Our New Playlists

     Welcome to my New Playlists blog. I went into four different cultures and four different countries. I traveled to Korea, Nicaragua, Japan, and New Zealand. I studied the modern music of Korea, the traditional music of Nicaragua, the modern music of Japan and the traditional music of New Zealand. I chose 4 different ones and ones we had not studied to broaden my horizons and make me more diverse in my musical world. They were all so different, but they were all so good. I learned so much information and learned how they are intertwined. I hope you enjoy learning about these cultures as much as I did. Have fun traveling! 

    BTS is a Koren K-Pop group. They are a 7-member boy band. They are the first group to have their song land on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and are also known for being the only Asian act to ever win an award at the American Music Awards. They have helped redefine the K-pop genre. They have influenced tourism to South Korea as fans want to see them. They have inspired the fashion of BTS. Their culture is shown through their work. They not only sing but they perform, they do all kinds of dances and sing while they dance. When you watch them dance and perform you are just kind of in disbelief that they can do both at the same time. They do not get to pick their hair color, hair style, or their outfits. Korean culture is heavy on traditions and beliefs. It has shaped them for many dynasties. I chose this group because my sister loves this group. She and my mom actually went to LA a couple of years ago to watch them perform live. They said it was one of the best concerts they have ever been to.

    Traditional Nicaraguan music is a fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. It is a blend of different genres, each telling its story of the Nicaraguan people and history. The marimba is central to Nicaraguan Music. Palo de Mayo is a significant genre in Nicaragua that originates from the Caribbean coast. Nicaraguan music is known for its unique adaptations of international styles. Carlos Mejia Godoy was known for his compositions, deeply rooted in folk traditions. He captured the essence of Nicaraguan life and struggles in his lyrics. He made his music a timeless testament to the nation’s spirit. I chose Nicaragua because I have actually been there on a mission trip, however, I did not know much about traditional music and wanted to research it more. I have learned a lot of information about their music now.

    Music in Japan is diverse in genres and styles. J-pop is a main genre known for its catchy melodies and idol culture. Another genre is J-rock, which has visually striking performances and incorporates strong rock elements. There is Hip-Hop and Electronic Music, which reflects urban culture and has started gaining popularity. Anime and Video Game music have continued to heavily influence modern music trends, appealing to both domestic and international audiences. Japanese music blends traditional influences with contemporary styles. I chose Japan because I had not heard much music from Japan and actually knew very little about the music culture or what they even listened to. I learned so much. I did not even know J-rock or J-pop were a thing.

New Zealand's traditional music is diverse. It is heavily influenced by Maori music and European settlers. They are known for Waiata: songs sung solo or in unison, often lullabies or love songs. They have the Karanga, which is performed during welcome ceremonies called
powhiri. There is the traditional chanting that predates European arrival, which is the Moteatea. Then the Maori performing arts form that combines song and dance. Their music reflects cultural heritage and incorporates different genres like the blues, jazz, and reggae. New Zealand is a place that I have heard about but never thought to research or even look into.  I learned many things from doing my research. It is all very interesting to me. 

    In conclusion, it was very fun and interesting to learn about the four different cultures. Korean, Japanese, Nicaraguan, and New Zealand cultures were so different, yet they were all part of genres we had already discussed in class. It amazed me how very different the music and cultures were, but also how alike they all were. They seemed very similar, and most of the stuff I saw we had discussed in class. They all intertwined with another culture somehow or some way. The music was very interesting, and I am glad I got to hear so many different things. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.