Breaking Down the 'Messages' of the Christian Music Industry. Xavier Naidoo and His Album 'Telegramm für X'

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Musicology - Contemporary music, University of Queensland (St. Lucia Campus), course: MUSC2700 - Music in the Digital Age, language: English, abstract: Contemporary Christian music has always had its niche in popular music culture. This essay discusses the politics behind the Christian Music Industry in comparison with the mainstream Music Industry, using German hip-hop artist Xavier Naidoo and his album 'Telegramm für X' as an example of this discussion in motion. The genre is arguably the most scrutinised in terms of quality and content, particularly when discussing artists' public image in concurrence with the messages they are producing in their music. Consequently, the essay details the struggles the Christian Music Industry has in competing with mainstream competition, as well as what techniques contemporary Christian artists have had to employ in order for their music to attract a fan base. In short, it brings to the reader's attention the sort of lengths contemporary Christian artists must undertake in order to break into the mainstream and become recognised.

Raymond Teodo graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013, achieving a BA in Drama and Music (Hons in Drama) and a GradDip in Education (Secondary). He lives in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia with his wife and four children. When he is not writing, Raymond enjoys spending time with his family, listening, composing and playing music, and practicing karate and judo.