In this first episode of H∆SHTAG$, we take a look at the current renaissance of contemporary R&B in the “always-on” age, featuring former half of The Weeknd, Jeremy ‘Zodiac’ Rose, How To Dress Well, Miguel, Rochelle Jordan, KLSH, BadBadNotGood, and more. How has the Internet inspired and galvanized this new breed of artists? Have online communities and media been too quick to label genres and movements? What does the future hold for the many strains of the R&B genre?
From baroque harpsichords to digital audio workstations; from early pirate radio to mp3s, technology has consistently shaped the sounds and styles of the music itself. But what happens when music outgrows the physical realm? As YouTube playlists, Soundcloud links, and Tumblr memes are becoming the dietary norm – what happens when the Internet comes of age, and so too does a generation of musicians who have grown up online?
H∆SHTAG$ is a series of mini-documentaries that wrestles with some of these questions, going from the URL to the IRL and shedding light on some of the most fascinating music emerging from the digital ether. It takes into consideration that the Internet is no longer a new distribution channel for old content, but has become a pivotal part of our everyday lives, influencing not only the way music is consumed – but also the way music is discussed, and most importantly, the way music sounds.
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