I see a lot of talk here about younger artists who I barely even know (say Chris Brown), and others who I know but have no interest in (say Rihanna). The thing is a lot of the people talking about them are in their thirties or older. I can't understand anyone over 25 having any interest in these kiddie artists (I'd include Justin and Beyonce in this as well). Why do older orgers continue to monitor a scene that doesn't cater to them? Any insights will be appreciated.

It is about variety.

I got Rihanna's album, and I also bought Al Green's 2008 disc.

You're just not going to see discussion about one or the other in the same thread.

midnightmover said:

for once i kinda agree with you,its not an age thing for me its more the music itself. i just cant get into the same songs my lil 6,7 year old nieces like to dance to.i think neyo may be the only new artist that i can say i like his music.the thing with beyonce is i really enjoyed his 1st solo album but she has gone backwards and all she seem to make now is either booty shaking songs or some kinda teenage girl anthem about a no good boyfriend

well, as an old geezer (39), a lot of these younger artists appeal to my inner chld, I guess. I dig a lot of Britney Spears, Danity Kane, Justin Timberlake, etc. There are some artists who I just don't get though, like the Jonas Brothers (suck city), Miley Cyrus, and others. It's mainly the music and the hooks that intrigue me, not their personal lifestyles or being attracted to them or anything like that. Strictly music. and it is catchy.

There were certain acts that were aimed at me in my youth (DMX) and I hated them.

As a musician I will listen 2 anything that is "good" 2 my ear. In the case of these young artist, I always like 2 stay of top of what makes people like or listen 2 young artist. It's always nice 2 "get it". I'm quite puzzled as 2 why people like certain artist these days. I really don't "get it" but it does NOT hurt 2 ask.

my excuse is I have a middle schooler, and instead of just banning people that she wants to listen to I try and keep up with them so I can have a valid discussion about why I don't want her to listen to certain songs and or "artists"

I have some general awareness but alot of the artists aren't even on my radar and I don't know their music. They just don't appeal to me and I'm not a part of their target audience anyway. I think Justin and Ciara (she had good songs for cardio)are the youngest I've been into.

As someone well into his 30s, I can say that I've always loved Prince-the-pop-artist most (or at least, that's what went for pop in his heyday). So by the same token, I still have an interest in pop music, even if it doesn't speak to me in the same way as it did 15-20 years ago. I don't think it's fair to expect that it would, and honestly, I can't really say Prince's current music (for the most part) has really evolved into anything much deeper than the best of today's pop.
[Edited 10/20/08 14:04pm]

Age is relative, and I really think it depends on the artist in question. For the most part I have no interest in music that has immature content. But there are some acts that have a lot of breadth and maturity in a lot of the work they do, whether they are under 30, or 25, or not. I dont listen to a lot of Beyonce, but she DOES have a few cuts that work for me...Work it out, Fighting Temptation, Amazing Grace, Me Myself and I, and Dejavu are examples. Justin I dont listen to, but I would be lying if I didnt admit I like the spirit of that slow jam duet he does with Beyonce...its played each night in Quiet Storm radio format. That my friend, is a song for lovemaking...and the last time I checked lovemaking neither begins or ends for most people at age 25

In all sincerity though, a couple years back I heard some American teen act doing an acoustic set on German MTV. She was a kind of fly by night pop artist, but a former gospel singer blessed with incredible range. I found an inspirational song from her that I play to this day on meditative Sunday mornings...her age has nothing to do with the wisdom in her voice and the power of her testimony, for ALL people.

midnightmover said:

I think paying attention to the younger scene is a way of holding out hope that there will still be something worth listening to with the new generation. A person shouldn't discount new music just because they're past a certain age.

Well everyone is going to jump on topics about beyonce,justin,britney etc....thats just a given. But you also have artists that are older that will try to capture that audience, examples Mariah,janet,madonna, even duran duran with their latest were going for the JT and timbaland crowd. So it is what it is, i can do posts about artists i respect like ryan adams,mellencamp, magne f etc and they will get no responses for the most part, so im not here to sell artists, i did that for a decade and half as a job, and i stopped caring for the most part. Now i still get swamped with everyone and every type of artist, so if i feel like it, i post it here, because there are climates for certain things. But at the end of the day i got my own playlist, so i can go from the new Brian Wilson to the new metallica to an amerie cut to a joni mitchell or norah jones song, but that in the end is for me, i like it varied and i like the artists i like and always have liked because they record still and longevity to me is more important than ANYTHING, im sick of one album hype wonders at this point.

for me I can't even WAIT to ignore a Rick Springfield thread by lastdecember.

i'll always be interested in the newcomers.

I admit, I talk about them. I shit on all over them. I use the same approach with them as I do with Shitney Houston. If they ain't capable of entertaining me musically, well dammitt, then I'm going to talk about them like a dog and get some comedy entertainment out of it. If they don't like it, then they need to make entertaining music. Either way, I'm just not going to let a so-called entertainer get away with not doing their job of being entertaining.
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[Edited 10/20/08 14:50pm]

Cinnie said:

well what can i say, at least he does ROCK and not like these goof balls like Nickelback and Daughtry and Fall out Boy, go whoever calls that rock needs to just not be allowed to listen to music. The reason i'll take a veteran over a newcomer in these times is that they didnt learn music 101. They are all geared to be a HIT out of the box. I think everyone needs to struggle for a few years, play clubs and sleep in the street to prove themselves, especially in the rock field
[Edited 10/20/08 14:50pm]

lastdecember said:

fair enough! "last of the true rock stars" or whatever your sig says makes more sense in that context

i'm gay...

music is aimed at the gays and the teenaged girls.

ehuffnsd said:

That is why I have a hard time going out to gay clubs.

rushing07 said:

I can't imagine you having a hard time at a gay club

Cinnie said:

I go out to like two gay clubs in the entire Chicago.

Anyplace that plays Rhianna is off my list.

And, omg, im not a slut anymore.
[Edited 10/20/08 16:02pm]

rushing07 said:

please don't stop the music

Cinnie said:

My roommate is your average gay listener.

Lawdy, he had Jennifer Hudson on repeat for two months.

rushing07 said:

Actually I hear what you're saying. I'm not down with Kelly Clarkson as I am expected to be.

midnightmover said:

Because the so-called young artists of THIS current generation are suppose to be the heirs to the modern pop culture thrones of Michael, Prince, Madonna, & Janet.

And if some of these clones and wannabes are suppose to be the future of the international music industry, then the music business isn't worth saving.

midnightmover said:

All pop music is and was aimed at kids. So what? I love me some Corbin Bleu. Can't explain why. I dont trip off of age. How old were the Motown artists when they came out? Good music is Good Music. Love me some Ne-yo too. Can't explain why, I just do. Beyonce's last album is my jam!

when i worked at the shepherds bush empire in london and we had a teen act like Hanson or the Sugababes come thru, we'd call it a PPP show.

Poofs, Parents and Perverts.

not relating to anyone on the Org, just sayin'.

rushing07 said:

my roommate had a friend over the other day who blasted "Womanizer" off of YouTube three times straight. i thought i was gonna choke on my own oxygen.

If someone is only capable of primarily appealing to a given demographic, then they’re not worth the time -- be they old or young.

Brendan said:

I thought Rihanna's appeal was broader until I read this thread. She's been pigeonholed as teenage girl or typical homo music here.

Cinnie said:

As you know, this forum, as good as it can be at times, is a little shaky/untrustworthy when it comes to most things new.