Why does the mainstream industry only want a select few to be popular?

Sequoioideae · 09-28-2014, 09:58 PM

I just don't take anything seriously, and stick to my own agenda as far as looking for new music. I mean, why get butthurt about artists that seem to be the forefront of modern pop music? I think Niki Minaj is hilarious, and I know the words to "Stupid Hoe" like the back of my hand. I do have my quips with certain artists like Iggy Izalea, but with her it just feels like she's putting on the audio equivalent of black face. Other than that, I have never really had a problem with any of the top pop artists.

As far as using sexuality to to help sell music, so what? You have your Justin Timberlakes and your Niki Minajses (how do plural?), and I hear and see both men and women talking about videos and overt sexual themes, they make a great topic of conversation, they get word out of an artists new single or album. If you don't like it go somewhere else, live under a rock, actually make the change if it bothers you. Sexuality is a part of human nature, and people like to gossip, what more would you need to understand?

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 09-29-2014, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sequoioideae

I just don't take anything seriously, and stick to my own agenda as far as looking for new music. I mean, why get butthurt about artists that seem to be the forefront of modern pop music? I think Niki Minaj is hilarious, and I know the words to "Stupid Hoe" like the back of my hand. I do have my quips with certain artists like Iggy Izalea, but with her it just feels like she's putting on the audio equivalent of black face. Other than that, I have never really had a problem with any of the top pop artists.

As far as using sexuality to to help sell music, so what? You have your Justin Timberlakes and your Niki Minajses (how do plural?), and I hear and see both men and women talking about videos and overt sexual themes, they make a great topic of conversation, they get word out of an artists new single or album. If you don't like it go somewhere else, live under a rock, actually make the change if it bothers you. Sexuality is a part of human nature, and people like to gossip, what more would you need to understand?

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Carpe Mortem · 09-29-2014, 07:57 PM

Let it not be forgotten that oftentimes its record companies that bring underground artists to the masses and fund equipment they have wanted or needed all along. Sometimes the price paid is an unfortunate renovation of what was better music before they were discovered, but some good can come of it.

Of course this argument is null and void in 2014 where internet exists. But for bands before internet, some good was done. Still somewhat done I guess.

~~Soulflower~~ · 09-29-2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

This blame the industry bullsh*t is getting old. Let's remove all responsibility from humans and blame businesses for our decision making. If you can't think for yourself that is your problem, not the salesman who's sh*t your buying.

Is the industry grimy? Sure.
Is it their fault your a f*cking idiot or care more about money than morality/self-respect/etc? Nope.

hehe.

I blamed the pop tarts as well because the women who choose to exploit themselves for money "choose" to be perpetrators of a overall problem in the industry.

DwnWthVwls · 09-29-2014, 09:16 PM

Those pop tarts are part of the industry. At the end of the day 1000s of people are making the decision to pay for the product. With all the technology today almost everyone above the age of 6 has access to any kind of music they want. If they choose to buy mainstream music that is entirely on them not anyone involved in the production.

Ultimately a lot of people just aren't as into music as the people on this forum. Those people grab the most palatable and easily accessible thing they can find because even if they aren't music geeks they all enjoy music (I've never met a human who doens't). Chances are they don't care enough about music to explore what it has to offer, they just need something catchy in the background.

Catchy goes a long way. If it didn't that stupid "Call me maybe" song wouldn't be a guilty pleasure of mine.

Black Francis · 09-29-2014, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

Ultimately a lot of people just aren't as into music as the people on this forum.

True, and those are the ppl that support everything main stream makes popular.
they don't need depth, they don't care for it that way. they just need a simple song that they can dance and hum.

ive met tons of ppl like this, they like music superficially but they don't love it with a passion and that's ok, that doesn't make them stupid or less interesting it's just music isn't their thing.

LookUp · 09-30-2014, 03:42 PM

The mainstream music industry as we once knew it is on its knees. Where in the midst of a seismic shift in how people find and enjoy their music. Big labels are not part of this new equation. Go find yourself a new favourite artist (you already know how) - one that few have heard about. Then support that artist or band by becoming a true fan - buying their music and spreading the news. We don't need pop stars created by suits.

William_the_Bloody · 10-02-2014, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulflower

There are a ton of female as well as male singers/artists that have it. They have the looks, they have the charisma, they are good performers, songwriters, make creative music and so forth. However, we will probably never hear about them outside of their niche audiences or word of mouth.

Once upon a time the formula of a pop star was looks + catchy music+ marketable image+ flashy spetacle

and Tada!!!

You have yourself a popstar

but this formula seems to be null and void for this generation of pop stars (not that I liked that formula but just observation). It seems the decision on who becomes a super star in todays music era is based on the industry itself versus the old school formula and public opinion.

I guess my question is...why?

There are a ton of artists and performers that have the looks, are great performers and produce great music. They have the "it" factors so why aren't they superstars?

It appears the industry simply does not want to market them. There are artists that would and could be superstars if they had the marketing to reach more people. The industry just wants to market its select few for whatever reason

Once again...why?

I am so sick of the hypersexual pop stars that make generic pop music while other female pop stars make more creative music get less attention.

I am sick of the corny wannabe male pop stars that make imitation bland versions of previous music for past era's.

The mainstream industry could be so much bigger if they simply market other artists.

Why does the mainstream industry want the pop artists to have small competition? Why do they black ball those other artists for the sake of the established ones? Why doesn't the mainstream industry care about creativity like it once did?

I notice this is a rock orientated forum. Do you music listeners even care about the state of the music industry or popular music?

Simple, the music industry markets their music to dumb teens which is why garbage like Britney Spears has sold millions. Its all about profit and that is the demographic group who is willing to shell out their money or their parents money on music. I hope someone can correct me on this to give me hope.

Teens Pay For Music More Than Any Other Age Group | Prefix

09-29-2014, 07:57 PM	#283 (permalink)
Carpe Mortem Crusher of tiny Nords Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Ugly Bag of Mostly Water Posts: 1,363	Let it not be forgotten that oftentimes its record companies that bring underground artists to the masses and fund equipment they have wanted or needed all along. Sometimes the price paid is an unfortunate renovation of what was better music before they were discovered, but some good can come of it. Of course this argument is null and void in 2014 where internet exists. But for bands before internet, some good was done. Still somewhat done I guess. __________________ [SIG][/SIG] Mirth is King Be Loving & Open With My Emotions

09-30-2014, 03:42 PM	#287 (permalink)
LookUp Groupie Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 2	The mainstream music industry as we once knew it is on its knees. Where in the midst of a seismic shift in how people find and enjoy their music. Big labels are not part of this new equation. Go find yourself a new favourite artist (you already know how) - one that few have heard about. Then support that artist or band by becoming a true fan - buying their music and spreading the news. We don't need pop stars created by suits.