RVCA

I'm currently taking a Music Appreciation class at my Uni, and we had a pretty interesting discussion today about Artist Authenticity.

I'll leave the definition of Authenticity up to you guys, but if you could rate the follow Artists on a scale of 1-10 (10 being most Authentic), I think the results will be rather interesting. If you could provide some kind of justification for your ratings, that'd be cool too.

1. Britney Spears
2. Taylor Swift
3. Lady Gaga
4. Miley Cyrus
5. Ashlee Simpson

6. Eminem
7. Tupac
8. Jay-Z
9. Lil Wayne
10. Jurassic 5

tdoc210

1. Britney Spears 3
2. Taylor Swift 4
3. Lady Gaga 1
4. Miley Cyrus 0
5. Ashlee Simpson 0

6. Eminem 7
7. Tupac 8
8. Jay-Z 6
9. Lil Wayne 5
10. Jurassic 5 (no opinion)


The top 5 are very pre assembled acts, there really isnt any musical innovation to be had, or concepts that challenge the artist or even the listener.

The latter 5 are more redeemable, but have been afflicted by the majority's wants

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We went back there and they had come and hacked off every inoculated arm. There they were in a pile. A pile of little arms. And I remember... I... I... I cried. I wept like some grandmother. I wanted to tear my teeth out. I didn't know what I wanted to do. And I want to remember it. I never want to forget it. I never want to forget. And then I realized... like I was shot... like I was shot with a diamond... a diamond bullet right through my forehead. And I thought: My God... the genius of that.

RVCA

^ I'm going to disagree with you a bit on the first 5.

1. Britney Spears - 3
She used be a lot more authentic, and then she started lip-syncing everything while trying to reclaim the glory of her early days.
2. Taylor Swift - 7
Though she pisses me off, she DOES write her own music and play her own instruments, and for that she gets props.
3. Lady Gaga - 5
I gave her a solid 5 simply for making catchy music and being so damn weird.
4. Miley Cyrus - 0.5
Disgusting disgrace. Doesn't write anything herself, doesn't play anything, plays up her Disney popularity to a vomit-inducing level. She did get 0.5 for minimal singing ability.
5. Ashlee Simpson - X
I don't know anything by Ashlee.

6. Eminem - 8
His lyrics... not to mention he's a producer/director/lyricist/renaissance man extraordinaire.
7. Tupac - 9
He's Tupac.
8. Jay-Z - 5
I just can't take him as seriously as he takes himself. He spends all his time complaining about other rappers and the way the music industry's going. Bleh.
9. Lil Wayne - 0
10. Jurassic 5 - 8

mr dave

i'll elaborate after work if people want.

the girls - 10
the boys - 5

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i am the universe

The Bullet

The others I have no oppinion on.

I'm assuming someone who's "authentic" would write and have controll all of their music, write their music purely for artistic value, and be far more for the music than anything else.

If you rate their music, from bad to worse:

Taylor Swift
Miley Cyrus
Britney Spears
Lady Gaga

mr dave

i think a lot of this depends on how the question is interpreted by the individual and whether or not they see authenticity and integrity as one in the same or as separate elements. also, how an individual defines an artist.

for me an artist reflects the effect the realities of our world have on the human condition. as such, everyone on the list qualifies as being an artist. i gave the girls the better score because most don't actually write their own stuff. they actually provide a broader more generalized reflection via their total package, the image, the videos, the paparazzi and gossip, and of course the 'music', all lead to a reflection of the direction society seems to be moving towards in worshiping celebrity as divinity. what Britney Spears is, is far more authentic art than who she is.

the guys on the other hand tend to reflect themselves and their own experiences more through their art. it's definitely not a bad thing, but by having a greater element of control on their creative process they tend to establish themselves within their output to specialize their reflection on the human condition. it's what gives it integrity, and makes it far more pleasing to my ears.

but when it comes to overall authenticity it's the more general reflections that provide a greater view of the condition, and having to call miley cyrus an authentic artist reminds me of why i chose to disconnect myself from mainstream society as much as possible a few years ago.

and instrumental music is where it's at.

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someonecompletelyrandom

RVCA

^ Lol...yeah... Miley is the bottom of bottom feeders