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The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

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Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

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Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

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How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency...

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Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

January 19, 2023

Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

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Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

January 19, 2023

Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

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Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

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Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

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Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

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Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

December 7, 2022

Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

October 4, 2022

In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

October 5, 2022

Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

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How Yoko Kanno Brilliantly Made the Soundtrack of Netflix's Cowboy Bebop

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Image source: www.redbullmusicacademy.com

When it comes to anime soundtracks, there are plenty of contenders, but one stands tall above the rest – Cowboy Bebop. Released in 1998, this genre-defying space western captivated audiences with its compelling narrative, unforgettable characters, and, most notably, its remarkable soundtrack. Composed by the prolific Yoko Kanno, the Cowboy Bebop OST is a masterclass in musical storytelling that transcends the boundaries of anime soundtracks. 

The Cowboy Bebop OST's impact on the original anime's success was undeniable. The eclectic mix of jazz, blues, rock, hip-hop, and other genres seamlessly captured the essence of the show's space-western setting and its diverse themes. These compositions elevated the anime to legendary status and played a pivotal role in crafting the immersive world of the Bebop crew. 

The anime's unforgettable opening theme, "Tank!," with its infectious energy and captivating brass section, became an iconic piece of music that is still celebrated today.

In 2021, the highly anticipated Cowboy Bebop live action adaptation made its debut, but unfortunately faced a cancellation due to low viewership. However, amidst the challenges, one aspect that stood out was the exceptional soundtrack composed by the legendary Yoko Kanno. Known for her fearless experimentation with different musical styles and meticulous attention to detail, Yoko Kanno's musical genius shines brightly in the new Cowboy Bebop soundtrack. Despite the show's cancellation, Kanno's compositions proved to be a resounding success, complementing the narrative flawlessly and capturing the essence of the beloved characters. 

When creating the new soundtrack for Netflix's adaptation, Kanno took a unique approach. Rather than assigning specific melodies to each character, she delved deep into the emotions and experiences of the characters, considering the weight of each scene and how it could be felt through music. This resulted in a soundtrack that immersed viewers into the raw emotions and complexities of the Bebop crew's journey. Kanno's ability to breathe life into the show through her compositions added depth and richness to the live action adaptation. Despite the challenges faced by the series, her work on the soundtrack remains a testament to her mastery as a composer, leaving a lasting impression on fans and showcasing the transformative power of music in storytelling.

While Cowboy Bebop's live action adaptation might not have had the longevity it deserved, Yoko Kanno's outstanding soundtrack is a lasting reminder of the musical brilliance that can elevate a series to greatness. Her dedication to capturing the essence of the characters and the weight of their experiences through music makes the Netflix Cowboy Bebop soundtrack an unforgettable journey worth experiencing.