High Art as Popular Music

Popular music is by definition music with wide appeal. In practice, it is often easy to enjoy – the public likes songs they can sing along or dance to, and record companies like songs they can sell. In the late 20^th century, two men emerged as counter-examples to this tradition – musicians that incorporated elements of art music and high culture into works met with popular appeal and created a lasting legacy.

Frank Zappa and Gil Scott-Heron deviated from the norm through experimentation in their music and their political engagement – both in song and in person.

Both men have left an influential legacy across music genres. Zappa has been cited as an influence by a multitude of musical acts, from Jimi Hendrix to Black Sabbath to “Weird Al” Yankovic. Meanwhile, Scott-Heron is credited as a progenitor of rap and has influenced indie artists as well as mainstream hip-hop stars like Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Kanye West.