Values of Sentimentality

V

In my previous blogs, I confront my thoughts on popular artist’s use of auto-tune or plain, yet catchy lyrical content. As a listener of our generation’s music, I struggle with the concept of talent. For today’s average artist, who is performing at sold-out concerts or on the radio’s top-ten countdown for consecutive weeks, is the “talent” based on the looks or the sound? I believe it is a combination of both. Maybe if the sound isn’t a strong-suit, the artist’s image or promotion skills keeps the fans and radio stations interested. Maybe if the appearance of the artist isn’t too impressive, the listeners are really just attracted to the sound and lyrical content.

Or maybe the average radio listener or MTV viewer doesn’t take any of those things into account. What if our opinion of an artist – whether we enjoy them or not – is based on pure sentimentality or familiarity? For example, if you have been an Eminem fan for many years and suddenly another white, male/female, rapper, who can rap just as fast about similar content appears, won’t you be hooked?

Think about it. Let’s say a Madonna song is playing when you and your boyfriend/girlfriend break up; after the break-up, you will never want to listen to Madonna again: it’s a trigger. I think that you won’t be able to listen to Lady Gaga either since her style and tone is similar to Madonna’s.

Now for me, the artist who I have always respected – even through her struggles – is Britney Spears. Yes, I can see how I am a complete hypocrite. I’ve questioned the use of auto-tune in a few of my blogs, and obviously, Britney Spears has used it almost religiously in her past 3 or 4 albums. I don’t care. I will always love Britney Spears. You want to know why? It’s because I was brought up listening to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and I loved her music video for “Toxic” the moment it aired on MTV. I am such a fan that I counted down the days until she released the music video for “Hold It Against Me.”

Haters can rant on about how her life is on a downward-spiral and that she doesn’t care about her kids. But step back for a moment – forget about her personal life – and just look at her as how she presents herself to the world. She’s the “Princess of Pop.” She’s the whole package; she can dance and sing, and she has major sex appeal. Anytime she performs or shoots a video she gives us what we want. She is almost 30 years old and she’s been in the entertainment business since she was ten. Let Britney (this applies to any artist too) do what she’s been doing for years, and do it well: something we were never expecting.

The sooner you laugh-off what you did, the quicker you’ll be making others smile over what you’ll do next.

Peace…<3

– DaHv

1 comment

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  • I base how much I like music, basically by eliminating what I don’t like. Example: If a song has Auto-Tune, the chances of me liking it decreases.. Why? Because Auto-Tune = Lack of Talent.

    I like music that sounds good, but I’m more impressed by the content and talent.

    I’d more likely listen to an Emcee who tells a story, can change my mood, and is so ridiculously good, rather than a rapper who makes a song that makes me want to dance.

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