Music: Introduction

Music is much more than sound; it’s a complex system that communicates meaning by engaging our feelings and bodies. This communication works through several layers, including lyrics, the musical language of rhythm and melody, and even accompanying visuals, like music videos. The way listeners discover and consume music has been completely transformed by the shift to digital streaming.

While streaming provides instant access to millions of songs, the business model means that the vast majority of artists earn very little income per stream, since most tracks receive very few plays. New gatekeepers, specifically algorithms used by platforms like Spotify, and social media apps such as TikTok, now control what music becomes popular. Record labels often push artists to create content that can easily go viral. Ultimately, a song’s success now depends on how easy it is for fans to use short snippets to create their own engaging content.