I was just thinking about this: do you let outside politics/controllable non-musical elements influence or dictate what kind of music you listen to? For instance, we're all aware of the Chris Brown/Rihanna situation; because of his label as a "woman beater" many are turning off his music. That's just one example. R. Kelly was recently caught have sexual relations with a minor. M.I.A. is often cited as being affiliated with militant terrorist groups (though she has made strong statements refuting this accusation); but what if it were true? Remember Sinead O'Connor famously tearing up a picture of the pope? The Dixie Chicks and George W. Bush? Backlash is a bitch.
It may not even be that serious. Consider Kanye West; his personal arrogance irks me to the extent that I really don't care for him as an artist, though I genuinely believe he has artistic merit.
If you found out your favorite artist did something that's totally against something you believe in, would you still support that artist? Would you separate their art from their personal lives? Or are the two eternally intertwined?
Posts: 8671 | Location: Canada | Registered: October 26, 2005
I can still recognize talent and give credit where credit is due even if I don't care for someone. Would I change their song if it came on the radio? No, probably not. Would I buy their album? No. Unless I became really rich. With the money I do spend on albums I tend to not only buy music I like, but I also need to like the people before I dish out 15 bucks to support them.
I agree with the Kanye thing. Never will buy one of his CDs, but he is creative. And while I thought the Dixie Chicks went thru hell for that one small comment I understand where some of their fans are coming from even though I liked the comment she made.
Well it might make me think twice about supporting them but at the end of the day wether i like the music and the performers personality will have more to do with my choice to buy or not buy the music.
For example, i've never liked Kayne's music so his arrogance has no affect on my decision because i wouldn't by his music anyway.
i know my answer is kind of all over the place i guess it's a loaded question.
Praying The Daytime Emmys air on TV in 2010!
Posts: 20035 | Location: just outside Providence, Rhode Island | Registered: July 28, 2002
Plain and simple, I'd still support that artist's music and career.
I know that it may be hard for some people, but I think that sometimes you have to separate the artist from the music.
Take the Dixie Chicks situation for instance. Had Natalie Maines said that last year, I don't think anyone would've made a big deal about it. Now, I bet that most people would probably agree with her statement. Regardless of her comments, it didn't take away from the quality of the group's music.
I no longer support R. Kelly's career, but that has nothing to do with his rap sheet. He's just been making pure ****ty music lately. He hasn't released a good album in 5 years, but that's unrelated to his legal woes.
If Chris Brown continues to release music that I like, then I'll continue to support him. M.I.A. might be connected to terrorist groups, but her music is still good.
I'm a lover of music -- plain and simple. As long as the music's good, I'll keep coming back for more.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrTalented,
I feel that it was completely unfair to the Dixie Chicks when they suffered all the backlash just because one of their members voiced her opinion. It just makes me realize how fickle fan and media support can become. One day, you're on top, the next day, the same people who put you up there will enjoy putting you down. And the media always follows suit. It's like there is some kind of sick pleasure to see an idol crumble down before your eyes, but I digress.
I'm still on the edge about Chris Brown. I don't care much, because I'm not a big fan of his or his music to begin with. However, I'm a huge Rihanna fan and it just ****es me off to hear any of his records, because I immediately think about all the pain he could have caused her and I feel nothing but disgust and outrage. However, I also recognize the fact that his case in particular has been fully made of rumors and there's nothing official out yet.
As for Janet Jackson, Nipplegate or not, she simply released crappy albums that never lived up neither to the hype nor to her successful past material.
To sum it up, I would just say that it depends on every situation, and in the end, for me it should just come down to the quality of the material released at the moment. Does that make any sense?
我爱音乐
Posts: 728 | Location: China | Registered: April 19, 2008
I learned to separate the music from the person. What they do in their spare time is their problem, whether I agree or not. I would support if the material is good.
I noticed that most of the artists who gets into some kind of controversy doesn't really release any good material. (i.e R. Kelly, Janet).
This message has been edited. Last edited by: musicluva123,
Originally posted by DJWolff: As for Janet Jackson, Nipplegate or not, she simply released crappy albums that never lived up neither to the hype nor to her successful past material.
I completely agree.
With some artists, controversy has nothing to do with it. They simply start releasing crappy music, Janet Jackson and R. Kelly being prime examples.
And the entire Nipplegate controversy really bothers me because the media crucified Janet and didn't hold Justin responsible for his role in the incident. In that situation it was certainly to Janet's disadvantage that she happened to be both a woman AND an African-American. The way I remember the media treating the situation, you'd think Janet pulled the thing off her damn self.
Well I actually think it's a case to case basis. there are those who I don't support but I appreciate their efforts just like Kanye West.
However, there are still those who I appreciate their music whether any personal or professional issue they might be invovled in just like M.I.A.
I think it depends on the issue. If I'm not totally involved on the issue, then I guess I can say for a while that I would not care, and I'll keep on supporting. But if the issues are already alarming, I can't force myself to support the music of someone whose image already affected my view of him/her.
I hope The Office wins as Best Comedy Series for this year's Emmy Awards.
Posts: 13057 | Location: Manila | Registered: August 19, 2006
I could not care less what an artist does in their personal life. I care about the music. The problem arises when their personal problems begin to affect their music.
It's been all over the web for months. It was a rumor, but Mashonda admitted on the radio that Alicia and Swizz slept together. Just google it. You'll see it. LoL
