Modern day music has been absoultely commercialised. Every artist seems to want to sell more copies of their album and to keep their audiences engaged they come up with new looks and styles, fancy artwork, promotional activities, hard hitting lyrics with very little stress on their sound as such. For instance Eminem relies primarily on his whacko lyrics more than his sound
Sometimes you may not quite like the sound of a band but theres something about their maketing strategy that make you like them. For instance the Gorillaz, with the whole animation bit it really works- had damon albarn been a solo artist not many people would hear him.
Some struggling artists give themselves a makeover to change opinions about them- and it works for a few. Nelly furtado for example- what happened to her in the new album?
A successful artist is a brand alone worth millions.
Fickle consumer loyalties have probably led to this.
Whats your opnion about this?
Just like any product out there (whether it be a car or toilet paper) there is a certain amount of branding and marketing companies must do in order to create a successful product. We live in such a visual world that it takes more and more to grab our attention as consumers, and to appeal to our psyche.
Music is no exception to this. I think it’s very true that a lot of successful artists are successful because of successful marketing and branding ploys. However, when you think about it, a lot of these hot shot artists don’t really have a lot of staying power. I highly doubt that in 20 years from now that a hit Ashlee Simpson record from 2004 is going to be highly sought after. But John Coltrane, Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, and the Beatles? They are going to continue to sell records until the end of time. (I’m just using those artists as examples. There are many many others who are just as deserving.)
Yes, you are correct in that music has been highly commercialized, especially in recent years. Record labels and content holders are doing more and more to appeal to the consumer and snag a (usually temporary) stronghold on their corner of the industry. Eventually, however, that hold will most often times be shaken loose and those artists will quickly be ushered out and will just as quickly be replaced by the "next big thing."
True talent will shine through corporate financial backing. As superficial as the industry can be, I take comfort in the fact. Good music is good music, and while clever marketing can temporarily distract our visual sensibilities, commercial glitz can never fool a person’s ear, or emotions.
i agree with you when it comes to rap and pop industry its become pathetic in my opinion and i no longer listen to rap or pop music anymore its all fake and i prefer real
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Just like any product out there (whether it be a car or toilet paper) there is a certain amount of branding and marketing companies must do in order to create a successful product. We live in such a visual world that it takes more and more to grab our attention as consumers, and to appeal to our psyche.
Music is no exception to this. I think it’s very true that a lot of successful artists are successful because of successful marketing and branding ploys. However, when you think about it, a lot of these hot shot artists don’t really have a lot of staying power. I highly doubt that in 20 years from now that a hit Ashlee Simpson record from 2004 is going to be highly sought after. But John Coltrane, Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, and the Beatles? They are going to continue to sell records until the end of time. (I’m just using those artists as examples. There are many many others who are just as deserving.)
Yes, you are correct in that music has been highly commercialized, especially in recent years. Record labels and content holders are doing more and more to appeal to the consumer and snag a (usually temporary) stronghold on their corner of the industry. Eventually, however, that hold will most often times be shaken loose and those artists will quickly be ushered out and will just as quickly be replaced by the "next big thing."
True talent will shine through corporate financial backing. As superficial as the industry can be, I take comfort in the fact. Good music is good music, and while clever marketing can temporarily distract our visual sensibilities, commercial glitz can never fool a person’s ear, or emotions.
References :
Music Business and Music Production/Engineering student at Berklee.
every item can be marketed. its only a good choice by bands/groups to choose the best record label possible that is going to market the band to the fullest potential. in the short run getting the best points/royalties appeals to artists signing on indies. but the longrun of being marketed on a top level label is way more worth the good deals that indies offer their artists. marketing is everything people have to know about you to buy your work. then you can build your brand and when your contract expires you still have a big name to move elsewhere
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