Hybridity in Music, and how this has been enhanced by globalization

Due to the internet there is real-time awareness of musical Cultural globalisation often takes place in local contexts giving rise to forms from cultures and sources all over the world. A networked distinctive hybrid globalised forms of music, film and fashion. urban phenomenon has arisen: music produced in global information cities, dense nodes of cultural information and This looks at how Globalisation can led to distinctive hybrid forms of fashion, music remixing, distributed via the Web and Internet file sharing. and film a form of glocalization. The impact of globalization on culture may also be In popular music since the 1920s in the US, everything starts with the blues (itself a hybrid fusion of African rhythms, gospel and religious music, and European instruments like the guitar.) Blues provided the structure for the development of jazz, rock, soul and R&B, and can take on just about any music source/style for continuing fusions. Blues/soul/gospel was also re-echoed through Jamaica and gave us reggae, without which we wouldn't have house, early hip hop and rap, and a whole encyclopaedia of musical forms. Contemporary music is now global, international, and transcultural, most often involving creative adaptations and new fusions of the US-European musical archive with other cultural sources. An example of hybrid music is Bhangra music, originally referred to a harvest dance performed in the Punjab region of what is now India. Bhangra is believed to date back to the 14th or 15th century, though it may be even older. It is the traditional music and dance which was used to celebrate the coming of spring and Vaisakhi (Sikh festival which celebrates the harvest season).In the 1970s and 1980s, Bhangra became modernized, primarily by Punjabi expatriates living in the United Kingdom. Elements of hip-hop and electronica were fused with the beating of the dhol and other traditional instruments. The music is hip, pulsating and danceable, but provides linguistic and historical ties to their traditional culture. Many non-Punjabi people are also catching on to the sounds of bhangra, as it's frequently used in film soundtracks and has even made forays into American hip-hop Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" is backed by a bhangra track, for example. The Pussycat Dolls have also sampled Bhangra music heavily as seen in their single Jai Ho. Afrobeats Youssef NDour Gilberto Gil, Carlos Santana and Caetano Veloso Shakira and salsa musicalso her collaboration with South Africa http://www.southerninnovator.org/index.php/environment/20 5-african-afro-beats-leads-new-music-wave-to-europe http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/cctp725/cctp725 -syllabus.html http://worldmusic.about.com/od/asianmiddleeastern/p/bhangr a.htm
seen as a blend of the heterogeneous and homogenous, or a "glocalization" of sorts. Glocalization can be understood as the development of hybrid cultures at the local level, as foreign cultures reach local soil, such as in the creation of fusion cuisine or music. Here globalisation is seen to cause cultural exchange instead of cultural imperialism http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/big-question-globalizationchanging-culture.htm

The impact of globalisation in cultural diversity

Globalisation of Fashion and the development of a world fashion

Due to globalisation the whole fashion industry has changed clothing is now mass produced, so people in different countries share common interests in fashion and choice of clothing. Globalization has also enabled fashion to take its influences for new products and fashion designs from all over the world, through the means of international media. This can be seen through examples such as Victoria Secret, Hello Kitty, Gucci and other brands which have global popularity. Fashion designs are regularly influenced by other cultures, for example West African prints and fabrics such as Ankara fabrics and the Kente cloth are regularly being featured in designer brands such as Burberry Prorsum, Dries Van Noten, Emma Mulholland, Louis Vuitton, Proenza Schouler, Missoni and Thakoon. Even high street labels such as New Look are using African fabrics.

Globalisation of food
Food is often a key part of peoples cultural heritage, for immigrants in a new country it can aid their transition into the new society. In the case of the Kashmiri and Pakistani communities in Birmingham, it was their balti dish that bridged the cultural gap. Born in Birmingham, unheard of in India, the balti dish is a unique blend of English and traditional Pakistani tastes. Birmingham is the curry capital of the UK, with a better selection of Asian and Indian restaurants in Birmingham than anywhere else in the country. This explosion of Asian culture has led to the creation of the Balti triangle which boasts a wide array of Asian cuisine, fabric and fashion. It is now a key part of the citys cultural heritage and soon the Birmingham Balti will have the EU protected status. http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/immig_emig/england/birmi ngham/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/artsandculture/734391/ A-taste-of-balti-heaven.html http://visitbirmingham.com/birminghamareas/birmingham/balti-triangle/

Cultural Hybridisation in Film

In Film and cinema cultural integration has always been present, the aim is to transport your audience to the exotic lands featured in the films. An example of this is Gurinder Chadhas loose adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice called Bride and Prejudice. It is an example of a cross-cultural screen adaptation and was met with success. It had similar themes of romance, arranged marriage and feminism, but it also incorporated cultural tensions between the Western people and Indians. Also Indias patriarchal society and caste system were highlighted. http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1101&context=uhm&seiredir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct% 3Dj%26q%3Dbride%2520and%2520prejudice%2520cultural%2520context%26so urce%3Dweb%26cd%3D11%26cad%3Drja%26ved%3D0CC8QFjAAOAo%26url%3 Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fdiginole.lib.fsu.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%2 53Farticle%253D1101%2526context%253Duhm%26ei%3DuIc4UeL5NrKf7AbQm oHADg%26usg%3DAFQjCNHe9oVJBnO_SHKte82SRYjti7zLPg%26surl%3D1%26saf e%3Dactive#search=%22bride%20prejudice%20cultural%20context%22

An example of Cultural hybridisation in the past Alsace Europes Cultural hybrid

Alsace is France with a German accent. It has unique mix of cultures, due to the high incidence of invasion in this region. Alsace was originally part of the German speaking part of the Holy Roman Empire it was bounced back and force between France and Germany, till eventually after WW2 it became French. Alsace is unique, among French regions, due to its dual Franco-Germanic cultures. The majority of the population speaks French with a decided German accent, the cuisine is an able blend of French and German cooking, many of the towns of the region have German names and the village architecture delights in a pronounced Germanic influence
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-14/travel/sns-201208140000--tms--travelrsctnri-a20120814-20120814_1_german-tourists-alsace-route-duvin http://ojs.mona.uwi.edu/index.php/cjp/article/viewFile/285/185 http://education.illinois.edu/online/gse/documents/samples/globalization_culture.pdf http://www.polity.co.uk/global/pdf/gtreader2etomlinson.pdf

Hyperglobalisers
Hyperglobalisers believe that we now live in a world where national differences are being eroded and a global culture and economy is emerging, the autonomy of nations is also said to be reduced. In terms global finance there is evidence that supports this argument .For example the increasing power of TNCs which has led to corporations as opposed to individual states exercising decisive influence over the organization, location and distribution of economic power and wealth. The existence of organisations such the World Bank, IMF, G7 and WTO further facilitates the creation of a global financial market. Hyperglobalisers believe that globalisation marks the end of a welfare states and a nation would lose the ability of manage its own economy as power if rescinded to organisations such as the EU and business corporations
There is also evidence which supports the rise in a global consumer culture and a loss of national, cultural identity. Such as the identification of clone towns in Britain and the loss of language diversity as 7000 languages are threatened with extinction today. Also other aspects of culture are becoming more common all over the world, such as the spread of consumer culture, trends in music, fashion taste and food tastes. http://www.polity.co.uk/global/globalization-oxford.asp http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=HZo4YD09mSoC&pg=PA33&lpg=P A33&dq=hyperglobalizers+argument+and+evidence&source=bl&ots=J8 HVGpL_gH&sig=-Z1LCTHypVlVxKqzS1U3JctDpc8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FwMUe_SOaLC7AbV_IHADg&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=hypergloba lizers%20argument%20and%20evidence&f=false http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/159870.article

The impact of globalisation in cultural diversity

Views vary greatly as to the significance of globalisation on cultural diversity

Sceptics
They maintain that globalisation is not really a global phenomenon; they believe that globalisation is a theory which masks the fact that the International economy is being dominated by three economic power centres, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Using global th trade patterns form the early 20 century compared to now some sceptics believe that global trade has not changed very much at all (Hirst and Thompson Globalisation in Question ). Unlike hyperglobalisers the governments are not seen as the victims of globalisation, they are not passive and still have considerable power over the global market. An example can be seen with the Eurozone debt crisis and Germanys dominating influence, where the governments had to make pivotal decisions that could alter the economies of many countries such as Greece. In terms of cultural globalisation, sceptics believe that it is another form s of western propaganda aimed at spreading their views and maintaining their hegemony. Evidence for this can be seen by looking at patterns in global trade. 85% of world trade is still between developed countries and they are able to maintain this economic hegemony through TNCs, but governments still have key roles in determining the location of global investment http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Global_Transformations.ht ml?id=xYLdRrJSxW8C

Transformationalists
They believe that globalisation is a process which constantly forces governments and people to adapt and change. They argue that globalisation involves the reorganisation of economic, political, military and cultural power to suit changes in the global environment Globalisation is a dynamic process so it alters different regions in different ways, while some places are becoming more inter-connected but to differing extents.

Transformationalists argue that globalisation does not always lead to the erosion of culture and loss of cultural diversity; instead new subcultures are created. Evidence for this theory can be seen in the development of hybrid cultures where and glocalisation. Global influences have been integrated into local culture. Also the formation of the EU to maximise and manage Europes illustrates the fact that Europe was losing its influence and position and a dominant global power.
http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Global_Transformations.h tml?id=xYLdRrJSxW8C

Map showing global trade patterns The map shows that trade is concentrated mostly in the Northern hemisphere making places like the USA, Western Europe, Chin and Japan the most connected. You could possibly link in switched on and switched off places http://moritz.stefaner.eu/projects/global-tradeflows/

Globalisation eliminate local cultures and leads to an increase in cultural homogeneity

Cross cultural exchanges create hybrid cultures when two dominant cultures meet

Westernisation One global culture

Global mixing Hybrid cultures

Cultural outcomes of an interconnected world

Glocalisation Where global products become local Cultural layer Where there is global + national + local culture

This involves the adaption of global products to suit local markets such as McDonalds in India and the use of Indian spices in their products.

People share a global worldwide culture but maintain their national identity and local cultural and traditional identities

Role of global media corporations as agents for cultural imperialism

American and Western enterprises are dominant in certain key sectors, most notably film, news wholesaling, and computer operating systems. Relatively small number of transnational media corporations, mostly based in the USA, dominate media export market. Media is important because it can alter peoples perception of another culture and can be used to embed foreign cultures into another country for example the spread of western consumer culture.
CNN broadcasts to over 130 nations across the principal world languages. Germany has two major networks across Asia, received by over a thousand satellite systems, with three-quarters of programming in German and a quarter in English. The US absolutely bombards Iran with satellite TV in Farsi (25 networks as of 2005, many of which focus on politics). And MTV; by 2008 it was in 162 countries across 33 languages. The US childrens channel Nickelodeon is available in well over 150 countries.

The impact of globalisation in cultural diversity

The role of global media corporations is important in conveying dominant cultural values and attitudes and influencing cultural globalisation

Fox News Channel

This is a cable news channel owned by Fox entertainment Group a subsidiary of News Corporation. In 2009 the channel was made available to 102 million households in the US and viewers internationally. It was bought by Australian-American media mogul Rupert Murdoch in the early 1990s; it has since grown to be a dominant news network in the USA. Through News Corporation Fox is connected to Star TV in Asia and Sky in Europe. A Pew Research poll released in 2009, found that Fox is viewed as the most ideological channel in America. 47% of those surveyed said it was the most conservative. In2009 the Obama administration engaged in verbal conflict with Fox, this meant that when President Obama was making rounds on all the major news networks except Fox News. Fox TV are the broadcaster of the Simpsons which is now the longest running TV series in television history. It projects stereotypical roles of an American family to foreign regions which has the ability to influence their opinions of American culture. It is a family how and its humour can be appreciated cross generations, therefore making it accessible to a wide audience.

Voice of America
VOA claims to be a dynamic multimedia broadcaster funded by the US Gov. It is described on its website as producing accurate, balanced and comprehensive news and info to an International audience. It is governed by the VOA Charted signed into their constitution by President Ford in 1976. It is the USs largest international broadcaster and reaches an estimated audience of 141 million weekly by radio, television and Internet, news is broadcasted inn 43 different languages and it has an extensive worldwide network. VOA is considered by many to be a mouthpiece for the US government, for example in the Cold War President Kennedy tried to use radio broadcasts through the VOA as a form of soft power to exert the USs influence beyond the iron curtain. A representative in Us congress said during the cold war that The American people must be educated to think of the radios as weapons-albeit nonlethal-key elements in our national security. More recently in the Iraq invasion, VOA decided to expand its network to create an Iranian network in Iran presumably to combat the proliferation of Islamic extremist philosophy using the same principle as the one used during the Cold War. A US State Department found in 2009 serious flaws in Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts for Iran, including charges of political bias. http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-197724535/bias-found-invoa-broadcasts-to-iran-producers-don-t http://www.salon.com/2005/03/03/propaganda_14/

Global media corporations play a significant role in spreading cultural values. Cultural imperialism can be linked to globalisation, by considering it to be another face of Western imperialism. The media is a mechanism through which other cultures can be projected to other countries. John Tomlinson argues that links cultural globalization between cultural imperialism are as follows: globalization is either just the latest term for, or the latest stage in, a process with a long history of Western imperialism. It is simply the global working through of a process of domination in which the West draws all cultures into its ambit. Boyd-Barrett (1997:119) writes that the country which is affected by media influence either adopts this influence as a deliberate commercial or political strategy, or simply absorbs this influence unreflectively as the result of the contract. http://www.newinfluencer.com/mediapedia/cultural-imperialism/ http://www.aiou.edu.pk/gmj/artical3(Aut-08).asp http://www.viewpointonline.net/media-imperialism.html http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/capstone/mass/imperialism.htm http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=3572 http://www.journalism.org/num_by_media_industry/%2A/65/%2 A?page=2

Monopoly of Global media

Major global media conglomerates are so massive that there is very little competition, mergers and acquisitions are mechanisms through which these corporations grow and expand. News Corporation owns the publisher HarperCollins, over a dozen major newspapers including the Times, the Sun, the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, Fox films and is a major shareholder in ITV and Sky. Critics believe these media conglomerates have stifled diversity because they all transmit similar messages globally. Most of the major, dominant corporations are Western, they transmit their messages in English and this is said to stifle language diversity. Today it is estimated that a handful of corporations own 90% of the media. These include News Corporation (USA), General Electric (USA), AOL Time Warner (USA), Viacom (Viacom), Disney (USA), Bertelsmann AG (Germany), Sony (Japan) and Microsoft (USA.)

This map shows that countries in Europe and other places such as Brazil and Mexico tend to like American music, movies and television more. In European countries such as the UK there are no quotas on the number of foreign films that are shown therefore American culture has a prevailing influence as it has a dominant market share. Also people in Europe have more access to the Internet and American cultural outlets so they are more likely to like it. Meanwhile Asian countries such as India and Japan have lower favourability this could be due to their own booming local entertainment industries, which eliminates foreign competition. Countries such as China there are quotas on the number of foreign films making it hard for American entertainment to infiltrate their systems.

Cable News Network (CNN)

This was the USs first cable network; it was founded by 1980 by American media mogul Ted Turner. CNNs combined branded networks and services are available to more than 2 billion people in more than 2000 countries and territories. CNN has 36 offices and 4,000 employees worldwide, so its global presence is very dominant. In a recent report by Pew Research centre CNN was considered to be more believable than other major news networks such as MSNBC and Fox, but in recent years it has shown a declining trend. This could be due to recent incidents that have led people to question the networks commitment to free speech and its bias. CNN has been dubbed Clinton News Network. In a joint study by the Joan Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University and the Project for Excellence in Journalism, they found that in the 208 American campaigns CNN gave decidedly more negative coverage to Republican candidates. On an international level CNN is regarded by may African and Asian countries as quite fair, but In the Middle East it is viewed as very pro-America. This is a contrast to how US citizens perceive it, CNN is considered to be liberal and sometimes anti-American. http://shorensteincenter.org/2007/10/the-invisible-primary-invisible-no-longer/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN_controversies http://www.mrc.org/notable-quotables?page=1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN#Controversy http://www.journalism.org/node/1299 http://stateofthemedia.org/

Jack Cafferty from CNNS Situation Room stated his view that his view that "the Chinese leaders were basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years".

2007

2008

2009

2010

Singer MIA stated she did an hour-long interview with CNN condemning the mass bombing and Tamil civilian fatalities at the hands of Government forces in Sri Lanka in 16 weeks the same year, "and they cut it down to one minute and made it about my single Paper Planes: Allegedly because she used the word genocide.

What is a consumerist society?

Globalisation has spread Western values and belief systems around the world; this has led to the creation of what anthropologists refer to as a consumerist society. This is a defined as a society where people are orientated towards consuming goods and services personal wealth is valued very highly and gives status. Consumerism describes the process of growing attachment to materialistic values or possessions and is driven by huge sums spent on advertising, which is designed to create a desire to follow trends, and a feeling of self-worth based on what you have.

Consumerism in society
This page looks at defining consumerist culture and looking at whether it actually exists

Keywords
Consumer culture Conspicuous consumption Commercialisation-turning an object into a commodity (a product that is considered to be essential) Capitalist Globalisation TNCs

Is this a new phenomenon?

No, consumption of goods for leisure purposes has existed as far back as ancient Roman times, when the leisure classes (upper classes) indulged in foreign spices and exotic spices. This idea of spending of money for and the acquiring of luxury goods and services to publicly display economic power is known as conspicuous consumption. Until the th 19 century this was limited to the upper classes however places like the UK and Holland, consumerism where everybody could be a consumer from upper to lower classes, had begun to take place. By the 1920s a consumerist society in America had been created and cemented. The capitalist ideology of western nations helped speed up this process, also the fact that American society is a meritocracy; however events have hindered this process such as WW1 and WW2.

Agents of consumerism
Globalisation: the internet, communication devices such as mobile phones. These mechanisms of globalisation have allowed big global companies TNCs to become footloose and operate anywhere in the world and more importantly sell their products globally TNCs: in the 80s countries such as China and India opened up their economies and many TNCs moved their factories there to take advantage of the cheap and large labour force. This meant goods have become cheaper to produce and more widely available. Also everyone has the same brands all over the world. English global lingua franca: This has led to mass advertisement of goods, the target audiences of marketing agencies are no longer national and regional audiences, adverts are now shown everywhere. This has been aided pertly by the fact that we are moving towards a global culture, so we want the same goods.

Do we really have a globalised consumerist society? As the map above shows the worlds richest consume 76.6% of the worlds products, this implies that consumerism was created by Western nations and is limited to Western nations. This could be due to the economic situations in different countries, where people cannot afford brands and global products so they are not indoctrinated by global consumerist culture. However, I the case of China where the communist party had introduced and enforced the ideology of anti-consumerism, when personal wealth began to