Nowadays, pop music dominates the airwaves at every turn. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kanye West and many others are common names among teenagers and young adults not only in the United States, but around the world. The United States accepted its position as an international cultural model long ago, starting in the 1950s, when rock and roll caught fire as a hybrid of blues, country and jazz and spread to the rest of the world almost contagiously. Since then, every major artist coming out of the United States has easily become a global icon, regardless of the language or nationality of their adoring fans. However, one could conceive that this glamorous version of the music comes less from the soul of the artist and is simply born of fiscal ambitions and visions of grandeur. The point made above is not to criticize the talent of some pop icon, who has clearly demonstrated that he possesses it in abundance enough to make audiences swoon at his every whim, but rather to demonstrate that there are musicians out there making wonderful music without the threat of corruption and adherence to traditional culture. Indeed, an entire genre contains the melodic purity just described; popular music. Unaffected by the burden of performing solely to please mass audiences around the world, folk musicians are able to express their heart's content, a feat that is considered professional suicide for any mainstream musician. They certainly don't have the fame, wealth, and prestige of any famous rapper or rock star displayed in the media with acclaim from demigods, but their lack of creative restraint leads to an even greater connection between the sweet music they create and the limited individuals . lucky enough to have heard of it. For...... middle of paper ...... his attempt is to perpetrate honestly, without regard for what others might think of it. Luckily for many of these artists, there are many people who can relate to their struggles, and as a result, the creative risks they take have proven to be their greatest reward. The fact that there is a sense of underappreciation towards the entire genre is a rather attractive quality. Popularity is not an indication of success or aesthetic value, it is simply a demonstration of current trends circulating in mass culture. True aesthetic beauty can be found regardless of the art form presented, as long as the perspective is relative to the individual viewing it. Folk music may not be as widespread or pervasive as many other genres, but the simplistic styles, soothing melodies, and beautiful lyrics will always provide the perfect connection between soul and music..