Pop music is a staple in mainstream American culture. What many may not know is it's level of importance globally. Being an international pop star supersedes almost any level of celebrity that we know of today. While it may not necessarily equate to some of the astronomical annual salaries of some athletes, the fame is very comparable. These stars for many years have been heard time and again on our radios, Walkmans, iPods, and MP3 players. They've graced our television sets and stages of some of our favorite events such as the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star game. What we may not know is the number of people involved in making them great, or the extent of the greatness behind them. Max Martin is one of the behind the scenes guys who's worked with the likes of many of pop music's biggest acts over the last 19 years.

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Peter Terrin: A Million Little Pieces

We all did that thing as kids where we sat too close to the TV and it drove mom mad. No, we didn’t go blind as she over-exaggeratingly suggested, but what we did discover millions of tiny colorful dots on the screen. Those dots are called pixels, and they work together as micro spots of color to create the broad image that we perceive as our TV show, our movies and our pictures. Your laptop, your smartphone - anything with a display screen most likely uses pixels to build an image. And not just screens. Pick up a newspaper and look very closely—pixels. Belgian artist Peter Terrin uses a similar technique to create his breath-taking paintings, and the result is remarkable.

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Xavier Rudd: The Outback Hippie

With his first instrument being his voice, Xavier Rudd began with the most primitive form of music. You wouldn’t have guessed it due to the 18+ instruments he is efficient in and plays during his one-man shows. As an Australian musical legend with Aboriginal blood running through his veins, Rudd clings toward this part of his ancestry for musical inspiration. Because Aboriginal natives do not receive the recognition Rudd believes they deserve, he has made it his duty to build the culture up through his music. His most recent album, Free Bird is possibly his most creative yet, including nature sounds and mesmerizing native chants that take listeners back to a time when people really connected with the earth. As a social activist and musician, Xavier Rudd has been blessed with the ability to connect people with his music and spiritual aspirations.

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