However, in the 1980s and 1990s, musicologists studying this perceived
divide between high and low musical genres argued that this distinction
is not based on the musical value or quality of the different types of music.
Rather, they argued that this distinction was based largely
on the socioeconomic standing or social class of the
performers or audience of the different types of music.
For example, whereas the audience for Classical symphony
concerts typically have above-average incomes,
the audience for a rap concert in an inner-city area may have below-average incomes.
Even though the performers, audience, or venue where non-art music is
performed may have a lower socioeconomic status, the music that is performed,
such as blues, rap, punk, funk, or ska may be very complex and sophisticated.