Written Analysis Week 6 Values and Business

The Voice coach and lead singer of Maroon 5, Adam Levine sued Activision for the video game Band Hero for exploiting his name and likeliness.  In the world of Popular Culture, there are laws protecting artists from being exploited and copyrights to eliminate their work from being copied or illegally distributed. The business side of fame can get messy if the values of these laws are not upheld by fans and businesses.

Adam Levine along with all famous celebrities worked to produce their image the way it is and will sue anyone that tries to reap benefits of their success for free. This game included an avatar of Adam Levine that allowed players the option to choose him and make him dance sing and play music. Adam Levine claims he did not get paid for this use of his image and music. After closer analysis for this lawsuit, it appears that Adam Levine did sign a contract giving permission for this company to use his likeness for his song She will be Loved. Activision has taken this further then agreed by creating the avatar of Adam Levine and making it so players could sing any song using his likeliness. Adam Levine is not okay with his image being used to sing girly songs.

Adam Levine is a person and a celebrity he is intertwined with both business and popular culture the two interlinked. Adam Levine has found a healthy level of common values between the business environment and the pop culture environment. He knows how far to let things go but will protect his empire if they impede his rights. 

http://gamerant.com/maroon-5-adam-levine-suing-activision-band-hero-johnj-99047/

Written Analysis Week 5 Formula

In popular culture, formula; is defined as is literature in which the storylines and plots have been reused to the extent that the narratives are predictable. It is similar to genre fiction, which identifies a number of specific settings that are frequently reused.If you are looking for a new dimension to a song Maroon 5 is not your band. They are known for their repetitive pop lyrics. Most of Maroon 5 songs are standard conventions. Their song "Animal" is a good example of how the chorus is repeated over and over throughout the song. It also is a good display of Adam Levine's unique sound that this band is known for. Maroon 5 can also be identified with their formula of song subject. Most songs are about love and romance. 

On Adam Levine's hit show The Voice, the formula to that show can become very predictable also with the theme of the show being a reality music competition it is similar to American Idol because the contestants all start out with a sad sobbing story. The more sad the story is the more likely that are going to get to stay on the show for rating. 

As you can see formula can be found on a television show and also music. Formula's don't make them good or bad just predictable. 

Written Analysis 3 Adam Levine Hero

Adam Levine Celebrity Hero

Adam Levine, as a hero, is our own creation. Fans give him the power to be. Once the people decide they are bored with him and his work, they can take it away and name someone new their hero. Adam Levine is currently a hero because on The Voice he gives ordinary people the chance at a life in the music world, a dream come true for these contestants. The Voice is set up so that appearance doesn’t matter it is focused on the talent, the coach’s chairs are turned around so they can’t see the performer. Adam Levine also supports eleven charities, among these charities, are Shriners Children's hospital, Elton John’s Aids Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, and Los Angeles youth Network. He is in the band Maroon 5 which also gives him the spotlight of becoming a celebrity hero to many fans. 

People like Adam Levine and have put him up on a pedestal making him a hero in their minds because of his media exposure and likable personality. Adam Levine will eventually dull down and become one of the heroes from the past that allows us to take a stroll back in time when we hear his songs and try to remember the name of that show he was on where the chairs turned and contestants sang. Popular culture is changing all the time and celebrity heroes and heroines come and go with the times. 

So as can you can see, anyone in this day and age can be a hero or heroine. You just have to have the fan base to support what you are doing. The definition of a hero today is much different than is was three decades or more ago. A hero no longer is recognized just for doing good deeds. A hero is someone that gives you hope. Adam Levine has the ability to give that hope to people and by this definition he is indeed a hero.  

Written Analysis 2 Adam Levine Ritual and Stereotype

Written Analysis 2 Adam Levine Ritual and Stereotype

As a musician and performer, Adam Levine is surrounded by rituals and stereotypes. Adam Levine fits the stereotype that successful musicians have to be attractive when he was voted sexiest man by People Magazine. A ritual People Magazine has to have fans vote on who the most handsome man is.  He also faced the stereotype from many men that because his voice was so high and he wore tight jeans, he must be gay.

    A ritual is a set of actions carrying certain symbolic values defined by religion, community, or individuals. It may regularly be performed on particular occasions, by individual or groups, in public or private (Browne, 2005). Adam Levine and his band Maroon 5 must have rituals to practice and plan performances.

    A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing (Webster).  Adam Levine’s hit show The Voice shows the positive stereotypes of American’s when a preform goes on stage to audition. American’s will decide whether they are going to be good singers or not by the way they look. The judges have their backs to the performer and can only hear their voice sing. The Voice gives more people the unexpected hope of being able to be successful no matter what they look like. The judges on The Voice stereotype after the singer completes the song and they turn around to find that the high pitch beautiful voice they just heard came out of a 6-foot-tall 300 plus man is not what they had pictured. That voice did not sound like it could come from this body.

                Rituals and Stereotypes stem from the beliefs of individuals or groups. When watching the voice next time notice all the rituals of the musicians and stereotypes of the judges.