No-talent "musicians": Genius Or Shameful?
Marik_Steele
To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
in Discussions
Partially inspired by <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=53906' target='_blank'>this thread about the latest Britney Spears CD in off-topic</a>.
A good number of people -- for good reason -- agree that a number of pop-stars and groups/bands today are "in it for the money." Trying to stay away from <i>which</i> ones are and aren't (keep your whining about bands/artists that have "sold out" elsewhere), is this arrangement intelligent on their part, or are they merely fools sucking away at our valuable share of the atmosphere? What do you think about such people making money without fully "earning" it through skill aquired over time, instead giving up privacy or honorable public reputation for fame and fortune?
A good number of people -- for good reason -- agree that a number of pop-stars and groups/bands today are "in it for the money." Trying to stay away from <i>which</i> ones are and aren't (keep your whining about bands/artists that have "sold out" elsewhere), is this arrangement intelligent on their part, or are they merely fools sucking away at our valuable share of the atmosphere? What do you think about such people making money without fully "earning" it through skill aquired over time, instead giving up privacy or honorable public reputation for fame and fortune?
Comments
They had to have done something that made them noticeable from the masses.
I would opt to say it's pretty shameful, they seem to be fabricated entirely to be "an icon", rather than be an artist. My main problem is that it's so plastic, it's hardly genuine. However, the only conflict really lies in the genre of pop music, which seems to be the main outlet of such "icons". The good thing is that music is so broad, that it's not defined by just being music, but by what they play. People don't identify Britney Spears with music persay, but rather "Pop" music. Unfortunately it's bad news to authentic pop musicians, if there are any, I'm honestly not sure.
I have no conflict with artists who simply are famous because they're so talented, but however, I question the reasoning for ones that are "created", sure, I'm sure Britney Spears was good when it was just Britney Spears, not Britney Spears and the hundreds of people who put make-up on her, create her videos, sell her image to the masses, market her appearance and such.
Michelle Branch is a good artist in my opinion to illustrate my coming point. You like her because her music is excellent, if you like the genre, not because she's marketed in skimpy clothing or the like. She's, in my opinion, much more reserved and classier by keeping her music just her music, instead of Britney's example of turning her music into a sort of creepy sexual theme. My problem is that many artists are simply trying to sell <i>themselves</i> instead of their music.
I suppose that's what I kind of think of that...
The thing that I find odd about pop music is how it relates to punk. Punk music is really set up so that you can't become big and still be punk. Being punk entails being outside the mainstream, which pop music most assuredly is not. If you look at bands like Green Day, they were punk, found success, got played in GAP outlets everywhere and were no longer punk. Then you have bands that most punks would never classify as punk in the first place. Blink 182 is little more than a novelty band. A semi-serious Weird Al of popular music. Then you get the straight out posers like Avril Lavigne who can't even pronounce David Bowie's name correctly. I mean, if you have trouble naming the drummer from The Clash, that's one thing. But not getting <i>David Bowie</i> right? That's just retardation on her part.
Anyways, different subject.
Yeah, they got noticed by somebody who knows how to make pop stars. All that took was: 1. youth 2. looks 3. a voice that isn't hidious
Britney didn't do all the work. Her manager did. And that manager was rewarded a ton of money. To then eventually dump her and look for another 'talent' to make more money. Thus, the circle of mediocrity continues. Woo!
It's a Disney conspiracy...
Although now that you mention it, there do seem to be plethora of rushed, mechanically pumped out songs nowadays that are just there to make new CDs.
When people put dedication into the song and heart into the lyrics, that's when it becomes truly beautiful. Even if it never becomes overwhelmingly famous, I think it's way better to know you have made a deep, meaningful song rather than some manufactured one for the masses.
Thenk again, who isn't in it for the money? Most of the artists probably like what their doing but money is a major reason for everyone.
Unfortunately most of those people are 12 year old girls, am i right in thinking nobody over the age of 14 actually buys Britney Spears CDs? If you view it as a product created and marketed to children it doesn't quite as bad.
Actually, thats exactly what they did. Thats what "pop" artists are, just eye candy with a soundtrack. ANyways, Music is a sham. Its just audio input for a target market.
Unfortunately most of those people are 12 year old girls, am i right in thinking nobody over the age of 14 actually buys Britney Spears CDs? If you view it as a product created and marketed to children it doesn't quite as bad. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, Pop music is entirely created by becord companies as a "forced" market. It doesnt matter if people actually like it, consumers are easily trained to "like" what theyre told.
And thinking Brittney this is "created and marketed to children" makes it worse.
Ugh, yea putting it like that probably illustrates <b>why</b> it appeals and is marketed to children. But then, absolutely everything kids buy today, from Britney Spears to Pokemon toys to breakfast cereal is 90% advertising. I'd say its hard to critisize pop music for the way it's marketed, when children never actually want anything that isnt marketed in that way. S Club 7 and friends is just another drop in the bucket.
Perhaps what i'm trying to say is, i'm optomistic that this music is only really being sold to children. The whole manufactured idol issue being something i thoroughly expect from marketing aimed at children. The alternative - That reasonable adults are buying laughably bad pop music after seeing videos where the 'artists' wear Gap clothes - would be a rather swift kick to the groin for my faith in humanity.
“Well you turned out not so bad”
“And I thank God every day for knowing the words to enter sand man” <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
People set out to do different things with music. One person wants money, another wants fame, and another does it just because. You don't have to listen, you don't have to watch. If they're earning money for dancing, why do you care? Sports stars get a lot more to just show up.
*gives mojo a chocolate bar*
*claps again*
No stereotyping today. Each and every person is different, and so is their purpose and intentions in whataver they do. It's not for you to decide what they want out of their lives -- it's theirs.
*gives mojo a chocolate bar*
*claps again*
No stereotyping today. Each and every person is different, and so is their purpose and intentions in whataver they do. It's not for you to decide what they want out of their lives -- it's theirs. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Always, someone has to throw in this stupid cliche'. Ya know we could end every conversation by saying that, and if we started them with that line we'd never talk about anything so lets give that a rest and try having a "discussion".
Besides, stereotypes are there for a reason, and 90% of people fall right into one or the other.
Bathroom monkey, you rule
if people buy the music and listen to it, and money is made then your a genius, becuase while people laugh at you and berate you online -_- your laughing all the way to the bank
No talent at singing, no talent at composing, no talent at writing, and no body at all. (hell, the kids balls hadn't even dropped) But still he was shoved down all of our throats because he was some N' Sync guys brother. There is nothing worse then watching a ****, 12 year old white boy trying to sing rap and sound cool.
The masses are tought to like what the media judges they should like. They get shoved a piece of crap and they eat it while the media cashes in with lots of cash and laughs. Luckly, this trend has been going away, no more annoying kids trying to sing rap when they don't even know how to sing period, and no more annoying girl bands trying to rally "Gurl Power!!". Something has saved us, but I'm not sure what it was... 9/11 maybe? It seems around that time that we started seeing the decline in all of this crap.
We have ourselves to blame. We want to be spoonfed. Of course, the music industry will play on this. Much like there are prostitutes, there are also pimps as well. They all play on our appetite for instant gratification.
Want to knock Britney off her perch ? Work at your music. Look for new bands using websites or magazines. Try your mates' music. Go to local gigs. Give challenging material more time. Hell, learn an instrument, join a band, write your own material, gig at local pubs. Until we do this, then Britney et al will be laughing all the way to the cosmetic surgeon.
<b>Reality</b>
<i><b>Part II: life suxorz</b></i>
Ryo man - with everything I know about you and your g/f - I really hope we dont meet at UQ next year (if your still studying), because I'm not gonna be able to look you in the face. Either of you....
<!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
The crap just evolved. It's all bling bling now. 12 year old girls looking up to guys singing (or rapping) about their cars and their girls and all their money. Plus the sexually explicit lyrics in songs you hear 12 year old girls singing these days is just really...scary. Bling is the perfect materialistic message for a generation that is being forced to buy more more more so the team of 9 fat white middle-aged men in suits that wrote the latest #1 hip-hop pop song can get a few more million to indulge in.
rofl. Well unless your name IRL is Ryo-Ohki - I somehow dont think its ever gonna happen. I personally have no plans on searching you out - and UQ is a big place.
But you are right - given replies in the sexually related threads, and now this spice girls revelation <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> - it would be pretty freakin awkward.