, and ultimately in a cultural understanding of music in the present era of digital distribution. Audio recordings can now be created and transmitted cheaply and easily due to digitalization of production and distribution methods. This widespread digitalization has a transformative effect on how popular music is constructed and perceived. Electronically produced music has become highly profitable, and high-quality recordings - ready for mass distribution - can be easily produced by individuals and promoted through Soundcloud. In the current state of digital music distribution, genre has maintained its role as a categorical and promotional tool utilized by both producers and consumers of music recordings, albeit in a new and decentralized form as fits the new routes of access and distribution provided by Soundcloud

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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