Beats, Bands, and Attention Spans: A Conversation with Amani Roberts

DJ, author, and music business professor Amani Roberts joins Alan and Steve to unpack how today’s students are listening to and creating music—and what that means for K–12 music educators.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why teens prefer singles and short-form content over full albums
• Strategies for teaching deep listening using artists like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar
• The rise of beat-making and bedroom producers, and what’s lost when theory and ensemble work fade
• Simple ways to get started with GarageBand, DAWs, and found sounds in your classroom
• How declining school music programs are reshaping the skills of working artists today

Amani also shares highlights from his book on the history of R&B groups, his life as a touring DJ, and a few personal favorites—from a memorable Tina Marie concert to a go-to Vegas restaurant.