Critic Kelefa Sanneh Charts Music History in ‘Major Labels’

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KQED

News, News Commentary, Politics

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 31 December 2021

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In his new book “Major Labels,” journalist and music critic Kelefa Sanneh takes on the history of popular music through seven genres that have defined it: rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance and pop. The book not only highlights key artists and events in music’s evolution over the last 50 years, but reveals how music is a tool to build and mold identity. In his chapter on punk music, Sanneh shares reflections of the genre’s pivotal role in his own coming of age. And while music is often celebrated for bringing people together, Sanneh is pointed in the ways people’s cherished music tastes and tensions between “mainstream” vs. “outsider” styles can be more antagonistic than unifying. Sanneh joins us to talk about “Major Labels.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:36.0	Thank you. Very. From KQED. From KQED. From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Mina Kim.
0:51.3	In his new book, Major Labels, Journalist and Music Critic, Kellefascani, takes on the
0:56.0	last 50 years of popular music through seven defining genres, rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance,
1:05.5	and pop. Sane highlights key artists and events in music's evolution, but also explores how the kind of music we like shapes our identity, how we understand ourselves, and how we're seen by others.
1:18.6	So, which musical genre are you?
1:21.9	Or do you tune out the labels?
1:24.5	Farm is next. After this news. This is Forum. This is Forum.
1:28.3	Being in a certain
1:42.3	being into a certain band or a style of music was more than just being into a certain band or a style of music was more than
1:46.2	just being into a certain band or style of music.
1:49.2	It said and continues to say something about who you are.
	...

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