Based on an analysis of the genre classifications by reviewers of 2951 pop music albums the consequences are analyzed of a ‘fuzzy’ or multiple-genre identity on the commercial and critical success of these albums. The results confirm previ¬ous research on the ‘categorical imperative’ in cultural industries. Particularly with regards to commercial success, a negative sanction is found for combining ‘contrasting’ genre categories. This categorical imperative is however less strong for artists who have already obtained an established position and high status within the field of popular music.
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Venrooij et al. (2013) studied this question.
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