Intersections of the Popular and the Sacred in Music

Using a primarily theoretical lens, this book examines the interrelations of the 'popular' and the 'sacred' in the context of music. Antti-Ville Karja discusses conventional forms of 'popular music', and questions how dimensions of the 'popular' are present in different musics. He also looks at how the 'sacred' helps in reconceptualising these dimensions, and provides an in-depth cultural analysis of music.

Intersections of the Popular and the Sacred in Music considers topics such as: music in relation to its mythological etymological roots; the elevation of certain individuals to 'star' positions, and the beliefs and values of their aficionados and fan(atic)s; music-related subcultures and their belief systems; and forms of religious music and their interrelations to definitions of the 'popular', with an emphasis on gospel, klezmer, reggae and Muslim rap. Karja also looks at the politics of the 'popular' and the 'sacred' in the context of music, and assesses how certain musics became intertwined with national and ethnic identities He goes on to ask why generic labels such as 'black music' are implicated in the sanctification of 'race' with its economical repercussions. Featuring several under researched yet relevant topics, this book is essential reading to courses in religion, musicology, sociology and cultural studies.