How Mainstream Media Outlets Portray Electronic Dance Music
Contents
How do mainstream media outlets portray electronic dance music? Do they focus on the music or the culture surrounding it?
Introduction
In recent years, electronic dance music has exploded in popularity all over the world. However, it still faces many obstacles in terms of mainstream acceptance. One of the biggest issues is the way that mainstream media outlets often portray the music and the culture surrounding it.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how electronic dance music is often portrayed in the media, and why this can be a problem for the genre’s growth. We’ll also examine some of the ways that media outlets have begun to change their tune in recent years, and how this might help electronic dance music to become more accepted by the mainstream in the future.
History of electronic dance music
Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, has existed in some form since the late 1950s. In the 1960s, genres such as psychedelic rock and electronica began to take shape. By the early 1970s, electronic music had taken on a more experimental edge with the emergence of pioneers such as Brian Eno and Kraftwerk. In the 1980s, dance music began to take hold in clubs and discotheques around the world with the help of DJs and new technologies such as turntables and synthesizers.
The 1990s saw a significant increase in the popularity of electronic dance music, with genres such as techno, trance and house becoming global phenomenon. In more recent years, EDM has continued to grow in popularity with sub-genres such as dubstep and trap gaining mainstream attention.
While electronic dance music has been around for decades, it was only relatively recently that it started to receive significant coverage from mainstream media outlets. In the past few years, there have been a number of high-profile documentaries and articles published about EDM culture and its rise to global prominence.
However, not all of this coverage has been positive. In fact, much of it has been quite negative, with many media outlets portraying EDM culture in a negative light. This is often due to the media’s focus on drug use within the EDM scene, which has led to much criticism from both inside and outside of the community.
Despite this negative coverage, electronic dance music continues to grow in popularity around the world. With its unique blend of sounds and styles, there is no doubt that EDM will continue to make an impact on popular culture for many years to come.
The rise of electronic dance music
Since the early 2010s, electronic dance music (EDM) has been gaining popularity in the United States. In 2012, EDM festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra Music Festival drew in large crowds of people from all over the world. Media coverage of these festivals often focused on the dangers of drug use, depicting EDM culture as a danger to society.
In recent years, however, mainstream media outlets have been more positive in their portrayal of EDM culture. In 2017, for example, Time magazine published a cover story about the rise of EDM, featuring stories about DJs who have found success in the mainstream music industry. This more positive portrayal of EDM culture is likely due to the increased popularity of the genre among younger generations.
The fall of electronic dance music
As electronic dance music has become more popular in recent years, mainstream media outlets have often taken a negative view of the genre and its fans. In particular, these outlets have been critical of the so-called “EDM culture”, which they claim is responsible for a number of problems including drug use, rowdy behavior, and sexual assault.
This negative portrayal of electronic dance music has led many people to believe that the genre is nothing more than a trend that will eventually fade away. However, there are still many dedicated fans who believe in the positive power of the genre and its ability to bring people together.
The resurgence of electronic dance music
In recent years, electronic dance music (EDM) has made a massive comeback in the mainstream. Once considered a niche genre, EDM is now one of the most popular genres in the world, with artists like Calvin Harris and The Chainsmokers topping the charts.
However, not everyone is happy about this resurgence. Many electronic music purists argue that the mainstreaming of EDM has led to a decline in quality, with radio-friendly pop songs becoming more common than innovative and experimental tracks.
Meanwhile, some mainstream media outlets have been accused of misrepresenting EDM culture. In particular, there have been claims that the media portrays EDM fans as young, white and wealthy – giving rise to the pejorative term “EDM bros”.
So, what’s the truth? Has electronic dance music become more commercialized in recent years? And how accurate is the media’s portrayal of EDM culture?
Conclusion
In conclusion, mainstream media portrayal of electronic dance music has been predominately negative. The most common themes include: stories about drugs and violence at festivals; criticism of “molly” or MDMA use at EDM events; and the suggestion that electronic dance music is a “fad” that will die out. However, there are also some positive stories about the genre, including its increasing popularity and the success of EDM DJs and producers.
