Encyclopedia of Opinion

Category · 12 questions

Music

Genre, copyright, AI-generated tracks, and what makes a song great.

In this section

12 entries
  1. Are the lyrics to "Baby It's Cold Outside" offensive?

    "Baby It's Cold Outside" has been a beloved Christmas classic since its release in the 1950s. But in recent years its lyrics have come under scrutiny, as modern culture sees it as sexist, offensive, and possibly about date rape. Does the song have sexist undertones, or is it an innocent holiday classic?

  2. Is Paul McCartney dead?

    Rumours that Paul McCartney died on 9 November 1966 in a car crash and was secretly replaced by a lookalike have persisted for 50 years. Is Paul really still around? Or has he been replaced by Billy Shears?

  3. The greatest pop record ever produced?

    What is the greatest pop record ever made? This entry gathers the contenders — among them Prince's 'When Doves Cry', Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love', Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab', Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and OutKast's 'Hey Ya!'.

  4. What are the implications of Kanye West running for President?

    On Saturday 4 July 2020, billionaire rapper Kanye West announced he was running for President. In a Tweet to his 29 million followers, West wrote: "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION." This is not the first time West has announced a bid for Presidency. But many believe this time he plans to act on his plans. Little is known about his policy agenda, or what his election vision entails. So, what are the implications of Kanye running for office?

  5. What does Eminem's popularity say about racism in the US?

    Eminem has cultivated and earned a reputation for his controversial lyrics. They have been called out for being sexist, violent, homophobic and racist. However, he remains an extremely popular artist. Why is Eminem's racism given a 'pass' by his listeners? And how does this relate to societal attitudes to racism?

  6. What is Kanye West's best album?

    Kanye West is one of the most critically-acclaimed and best-selling hip-hop artists in history. However, unlike Nas or N.W.A., fans rarely agree on West's best album, with almost all of his works - spanning an array of styles - being a popular choice.

  7. What is the best platform for streaming music?

    In recent years, music streaming platforms have become the most common way of listening to music. Gone are the days of records, tapes, CDs, or even shady downloaded mp3s from Limewire. Now, music streaming platforms are worth billions of dollars. But which one deserves your monthly subscription fee?

  8. What is the greatest album of all time?

    There are a lot of amazing musical albums that have had a huge impact on the world and their listeners. Some were cutting edge sounds, some were of the moment and touched people, and some were wild commercial successes. But what was the best album of all time?

  9. Who is the best BTS member?

    Is RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, or Jungkook the best member of BTS? The most successful band in the world right now, BTS crosses cultural barriers and are famous not only in their native South Korea, but all over the world. Every fan has their own favorite, who is yours?

  10. Who is the best rapper of all time?

    Rap is a music genre that has evolved over time into one of the most popular forms of music the world over. And to excel at the rap game requires style, a way with words and lyrics, verbal gymnastics, ability to entertain, and many other skills. So who has the best rap game? Who has done the most for the craft? Who has had the biggest impact on our hearts and minds?

  11. Who is the greatest cellist of all time?

    The cello is a string instrument known for its soulful, singing, almost human voice like sound, and can be found soloing, in chamber music, or as one of the foundation pieces of a symphony orchestra. A number of players have transformed the cello into the solo voice that it is today. But of them, who is the greatest?

  12. Why did leftwingers love Wagner?

    Why did the composer Richard Wagner, later associated with the far right, attract left-wing admirers? This entry maps the explanations — his nods to communism, the Marxist tones of the Ring's tale of corrupting power, and the influence of prominent leftist fans.