My understanding of the theories…

Richard Dyer’s TheoryMy Understanding

My understanding of Dyer’s theory is that he feels, the star’s (celebrities) are made up. They are not real they are a product in which has been merged together by the people around them to be seen as what the audience wants to see. This may include star’s such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Usher, One Direction, Justin Bieber. These celebrities are positioned in the mainstream. These are all mainstream artists that also sell their image in numerous media sources such as top magazines which may just be an advertisement of their album, might even be an interview. TV adverts again promoting or even shows. Justin Bieber was a guest star in an episode of ‘CSI’. Movies, Rihanna was seen in ‘You got served’ in 2004 playing a cameo role, but now that she is much more popular and needs to stay in the spotlight she stared in Battleship, which was released this year. Not forgetting music to keeping their fans satisfied.

Dyer also believes that depending on the star someone might like it can place them into mainstream or subculture. As someone may like Katy Perry as she is already in mainstream she will remain in mainstream. However if someone was to like Sara Bareilles as she is subculture she will remain in subculture.

Including another part of Dyer’s theory depending on the star’s ‘image’ they may strengthen what the world may believe what is the right way to behave or they may change it. The way to behave would be like Beyonce where shr donated her track ‘I Was Here’ and video to ‘World Humanitrain Day’ which is a charity. This would most defiantly be seen as the way to behave. Whereas the things that may change this thought would be the way that Chris Brown had handled a situation with Rihanna in 2009 that made him to be unwanted to the public all together and changes the ideology.

The range of meanings as to what attracts the audience of their ‘star’

LADY GAGA

She wears striking clothes and that was what the audience like is that she is original and does not care what anyone thinks. The way she looks, changes all the time. From pink hair to yellow. There are a lot of changes. Which always leaves her audience guessing what is going to be her next appearance. What comes across to the audience is that she is not afraid to be who she wants to be and she is going to continue to do what she wants. I may seem insane or even wrong sometimes (like wearing a meat dress) but to her that is who she is.

She stands out with her personality and what she wears. She inspires a lot of people because she is comfortable with who she is and doesn’t hide it. She is relatable to her audience as she gives them the edge to move out of their own shell and be who they want to be and some people may have already done that can knows where she is coming from. She does have interviews, concerts, twitter in which the audience get to connect and get to know her much more as a person. Although she does leave the audience wanting more as she separates herself from this and stays quiet for a while leaving her audience anxious and asking questions.

Grant McCrackenMy Understanding

I believe that McCracken is right as back in 1930-1980 I’m sure you say that there were mainstreams as when you were to hear Queen you thought Rock, Billie Holiday would be Jazz, Ray Charles; Blues and Michael Jackson would be Pop (not just because he was called ‘The King Of Pop’). Nowadays that has all changed like McCraken said there are so many different values and ideologies that people have. So when you ask what Chris Brown would be, you would think Dance, R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop you can’t placed him into one mainstream because today that doesn’t exist anymore. There are a lot of different views now and a lot of different paths artist can now go.

Hebdige TheoryMy Understanding

My understanding of Hebdige’s theory is that people who listen to Rappers such as Eminem, Jay-z and Lil Wayne may understand their background and where they came from, as if someone who hasn’t had the same background would not be able to relate to it and may not chose to listen. It’s the same for someone who enjoys listening to Johann Sebastian Bann, Luigi Boccherini or Beethoven. Who all play classical music someone with the background of a rough urban society may not enjoy it. Maybe even reggae which has been stereotypically seen as only a certain race was to listen to it, but artist Bob Marley had a range of an audience. People have a choice in who and what they listen to.

Eminem – Not Afraid

I the chorus he raps about coming back full force out of a deep depression and a dark time in his life, he's coming back without worries of regression.

He's also saying that if anyone else has the problems he had he knows what they are going through and he will lift them up.

Eminem is saying that no matter how hard life gets you will have people to lift you up along the way and people have been down the road before you and you are able to come back from it because others were able to.

He realizes what he has to do and is now finding the strength to move away from his past and start fresh.

Now he is refusing to go back to his past, as he always found himself circling back. This time he is standing his ground.

Johann Sebastian Bach – Air On A G String

Classical music is more appreciated by people who play musical instruments or do ballet. This may not occur to all people but the majority. This to them sounds like the rap that people prefer to listen to.

Unite as one and come together

Religious substance

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Bob Marley – One Love

Theodor AdornoMy Understanding

Adorno suggest that popular culture e.g. Usher which may be seen as irrelevant such as singing songs about woman in such explicit ways. Which I do also agree to. He was also against the fact that artists tear you away from the real things in life and songs lead people to wanting unnecessary things, material things that wont help them in any way. He felt very strongly about this therefore leaves people to agree to disagree. Me personally I am in two minds about his theory.

Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go OnMy heart will go on made an impact especially

as it is the theme song to the movie ‘Titanic’ which is based on a true story. So this would conflict with what Adorno is trying to say within his theory as people would go away thinking about it.

Drake - Headlines Drake conforms with Aodrno’s

theory as in his videos he will have a nice expensive car and be wearing big coats and big jewelry. These are all material things which is what not necessarily what people need. This would leave people (boys) thinking that having big cars and jewelry would make them seem more attractive or appealing to their friends. That may not be the case at all.

Duffy – I’m Scared

She can’t do anything and there she see’s the picture which is a reminder.

This opening paragraph of the lyrics suggests that someone that she knew either left, or died.

Everywhere she looks it remind her of him. She doesn’t want to alter anything but there are things missing.

Now that the person has gone so instantly she doesn't’t feel as though she can do anything. She is scared of moving on without them.

This is a relevant song and would leave people thinking of current affairs. As someone in their life will eventually die or leave and they would remain feeling the way in which the lyrics are putting across.

Nicki Minaj - Superbass Nicki minaj conforms with Adorno’s theory

making the audience seem as though you need to have a nice expensive car, loads of money and a good looking, muscle man. Which leads people away from the actual things that they do necessarily need, moving them away from reality.