Written by Jaihasra Jamaludin
In most countries including Malaysia, governments take an active interest in the media and culture industries. Government have the strongest influence and impact towards media industries in every country. Nowadays, media become as a new technology that developed cultural niches among the society. With the development of media industry from the 20th century, media contribute huge impact toward culture in every society. Culture affects us all no matter where we live or what we do in everyday life.
Media can be described as a method of communication channels through news, entertainment, education, broadcasting, journalism, advertising and promotional messages are disseminated. Whether we like it or not, media plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. Films, music, radio, television, books, magazines and online medium which are uniform the culture industry worldwide.According to Sabnani (2012):
According to Sabnani (2012), culture Industries was proposed by Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer of the Frankfurt school in 1944. It was presented as critical vocabulary in the chapter “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception”, of the book Dialectic of Enlightenment. Adorno and Horkheimer proposed that films, radio programmes, magazines, etc. — that are used to manipulate mass society into passivity. Adorno and Horkheimer criticise the ‘Culture Industry’ for promoting a society that is drowning in a society of mass culture and industrialisation, instead of encouraging freedom and individuality.
Culture industry refers to the various businesses that include markets, produces, sells or distribute products or services to the customers worldwide. This product and services include foods, clothes, books, television, movies and music programme. Music industry culture is referring to the business involved in producing, sales, distribution and creation of work of creativities in the field.Music is one of the popular entertainment industries that gone through a long history and changes rapidly from the traditional method of producing, recording, manufacturing, distribution, sound, music video, advertising and produce to the newest technologies invented. From the traditional and classical genre of music such as Zapin, Ghazal, Dondang Sayang and Boria to the new genre of music such as Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Raps, Ballads, Dangdut and also K-Pop music.
Music is one of the popular entertainment industries that gone through a long history and changes rapidly from the traditional method of producing, recording, manufacturing, distribution, sound, music video, advertising and produce to the newest technologies invented. From the traditional and classical genre of music such as Zapin, Ghazal, Dondang Sayang and Boria to the new genre of music such as Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Raps, Ballads, Dangdut and also K-Pop music.
In 2012, Korean pop culture or K-Pop becomes an increasingly globalised music phenomenon including in Malaysia. The popularity of South Korean singer such as PSY and Super Juniors has become an unexpected worldwide hit and famous across the globe. Some Malaysian have accepted and adopted the K-pop culture into their lives. Korean music had influenced Malaysian with their music, dance, fashion style, food and language. The K-pop fashion and language is a major area that has influenced their fans. The Malaysian fans tend to copy the dress and accessories wear by their favourite singers. Some fans attend Korean language classes to master the language itself. After all, K-pop definitely as the new culture that influences Malaysian lifestyle in regard the music industries.
According to Korean.net (1999-2015), the Korean wave refers to the phenomenon of Korean entertainment and popular culture rolling over the world with pop music, TV dramas, and movies. Also known as “Hallyu” (한류) in Korean, the term was first coined by the Chinese press in the late 1990s to describe the growing popularity of Korean pop culture in China.
Music industries also perceived as a social and cultural implication such as morality and violence. For example, today most of the celebrities or artist shares their activities, opinions, news and information through social media. Famous artist Faizal Tahir used his Instagram application to share his opinion toward GST implementation. Through his posting, many fans give negative comments by using inappropriate word and condemn government action.
Other implication contributed by music industries on our education system where students are spending too much time on listening to the music and not enough time on homework. They spend more time listening to their favourite artist or watching their favourite entertainment programme. These environments become a normal culture to the new generation and it will affect their focus, concentration and performance.
The bad, violence and negative songs produce also bring negative impact to the listener behaviour. The rap music, for example, setting a bad example to young people throughout the lyrics of the songs they produce. Eminem songs Kill You shows how he portrays his feeling over his previous life which is are not suitable and should be avoided. The content of the lyrics can be influence the listeners’ especially young people to involve in the crime or violence activities. Jackson (2015) insists that:
Rap lyrics may discuss violence as a part of an exciting and dangerous lifestyle, but some songs condemn violence and even propose solutions. Research done at Western Connecticut State University found that those who listen to music with violent lyrics are more likely to be violent. Rap was born in poor urban communities where violence may be poorly controlled, but social and economic factors can play a much greater role in the prevalence of violence.
Music can provide both relaxation and entertainment and thus has proven its ability to influence people and culture. It can also affect the attitudes and behaviours of its listeners directly. Concerns regarding the negative effects of the music are not something new in this era.
The communities especially the authority’s organisation, governments, politicians, celebrities, artist and NGOs should play their important roles in order to prevent the negative impact towards social and culture to the Malaysian societies. Therefore, individuals have their own role to play, whether they are a person, a parent and an individual in society or a leader of the state. The music industry people, broadcasting company and the producers, in the other hand, should produce a positive and creative music to prevent our culture from destroys rather than think about the profit itself.
References
Jackson. N (2015). What Influence and Effects Does Rap Music Have on Teens Today? Retrieved 13 November 2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/1005065-influence-effects-rap-music-teens-today/
Korean.net (1999-2015). Korean Wave. Retrieved 13 November 2015, from the http://www.korea.net/Government/Current-Affairs/Korean-Wave?affairId=471
Sabnani. P (2012). Culture Industry. Retrieved 9 November 2015 from the http://www.slideshare.net/pankajsabnani/culture-industries