Post 2000s music experienced a substantial expansion largely due to the age of technology. With such high-tech production available to artists now, the possibilities are near endless. The albums that current generations have made their own have only been around for 20 or less years, but somehow stuck. It’s a complex contrast to the pre-2000s music with many developing variables within the music industry. The following concept map displays the most common responses for essential albums produced after 2000.
Many of the artists featured on the concept map above have unique sounds and produce their music in such distinct ways. The technological advancements pertaining to the music industry allowed for the expansion of sound; artists curate their sound so intricately. This contributes to the long-lasting effect that so many artists before have conquered.
Take Mac Miller for example; an extremely talented and beloved artist that died in 2018. Mac had a musical background that dated back to his early years. He is known as an experimental musician that produced new and unique sounds. Many remember Mac for his character and loving personality that is relevant through each one of his songs. His lyrics are touching and sympathetic to each listener which influenced his popularity in the music industry. His struggle with addiction can be seen in the lyrics of his songs. Something people can connect with on a different level. Mac spoke to society and his words resonated with many.
His albums were a consistent response to the survey and, to which I can agree, he’s an artist that will carry through generations. The albums that can be listened to “from beginning to end for the rest of your life.”
Mac Miller made an impact on the music industry from the beginning of his career. Although he gained a lot of popularity after his death, his most popular songs have been well-known through the decade. His legacy lived on largely due to the release of the album Circles which he had been working on when he passed. His family chose to release his project, not from a marketing perspective, but because they knew the people who have supported him throughout the years would want to hear it. The community that grew because of Mac Miller’s music remained after his death because of how his words resonated with society.
One reason that stands out to me as to why artists of the 2000s gained popularity is because of their lyrics. This is a consistent theme in globally popular music. The words connect with their audience and create a sense of empathy that is felt upon listening. The songs that will stick with you from the first time you hear them are those that you identify with. It could be the melody, the lyrics, the artists or a combination of it all; we will keep the ones that produced an emotional and lasting effect.
Humans are creatures of habit, as we all know, and tend to gravitate towards things that will make us feel. It will be interesting to see who remains throughout the years. In addition to this, how will these artists keep their music alive? Is it in their control? Or does society as the audience possess the power to pass their sounds to the next generations?