Do you think it's too difficult in this day and age for artists to make great music especially in pop?

No, it's not difficult for an Artist to make good music. It's difficult to get "good" music played on the Radio.

Bishop31 said:

That's why I prefer underground.

Bishop31 said:

F*** Clear Channel Communications for THAT crap.

Erykah talked about this on Def Poetry.....

"Friends, Fans and Artists"

http://www.youtube.com/wa...mM-4PO9Kx0

No. I know of plenty of artists still making good pop.

It's wading through all the junk to get and find it is all.

Bishop31 said:

Thank God for Sirius XM, Music Choice, and select internet radio.
If I was relegated to whatever overproduced, underwritten payola garbage ClearChannel and their ilk have been spewing forth for years, I wouldn't listen to new music at all.

eugnj420 said:

That's why we have the internet.

"Internet killed the radio star..."

No. This country has been dumbed down in so many ways.

JasonWill1980 said:

Honestly, yes when it comes to pop and r&b. Two reasons. The foundation is totally different today than it was years ago. Back then, artists had to pay dues (sing backup/session vocalist, staff writing/producing, session musicians, touring with a band, etc.) before they "made it big". Now the focus of artist today is to be seen and known, not the music. Also, sadly you have to factor in money. The biz always had issues with not paying their artist but since folks started learning about points & royalties, they're setting up their own "companies" (aka web sites, Facebook/Myspace pages) and the only people that knows about their music is their family and best friends, and frankly their music is crap.

i was thinking about this question just this afternoon.

i think when an artist or a band doesn't think anyone is listening anyway, and when those artists have to be resourceful rather than having the money to do whatever they like, it's a better scenario for taking risks and creating unique music.

when you have tons of money and resources and everyone wants to work with you and you have pressure to be polished and perfect, and when you just plain aren't HUNGRY anymore, i think you lose that edge that made you popular in the first place.

I think the question should be what is Great Music?
[Edited 2/24/09 17:07pm]

Unfortunately I think youth helps. Artists like George Michael, Madonna, Prince and Stevie Wonder just don't have the energy, drive, ego or "currency" to put out music like they once did. Prince and Stevie in particular are way too polished in ways they never were in their heyday.

CynicKill said:

i'd love a music answer to the dogme movie movement, where directors are forced to make films with the bare essentials. could you imagine putting prince in a very simple studio with just a few instruments and giving him the challenge of creating a quick and dirty album, and he could NOT do any editing or overdubs? just something really raw and scrappy?

i almost kinda feel like that's exactly what he did with 'the undertaker', and i love those recordings.

CynicKill said:

I was surprised with how raw Stevie's "Where I'm Coming From" and "Music of My Mind" albums were. Even "Talking Book", "Innervisions" and "Fullfillingness' First Finale" had an edge that you don't get anymore with his other albums, lol. Same with Prince's early material vs. his current.

CynicKill said:

So true.With few exceptions,most artists make their most impressive music when they are young and "hungry".....anxious to show the world what they are capable of.Prince made his best music in the 80s and Stevie made his best music in the 70s.After many years of making incredible music,they simply lose that "spark" and the inspiration runs dry.It happens to every artist.I am very realistic when it comes to music from my favorite artists.I don't expect brilliance everytime.I don't expect them to top what they've done before.It ain't gonna happen.

SoulAlive said:

But isn't that just lazy? couldn't they at least try?

If i behaved like that in my job, i'd be out of the door for resting on my laurels.

Woobie said:

Me, I just keep the blinds shut.

Marrk said:

No,I don't think they're lazy.I just don't think they're capable of going to those artistic heights ever again.It's a different day and time.We won't see another album like "Songs In The Key Of Life" in this era.

First they have to pass the difficult obstacle of landing a record deal with a major label. If they do happen to slip through the cracks on a small independent label, then radio is there to take up the slack of the major labels by keeping them unknown and unsuccessful. They have all their bases covered. Nothing must overthrow shit hop....ever. Unless it's something cheaper to make.

And nowadays, television is using the same cheap formula with the reality shows. As long as most of the newer generation is happy with extremely cheap entertainment, the media is going to continue to provide it and make damn sure nothing threatens to overthrow it.

Funk. The whole funk. And nothing but the funk.

Funk should always be standing on the top.....

Funk...we want the funk
We want the funk (We want the funk)
And nothing else will do hoo hooooo
.
.
.
[Edited 2/25/09 14:15pm]

vainandy said:

Then, that explains it. I remember when you told me that black artists can't get a contract unless they're doing hip-hop. Music and tv has went to the gutter.