Money For Nothing: Behind the Business of Pop Music

http://www.mediaed.org

Of all mass cultural forms, popular music has historically been characterized by the greatest independence for artists and allowing access to a broader diversity of voices. However, in the contemporary period, this independence is being threatened by a shrinking number of record companies, the centralization of radio ownership and playlists, and the increasing integration of popular music into the broader advertising and commercial aspects of the market.

Narrated by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Money for Nothing features interviews with hip-hop legend and pioneer Chuck D, respected independent artist Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti of Spearhead, and Riot Grrrl co-founder Kathleen Hanna (of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre). It also includes interviews with popular music historian Professor Reebee Garafolo, ex-Rolling Stone editor Dave Marsh, political economist Robert W. McChesney, and Shirley Halperin, editor of BOP magazine.

Money for Nothing succinctly explains how popular music is produced and marketed, and offers an accessible critique of the current state of popular music.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• MEF
• Media
• Education
• Literacy
• Critical
• Mass
• Industry
• Educational
• Sut
• Jhally
• Pop
• Music
• Sonic
• Youth
• Ani
• DiFranco

[imyourtrash]

This stuff is KILLING whatever art is left in music.

[LadyTai7]

...and that is why no one is buying music any more... has little to do with downloading... has a lot to do with money-hype generated and minimum to "no talent."

[cavmedic53]

Anyone who wants to see the entire video, can watch the full length preview on the website. It's watermarked the entire way through and some of the info is behind but that's only because with some mergers it's gotten worse. It's still very sad and sickening.

[suchafool990]

if these evil music corporations are so horrible and shitty then what does that make all the people who buy and support their music hmm?

...........*crickets*

[cherubicnerd]

my god. i knew it! i knew talent had to come in different sizes,ethnicity , and ages! bring back the days of quality music!

[WritingFighter]

This explains why several European artists are doing so well today (of which there is a surprising amount). Their creativity wins people and the big companies scratch their heads, sucking more money out to try and produce more.

[pvredsox]

@chrisz I wouldn't call the word useless as "rhetoric". But sorry if i angered you. terribly sorry. All i'm saying is if you listened in on a pothead who knows anything about the music industry from the past 30 years they'd just say this. "The man is killing music brooo"

[chrisz]

@pvredsox care to elaborate, or are you just going to spit baseless rhetoric? Much of the information in the film is still relevant in todays music industry.

[chrisz]

@vicdella80 You can buy it online from the MEF, it is pricy though. I saw this documentary in one of my journalism classes at college.

[vicdella80]

where can i find the whole documentary? saw this back in 02 at some mini film festival

[JohnF30Music]

this was in about 1999-2000 because it shows the 5 big four record labels. it's 4 now.

[MYSTERYGARDEN777]

STAY TUNED FOR MYSTERY GARDEN'S

R-E-V-I-V-E MUSIC 2010/2011!