Culture is inherent to everyone, and culture influences an individual in everything he does; from his perception or interpretation of reality to the language or to his sense of self. Take the popular singer Jay Chou (JC) for instance. His music is predominantly influenced by the Chinese culture. However, other cultures or styles such as classical music and rap still influences his songs. But all of his songs still contain the Chinese style.
At the same time, he exerts an enormous influence on popular culture as well, in Asian countries as well as Non-Asian countries, selling several million copies everytime his album debuts, and being recognized with hundreds of awards. JC's albums are one of the few Asia-media products to be distributed outside of Asia because there is a great demand for his songs in Non-Asian countries like the US.
JC's music is a form of low context culture because he uses lyrics in his songs to express himself, to clarify and influence. Every album of JC has at least 1 Chinese style in it. For example, the song 'ju hua tai' (菊花台)('Chrysanthemum Terrace') is distinctly Chinese. It incorporates the Chinese traditional instruments such as the yang qin with the western instruments like the violin. Some songs which are oriental in style is accuentauted by the pentatonic scale as opposed to the diatonic scale. Besides his own culture, JC also incorporates the Spanish guitar in 'hong muo fang' (紅模仿)('Red Imitation') and American techno in 'ben cao gang mu' (本草綱目)('Herbalist's Manual'), to name a few. These songs are examples of the influences culture has made on him.
2 comments:
as the world speeds ahead, it's people continue to invent new things. however, there is only so much to be invented, and when ideas run out, what better than to take 2 good inventions and put them together!
this can be clearly seen in JC style of music. you have clearly explained how he has merged the African American rap and hip hop style in to the traditional chinese instruments.
so what is going to happen when the world demands something new and trendy? i won't be suprised if JC goes on to inject some techno or jazz styles in to his music. in fact, doesn't he already have some song like that?
Although I do not usually listen to Chinese music, one of the few chinese singers I actually heard is Jay Chou.
Despite his style of mumbling his words, I am often fond of his chinese influnces in his songs, be it the different instruments or the lyrics. They add a distinct flavour to the music he creates, which is something hardly heard in american music.
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