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Purpose of this Website:
Many different Japanese pop artists have taken different aspects of Western music and culture, reshaped them, and incorporated them in their styles and music. Their final products, however, are distinctively different from anything you would find in the West. The concept of J-Pop stands out on its own as a wonderfully unique type of music and style and has gradually progressed into a major influence on not only Japan, but also countries around the world.
The purpose of this website is therefore to point out the Western roots of this concept, but still show how J-Pop is a unique art form. The internet links throughout this website are of artists and groups that are currently popular in Japan and who have taken certain aspects of Western culture and molded them into a new form. I have also listed popular enka artists and American artists (that are popular in Japan) in order to not omit the other two most popular forms of music throughout the country; the American artists are also present for comparison to J-Pop artists. Instrumental music -- such as classical music, jazz, and traditional Japanese music -- was not included because my basic focus is on J-Pop and its incorporated Western aspects.
Definitions:
J-Pop = The current popular, mainstream music that is created by Japanese or other Asian artists. This consists of many different genres of music, but all have certain commonalities such as type of singing, intermixing English with Japanese words, and an overall showmanship. Typical characteristics of J-Pop consist of a toned down enka vibrato, less guitar, synthesized music, a smaller singing range, and women with high-pitched voices (if doing vocals). It is modeled after western popular music, such as from America, but altered with the listed characteristics. Examples of groups include SMAP, Namie Amuro, and MAX.
Enka
= A type of ballad, usually
dealing with lost love, which was created around the time of the Meiji
Restoration. The vibrato, or variations in vocal pitch, is rapid and
distinct for this genre of music. Traditional pentatonic scales are used,
rather than the typical 7 tone major or minor scales usually found in most
western music. Performers are usually in kimono, except
for a few that wear elaborate costumes. Examples of singers include Misora
Hibari, Takashi Hosokawa, and the less traditionally dressed Kiyoshi Hikawa.
American Pop = The current popular, mainstream music that is
either created by American or typically European artists. This also
consists of different genres of music, but seems to have a little more variation
in melodies and style than J-Pop. Many pop artists are sought after
because of their high vocal or musical capabilities, while others become famous
because of their showmanship and looks. Many recent pop songs have been in
a minor key, giving it a type of dark sound, rather than the typical happy major
key found in J-Pop. Examples of pop artists include Christina Aguilera,
Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Enrique Iglesias.
Japanese Hip Hop/R&B = The Japanese
versions of American Hip Hop and R&B. Songs are still highly
synthesized, the word pronunciation is usually slow and less rhythmic for hip
hop, and the range of the singers' voice is usually not too important for
R&B. The American version of hip hop was created in New York, but
based off of 1960's Jamaican music, where DJs would create rhythms and MCs (the
only person allowed to use the microphone: Master of Ceremonies) would sing or
shout or dub poetry over it. The American version of R&B usually consists of soulful musical
phrases containing fast ornamentations of notes. This is a relatively new
category in J-Pop because most Japanese pop artists are essentially restricted
to fewer types of genres. It is less popular, but still worth noting.
Three examples are PUSHIM (based off of Jamaican dancehall music) and the hip hop
groups Upper Jam and Da Pump.
Japanese Punk and Rock =
The Japanese versions of European and American Punk and Rock. Punk music
is a form of hard-driving rock and roll created in the 1970's that usually
consists of harsh lyrics and expresses alienation and anger. A lot of
guitar is used and vocalists could be singing, shouting, or screaming their
words. Rock or Hard Rock music would consist of a morphed version of Rock
'n' roll. It is close to punk vocally and musically, but incorporates
other genres of music, such as hip hop and rap. It also has a large range
of styles. Japanese punk and rock are less harsh and more melodic, but
they do incorporate the heavy sound of the guitar and harsh vocalizations.
Two examples include Dir en Grey and GLAY.
Technical Support:
My brother Rob set me up with this website and also taught me how to use Microsoft FrontPage in order to create it. I highly suggest accessing his page:).
My Disclaimer Created by Shelly Ryan
EALC Independent Study
Last Updated 3/07/02