The problem of consumerism and how it affects cultural music in Colombia

Colombia boasts a diverse cultural landscape, characterized by a wide range of musical

genres that distinguish it from other countries in Latin America. From the Caribbean and Pacific
coasts' cumbia and currulao to the Andean zone's bambuco and pasillo, and the oriental llanueres'
joropo, the country's musical heritage is rich and varied. However, Colombia, like many other
countries, has been affected by the growing trend of consumerism in music, leading to the loss of
regional and traditional music. With the increasing popularity of mainstream artists and their
music, people tend to overlook the rich cultural heritage of their own country. This has led to a
decline in the practice and appreciation of traditional and regional music, which often carries the
essence of the local culture and history.

So, what exactly is the impact of consumerism and how does this disharmony with traditional
musical forms? According to the blog Gooya (2023), consumerism in music refers to the
phenomenon of people consuming and popularizing music that is produced and promoted by
mainstream artists, often at the expense of regional or traditional music. However, other factors
increase this situation. The research of Ren, J (2018) discovered that the spread of an artist's music
is constrained by the geographic location of the listener. Even though listeners have access to a
wide range of music, their limited access to external information can restrict their attention. *As is
the case of the traditions, the lack of diffusion and information to the listener is one of the main
factors that recreates this opacification, the consequence of which is the problem. in addition to
this, the problem also lies in the use of the constant streaming platforms and how these do not
spread the autochthonous styles of the tradition.

The possible solution to this problem that compromises the cultural diversity of the country lies in
action from the entities in charge of keeping alive the culture of the country, such as the Ministry
of Culture, which must follow the following steps to avoid the total loss of the musical tradition. In
the first place, the artists must have the minimum capacity to spread themselves, as the result of
the test carried out by Ren J (2018) the availability of external information from various sources
had a favorable effect on music streaming consumption. The study found that different types of
information had varying impacts on streaming listeners. For example, including new songs, new
albums, and music video releases, was easier to use to attract new listeners in a short time.
in second place, secondly, the entities in charge of local distribution and promotion should make
use of the previous examples to distribute artists through non-musical means, generating
incentives such as concerts, open-air events, events in cultural houses, events with the artist
himself, and disseminating everything from music to experiences in the process. as a third and last
step, to achieve communication between streaming platforms so that the diffusion is not only

* Lo que escuchamos en la radio, los artistas populares y las canciones que están en los primeros
puestos de las listas son lo que se conoce como música comercial. Este tipo de música busca
complacer a las masas, vender y generar dinero. Se beneficia de obtener popularidad y lograr la
venta de mercancía, álbumes y boletos para conciertos.
*This essay finds that external information has a significant impact on an artist’s streaming music
diffusion, and the impact and their persistence are related to artist information type and also
listeners’ geographic locations.
* First, external information from multiple channels had a positive impact on streaming music
listening, and different kinds of information exhibited different impacts.
zonal but also takes advantage of the fact that the algorithm generates recommendations based
on music not previously listened to.

Resolving these matters can prove to be quite arduous, as they necessitate communication with
sizable establishments like educational institutions and government ministries. Such entities
generally stipulate prerequisites that must be met before any incentive or music distribution
projects can be launched, leading to the possibility of these projects being abandoned. Moreover,
educational institutions demand individuals with a deep understanding of these art forms and the
requisite pedagogical skills to teach them effectively and foster their development.

References:

* Lo que escuchamos en la radio, los artistas populares y las canciones que están en los primeros
puestos de las listas son lo que se conoce como música comercial. Este tipo de música busca
complacer a las masas, vender y generar dinero. Se beneficia de obtener popularidad y lograr la
venta de mercancía, álbumes y boletos para conciertos.
*This essay finds that external information has a significant impact on an artist’s streaming music
diffusion, and the impact and their persistence are related to artist information type and also
listeners’ geographic locations.
* First, external information from multiple channels had a positive impact on streaming music
listening, and different kinds of information exhibited different impacts.