The Evolution of Genres in a Network Perspective

• In Event: 365 - Section on Sociology of Culture Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 09. Music and Taste

Abstract

The evolution of music genres has become a vibrant field of study in recent decades. Powerful as these studies are, what is lost are focus on the sets of social relations that make the evolution of genres possible, as well as the schema of resource theory that takes place within. We twist the angle of extant studies, and approach the discussion by analyzing the collaboration network of songwriters. We develop a hypothetical relationship between behavior that occurs within the network and the evolution of genres. Using the collaboration data in the American popular music industry from 1980 to 2010, we provide empirical support for our argument. The relational approach, coupled with our rich primary data, would shed light on providing a new insight on how the genres evolve.

Authors

• Yun-Joo Sung, Seoul National University

• Kira Choi, Seoul National University