The majority of researchers agree that authenticity is a social construction, which may have many different meanings. We study the meanings authenticity is associated with in the context of popular music, in which it is traditionally considered important by producers, musicians, consumers, and the media. In particular, through a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of about 4,500 music album reviews published by Rolling Stone over a period of almost 50 years, we show how critics have differently discussed authenticity over time. We illustrate how, depending on the specific step of the music market (i.e. the early growth during the 60s-70s; the punk revolution during the 80s-90s; and the rise of the Internet during the 00s-10s), authenticity has assumed alternative meanings. Specifically, authenticity was mostly related to quality commitment in the first period, to sincerity in the second period, and to heritage in the third period of analysis. These results have important implications for the study of authenticity as well as for managing authenticity in the music market or other cultural products.
How do authenticity meanings evolve over years?
CORCIOLANI, MATTEO;
2016-01-01
Abstract
The majority of researchers agree that authenticity is a social construction, which may have many different meanings. We study the meanings authenticity is associated with in the context of popular music, in which it is traditionally considered important by producers, musicians, consumers, and the media. In particular, through a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of about 4,500 music album reviews published by Rolling Stone over a period of almost 50 years, we show how critics have differently discussed authenticity over time. We illustrate how, depending on the specific step of the music market (i.e. the early growth during the 60s-70s; the punk revolution during the 80s-90s; and the rise of the Internet during the 00s-10s), authenticity has assumed alternative meanings. Specifically, authenticity was mostly related to quality commitment in the first period, to sincerity in the second period, and to heritage in the third period of analysis. These results have important implications for the study of authenticity as well as for managing authenticity in the music market or other cultural products.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
