Social Voices: The Cultural Politics of Singers around the Globe

Singers generate cultural identity from K-Pop to Beverly Sills, and Levi S. Gibbs' edited collection explores this idea through the examination of artists like Romani icon Esma Redžepova, Indian legend Lata Mangeshkar, and pop superstar Teresa Teng. The book discusses gendered performances, the negotiation of race and class identities, the divide between highbrow and pop culture, the ability of singers to adapt to shifting notions of history, borders, gender, and memory, and the challenge of technology to our ideas about what constitutes music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Singers have long been a powerful force in shaping cultural identity, from the iconic figures of K-Pop to the legendary operatic soprano Beverly Sills. As artists navigate the complex web of politics and perspectives, their songs become vehicles for expressing and challenging societal norms. In a new collection edited by Levi S. Gibbs, contributors explore the ways in which singers use their music to create meaning and engage with political issues.

The book takes a multidisciplinary approach, examining artists from a range of genres and cultural backgrounds. It explores topics such as gendered performances, the negotiation of race and class identities, the contradictions between highbrow and pop culture, the connections between narratives of struggle and the distinction between privileged and marginalized identities, and the singers' ability to adapt to shifting notions of history, borders, gender, and memory.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea of listening as a political act that produces meaning. Contributors argue that singers use their music to create spaces for listeners to engage with complex social issues and to challenge their own perspectives. They explore how singers use their voices, lyrics, and performances to convey messages and provoke thought, and how their music can shape public opinion and influence political discourse.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of technology in shaping the way in which singers create and consume music. Contributors discuss how social media and digital platforms have transformed the music industry, and how singers use these tools to connect with their fans and promote their music. They also explore how technology can challenge our ideas about what constitutes music and how it can be used to create new forms of expression and communication.

Social Voices is a groundbreaking and original work that reveals how singers and their songs equip us to process social change and divergent opinions. The contributors are a diverse group of scholars and artists who bring a wealth of expertise and perspective to the book. Their insights and analyses provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which singers use their music to create meaning and engage with political issues.

In conclusion, Singers have long been a powerful force in shaping cultural identity, and their songs continue to be a powerful tool for expressing and challenging societal norms. Social Voices is a groundbreaking and original work that explores the ways in which singers use their music to create meaning and engage with political issues. By examining the work of a range of artists and by taking a multidisciplinary approach, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which singers use their music to shape our world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252087387