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A genre that evolved out of the ska and rocksteady movements of the 1950s, reggae became the defining sound of Jamaica, becoming immediately recognisable by the accented “stabs” on beats 2 and 4. Artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff helped its popularity spread across the world. ‘Surfer Ticket’ evokes their signature laid-back sound and utilises several well-established stylistic features in all three instruments. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

‘Elevator Shoes’ takes inspiration from the blues-rock/soul style, made popular by the likes of Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton and Steely Dan, to name a few. This music is centred around the lead guitar and many of the most iconic guitar solos come from this genre. It utilises more complex harmonies than traditional blues, borrowing extended chord voicings more commonly found in soul and jazz. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

The 2000s saw a surge in popularity of the indie/alt-rock genre, with bands like Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay playing to huge crowds in stadium venues, leading to their music being aptly dubbed “stadium rock”. A popular musical device often used was the 8/8 time feel (3+3+2), usually coupled with crunchy guitar chords and emphatic drum beats, both of which can be heard in ‘Headline Act’. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

Artist: Gorillaz (featuring De La Soul) Source: Demon Dayz (Album, 2005) Genre: Alternative Rock / Hip Hop The follow-up to their groundbreaking debut album, Demon Dayz signified amove towards a darker tone for Gorillaz. ‘Feel Good Inc.’ exhibits a contrast between dreamier choruses against bass-heavy verses accentuated with rap segments by renowned hip hop group De La Soul. The song peaked at number 2 on the UK charts and won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Gorillaz was founded in 1998 by former Blur frontman Damon Albarn. Created as a reaction to what he perceived as overly manufactured and generic mainstream music and musicians, Gorillaz subverted this by having virtual cartoon avatars portray band members. Their music, however, was anything but generic, melding multiple genres including hip hop, rock and electronic music in a fashion that was way ahead of its time. Hits such as ‘Clint Eastwood’ and ‘Dare’ established Gorillaz as a unique presence in the music industry. The band continue to produce music, with their eighth studio album released in 2023. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

Artist: Phoebe Bridgers Source: Punisher (Album, 2020) Genre: Indie Rock The second single from Punisher, ‘Kyoto’ details Bridgers’ first trip to Japan and her relationship with her father. The song was originally intended as a slower ballad, but the end product was a more up-tempo number with multiple instruments, including drums and a horns section. It has become a signature hit of Bridgers’, having performed the song on multiple US talk shows and received two Grammy nominations in 2021. American songwriter Phoebe Bridgers has acquired a large following over the past decade through several studio releases and artist features. She released her debut album Stranger in the Alps in 2017, but gained greater popularity after her 2020 album Punisher, which received a broad range of positive reviews from critics. Bridgers has collaborated with a number of artists, including Taylor Swift and The 1975. She is also known for her political activism, often using her platform to raise awareness of issues close to her heart. As of 2024, she has won four Grammy Awards. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

Artist: Fleetwood Mac Source: Go Your Own Way (Single, 1976) / Rumours (Album, 1977) Genre: Soft Rock The turbulent relationship of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham was the catalyst for developing the sound and lyrics that would eventually become the hit single ‘Go Your Own Way’. The song details their conflict and eventual breakup. ‘Go Your Own Way’ went on to become one of Fleetwood Mac’s most recognisable songs and became their first top 10 hit in the US. Its popularity led to it being covered by multiple artists, including Irish altrockers The Cranberries. Fleetwood Mac formed in London in 1967. Primarily a blues group to begin with, they got their first UK number one in 1968 with the atmospheric ‘Albatross’. The band’s sound changed greatly with the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid ‘70s, who helped steer the band more towards a pop rock approach. Soon after, they went on to have multiple charting hits in the US. Released in 1977, the iconic Rumours became their most successful work to date and became one of the best-selling albums of all time, with sales of over 40 million worldwide to date. As recognition for their outstanding contribution to music, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

Artist: Kelly Clarkson Source: Breakaway (Album, 2004) Genre: Pop Rock ‘Since U Been Gone’ was written by acclaimed pop songwriters Max Martin and Lukasz Gottwald, who had by that time already amassed a large portfolio of hit songs in pop and rock. They took their inspiration from ‘Maps’ by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, wanting to write a pop song in a similar vein, but with a more bombastic chorus. The song was originally given to P!nk, then Hilary Duff, but eventually found its way to Kelly Clarkson and formed part of her second album Breakaway. It went on to become one of Clarkson’s signature songs, winning her a Grammy and peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kelly Clarkson was launched to global stardom when she won the first series of American Idol in 2002. Her first single ‘A Moment Like This’ shot to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. For her second album Breakaway, looking to step away from the somewhat cliché, mass-market approach of her previous output, she adopted a more rock-orientated sound and aesthetic. The consistent mainstream chart success she saw throughout the ‘00s waned in the years that followed. Nevertheless, she remains in the public eye thanks to regularly hosting talk shows and appearing as a judge on several reality TV series. Notable awards include three Grammys and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

Artist: The Spencer Davis GroupS ource: Keep on Running (Single, 1965) Genre: British R&B / Soul Jamaican reggae artist Jackie Edwards wrote and recorded ‘Keep on Running’ to feature on his 1965 album Come on Home. The song was released by Island Record label owner Chris Blackwell, who also managed The Spencer Davis Group at the time. When The Spencer Davis Group released their version of the song, it became a number 1 hit in the UK. The Spencer Davis Group were primarily active during what was commonly known as the British Invasion, when artists from the UK would dominate charts both at home and overseas. During the ‘60s, the group released multiple chart-topping singles that took cues from rock and R&B music, including ‘Gimme Some Lovin’’ and ‘I’m a Man’. Former member and prolific songwriter Steve Winwood left the band in 1967 to form Traffic, resulting in the band’s first disbandment. The group would later produce albums in the ‘70s with an alternative lineup and reunited for a tour in 2006. Founding guitarist Spencer Davis died in 2020, marking the loss of the last founding member. Over the years the band have seen their songs covered by multiple acts, such as Chicago, and The Allman Brothers Band. Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2

Artist: Miley Cyrus Source: Endless Summer Vacation (Album, 2023) Genre: Dance-Pop/Disco The lead single from her eighth studio album, disco-infused hit ‘Flowers’ quickly rose to become Miley’s most successful song to date, surpassing her previous number 1 ‘Wrecking Ball’ released nearly a decade earlier. It broke multiple records, including the fastest song to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify and remained at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight non-consecutive weeks. Daughter of American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus’ first claim to fame was as the main character in the Disney sitcom Hannah Montana, where her talent as both an actor and singer were on full display. Throughout her teens she continued to release music as Hannah Montana, but also as a soloist. Released under her own name, hit singles ‘Party in the USA’ and ‘The Climb’ signalled a move away from her alter ego for good. Her 2010 album Bangerz marked a notable change in style, both musically and aesthetically, incorporating elements of R&B and more adult themes, in stark contrast to her child-friendly output as Montana. Alongside her critical and commercial success as a musician, Cyrus continues to act, starring in various films and series, including Bolt, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Black Mirror Kategori Mengikut Rockschool Drum Grade 2