Carol Vernallis, Wayne State associate professor of media arts and studies and author of "Experiencing Music Video: Aesthetics and Cultural Context" and "The Art and Industry of Music Video: Conversations and Essays," offered an expert viewpoint about the positive influence MTV has had on the music industry since its creation in 1981. "In the 80's, when music videos appeared, there was a shift of interest toward singles, away from albums… I think even rap was born from the music video (because) it became more than somebody just kind of speaking," Vernallis said. "There's a tie between fashion, and gesture and music that's much tighter than before music videos." She said the trend was engineered by MTV and has rippled through the whole industry.