music culture

What’s With Artists Whoring Themselves Lately?

Lately, it seems as if supposed “artists” – especially in the music realm – will stop at nothing to whore themselves around the internet. I say whore because there is a point it’s not promotion anymore. And it almost seems like everyone is doing it.

Hype isn’t cool if you’re an artist, and I really think (intelligent) people see through what you’re trying to do. If they don’t, then great – your fans are made up of the same people who blindly follow pop music trends, and you’re essentially at the same level as Kevin Federline – only on a smaller scale. Are you even making art for the right reasons?

If you make a new song, have a new CD or essentially have something newsworthy as an artist, that’s fine, promote it. But I have news for some of you. Making little fliers asking people to vote for you in a popularity contest is just silly. You actually look less professional and in my opinion lose credibility as a serious artist. It’s just a poll created by a publication, why should this be so important to you if you have talent (and yes, some of you hyping yourselves do), but I just don’t understand why you would want to be a part of something so low-brow.

Also to music fans – open your eyes. Just because someone has music releases on a label doesn’t mean they are good. Just because an artist is playing at a big venue doesn’t mean you should think they’re special. Just because your friends or peers like something doesn’t mean you should. Have some personality, have some independence, and seek out something true to yourself. Are you really that much like everyone else – and if yes, why is this positive to you, or even society?

© 2005-2011 Adam Singer.