News Mash-up: Popular Musicians

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. injustice / ɪnˈdʒʌs tɪs / (n.) – an unfair situation in which a person or group receives better or worse treatment than others
    Example:

    The community was very angry and called the judge’s decision an injustice.


  2. body / ˈbɒd i / (n.) – an organization formed for a particular purpose, or a group of people who are involved in the same activity
    Example:

    The student body started a project to raise money for the people who lost their houses.


  3. composer / kəmˈpoʊ zər / (n.) – a person who writes music
    Example:

    Many people think Amelia just sings, but she’s actually the composer of a lot of her songs too.


  4. stunning / ˈstʌn ɪŋ / (adj.) – amazing or impressive
    Example:

    The show was so stunning that everyone was standing and cheering when it ended.


  5. depict / dɪˈpɪkt / (v.) – to describe a person, an object, or an idea using words or pictures
    Example:

    No one’s sure what the artist wanted to depict with this painting, but everyone agrees that it’s beautiful.


Article

Read the text below.

BTS make music video at United Nations


Fully vaccinated South Korean band BTS danced for the United Nations in a Sept. 20 broadcast promoting global goals tackling poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change ahead of the annual U.N. gathering of world leaders.


The seven-member group filmed a music video to its song Permission to Dance in the world body’s New York headquarters. It was broadcast during an event on the Sustainable Development Goals. BTS also appeared in person at the event in the General Assembly, introduced by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. (Reuters)


Harry Styles, Celeste triumph at Ivor Novello songwriting awards


Singers Harry Styles, Celeste and Lianne La Havas triumphed at the Ivor Novellos in London on Sept. 21, winning prizes at the annual awards honoring songwriting and screen composers.


More than half of the winners picked up their first Ivor at the ceremony, including La Havas, who won best album for her self-titled record, written with musician and producer Matthew Hales.


The Ivors Academy, which presents the awards, described Lianne La Havas as “a stunning concept album, its song cycle depicts the stages of a relationship from early romance to its end.”


“I’m really happy, I can’t believe it,” said La Havas. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • BTS danced for the UN to promote global goals tackling poverty, inequality, injustice, and climate change. Do you think people are more likely to focus on issues like these when famous people support them? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Why do you think the UN chose BTS over other singers/groups/bands (ex. they’re popular in many countries, the members are interested in various social issues)? What other singers/groups/bands do you think the UN should collaborate with? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The Ivor Novello Awards honor songwriting and screen composers. Do you think composers should get the same level of recognition as singers? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • La Havas’ award-winning album is about the stages of a relationship from early romance to its end. If you were to make a concept album, what would it be about? In your opinion, should all albums have a concept, or can they just be collections of unrelated songs? Why or why not? Discuss.