09 - Memes and Tropes - Media Terms

Meme

A meme is an idea that spreads through people and groups, someone's initial idea that then becomes a trope. An idea develops and becomes bigger and the minority then becomes the majority. 

Trope

A trope is a recurring element that continues and grows bigger due to someone's initial idea. Someone begins a trend or has an idea, for example in music that has grown and people have also used it and become to copy the idea. 

Both of these are used throughout media and in the music industry as peoples original ideas are taken and adapted and used. 

Memes In Music Genres

Pop

Pop is recognised as one of the most popular genres in the music industry. There are many tropes in this genre, these include;

- the 'squeeky' clean image portrayed
- lyrics are often about the same subjects and tell a story

- the images used on the album covers

- type of music and songs they sing, appeal to more people

- fashionable, attractive clothes

- attractive musicians
- role models for young people

- professional approach

The first example of tropes in pop music is the 'squeeky' clean image that many people try to achieve. This is due to the pop music genre appealing to a vast majority of people. They are role models to younger people, due to young people also enjoying the genre. Most popstars are told to keep this image. Their songs usually tell a story and have meaningful lyrics. They also have a certain image that theyre attractive and fashionable and people look at what they wear and aim to copy this to once again be like them. The demographic is large but the majority of people that listen to this type of music are the younger that have money to spend on music so they have to find ways to appeal to this audience. 

Hip Hop/RnB and Rap

Hip Hop and RnB has grown massively over the years due to more risks being taken by artists, pushing the boundries on what they're doing. For example, more explicit pictures a lyrics. The tropes in this genre are; 


- explicit images and lyrics
- often very sexual 
- lots of jewellery or 'bling'
- the lyrics are often related to their own lives and experiences
- appear quite rough and intimidating 
- often have wear little clothing 


This genre pushes boundries because people go to extremes of what's seen as acceptable and often cause alot of contraversy in the media industry. For example, Rihannas present album 'Talk that Talk' has very explicit lyrics and is sometimes seen as an unreasonable role model for the younger demographic. 


Some people blame the influence of RnB and rap on the amount of violence in our society and feel the music is to blame. However, these artists often use music to talk about their own experiences, which could have the reverse effect and help younger people through similar issues.


There is also seen to be alot of money involved in this genre and thats a prime factor. People often have alot of jewellery or 'bling' which adds to their image of the 'rich and famous' lifestyle that many people aspire to achieve. 


Unlike popstars who have a squeeky clean image, alot of these musicians have the opposite and are well known for causing trouble in the media and getting themselves into many situations. Rap stars have been know to end up in prison and are sometimes seen as intimidating which is often shown in their music, for example, Eminem. 

Heavy Metal/Rock


This possibly has the smallest demographic of the three genres due to the music not being mainstream and it not really being seen as very accepted in society by younger demographics unlike pop. However, this would make it more interesting to write a music magazine on because the smaller demographic would enable me to find out more about all different types of music and the type of people that listen to each genre. Although, some people may enjoy every genre and have a wide range of musical preferences. 
The tropes of this genre include; 


- an angry approach to the songs 

- long guitar solos 

- often long hair
- a grungy, dark, appearance 
- these are often mainly bands
- aggressive drumming 
- rocky image 
- individual style/dress sense
- songs are often about feelings and things they don't like or agree with, often our society. 


There are different types of metal in the heavy metal genre, this shows memes and how ideas can change throughout each genre and over time regardless. 


Although some people do listen to a range of music, there is often a certain demographic that listen to this as its not really a taste that appeals to majority of people due to the type of music it is. People often listen to music to relax or to enjoy, this music to many people does not allow them to that. 


In society, pop music and RnB dominates as society has gone that way. People aspire to be like them and dress in the same manner they do, changes in society has lead this music to be less liked and people not to enjoy it as much. However, over the years more audiences have been attracted to this. This is a very specific type of music, meaning the majority of the time, its a specific type of people, meaning it would be interesting to base a music magazine on this because they're such a small demographic.