In commemoration of the 20-year anniversary of the release of ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’, PopMatters is inviting submissions for a special section devoted to all things Wu. Essays run 1,200-3000 words on any aspect of the album, on the individual MCs, the RZA’s production techniques, Wu culture, the Wu-Tang as a business model, the legacy of 36 chambers, and anything else that fits.
PopMatters seeks essays (1,200 to 3,000 words, usually) about any aspect of popular culture, present or past. (If you are interested in pitching a review of some specific current work or performance, please contact the appropriate reviews editor.) We prefer careful analysis of the chosen subject matter with the intention of supporting an original thesis; we aren’t particularly interested in articles that merely want to promote their subject. An assessment of what ideological work a given pop culture phenomenon performs (i.e. what has allowed something to become popular, what’s at stake in its popularity besides money, how it is situated in a historical or geographical context, etc.) is especially welcome. Ideally essays will draw on sophisticated interpretive strategies derived from a theoretically informed point of view, but will be presented for a general reader in lively, accessible language.
For examples of the diversity of topics and range of approaches we welcome, please have a look at PopMatters features and columns archives.
PopMatters is looking for talented music critics and bloggers, especially in the area of electronic music,
We’re looking for talented writers with deep genre knowledge of music and its present and past alongside a cultural generalist perspective with strong interests in many areas of culture.
CD REVIEWS/FEATURES
Regular CD reviews run 500-700 words and display a knowledge of music history and real genre expertise, rather than simply “I like this” or “I hate that”. They should employ a smart look at the music within its larger cultural contexts. Capsule reviews run between 100-150 words and writers are expected to write both long reviews as well as capsules, and keep up with tight deadlines.
Feature pieces are in excess of 1,200 words and look at a particular artist, genre, trend or happening within the music world. They also look at the intersection between music and other cultural forms such as film, TV, multimedia, fashion, and politics. These pieces can include artist interviews and profiles of an exceeding smart and critical nature.
DVDs
Pitch Deadline: None. This is a standing call.
Contact: Karen Zarker
Email: zarker at popmatters dot com
PopMatters has many connections with DVD distributors in the UK. We’re looking for UK-based folks to pen reviews on current DVD releases, as well as to write feature articles on aspects of UK film and TV culture and history.
Flash Points provides a critical overview of cultural trends and developments. As the title indicates, Flash Points is a direct response to issues raised within the media. It critically covers topics with a broad purview, ranging from latest news to new film trailers.
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