Abstract
An examination of the effect of Elvis Presley's career and life had on American society and culture. It discusses how his music transformed rock n' roll not only in how it sounded but also in his appearance and sexuality. It further looks at his movie career and how he influenced musicians and entertainers including Madonna.

From the Paper
"Elvis Presley openly acknowledged that black musicians and their unique blend of soul and blues were a major influence in his career. He grew up in a poor household in the rural South. He understood the problems faced by the poor in the South, many of whom were Black. He listened to their music, visited their clubs and bars, and brought their musical form to the attention of the world when he blended it with his country blues."

Tags:Music, Rock n' Roll, Elvis, culture

Abstract
This paper looks at rap music and its influence on today's youth, especially in the black community. It looks at the history of rap music, the lyrics and examines both its proponents and opponents. The lifestyles of the artists themselves are examined, as is the message they send, and the affect they have on their audience, whether intentional, or not.

From the Paper
"However, life often imitates art. Gangsta rap, a type of rap music made most popular by Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, glorifies violence such as murder, rape, and stealing. These two men in particular are role models to millions of young children who saw both of these icons die by way of gun violence. Despite their deaths, rap music continues to portray gang life and violence as something trendy and "cool". Drug use is also constantly glorified - west coast rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre popularized the marijuana leaf in their lyrics; so much so that t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers with the bright green leaves were sold all over the country. I cannot fathom that the promotion of such illegal activities can bring about any positive results. Whether they desire to be or not, these entertainers are role models to young children and older teens. Their influence upon such impressionable minds is being used to desensitize their lives regarding violence, guns, gangs and drug use while glorifying life without a father, living on welfare and spending time in jail."

Tags:hip, hop, ganster, rap, entertainers, shakur, tupac, youth, black, conservative, liberal, lyrics, ganstar, records, society, african, american, nigger, violence, rape

Abstract
This paper examines the effects of violent music as debated in Congress, the American Psychological Association, and parents, over why violent music encourages violence, especially rap and rock music.

From the Paper
"In the aftermath of the Columbine High School shootings, fingers quickly pointed at the violent media favored by the killers: violent video games, Quentin Tarantino films, Marilyn Manson music. For decades, violent lyrics and themes in popular music have been targeted for being responsible for almost every social ill- from school violence to teenagers increasing disrespect towards their parents."

Tags:kids, lyrics, music, violence, congress, american, psychological, association, apa, rap, rock

Abstract
This paper discusses how rap music currently enjoys the status of mouthpiece for society's rebels and how, since the music of Elvis, various forms of music have pushed the boundaries of acceptability and decency in culture. It provides a short historical overview of this musical genre, followed by a consideration of its significance for society. It shows that, while it is true that some rap artists have broken rules and norms, not only in their music, but also in their lifestyles, it is also true that other rap musicians attempt to use their art to uplift society.

From the Paper
"Rap artists such as Eminem (Marshall Mathers), Ice Tea, and others have reveled in the controversy raised by their explicit and violent lyrics. According to Fields, the results of social shortcomings are portrayed in the darkest and most explicit way possible by many rap artists. This serves not only as a window to the sad childhood worlds many of these artists come from, but also as an incentive to uphold and fight for conservative social values. Indeed, broken families where the father is absent, children illegitimate, and welfare the only income, more often than not make the world in which the average rapper grew up. The desperate alienation created by this situation finds its expression in violent rap lyrics (Fields)."

Tags:eminem, ice, tea, lifestyle, culture

Abstract
The paper describes how the VNV Nation band has utilized innovative approaches to success. The paper looks at the band's name, its record label and its creation of the musical genre known as Futurepop. The paper discusses the nature of VNV Nation's lyrics and how its songs provoke people to seek change and embrace their individuality. The paper also relates that the band's songs can reach audiences directly through advances in the use of Internet technology in distribution.

From the Paper
"VNV Nation may not be a well-known mainstream band, but they have taken a path on which many other groups have been afraid to travel given the competitive nature of the music business. They have gone their own way by structuring innovative approaches to success. For this reason, I have chosen them as my essay subject.
"Antonio Gramsci's argument about hegemonic forces states that "new technologies and structures of control by the state and entertainment industries also generate new forms of cultural and political opposition." Using his concept, VNV Nation would be considered a hegemonic force. While they were a part of the entertainment empire at the beginning of their career, they rebelled and are trying to create a new form of musical leadership."

Tags:record, label, lyrics, Futurepop, songs, distribution

Abstract
This paper examines the history and development of the band, Pearl Jam. It discusses the band members and their musical influences and their musical and visual style. The paper then examines the band's sociological and cultural significance during the 1990s when they were established and discusses a couple of songs which illustrate crucial aspects of their works. The paper contains an annotated bibliography.

Table of Contents:
The band
Influences
Sociological and Cultural Siginificance
Fashion and Visual Style
Two Essential Songs by Them

From the Paper
"Undoubtedly, Pearl Jam is one of the most successful bands of the 1990's. They write complex songs, both musically and lyrically which appeal to a large audience around the world. They have the musicianship of heavy metal and progressive rock bands from the 1970s while they maintain the anti-corporate and "speak your mind" mentality of the 1980 punk bands. Since the commencement of the their career , they have fought hard to vice what is important to them through their music. Pearl Jam's music will continue to reach people even after they cease to exist as a band."

Tags:audience, music, songs, lyrics, ticketmaster

Abstract
This paper discusses the social phenomenon of American rap star Eminem. It investigates if he exposes hypocrisy in our society through social criticism, or is merely profiting from shock value. The paper questions the entire genre of rap music and it's supposed negative cultural affects.

From the Paper
"Crichlow, in his study entitled "Rap Music: Agents for Social Change and Agents for Social Destruction" (1990), cites Stanley Aronowitz's idea that popular culture produces cultural relevance, as he defines popular culture as "really the property of the sphere in which people" of whatever class or racial group "actually produce their own cultural artifacts and their own cultural relations" (Crichlow, 1990: 6). There are many different forms of popular culture which produce many different cultural effects: some intentional, and some unintended. One area that is hotly contended today involves the effects of rap music on youth. The questions are raised: Does rap music have a negative impact on youth? Does it promote hate and violence? Are these acts of hate and violence also committed by heroes and villains, good and bad people? Are there too many controversial issues in the type of music and music lyrics that people in our culture like? In seeking to find answers, rappers, like Eminem, are often blamed as agents of social destruction."

Tags:mysogyny, homophobia

Abstract
The writer asks and answers questions concerning digital radio. Will this format be here to stay or will it just become a stepping stone technology? Will the world decide on a single transmitting format? And most importantly, will the general consumer accept this new technology? The beginnings of digital radio have already been seen. These stations, which are received via satellite, have been used by businesses to provide a variety of digital, commercial-free, music to be enjoyed by their customers.

From the Paper
"The future of digital radio in Canada relies mostly on the L-Band which Canada introduced to world in 1992. The L-Band is basically a carrier that uses both terrestrial and satellite signals for wireless transmissions. This makes for a carrier that far exceeds that of its predecessors, the FM and AM band, which the government plans to replace by 2010. After digital radio becomes the standard, the CRTC plans on using the AM/FM frequencies for other purposes of wireless transmission. AM radio covers the frequencies of 530KHz to 1630Khz for a bandwidth of 1.1MHz. The bandwidth needed, though, for each channel is 0.01MHz. FM covers the band of 88MHz to 108MHz for a total bandwidth of 20MHz, with 0.25MHz needed per channel. The L-Band on the other hand ranges between 500MHz to 1500MHz, although for digital radio only frequencies from 1452MHz to 1492MHz. are slated. This leaves digital radio with the bandwidth of 40MHz, where 1.5MHz of bandwidth is needed for the 48KHz, 16bit uncompressed audio."

Tags:transmitter, music, technology, satellite, station

Abstract
This paper discusses the life of country singer, Tim McGraw. The author gives a summary of McGraw's childhood and his career in the music industry. The paper highlights McGraw's successful albums and also mentions his marriage with fellow country artist, Faith Hill.

From the Paper
"The album was recorded with his touring band in New York, which is very unique for country music. The majority, if not nearly all country albums are recorded in Nashville studios with the best musicians available. Studio musicians are generally viewed as being more technically precise than touring bands and therefore produce better quality music for studio recording purposes. However, McGraw and his touring band are close friends and have been for the duration of his career and he felt that in order to produce something true, pure and honest, his music had to be recorded with the band."

Tags:country artist, music industry

Abstract
This is an essay dealing with the injustices against rapper Eminem in September of 2000. The artists attempts to enter Canada for his concert but the politicians try to ban his entry using Canadian laws as protection. This essay looks at the negative aspects of our law and shows how it can be used to mistreat certain individuals. The arguments discussed are the incorporation of law, the people's controversy and vile lyrics.

From the Paper
"In Canada, we have the freedom to an opinion, speech, and belief, but how far does this freedom go? Many times, artists' and singers' lyrics are censored because what they have to say cannot be heard by all. In a particular case, involving a concert at Sky Dome on October 2000, a strong attempt was made to ban rapper Eminem from entering Canada because of the content and themes of his musical lyrics. Eminem was not being granted his rights to freedom of speech and was being punished for it. New and viler lyrics, the people's controversy, and incorporating the law, are factors which almost made Canada strip Eminem of his fundamental freedom to express his opinion through his lyrics. "

Tags:canada, charter, concert, freedom, lyrics, mysogynist, rap, speech