Presentation

Article 1: Charting Race The Success of Black Performers In The Mainstream Recording Market 1940-1990

In this article TJ Dowd tries to determine what influences the success of black performers in the music industry over the period between 1940 to 1990. Dowd splits up the status of the music industry into periods of concentration, where a few large companies dominate the market, and diversity, where there is a greater amount of smaller and specialty recording companies. Dowd found that black performers had less mainstream success when the music industry is concentrated while they enjoyed more success with a diverse market. Dowd also found that historical events also influence on mainstream success. He found that racial tension increased black artists' mainstream success while recessions decreased success.

Article 2: Bob, Bono and Tony B: the popular artist as politician

In this article John Street tries to determine what makes popular artists become involved in politics. Street determined that certain genres of music such as hip hop and folk music are known for the political activism of the artists. Street gives examples of many artists who eventually became involved in politics such as john Lennon and Marvin Gaye. Street determined that artists become involved in politics because they are themselves interested in politics, or they could be trying to emulate the political views of there fan base.

Stephen Abbott