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Music Briefs: Arabic Pop


USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: ARABICPOPP5BRIEF

Arabic pop, commonly referred to as “Arab pop” or “Middle Eastern pop,” is a contemporary music style that combines Western pop music with traditional Arabic music. It first appeared in the middle of the 20th century and has since become one of the most popular and influential musical styles in the Arab world.

 

Arabic Pop History

The 1950s and 1960s saw the emergence of Arabic pop music as Arab musicians began fusing aspects of Western music with classical Arabic music. The first Arab pop song is believed to be “Enta Omri,” which was released in 1964 by the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum.

In the following decades, it continued to evolve and expand into what we are more familiar to hearing today. Here are some of the major influencers.

 

70s and 80s – Egyptian Pop

During the 1970s and 1980s, Egypt significantly contributed to the rise of this genre. Egyptian artists like Abdel Halim Hafez, Umm Kulthum, and Mohamed Abdel Wahab gained immense popularity across the Arab world and beyond. .

80s and 90s – Lebanese Influence on Arabic Music

Lebanese pop musicians like Fairouz, Wadih El Safi, and Sabah made a vital contribution to the development of Arab popular music in the 1980s and 1990s. During this period, Lebanon developed into a hub of culture and a center for music production in the Arab world, and its musicians significantly influenced the sound of modern Arabic pop.

The 90s to Present – Contemporary Arab Pop

Arabic pop musicians have continued experimenting with combining different genres and varying their techniques in the new millennium. Contemporary Arabic popular songs now frequently incorporate elements of Latin music, hip-hop, and electronic dance music (EDM), resulting in a vibrant and avant-garde musical environment.

During this time, Tamer Hosny, Nancy Ajram, and Amr Diab rose to prominence and the world started to recognize their contributions to Arabic pop.

Social media like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube and online music platforms like Spotify have revolutionized how Arabic pop music is consumed and distributed. Arabic pop remains a prominent and influential genre in the Arab world and continues to gain popularity worldwide.

 

Genre Characteristics

Traditional Arabic instruments:  Arabic pop often combines the oud, darbuka, and qanun with contemporary instruments like electric guitars and synthesizers in the music tracks.

Melodic vocals: Artists frequently display their vocal prowess in lively and emotional ballads and Arabic pop vocals are commonly defined by rhythmic and expressive singing techniques.

Unique rhythmic patterns: The genre has a variety of rhythmic patterns with occasional influence by Middle Eastern folk music and local dancing forms.

Arab lyrics: Arabic pop touches on various subjects, such as love, romance, social issues, and daily life. The words can be in standard Arabic or dialects specific to different Arab countries.

Influence from Other Genres:  Musicians may adopt aspects from other genres, such as Latin music, electronic dance music, and hip-hop.

 

Pond5 Examples of Arabic Pop

Find inspiration in these tracks dedicated to the genre and deep dive into the genre.

Arabic pop - Modern Arabic Loop

Arabic Pop - Arabic Style Pop Holiday East

 

Submission ideas

  • Submit tracks in length between 2 and 7 minutes long.
  • The tempo should be between 100 and 140 BPM.
  • Use traditional Arabic instruments like the oud, darbuka, and qanun. In some tracks, a violin is incorporated.
  • Arabic lyrics are an advantage but optional – don’t limit yourself by them, and feel free to upload purely instrumental tracks.
  • Don’t forget to experiment with different genres.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Don’t forget to add ARABICPOPP5BRIEF among your keywords so we can track down and promote your content.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top image: Egypt Music – Jun 2011 by EPA_Image.

Get more inspiration for your music production in our other Music Briefs.

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Music Briefs: Afrobeat

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: AFROBEATP5BRIEF

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Nigeria was the birthplace of the Afrobeat musical style. Fela Kuti, a political activist and musician from Nigeria, created it by combining elements of highlife, jazz, funk, and West African percussion with traditional Nigerian music. As the genre gains popularity and shows signs of trending, we’re looking for fresh Afrobeat content this month.

 

Afrobeat History

Fela Kuti

The Nigerian singer, composer, and political activist Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti was born in 1938. More commonly known as Fela Kuti, he is regarded as a founding member of the Afrobeat genre and one of its most influential figures.

We characterize Fela Kuti’s music by its fusion of traditional African rhythms, highlife, jazz, funk, and Western influences. He combined these elements to create the distinctive sound of Afrobeat.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Fela Kuti was a well-known activist and outspoken opponent of the Nigerian government. He spoke out against oppression, corruption, and social injustice in Nigeria and Africa using his music and public platform.

 

Afrobeat Artists

Several well-known Afrobeat bands and performers, such as Fela Kuti & Africa ’70, Egypt 80 (another band formed by Fela), Antibalas based in the US, Kokoroko from London, or Afrobeat-inspired band The Souljazz Orchestra have had a significant influence on the genre.

Today, Afrobeat is a strong and prominent genre, representing African identity, social awareness, and musical inventiveness. It continues to inspire musicians and strike a chord with audiences worldwide because it blends many musical forms and is committed to tackling socio-political issues.

 

Genre Characteristics

Infectious rhythms, large horn sections, intricate polyrhythms, and socially conscious lyrics distinguish the sound of Afrobeat music. Call-and-response singing, Yoruba chants, and African percussion instruments like the talking drum are all included, along with more contemporary sounds like guitars, synthesizers, and brass instruments.

  • Complex Rhythms: Afrobeat is renowned for its deep, complex rhythms. It creates polyrhythmic patterns that are infectious and energizing by fusing traditional African percussion instruments with contemporary drum sets.

  • Horn Sections: Horn sections, frequently made up of trumpets, saxophones, and trombones, are a key part of Afrobeat. These horns play melodic lines, adding to the Afrobeat genre’s dynamic and colorful sound.

  • Social and Political Lyrics: Afrobeat lyrics frequently touch on social and political topics. Musicians use their platforms to spread the word about injustice, repression, and corruption.

  • Fusion of Genres: Traditional African music, jazz, funk, and Western influences are all included in the ingredients of Afrobeat. This fusion combines African rhythms with Western melodies and instrumentation to produce a distinctive and varied sound.

 

It’s vital to remember that because the genre has developed and expanded over time, these traits are not absolute nor exclusive to all Afrobeat songs. Afrobeat may be interpreted and reinterpreted by various musicians and bands, so please don’t limit yourself to these characteristics only, and feel free to experiment with all the elements of Afrobeat.

 

Pond5 Examples of Afrobeat

Listen to the tracks dedicated to the genre and get inspired for your next production.

 

 

Submission ideas

  • Submit tracks in length between 2 and 6 minutes.
  • The tempo should be between 90-150 BPM.
  • Experiment with a fusion of different genres.
  • Don’t forget to distinguish the track from Caribbean music, dancehall, etc.
  • Lyrics are optional.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Don’t forget to add AFROBEATP5BRIEF among your keywords so we can track down and promote your content
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

 
Check out more Music Briefs and get inspired for your next production.

 
Top Image: ‘The Tube’ Tv Show, Uk by ITV_Archive.

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Music Briefs: K-Pop


USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: KPOPP5BRIEF

K-Pop, or Korean Pop, is a globally popular music genre that originated in South Korea in the 90s. It is distinguished by a blend of music genres such as pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and rock, accompanied by aesthetically compelling performances, perfect choreography, and visually-appealing MVs (music videos). K-Pop is not just a genre of music. It’s a standalone subculture made up of music and a variety of entertainment elements such as music videos, fashion, and general aesthetics.

 

K-Pop History

Western-style pop music inspired Korean artists in the early 1900s due to Japanese and American cultural influence and genres like jazz, trot, and even rock’n’roll in the 50s. However, modern K-Pop gained popularity in the late 90s.

In the 1990s, contemporary Korean Pop began to take shape. Seo Taiji and Boys, a trio of Seo Taiji, Yang Hyun-suk, and Lee Juno, is widely regarded as the pioneer band of modern K-Pop. Their debut in 1992 with the song “I Know” broke cultural standards and pushed the Korean music landscape to a fusion of pop, rock, and rap.

K-Pop has continued to expand and diversify since then, with new groups and solo artists debuting regularly. It has become a substantial cultural export for South Korea, with K-Pop acts traveling internationally, collaborating with Western musicians, and earning a global fan following.

 

Genre Characteristics

  • Catchy melodies: K-Pop songs frequently have catchy, memorable tunes intended to be immediately recognizable and entertaining for listeners. Strong hooks and repeating phrases make them easily singable and memorable.
  • Genre fusion: K-Pop blends various musical genres, including pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and rock. It usually incorporates elements from several genres, producing a rich and dynamic sound. K-Pop can be cute, pink, sweet as candy as well as dark and sassy.
  • Upbeat and Energetic vibe: Many K-Pop songs have an intense and lively tempo, aiming to be danceable and giving the listener a good mood. There are exceptions in emotional songs, but this is a general rule of thumb.
  • Harmonies and Vocal Layering: Harmonies and vocal layering are important in K-Pop, with numerous vocalists singing harmoniously to produce rich and layered melodies.
  • Electronic and Synthesized Sounds: These elements, such as electronic beats, synthesizers, and programmed sounds, are commonly used in K-Pop as they give it the known futuristic modern feel that makes K-pop different from other genres.
  • As K-Pop praises the fusion of genres and Western influences, we often hear English in the tracks. Some songs are even English only.

 

 
 

Pond5 Examples of K-Pop

Listen to the tracks dedicated to the genre and get inspired for your next production.

 

Submission Ideas

  • Submit tracks in length between 2 and 6 minutes
  • The tempo should be between around 90-180 BPM
  • Lyrics in Korean and English is welcomed and vocal harmonies are a great advantage but don’t limit yourself to them
  • Use catchy electronic dance beats and typical Western pop music elements

 

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • Use KPOPP5BRIEF in your metadata
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

 
Top Image: Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie Und Rose Von Blackpink Bei Der Verleihung Der Mtv… by IMAGO.

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Music Briefs – Old School Hip Hop

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: HIPHOPMUSICP5BRIEF

Hip-Hop is a musical and cultural movement that emerged in the late 1970s in New York City’s black communities. Hip-hop has no official anniversary. However, the first hip-hop event occurred on August 11, 1973, in The Bronx, New York. The concert, organized by DJ Kool Herc, is considered a historical turning point in hip-hop history and is celebrated as the International Day of Hip-Hop.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the cultural movement that still defines society today.

 

History of the genre

Hip-hop emerged in the late 1970s in African American communities of New York City as a synthesis of several sources and inspirations, including funk, soul, jazz, reggae, and Afro-Caribbean music.

Keith Cowboy, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, is considered the creator of the term “hip hop.” Afrika Bambaataa, a DJ and hip-hop pioneer, popularized the word by using it to describe the entire culture and movement. Over time, the term “hip hop” came to refer to the music and the associated dance, art, and fashion.

 

DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc is a Jamaican-American DJ and music producer generally regarded as a forefather of hip-hop music and culture. Kool Herc mixed music on two turntables, looking for the track’s most rhythmically exciting and danceable parts. He then included these passages in his set and used them in loops, which he played repeatedly to give dancers more time to dance. This mixing approach enabled Herc to produce a new sound that became the cornerstone of hip-hop music.

Old School Hip-Hop

Old School Hip-Hop is the first era of hip-hop music, emerging in the 1970s and 1980s. Its socially conscious lyrics addressed topics such as poverty, racism, and crime in the streets of New York, combined with samples from funk, soul, and disco records. Looping these lyrics and sounds together created the basic beat that defined the genre.

As the genre grew, the artists later used drum machines, synthesizers, and other electronic instruments to generate beats, and the genre evolved into New School in the mid-80s, using more complex rhythms and rhymes, focusing more on personal experiences, wealth, and fame, more complex beats, etc.

 

Pond5 Library Examples of Old School Hip Hop

Check out some examples in the Pond5 library to inspire your submissions.

 

Submission ideas

  • Submit tracks in length between 2 and 5 minutes.
  • The tempo should be between 80 and 120 BPM.
  • Rap or beatboxing is a great advantage and addition to the Pond5 library.
  • Don’t limit yourself. Instrumental tracks are also in demand if you don’t have any vocals available!
  • Use samplers, electronic drums, multiple vocals, beat samples, groovy drum samples, or minimal simple beats that define old-school hip hop.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords.
  • Please do not use recognizable band or artist names!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top image: The Beastie Boys Mike Diamond Adam Horowitz And Adam Yauch (Second From Right) by AssociatedNews.

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Music Briefs: UK Grime

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: UKGRIMEP5BRIEF

UK Grime is an innovative genre of hip hop that started in the UK in the early 2000s, and nowadays, new grime music comes up on the airways and playlists everywhere.

Fast beats, electronic noises, UK accents, and wild energy are cornerstones of grime music. Grime crews, groups of musicians who create music together and perform at underground nightlife venues, make up the grime music scene.

UK Grime History

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. MBE, better known by his stage name Wiley, is one of the rappers credited with creating the grime sound. Wiley rapped in icy-toned lyrics about his life in London to the sound of heavy beats he called ‘eski-beats.’

With its pounding rhythm and British-accented rhymes, in 2004, Wiley’s debut album ‘Treddin’ on Thin Ice’ established Grime as a recognizable genre. After that, the musician started a group called Roll Deep with other grime musicians, including Danny Weed, Breeze, Jamma, Skepta, and Dizzee Rascal.

 

Most Grime musicians, except for Dizzee Rascal, remained underground, flourishing as a form of underground music aimed toward young people and gaining popularity on pirate radio stations like Rinse FM. Grime music experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2016. New musicians like Stormzy and Bugzy Malone brought this genre into the mainstream.

Genre Characteristics

Grime is an eclectic mix of music genres and techniques, including UK garage music, techno, jungle music, and many more subgenres ​​combined with rap and several UK musical subgenres that were popular in the 1990s.

  1. Grime is an eclectic mix of music genres and techniques, including UK garage music, techno, jungle music, and many more subgenres ​​combined with rap and several UK musical subgenres that were popular in the 1990s.
  2. Quick beat: The average tempo of grime music is 140 bpm, giving it a very quick breakbeat and a powerful bassline.
  3. British accent: Grime was created in London to reflect the lives of its creators. Rappers in the grime genre often have British accents, distinguishing this form of music from American hip-hop. Urban life is a common theme in grime music. Many artists focus on life in gangs, money, social status, and other related topics.

 

Pond5 Examples of UK Grime Music

Have a listen to the tracks dedicated to the genre and get inspired for your next production.

Submission ideas

Submit tracks in length between 2 and 5 minutes
The tempo should be between around 140 BPM
Rapped lyrics are a great advantage but don’t limit yourself to vocals
Use hip hop, sample, and sampler as instruments

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

 

Top image: Dizzie Rascal at Glastonbury 2017 – Stormzy by AssociatedNews.

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Music Briefs – Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave)

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD FOR YOUR NEUE DEUTSCHE WELLE TRACKS IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: NDWP5BRIEF

Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave, as known as NDW) was a German music genre popular in the ’80s, originating from post-punk and new wave music with an electronic influence.

One of the earliest uses of the term was in a record-shop advertisement by Burkhardt Seilen in August 1979 in the issue of the West German magazine Sounds. Journalist Alfred Hilsberg then used it in an article about the movement titled Neue Deutsche Welle — Aus grauer Städte Mauern.

Musicians and fans characterized NDW as punk-rock instruments combined mainly with synthesizers, which were then coming to the market and were very interesting in price.

 

History of Neue Deutsche Welle

Neue Deutsche Welle consists of two major parts. The genre was mainly an underground movement with roots in British punk and new-wave music from its beginnings to 1981. Due to the unique sound and rhythm of the German language, it swiftly developed into a distinctive style. Artists like Nena and Ideal, capturing life in West Germany during the Cold War, or Spliff, Joachim Witt, and Trio, using the language in a surreal way, are distinctive genre representatives.

Around 1980 the genre gained popularity, but attention switched away from promoting current bands and toward forging new ones that were more mainstream-friendly. Bands that had nothing to do with Neue Deutsche Welle started to promote themselves as NDW, and commercialization by the music industry made the initiators of the movement frustrated. The NDW era ended around 1983–1984 due to oversaturation in the market with stereotyped, manufactured hits.

 

Pond5 Library Examples of Neue Deutsche Welle Music

Check out some of the examples in the Pond5 library as an inspiration for your submissions.

 

Submission ideas

  • Submit tracks in length between 2 and 5 minutes.
  • The tempo should be between 90 and 120 BPM.
  • German lyrics are a great advantage but don’t limit yourself to vocals.
  • Use electric guitar, the drum kit, electric bass, keyboard, and synthesizers as instruments.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top image: Frank Elstner (3. Von Li.) Mit Band Nena 01/83 Stroe Frank Elstner by IMAGO.

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Music Briefs – Phonk and Drift Phonk

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: PhonkP5BRIEF

Phonk is a subgenre of hip hop and trap music directly inspired by 90’s Memphis and Lexington rap. As a genre, it’s older than you might think – it is a millennial genre that originated primarily on the SoundCloud platform around the 2000s – 2010s, where artists experimented with a combination of 90’s rap and trap beats. It is characterized by nostalgic funk samples accompanied by vocals from old Memphis rap tapes.

 

Phonk vs Drift Phonk

Make sure to distinguish phonk from the genre that attacks the top ratings on TikTok, known as drift phonk. Drift phonk is a subgenre of phonk made popular by TikTok and the curated Spotify Editorial Playlist dedicated to Phonk. Thanks to this, Phonk is perceived as progressive hyping music with distinctive cowbell-heavy sounds and fast BPM, but that’s far from what it is! Listen to the tracks and hear the difference between these two.

 

What is Phonk

Phonk is an underground genre of hip hop and trap, as well as the umbrella genre for jungle phonk, phonk wave, phonk house, plug phonk, and of course, drift phonk. Famous names of phonk include Three 6 Mafia, DJ Smokey, X-Raided, Tommy Wright III, Phonk Beta, Soudiere, Mythic, DJ Yung Vamp, NxxxxxS, Lowpocus, and SwuM.

 

 

What is Drift Phonk

Drift Phonk producers have been going viral on TikTok with the distorted and progressive cowbell-heavy take on the phonk genre. The tracks are used in compilation videos of JDM cars drifting around narrow corners, and that’s how the subgenre got its title. As the popularity of drift phonk skyrocketed to the moon, it took over and established the public’s definition of phonk. As a result, nearly every tutorial after that on YouTube was dedicated to the Drift Phonk style. Notable producers include Pharmacist, LXST CXNTURY, MC ORSEN, and more.

 

Pond5 Library Examples of Phonk Music

Check out some of the examples in the Pond5 library as an inspiration for your submissions.

Phonk style:

Drift Phonk style:

 

Submission ideas

  • Feel free to upload both Phonk and Drift Phonk – just be careful to tag them correctly.
  • Upload tracks that are between 2-4 minutes long.
  • Use the tempo between 120-140 BPM.
  • Using vocals in samples and loops is a great advantage.
  • Typical instruments defining phonk genre: Synthesizers, samplers, drum machines.
  • Drift phonk uses cowbells and high bass in addition to the above mentioned instruments.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top image: A Man Looking Into A Car Window On A Summers Evening. With A Neon Vaporwave by Raggedstone.

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Music Briefs: Music of Amazonia

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: AmazoniaP5BRIEF

“Amazonian” is a diverse group of indigenous people living along the banks and in the forests surrounding the Amazon river. Most indigenous people who live near the Amazon make music that finds similar inspiration in nature, and is healing. Shamans or religious/mystical experts of the Amazon use chants that are sung or whistled. Each culture has its own kind of music that serves a role in spiritual rituals and ceremonies.

We’re describing some of the traditional music of Amazonia that has roots in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

 

Amazonian Instruments

Amazonian Instruments include locally made flutes, rattles made of seeds, bells, xylophones, mouth bows, and a long hollowed log drum called a “maguaré.” Different villages use the maguaré to communicate with each other up to 20 km/12 miles away! Since some tribes have encountered outside visitors, they’ve been making wind instruments out of bamboo or animal bones.

The music of the Amazonian tribes is an inseparable part of shamanic traditions and meetings that deepen the experience and vision. The mood is transcending, celebratory and ritualistic.

 

Where you can hear Amazonian music now

If you want to get inspired, check out the International Festival of Amazonian Popular Music, Pirarucú de Oro. Since 1987, this festival commemorates not only the music but also the culture and customs of the magical region. It happens annually at the capital of the Colombian department of Amazonas, which is in the cultural capital of Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia, bordering Brazil and Peru. The festival supports cultural values, and at the same time, it emphasizes the spread of Amazonian melodies outside the region.

 

Pond5 Library Examples of Amazonian Music

 

 

Submission Ideas

  • Upload tracks that are between three and seven minutes long
  • Use the tempo between 80 and 100 BPM
  • Use natural instruments typical for the region, such as flutes, xylophones, acoustic guitars, drums, and other percussion instruments
  • If you have the choice of using the vocals, such as shaman chanting, humming, whistling, or Portuguese/Spanish lyrics about tribe stories or nature, it’s a great advantage!

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Do not use recognizable band or artist names, please!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

 
Top Image: Indigenous Community In The City Of Manaus In Amazonia by eteixeirafoto565.

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Music Briefs: Japanese City Pop

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA OF YOUR JAPANESE CITY POP TRACKS SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: JapaneseCityPopP5BRIEF

Japanese City Pop, AKA City Pop or Shiti Poppu, is a loosely-defined Japanese pop genre featuring American influences. The sound emerged in the ’70s and grew as technology boomed. Thanks to the introduction of the Walkman and car tape players, it reached its peak popularity in the ’80s. With innovation in its musical DNA, Youtube algorithms and TikTok have once again reawakened City Pop’s relevance and fame. So, we’re calling for hot new City Pop tracks!

In short, it’s Western music adapted by the Japanese. Most Japanese City Pop artists sought inspiration from American soft rock, funk, or boogie rather than Japanese tradition.

 

Why City Pop?

Thanks to social media, music-sharing blogs, notable artists, and Japanese reissues, it’s in demand. The genre has also become a touchstone for the sample-based microgenres known as vaporwave and future funk.

Get inspired by the most influential artists in Japanese City Pop. These include Tatsuro Yamashita, Toshiki Kadomatsu, and Mariya Takeuchi. More recently, Miki Matsubara’s “Mayonaka no Door (Stay with Me)” became a fan sensation on TikTok in 2020 when Japanese users recorded and shared their parent’s responses to the song.

Pond5 Library Examples of Japanese City Pop

Submission Ideas

  • Upload tracks that are between 3 and 6 minutes long
  • Use a tempo between 80 and 120 BPM.
  • Play with typical instruments for Western 80’s pop, such as synth, electric (triggered) drums or regular drum sounds, bass guitar, and affected guitar sound (e.g., fusion jazz, where some use saxophone)
  • Experiments with Japanese vocals or without vocals
  • City Pop is a mix of genres, overlapping R&B, jazz, or 80’s pop. Whatever the influence, the result oozes a glamorous, urban feeling.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. On the other hand, do not use recognizable band or artist names, please!
  • We encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Moreover, please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top Image: OSAKA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 21, 2016: Night city lights of Dotonbori street in Osaka, Japan by citylife.

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Music Briefs: Holiday Music & Sound Effects

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA: HolidayAudio2022

The holiday season is approaching quickly, and buyers are looking for traditional and niche contemporary remixes that complement the holiday atmosphere. We’ve compiled a list of genres to focus on producing holiday music based on the requests from our buyer community.

Christmas and Holiday music isn’t only ‘Jingle Bells’ – think outside the box and get inspired by the following idea starters for your next music production. Don’t forget to use the special keyword HolidayAudio2022 so we can track down your submissions and promote your content!

 

Music Production Thought Starters

Christmas songs cover many styles, from choral and rock to country, pop, R&B, or jazz. Let the list below spark your imagination.

  • Christmas music in traditional genres – Children’s, Classical, Jazz, Modern, Religious, Rock, and Pop all fit this category. (Think of the vibe of ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’). Try including typical winter SFX in your music, and experiment with different instruments, such as organs, jingle bells, etc.
  • Non-traditional remixes of Christmas songs – We have already received requests for Christmas music remixed or revamped into Asian instruments, synthwave, R&B, EDM, Hip Hop, etc.
  • Lounge music – The jazzy relaxing vibe you have in a hotel lounge or elevator.
  • The rock genres – Create Christmas Rock, Christian rock, and even metal versions using Christmas elements, chords and SFX.
  • Lullabies – Soft bedtime music for children is also in high demand.
  • Vocal tracks – From duos to choirs. People singing religious songs or holiday hymns are popular among buyers during the holiday season.

 

Think of other holidays

Christmas is not the only holiday that occurs towards the end of the calendar year. Experiment with Kwanzaa or Hanukkah to widen your list of genres. Here are some examples:

  • Kwanzaa music is as vibrant as the traditional colors used to celebrate this seven-day holiday from December 26 to January 1. Create tracks using classical African beats, instruments, and joyful grooves.

 

  • Hanukkah music includes many traditional songs associated with the festival of Lights. Jewish music encompasses a wide range of genres and styles. These include Yiddish songs, klezmer music, and Israeli music, as well as contemporary genres mixed with traditional Jewish instruments, such as the kinnor (lyre), nevel (harp), tof (tambourine), shofar (ram’s horn), trumpets, flutes, chalil, alamoth and the uggav.

 

 

Holiday Sound Effects

Let’s focus on holiday sound effects here! Sound effects are essential for movies, podcasts, and social media platforms. Buyers often seek them out a few months before the holidays.

  • Winter sound effects – What reminds you of winter? Winter breeze, ice cracking, snow falling, rain, footsteps in the snow, snowball fights, etc.
  • Traditional Holiday sounds – Bells, chimes, and jingle bells, decorating the Christmas tree, gift wrapping, Holiday prayers, a music box, dreidels spinning, etc.
  • Holiday voices – Diverse voices, different accents, and languages saying “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Happy Kwanzaa,” or cheerful voice lines of children happy about their gifts, dreidel games, Santa Claus saying ho ho ho, etc.
  • Atmosphere sounds – Fireplace, Clinking of glasses and toasts, laughter, lighting a candle or menorah, preparing, cooking, and serving food, etc.

 

Keyword Ideas

Happy, positive, Christmas, holiday, Christmas music, music, winter, holidays, seasonal, bells, happiness, snow, Xmas, Santa, magical, festive, Kwanzaa, African, groovy, joyful, uplifting, ambient, jazz, lounge, carols, acapella, jingle bells, choir, choral, vocal, Christian rock, lullaby, Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Jewish, Yiddish, klezmer, Israeli, Hebrew, kinnor, chalil, alamoth, uggav, etc.

 

Target Groups

Corporate clients, non-profit organizations, artists, news organizations, influencers, ad companies, social media agencies, etc.

 

Summary Tips

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. On the other hand, do not use recognizable band or artist names, please!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social-media use.
  • Moreover, please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top image: Man Playing Guitar In Christmas Eve by StudioMAK.