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Message from VAN HUNT it’s none of your business what other people say about you...
Category: Blogging taken from: http://blog.myspace.com/i...=347018692 but, I have read my own press. Not all of it. Just enough to not be able to turn back. it's gone to my head. I can remember once going on okayplayer-trying for the 15th time to find some new info on D'angelo's still nascent record-and "stumbled" across a thread about the Prince comparisons that have been made about ME... some of the comments on there were downright destructive. I never even imagined that you could mix the words "p**ssy" and "musician" while stating an opinion:) Some were supportive. Even fewer were constructive or managed to put forth what I would deem accurate analysis. It all made me sick. Because I knew that NOBODY really knew what the f*ck they were talking about. I am neither as perfect as the best that has been said about me nor as mediocre as the worst that's been said. It's ironic. Just two nights ago an associate called and asked if HE should go on line and address some "false accusations" that were made about HIM. I told him, "hell naw. Don't even give those fools any energy. That's what they live for...to dismantle people and overcompensate for their personal problems...all from behind a computer screen." And, alas, here I am. Last night I was on the computer with my son. He likes to look up biographical information on the 43 presidents. (And to think, at 5 years old, all I wanted to do was the 'robot'). After he'd his fill he asked if I would google "Van Hunt's Son." I pondered his reasoning and the potential for damage that I was ignoring. I was reluctant when I said, ". . .o. . .k..." I pressed enter. and right there, at the top of the page was a heading, "Van Hunt is Prince's Son." This time it was Prince.org. "Oh, Jesus" I whispered. I had to have it. Double Click. I read the first line, "there aint sh*t about Van Hunt that's genius." Or something to that effect. My son reads almost as fast as i do. But, I caught him before he got to the curse words. I said "go play." He started to challenge the order. I put on my transformer face. He found a toy. I read on. Of course, everyone on the thread was a Prince fan. But, to my surprise, this time I emerged from the comments without any long-term scarring. Some people didn't know enough about me to form an opinion. Some people knew enough to be enthusiastically supportive and encouraging of my work. Some were, obviously, musically inclined on top of being Prince fans. Some didn't give a damn. The debate seemed to be fueled by the bodyguarding of Prince's legacy and about the question of whether or not I was a good musician. They mentioned other musicians who would supposedly wipe the floor with me (even 10 year old musicians). What they don't realize is that I've played guitar with, for and beside most of their heroes. And, I doubt that any of those musicians would say that I couldn't hold my own. What they don't know is that guitar isn't even my first instrument. Piano is. What they don't know is I never set out to make improvisational solo records. I fast forward through Prince's guitar solos. As a matter of fact I would be more likely to listen to Thelonious Monk play one of his tinkly excursions than I would Art Tatum. Charlie Parker could MAKE you hear modal scales in fourths-using major minor 11ths and do it before you notice that Mccoy Tyner or Oscar Peterson didn't even have his hands on the keys. but, i put my money on Johnny Hodges. slow notes by the most beautiful horn tone in the business. Ask me who's the better singer, Sam Cooke or Muddy Waters, and I'll say, obviously, Sam Cooke. But, ask me who I prefer to listen to and, well... Muddy is my man! And, if u listened to Sly's 'there's a riot goin on' you would not walk away from that record claiming that George Benson or Herbie Hancock need be worried about claims on their Godliness. But, it's MY favorite record. What they don't know is that 'their man', while he is an incredible talent and entertainer, he willed his biggest hits into being. Because he HAD to be a star. He no longer writes great songs because being a great songwriter was never his goal. Being relevant was/is. What they don't know is that Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington...THOSE are great songwriters. They wrote hundreds of them- consistently. Nary a dud in their entire career. What they don't know is that Michelangelo was an artist. Marlon Brando was an artiste (emphasis on the 'iste'). Each more naturally skillful than any of the people I've mentioned. Ayn Rand, Tennessee Williams... craftsmen. Read 'Fountainhead' or watch 'Night of The Iguana'. the work is more fine tuned and sharp and sophisticated than any of the people I've mentioned. They don't know that these are the benchmarks for me. Not their obsolete little argument over who has the best album of the last 20 years that was played on the now invisible and inaudible "black radio." What they can't comprehend is the lengths I have gone to create what is my highest ideal...for their world to sneer at...and that it is quietly reaching critical immunity because of the dues that i have paid. So, kiss my a** while you decide if i'm worth your respect. it shouldn't matter to me; and, i am glad to say that it doesn't anymore. and, i will tell my child the same thing the next time he asks me to google Van Hunt's son: it's none of your business what people say about you 
details on my future coming tuesday. V H . | |
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utopia7 said: well well ! you see this is why Threads like these create problems ,when VAN has been nothing but a supporter of Prince ! last show at BB Kings the music playing prior was all Prince.How cool to be able to bump a fellow artist msuic whom you appreciate and still know you can hold your own. AND HE CAN !
Well if it was attention that this thread was seeking it got back to VAN in a not so good way while he was on the internet with his own child . so this is what VAN has to say. Via his myspace page "What they don't know is that 'their man', while he is an incredible talent and entertainer, he willed his biggest hits into being. Because he HAD to be a star. He no longer writes great songs because being a great songwriter was never his goal. Being relevant was/is." [Edited 1/13/08 10:54am] This statement really stood out to me. I think thats a very bold statement for him to make about a great songwriter such as Prince (who in my opinion is a much better songwriter than Van). How in the hell does he know that it wasn't Prince's goal to be a great songwriter?! He lost me after that statement...  | |
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Bishop31 said: utopia7 said: well well ! you see this is why Threads like these create problems ,when VAN has been nothing but a supporter of Prince ! last show at BB Kings the music playing prior was all Prince.How cool to be able to bump a fellow artist msuic whom you appreciate and still know you can hold your own. AND HE CAN !
Well if it was attention that this thread was seeking it got back to VAN in a not so good way while he was on the internet with his own child . so this is what VAN has to say. Via his myspace page "What they don't know is that 'their man', while he is an incredible talent and entertainer, he willed his biggest hits into being. Because he HAD to be a star. He no longer writes great songs because being a great songwriter was never his goal. Being relevant was/is." [Edited 1/13/08 10:54am] This statement really stood out to me. I think thats a very bold statement for him to make about a great songwriter such as Prince (who in my opinion is a much better songwriter than Van). How in the hell does he know that it wasn't Prince's goal to be a great songwriter?! He lost me after that statement... I responded to your post on the other thread | |
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utopia7 said: Bishop31 said: This statement really stood out to me. I think thats a very bold statement for him to make about a great songwriter such as Prince (who in my opinion is a much better songwriter than Van). How in the hell does he know that it wasn't Prince's goal to be a great songwriter?! He lost me after that statement... I responded to your post on the other thread I'll go check!  | |
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Bishop31 said: utopia7 said: I responded to your post on the other thread I'll go check! okay lol .. well I know everyone said their peace so I made this one so it doesn't miss those who need to read it  | |
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utopia7 said: and it's fair to ask or question this .When I think of musicians I always think every minute of the day a song or lyric is in ones head .. because music is what they do.As far as PRINCE and i've said before every now and then he'll write something so make ya think however as of late I think what he's writes inspires him. The last time Prince lyrics grabbed me was THE WORD. yet I will not speak for everyone
hey you can ask VAN himself he does pay close attention to his page I'll respond here to ur post. 
Maybe I will ask him. I don't think it's ever fair to judge whether an Artist sets out to be a great songwriter. Especially somebody like Prince who arguably has written several Brilliant songs. | |
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 Van   I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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Bishop31 said: utopia7 said: and it's fair to ask or question this .When I think of musicians I always think every minute of the day a song or lyric is in ones head .. because music is what they do.As far as PRINCE and i've said before every now and then he'll write something so make ya think however as of late I think what he's writes inspires him. The last time Prince lyrics grabbed me was THE WORD. yet I will not speak for everyone
hey you can ask VAN himself he does pay close attention to his page I'll respond here to ur post.
Maybe I will ask him. I don't think it's ever fair to judge whether an Artist sets out to be a great songwriter. Especially somebody like Prince who arguably has written several Brilliant songs. yes ...yet Prince himself has called out others from what his perception is of them so I guess amoungst those in this profession might have an opinion ..but not to the point of discrediting them as an artist. [Edited 1/13/08 11:59am] | |
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but, I have read my own press. Not all of it. Just enough to not be able to turn back. it's gone to my head.
I can remember once going on okayplayer-trying for the 15th time to find some new info on D'angelo's still nascent record-and "stumbled" across a thread about the Prince comparisons that have been made about ME... some of the comments on there were downright destructive. I never even imagined that you could mix the words "p**ssy" and "musician" while stating an opinion:) Some were supportive. Even fewer were constructive or managed to put forth what I would deem accurate analysis. It all made me sick. Because I knew that NOBODY really knew what the f*ck they were talking about. I am neither as perfect as the best that has been said about me nor as mediocre as the worst that's been said. Translation: I found out just how much I sucked when I was in search of idiots that think I'm neoPrince or even half as good as DAngelo. Don't even give those fools any energy. That's what they live for...to dismantle people and overcompensate for their personal problems...all from behind a computer screen."
Translation: I cuss people all day online and so far it hasn't worked. Last night I was on the
computer with my son. He likes to look up biographical information on the 43 presidents. (And to think, at 5 years old, all I wanted to do was the 'robot') Translation: I don't know how to use these things and my 5yr old who likes to chill at Disney.com helped me out. After he'd his fill he asked if I would google "Van Hunt's Son." I pondered his reasoning and the potential for damage that I was ignoring. I was reluctant when I said, ". . .o. . .k..."
Translation: I told him to google Van Hunt and Prince because some Hunt stan told me to. I pressed enter. and right there, at the top of the page was a heading, "Van Hunt is Prince's Son." This time it was Prince.org. "Oh, Jesus" I whispered. I had to have it.
Translation: I thought maybe there was a chance people would be licking my balls on the site. I read the first line, "there aint sh*t about Van Hunt that's genius." Or something to that effect. My son reads almost as fast as i do. But, I caught him before he got to the curse words. I said "go play." He started to challenge the order. I put on my transformer face. He found a toy
Translation: People dug all in my ass and I didn't want my kid to realize how much I suck so I punched him and sent him to bed. The debate seemed to be fueled by the bodyguarding of Prince's legacy and about the question of whether or not I was a good musician. They mentioned other musicians who would supposedly wipe the floor with me (even 10 year old musicians).
Translation: They must think I suck because they're mad I and my label try to associate myself with Prince and not because I actually suck. Yeah that's it. What they don't realize is that I've played guitar with, for and beside most of their heroes. And, I doubt that any of those musicians would say that I couldn't hold my own. What they don't know is that guitar isn't even my first instrument. Piano is. What they don't know is I never set out to make improvisational solo records.
Translation: I think that tuning guitars for decent bands on tour means I'm hot. I'm sure that the people I tuned for wouldn't be cruel enough to say my music sucks. I think that mastery of the basics of guitar, piano, and drum playing means I can't suck. I think my shitty elevator music is amazing. I fast forward through Prince's guitar solos. As a matter of fact I would be more likely to listen to Thelonious Monk play one of his tinkly excursions than I would Art Tatum. Charlie Parker could MAKE you hear modal scales in fourths-using major minor 11ths and do it before you notice that Mccoy Tyner or Oscar Peterson didn't even have his hands on the keys. but, i put my money on Johnny Hodges. slow notes by the most beautiful horn tone in the business. Ask me who's the better singer, Sam Cooke or Muddy Waters, and I'll say, obviously, Sam Cooke. But, ask me who I prefer to listen to and, well... Muddy is my man! And, if u listened to Sly's 'there's a riot goin on' you would not walk away from that record claiming that George Benson or Herbie Hancock need be worried about claims on their Godliness. But, it's MY favorite record.
Translation: Let me shit on Prince a little and downplay his rep and list my record collection of established greats and repeat stuff I heard others say about them because that will somehow give me credit and make me not SUCK. What they don't know is that 'their man', while he is an incredible talent and entertainer, he willed his biggest hits into being. Because he HAD to be a star. He no longer writes great songs because being a great songwriter was never his goal. Being relevant was/is.
Translation: Let me shit on Prince's obvious talent and diversity and spout absolute bullshit about who he is as an artist some more in the hopes that it will build my wack ass up. What they don't know is that Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington...THOSE are great songwriters. They wrote hundreds of them- consistently. Nary a dud in their entire career. What they don't know is that Michelangelo was an artist. Marlon Brando was an artiste (emphasis on the 'iste'). Each more naturally skillful than any of the people I've mentioned. Ayn Rand, Tennessee Williams... craftsmen. Read 'Fountainhead' or watch 'Night of The Iguana'. the work is more fine tuned and sharp and sophisticated than any of the people I've mentioned. They don't know that these are the benchmarks for me. Not their obsolete little argument over who has the best album of the last 20 years that was played on the now invisible and inaudible "black radio."
Translation: Blah blah blah, I'll never be as good as Prince or any other established talent so I'll spout more bs. What they can't comprehend is the lengths I have gone to create what is my highest ideal...for their world to sneer at...and that it is quietly reaching critical immunity because of the dues that i have paid.
Translation: Shut up, people do like my shitty music. Watch watch! and you can't borrow none of my toys no more doo doo head booger face So, kiss my a** while you decide if i'm worth your respect. it shouldn't matter to me; and, i am glad to say that it doesn't anymore. and, i will tell my child the same thing the next time he asks me to google Van Hunt's son: it's none of your business what people say about you
Translation: Please love my shitty elevator music. I'll i'll suck ya dick details on my future coming tuesday
Translation: Check me out on myspace. | |
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I respect him for standing up for himself..and Yes its true..we cant say Shit about him , his life, his choices...Unfortunately..The Price of being a public figure is.."Being a public figure" | |
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Prince fan have a tendency to compare every other artist to Prince who they think may sound like Prince and say shit about him. Sad but true. 
I feel sorry for Van Hunt and it really sucks that his son was reading that thread here. I love is new album and I'd love to see him live in concert one day. With a very special thank you to Tina: Is hammer already absolute, how much some people verändern...ICH hope is never so I will be! And if, then I hope that I would then have wen in my environment who joins me in the A.... | |
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Oh, Jesus Christ, dude gets all huffy about a post on a message board. LMAO. You're a fucking celebrity, get used to it! | |
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prettymansson said: I respect him for standing up for himself..and Yes its true..we cant say Shit about him , his life, his choices...Unfortunately..The Price of being a public figure is.."Being a public figure"
I hear you, but the internet simply gives artist a way to respond back directly, prince himself recent actions shows that he could care less about the org and have it shut down if he had his way, he had the same opportunity to respond to his critics in a direct fashion but chooses to lash out with legal threats. As far as Van’s statements about him everybody knows Prince strives to be culturally relevant at times and he can end up sounded dated sometimes that way, he set out to become a star from the very beginning, which had to have had an effect on his songwriting, but to me he is far to talented to write off, I still listen to Prince’s new work to hear if there are some jewels on the album. | |
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I love the guys music, Jungle Floor really did it for me on every level...
And whilst I agree with some of his sentiments and admire his artistic conviction, this rant ain't a pretty sight. Let the music speak for itself. Some will love it, other won't. It's as simple as that. |
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... [Edited 1/13/08 12:41pm] | |
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What I don't get it why the majority of Prince fans feel like it's okay to shit on his music from a consumer point of view. But when someone else (usually in the industry) comes out and says the same shit that yall drone on and on about after every new Prince release, then it's sacrilege and the one who voiced their opinion isn't justified to say so.
This is a good example of that as well as the whole D'Angelo/Saul Williams'Voodoo liner notes fiasco. There's nothing Van Hunt said that isn't true. He's actually saying more about the narrowmindedness of the hardcore Prince fans than he is about Prince. He still acknowledges Prince as an incredible talent and entertainer. I give the man props for actually responding to it through words and expression. Maybe he should retort by recording a track called V.F.U.N... Oh nevermind, that didn't work out too well for someone else did it? | |
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. [Edited 12/19/12 17:41pm] | |
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Only thing that matters...
5 years from now Prince still relevant Van Hunt - Is that a new reality show about people hunting for a van? 10 years from now Prince PE, Rainbow Children finally recognized as a classics Van Hunt - Van who? 20 years from now All of Prince music is considered classic Van Hunt - You mean Van Halen? 
[Edited 1/13/08 13:00pm] [Edited 1/13/08 13:03pm] The greatest live performer of our times was is and always will be Prince.
Remember there is only one destination and that place is U All of it. Everything. Is U. | |
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Van Hunt said: They don't know that these are the benchmarks for me. Not their obsolete little argument over who has the best album of the last 20 years that was played on the now invisible and inaudible "black radio."
What they can't comprehend is the lengths I have gone to create what is my highest ideal...for their world to sneer at...and that it is quietly reaching critical immunity because of the dues that i have paid. So, kiss my a** while you decide if i'm worth your respect. it shouldn't matter to me; and, i am glad to say that it doesn't anymore. and, i will tell my child the same thing the next time he asks me to google Van Hunt's son: it's none of your business what people say about you
details on my future coming tuesday. V H . I've never heard anything other than snippets of this man's music, but it seemed worth listening to. I was looking forward to another great funk artist. But if he wants me to kiss his ass while I decide whether I like him or not, then I guess HE can kiss MY ass. I'll not listen to any Van Hunt. | |
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Why he felt the need to question Prince's songwriting is beyond me.
Sure, Little Red Corvette, When Doves Cry and Kiss were fashioned upon creation to be hits... why should he apologise for that? Some of VH's comments smack of music snobbery. These are great, timeless pop records. Why should Prince's songwriting be called into question just because he's had chart success? In a canon of work as exhaustive as Prince's, VH should refrain from such comments after only three records. When you put Prince's "pop classics" in context with the rest of his catalogue, it makes up about 2% of his work. Why does VH presume musical ignorance of people on this forum? This is an insult. I own practically all of Neil Young's back catalogue and am perfectly aware of what a great songwriter he is. In the same way that I know that songs like Power Fantastic and All My Dreams are better than anything Young or VH have ever written. [Edited 1/13/08 13:25pm] |
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many words from a mediocre r&b artist.....can somebody please summarize?? | |
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MattyJam said: Why he felt the need to question Prince's songwriting is beyond me.
Sure, Little Red Corvette, When Doves Cry and Kiss were fashioned upon creation to be hits... why should he apologise for that? Some of VH's comments smack of music snobbery. These are great, timeless pop records. Why should Prince's songwriting be called into question just because he's had chart success? In a canon of work as exhaustive as Prince's, VH should refrain from such comments after only three records. When you put Prince's "pop classics" in context with the rest of his catalogue, it makes up about 2% of his work. Why does VH presume musical ignorance of people on this forum? This is an insult. I own practically all of Neil Young's back catalogue and am perfectly aware of what a great songwriter he is. In the same way that I know that songs like Power Fantastic and All My Dreams are better than anything Young or VH have ever written. [Edited 1/13/08 13:25pm] I don't think he questioning Prince's talents as a songwriter. He simply stating that being a great songwriter, in the tradition of greats before him, was never his goal. And come on Matty, look at the topics that surface in this forum in particular. Aside from a few topics here and there, majority of the subject matter in this forum revolves around tabloid shit, Madonna and Mariah. No one really discusses music around these parts. | |
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The opinions of people here are not skewed or tainted by the fact that they are P fans.
The fact that some or most people here don't like an artist just means THEY DON'T LIKE THEM or maybe just maybe the artist SUCKS. [Edited 1/13/08 14:17pm] | |
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I thought his rant was spot on. I basically agree with everything he said. Is Prince a great songwriter? Hell yes! But is he a consistently great songwriter? No, no, no.
Way to go, Van. You still have my support. (And FWIW, Prince does as well... musically speaking. )"Whitney was purely and simply one of a kind." ~ Clive Davis | |
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2020 said: Only thing that matters...
5 years from now Prince still relevant Van Hunt - Is that a new reality show about people hunting for a van? 10 years from now Prince PE, Rainbow Children finally recognized as a classics Van Hunt - Van who? 20 years from now All of Prince music is considered classic Van Hunt - You mean Van Halen?
[Edited 1/13/08 13:00pm] [Edited 1/13/08 13:03pm] That's what happened to Terence/Sananda Maitraya(sp?)- does that make his art irrelevant if people get it or not? He seems to be happy with it...AND wanted to share HIS opinion here. I have no problem with that whatsoever. Not to mention it's pretty cool he's come here to give us his take, that takes balls IMO. How often do you see other artists come here to offer their opinions? "Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion" -- Martha Graham | |
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AlexdeParis said: I thought his rant was spot on. I basically agree with everything he said. Is Prince a great songwriter? Hell yes! But is he a consistently great songwriter? No, no, no.
Way to go, Van. You still have my support. (And FWIW, Prince does as well... musically speaking. ) "Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion" -- Martha Graham | |
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AlexdeParis said: I thought his rant was spot on. I basically agree with everything he said. Is Prince a great songwriter? Hell yes! But is he a consistently great songwriter? No, no, no.
Way to go, Van. You still have my support. (And FWIW, Prince does as well... musically speaking. )"Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion" -- Martha Graham | |
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W00t go VAN!
RIP 1958-2016 Prince  RIP 1947-2016 David Bowie
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bsk3601 said: I don't think he questioning Prince's talents as a songwriter. He simply stating that being a great songwriter, in the tradition of greats before him, was never his goal. And come on Matty, look at the topics that surface in this forum in particular. Aside from a few topics here and there, majority of the subject matter in this forum revolves around tabloid shit, Madonna and Mariah. No one really discusses music around these parts. GMG preach! The pertinent part i'm using for my reply occurs at 3:48... ...The Serious 
As an additional benefit, I get see 2 acquaintences in the clip.
(Angela Teek - Hooker with the headband & Gregory "Popeye" Alexander - Zombie Pimp in the maxi-coat on the right) tA  Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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What I've heard of Van Hunt has been good music, and on a creative level, it's hard to fault someone who's clearly paid their dues to carve out a career where they can bring their work to a global audience.
That said, I think it's a bad move to get confrontational with people like this, particularly as his appeal becomes ever more selective. Famous people will always get criticism, and I think he should feel pleased that his art has been sufficiently exposed and has sufficient respect to be debated online. Ultimately, the general public pay for the time and space required for him to work professionally as a creative musician - he needs to sell records and concert tickets, and telling the consumer to kiss his ass whilst he sails on towards an artistically perfect obscurity seems like denial. I also think it's unwise of him to imply that he isn't a major star because he simply chose not to be, unlike Prince who did choose to be. And also to imply that somehow this has a bearing on the quality and validity of either man's music. | |
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