Music Genres and Corporate Cultures

Music Genres and Corporate Cultures explores the seemingly haphazard workings of the music industry, tracing the uneasy relationship between economics and culture; entertainment corporations and the artists they sign. Keith Negus examines the contrasting strategies of major labels like Sony and Polygram in managing different genres, artists and staff. Keith Negus examines the contrasting strategies of major labels like Sony and Polygram, exploring the seemingly haphazard workings of the music industry and the uneasy relationship between economics and culture; entertainment corporations and the artists they sign. Through in-depth case studies of three major genres; rap, country, and salsa, Negus explores the way in which the music industry recognises and rewards certain sounds, and how this influences both the creativity of musicians, and their audiences. Music Genres and Corporate Cultures shows how popular music is shaped by the industry yet stresses that music production takes place within a broader culture, one not totally within the control of large corporations. Drawing on over seventy interviews with music industry personnel in Britain and the United States, Music Genres and Corporate Cultures shows how the creation, circulation and consumption of popular music is shaped by record companies and corporate business styles while stressing that music production takes within a broader culture, not totally within the control of large corporations.