Music Genres and Corporate Cultures

Rating:
Summary: Excellent insider's view of the music industry
Review: Negus, a culutral studies-oriented scholar wrote an excellent book called Popular Music In Theory: An Introduction in 1996. He continues his thorough, informed approached in this fascinating sociological, economic and ethnographic look at the recording industry.

He clearly explains the intricacies of portfolio management, marketing and targeting, resource distribution and cultural attitudes regarding the way music is created and distributed. He uses specific examples from his own primary research regarding genres like rap, country and salsa.

I am working on my Ph.D and I found the book challenging and accessible. I would recommend this to anyone who wants insights into music marketing.

Rating:
Summary: VERY INTERESTING
Review: This book will introduce you to the political side of the music industry while exposing you to the formulas for success that many major record labels use. It is NOT an easy read. The author's writing style is very clinical and at times, not very reader friendly. But if you are starting a label that you want to compete with the most successful ones, this book will provide you with some eye opening information about the processes used.