Popcorn (Romanian music style) explained
Popcorn is a subgenre of dance music that originated in Romania in the late 2000s. It is inspired by Europop and dance-pop, featuring house and trance rhythms and fast tempos. The arrangement is characterized by the use of syncopated synthesizers played in staccato, and brass.[1] Instruments such as accordions were eventually also included in several popcorn songs, which were most commonly performed in English.[1] [2]
In Romania, dance music started growing in popularity in the underground scene after the fall of the Ceaușescu communist regime in 1989. Since then, the Mamaia resort had established itself as a venue for international DJs. Romania's entry into the European Union in 2007 facilitated local musicians' and songwriters' contact with international music. One of the earliest examples of popcorn music is the song "Sexy Thing" (2008) by David Deejay and Dony.[3] It is featured on their 2010 studio album Popcorn, after which the genre is named.[1] [4]
Production trio Play & Win were also involved in the genre's development and worked on material for Akcent and Inna, among others.[1] [3] The latter's song "Hot" (2008) experienced commercial success in Europe,[3] and was included on her 2009 album of the same name, which featured several other successful popcorn songs.[5] The genre eventually became mainstream internationally,[6] with "Stereo Love" by Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina, and "Mr. Saxobeat" by Alexandra Stan notably developing into worldwide hit singles.[1] [3] At that time, popcorn music was one of the two main commercial music waves in Romania along with hip hop.[7] The popularity of popcorn music declined after the early 2010s.[1] Other notable artists include Tom Boxer, Antonia, Andreea Bănică, Deepside Deejays, Nick Kamarera, DJ Rynno, Sylvia, DJ Sava and Raluka.[1] [7]
See also
Notes and References
- News: Romanian Popcorn. Rate Your Music. 23 May 2024. 1 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220601173519/https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/romanian-popcorn/. live.
- News: Vika Jigulina, Edward Maya – Stereo Love. 16 December 2010. 22 April 2024. German. Die Welt. 14 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240314083431/https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/webwelt/specials/bester-song-bestes-album/article11309218/Vika-Jigulina-Edward-Maya-Stereo-Love.html. live.
- News: De ce muzica popcorn a cucerit Romania si rockul clasic a fost uitat?. Why did popcorn music conquer Romania and classic rock got forgotten?. Ziare.com. Romanian. Ghinea, Andreea. 23 April 2024. 18 July 2013. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417165234/https://ziare.com/vedete/vedete-romanesti/de-ce-muzica-popcorn-a-cucerit-romania-si-rockul-clasic-a-fost-uitat-interviu-1246635. live.
- News: 'Popcorn', primul album semnat David Deejay si Dony!. 'Popcorn', the first album by David Deejay and Dony!. Romanian. 15 February 2010. 24 May 2024. Apropo TV.
- News: DirectLyrics Interviews Inna: Talks New Single, Her Sexiest Video Yet & Collaborations!. DirectLyrics. Apaza, Kevin. 23 May 2024. 14 April 2014. 12 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083312/http://directlyrics.com/directlyrics-interviews-inna-talks-new-single-her-sexiest-video-yet-collaborations-news.html. live.
- News: Romanian dance beats prove a hit throughout Europe. 12 June 2010. 21 March 2024. Reuters. Smith, Gary. 9 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509073326/https://www.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKTRE65B0EE20100612. live.
- News: Tabăra de muzică – sau de ce muzica dance românească are succes si rockul nu are succes. The songwriting camp – or why Romanian dance music is successful and rock music is not. 17 July 2013. 23 May 2024. Florin Grozea. Romanian. 1 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101074629/http://www.floringrozea.com/2013/07/17/music-tabara-de-muzica-sau-de-ce-muzica-dance-romaneasca-are-succes-si-rockul-nu-are-succes/. live.
