Task 1: Watch the Introductory Video to this Unit (5 minutes)

Task 2: Review the provided images, videos and attached links for Music during the 2000's (15 minutes)

Task 3: Identifying Examples of Pop Culture (30 minutes) 

• Research Artists and Songs from the 2000's

• Identify which Artists and/or Songs that are widely recognizable and invoke similar imagery

  • Explore beyond the examples provided on this page

• Select the THREE (3) Artists and/or Songs you think best represents a moment in Pop Culture in the 2000's

• Create an infographic highlighting you selection for the top THREE (3) Artists and/or Songs that are a good representation of Pop Culture

  • Your graphic should include at least ONE (1) image or chart and two sentences for each selection explaining the Song or Artist and why it/they was/were a good representation of Pop Culture in the decade

  • You can use Canva Infographic or any other program or platform you would like

• Compare and discuss with a classmate your selections

Task 4: Submit your infographic on GOOGLE CLASSROOM 

By the end of the 1990s, mainstream tastes leaned toward pop music. A plethora of boy bands, girl bands, and pop starlets emerged, more often than not created by talent scouts. These groups were aggressively marketed to teen audiences.  The 2000s began right where the 1990s left off, with young singers such as Christina Aguilera and Destiny’s Child ruling the pop charts. Pop music stayed strong throughout the decade with Gwen Stefani, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga achieving mainstream success.  By the end of the decade, country artists, like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, transitioned from country stars to bona fide pop stars.  (https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/mass-communication-media-and-culture/s09-01-the-evolution-of-popular-music.html )

In the 2000s, Emo found mainstream footing and took a turn to pop punk and screamo.  Emo hit its mainstream peak in the mid-2000s, but the genre’s roots date back to about two decades before that. Then short for “emotional hardcore,” emo was used to describe hardcore bands who wanted to introduce longer song structures, dynamic.  The emo scene was also quick to champion sounds that other scenes left in the dust. When the punks turned their backs on Jawbreaker after the release of their major label debut Dear You, emo kids embraced it. When the mainstream rock world ditched Weezer after they released the dark, challenging Pinkerton, the emo kids embraced that too.  (https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/secret-history-emo-music )

The years from 2001 to 2006 were defined by collaborations against type and regional stars finally reaching the mainstream. Kanye West led the charge, rapping about both social issues and material success with a flow that redeemed the oft-maligned Mason Betha, and doing so with the co-sign of Jay-Z and Common. It’s easy to see his wide range of customers and collaborators as a result of his hunger: the Kanye we know would understand that the road to stardom is paved with production credits for Made Men album cuts and uncredited Nas loosies. But his pragmatism framed all of hip-hop as a continuum, and his ability to tailor his style to everyone from Trina to Consequence displayed common ground between previously unthinkable realms of rap.  (https://www.factmag.com/2016/02/03/hip-hop-golden-age/ )

The first decade of this millennium saw country music flourish, opening its doors to a more eclectic sound while keeping its tradition of thought-provoking lyrics. From seasoned legends to tween newcomers, the country music pool diversified hugely in the first decade of the 2000s -- not only in demographics but also in sound.  The age-old debate of "too country" versus "too pop" found even playing field, as both traditional and modern country music thrived in the 10 years from 2000 to 2009. Read on for a look back at the 2000s biggest moments, songs and more. (https://theboot.com/2000s-country-music-milestones/ )

Thanks to a blend of music, video and the rapidly expanding internet a number of new phenomenon began to occur in the early 2000's that continue well into the 2010's.  Some of these trends included the creation of flash mobs and lip-dubs thanks to new online services like Vimeo and YouTube (user content driven platforms).  Flash mobs became a unique way to propose to your spouse, promote a new program or event, or to just have a little fun.  Lip Dubs on the other hand became a tool to introduce people to a space, place, group or individual in an engaging and creative way.