Ep 1. 1989

A Year In Music season 3 episode 1 takes an in-depth look at the year 1989 in the world of music. The episode covers various aspects of music that defined the year, including the rise of MTV and the emergence of new genres such as hip hop and grunge. The episode begins by providing a historical context of the year, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Tiananmen Square protests, and explores how these events influenced music.

The episode features interviews with key players in the music industry, including iconic musicians, producers, and journalists, who offer their insights into the music of 1989. The episode explores the dominance of pop music in the charts, with artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince continuing to produce hits. It also covers significant moments in the pop scene, such as the release of the album Like a Prayer by Madonna and the controversy that surrounded the music video for the title track.

The episode also delves into the growing influence of rap and hip hop, featuring interviews with notable figures such as Chuck D from Public Enemy and Ice-T. The episode covers the impact of landmark albums such as Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A and The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Slick Rick, and explores the rise of socially conscious hip hop that addressed issues such as police brutality and racism.

The episode also covers the emergence of grunge, featuring interviews with key figures such as Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. The episode explores the impact of the album Bleach by Nirvana and the success of the album Louder Than Love by Soundgarden, which marked the first time that a grunge band had achieved mainstream success.

In addition to exploring these significant moments in music history, the episode also examines the technological advancements that were shaping the music industry in 1989. The episode covers the growing popularity of CDs and the rise of digital sampling, which paved the way for new genres of music such as techno and house.

Overall, A Year In Music season 3 episode 1 takes a thorough look at the year 1989 in music, examining the various genres, artists, and events that defined the era. The episode provides a compelling look at the evolution of music and offers insight into the cultural and societal changes that helped shape the music of the time.