Richard Dyer's theory holds that celebrities are constructed images meant to appeal to audiences, rather than reflections of real people. He believes stars can be placed in mainstream or subcultures depending on who their fans are, and that their public images can influence societal norms. Lady Gaga attracts fans through her unpredictable fashion sense and willingness to be herself unapologetically. McCracken's theory is that mainstream genres have fragmented, making it difficult to categorize artists into single genres today. Hebdige argues people relate more to artists from similar backgrounds. Adorno was critical of popular music that focused on materialism rather than meaningful issues.

1. My understanding of
the theories…

2. Richard Dyer’s Theory
My Understanding
 My understanding of Dyer’s theory is that he feels, the star’s (celebrities) are made
up. They are not real they are a product in which has been merged together by the
people around them to be seen as what the audience wants to see. This may
include star’s such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Usher, One Direction, Justin
Bieber. These celebrities are positioned in the mainstream. These are all mainstream
artists that also sell their image in numerous media sources such as top magazines
which may just be an advertisement of their album, might even be an interview. TV
adverts again promoting or even shows. Justin Bieber was a guest star in an episode
of ‘CSI’. Movies, Rihanna was seen in ‘You got served’ in 2004 playing a cameo role,
but now that she is much more popular and needs to stay in the spotlight she stared
in Battleship, which was released this year. Not forgetting music to keeping their fans
satisfied.
 Dyer also believes that depending on the star someone might like it can place them
into mainstream or subculture. As someone may like Katy Perry as she is already in
mainstream she will remain in mainstream. However if someone was to like Sara
Bareilles as she is subculture she will remain in subculture.
 Including another part of Dyer’s theory depending on the star’s ‘image’ they may
strengthen what the world may believe what is the right way to behave or they may
change it. The way to behave would be like Beyonce where shr donated her track
‘I Was Here’ and video to ‘World Humanitrain Day’ which is a charity. This would
most defiantly be seen as the way to behave. Whereas the things that may change
this thought would be the way that Chris Brown had handled a situation with
Rihanna in 2009 that made him to be unwanted to the public all together and
changes the ideology.

3. The range of meanings as to
what attracts the audience of
their ‘star’
 LADY GAGA
 She wears striking clothes and that was what the audience like is that she is original
and does not care what anyone thinks. The way she looks, changes all the time.
From pink hair to yellow. There are a lot of changes. Which always leaves her
audience guessing what is going to be her next appearance. What comes across
to the audience is that she is not afraid to be who she wants to be and she is going
to continue to do what she wants. I may seem insane or even wrong sometimes
(like wearing a meat dress) but to her that is who she is.
 She stands out with her personality and what she wears. She inspires a lot of people
because she is comfortable with who she is and doesn’t hide it. She is relatable to
her audience as she gives them the edge to move out of their own shell and be
who they want to be and some people may have already done that can knows
where she is coming from. She does have interviews, concerts, twitter in which the
audience get to connect and get to know her much more as a person. Although
she does leave the audience wanting more as she separates herself from this and
stays quiet for a while leaving her audience anxious and asking questions.

5. Grant McCracken
My Understanding
 I believe that McCracken is right as back in 1930-
1980 I’m sure you say that there were mainstreams
as when you were to hear Queen you thought
Rock, Billie Holiday would be Jazz, Ray Charles;
Blues and Michael Jackson would be Pop (not just
because he was called ‘The King Of Pop’).
Nowadays that has all changed like McCraken said
there are so many different values and ideologies
that people have. So when you ask what Chris
Brown would be, you would think Dance, R&B, Hip-
Hop, Pop you can’t placed him into one
mainstream because today that doesn’t exist
anymore. There are a lot of different views now and
a lot of different paths artist can now go.

7. Hebdige Theory
My Understanding
 My understanding of Hebdige’s theory is that
people who listen to Rappers such as Eminem, Jay-z
and Lil Wayne may understand their background
and where they came from, as if someone who
hasn’t had the same background would not be
able to relate to it and may not chose to listen. It’s
the same for someone who enjoys listening to
Johann Sebastian Bann, Luigi Boccherini or
Beethoven. Who all play classical music someone
with the background of a rough urban society may
not enjoy it. Maybe even reggae which has been
stereotypically seen as only a certain race was to
listen to it, but artist Bob Marley had a range of an
audience. People have a choice in who and what
they listen to.

8. Eminem – Not Afraid
Now he is refusing to
go back to his past, as
he always found
himself circling back.
This time he is standing I the chorus he raps
his ground. about coming back
full force out of a
deep depression and
a dark time in his life,
He's also saying that he's coming back
if anyone else has without worries of
the problems he had regression.
he knows what they
are going through Eminem is saying that no
and he will lift them matter how hard life gets
up. you will have people to lift
you up along the way and
people have been down
He realizes what he has to the road before you and
do and is now finding the you are able to come back
strength to move away from it because others were
from his past and start able to.
fresh.

9. Johann Sebastian Bach – Air On A G String
Classical music is more appreciated by people who
play musical instruments or do ballet. This may not
occur to all people but the majority. This to them
sounds like the rap that people prefer to listen to.

10. Bob Marley – One Love
Unite as one and
come together
Religious substance
djdfs
sdiegdhkhhek

11. Theodor Adorno
My Understanding
 Adorno suggest that popular culture e.g. Usher
which may be seen as irrelevant such as singing
songs about woman in such explicit ways. Which
I do also agree to. He was also against the fact
that artists tear you away from the real things in
life and songs lead people to wanting
unnecessary things, material things that wont
help them in any way. He felt very strongly about
this therefore leaves people to agree to
disagree. Me personally I am in two minds about
his theory.

12. Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
 My heart will go on made an impact especially
as it is the theme song to the movie ‘Titanic’
which is based on a true story. So this would
conflict with what Adorno is trying to say within
his theory as people would go away thinking
about it.

13. Drake - Headlines
 Drake conforms with Aodrno’s theory
as in his videos he will have a nice
expensive car and be wearing big
coats and big jewelry. These are all
material things which is what not
necessarily what people need. This
would leave people (boys) thinking
that having big cars and jewelry
would make them seem more
attractive or appealing to their
friends. That may not be the case at
all.

14. This is a relevant song and would leave people
thinking of current affairs. As someone in their
life will eventually die or leave and they would
remain feeling the way in which the lyrics are
putting across.
Duffy – I’m Scared
This opening She can’t do
paragraph of anything and
the lyrics there she see’s
suggests that the picture which
someone that is a reminder.
she knew
either left, or
died. Now that the
person has gone so
Everywhere she instantly she
looks it remind her doesn't’t feel as
of him. She doesn’t though she can do
want to alter anything. She is
anything but there scared of moving
are things missing. on without them.

15. Nicki Minaj - Superbass
 Nicki minaj conforms with Adorno’s theory
making the audience seem as though you need
to have a nice expensive car, loads of money
and a good looking, muscle man. Which leads
people away from the actual things that they do
necessarily need, moving them away from
reality.