wanting to emulate the music that they like. Yes, but the reason they like this music, is (to a substantial degree) because others (in their relevant peer grou

wanting to emulate the music that they like. Yes, but the reason they like this music, is (to a substantial degree) because others (in their relevant peer group) like that music. Ultimately a lot of people like a specific form of music, because it has been mass produced, and mass marketed to them. One of the social functions of pop-music is to help form and sustain group identities. E.g. Reggae is associated by some/many with being relaxed, easy-going, liking ganja etc. For such group formation to function, it is vital that a lot people do in fact listen to this music. The best way to get a large number of people to like a small number of musical genres, is truth heavy marketing and restriction of products on offer. In the past, production and distribution of records was only economically feasible for a small number of products ...