ext_251134 ([identity profile] whitedeathpod.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2011-03-04 07:03 am
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Pop Culture 101 | Friday | Period 2

"Welcome back from Hawaii everyone," John greeted as the students filed in and sat down. "I, unlike you, didn't get to go to Hawaii. I spent a week playing games with my kid. I'm pretty sure he thinks he rules the house now because I let him win so often. But anyway, let's get right back to it, shall we?"

To start that, John went over to the boombox sitting on his desk and played a snippet of a song. He even bopped his head along with the tune because it was a good song!

"Today, we're gonna talk about the Motown sound," he said once the song ended. "Motown comes from a music label that was founded by Berry Gordy and was the first record label to be owned by an African American man. It played an extremely popular role in the racial integration of popular music because it achieved both mainstream and crossover success."

John stopped talking and played another song. This one sounded a little different but was still good. "Simply put, Motown music is soul music with a distinct pop influence. And the reason Motown is so important is because it's still around today and so many other genres developed off from it. There are country artists, hip hop artists, jazz artists, rock artists and gospel artists that have all been Motown influenced. It's a very pervasive and expansive genre these days and today, you're going to become part of it."

Oh yes. "There's a list of songs on your desks. Your assignment? Pick one of those songs and sing it."

That boombox at the front of the room? Also a karaoke machine. Yep. "Your assignment is to pick one of those songs and sing it in a Motown style. Easy right? Let's get going."