I was just thinking that a lot of black artists prefer to just stay in R&B or Hip Hop... why don't some try to explore other genres? I'm black and open to new styles but this is not the case for some

There's a lot of things I could say, but I'll keep my mouth shut.

The majority of those musically eclectic and adventurous Black artists are on indie labels and can't achieve airplay. If you're looking for proof, check out Timmy's New Music thread.

Identity said:

The majority of those musically eclectic and adventurous Black artists are on indie labels and can't achieve airplay. If you're looking for proof, check out Timmy's New Music thread.

Oh i'm aware .. that thread should be a sticky.

babybugz said:

I was just thinking that a lot of black artists prefer to just stay in R&B or Hip Hop... why don't some try to explore other genres? I'm black and open to new styles but this is not the case for some

Well I think thats a very judgemental thing to say or maybe you havent been exposed but there are alot of black artists that do explore new styles of genres.

Look what happened when Usher tried to spread his wings

There's MANY black artists today out there doing different things besides R&B and hip hop....but you have to search for them. I discovered a lot of them here on the org.

You won't hear them on your local brainwashed R&B station or on BET. That's for damn sure.

mjscarousal said:

babybugz said:

I was just thinking that a lot of black artists prefer to just stay in R&B or Hip Hop... why don't some try to explore other genres? I'm black and open to new styles but this is not the case for some

Well I think thats a very judgemental thing to say or maybe you havent been exposed but there are alot of black artists that do explore new styles of genres.

I'm not being judgemental at all it's something I notice. But in general there are a Majority that won't t explore outside those main genres. And i'm aware that there are those that do in the underground I guess i'm speaking from a mainstream point when I say a lot.

aardvark15 said:

Look what happened when Usher tried to spread his wings

I guess

babybugz said:

mjscarousal said:

Well I think thats a very judgemental thing to say or maybe you havent been exposed but there are alot of black artists that do explore new styles of genres.

I'm not being judgemental at all it's something I notice. But in general there are a Majority that won't t explore outside those main genres. And i'm aware that there are those that do in the underground I guess i'm speaking from a mainstream point when I say a lot.

You should clearly state that in your opening statement because you do come across as judgemental.

Its quite obvious NO ONE on the radio is trying to experiment.

aardvark15 said:

Look what happened when Usher tried to spread his wings

I was just about to use Usher as an example. Personally I love his new album and let me tell you, before this album I was not a fan of his at all. I love the direction he went in but people are slagging this album off big time. Therefore, this is a prime example of why black artists are afraid to try something different. Sadly black people feel they should only listen to or create hip hop & r&b. Maybe there's a fear of being looked at strangely. I'm a black female that loves so many styles & genres of music. Mainly hair metal, electro and new wave. Not many blacks listen to those styles of music. I was teased mercilessly in high school but i didn't care. Now I think it's a little more acceptable to be "different". You have people like Rihanna, Kelis, Erykah Badu and a few others making it cool to think outside of the box. I'd like to see more black artists take risks musically though. I want to see a black female rocker!

Because they like the big mansions they're staying in.

Not everybody cares about making "deep, meaningful" music. It's about money. I know if I was an artist out today I would have Lil' Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj featured on every track because thats what the kids like.

The org would hate my music.

mjscarousal said:

babybugz said:

I'm not being judgemental at all it's something I notice. But in general there are a Majority that won't t explore outside those main genres. And i'm aware that there are those that do in the underground I guess i'm speaking from a mainstream point when I say a lot.

You should clearly state that in your opening statement because you do come across as judgemental.

Its quite obvious NO ONE on the radio is trying to experiment.

I don't have to state anything because that's not what i'm trying to come across as with my post. Thanks for answering though.

Money, comfortable grounds, part of their fan base wouldn't like it perhaps...

dancerella said:

aardvark15 said:

Look what happened when Usher tried to spread his wings

I was just about to use Usher as an example. Personally I love his new album and let me tell you, before this album I was not a fan of his at all. I love the direction he went in but people are slagging this album off big time. Therefore, this is a prime example of why black artists are afraid to try something different. Sadly black people feel they should only listen to or create hip hop & r&b. Maybe there's a fear of being looked at strangely. I'm a black female that loves so many styles & genres of music. Mainly hair metal, electro and new wave. Not many blacks listen to those styles of music. I was teased mercilessly in high school but i didn't care. Now I think it's a little more acceptable to be "different". You have people like Rihanna, Kelis, Erykah Badu and a few others making it cool to think outside of the box. I'd like to see more black artists take risks musically though. I want to see a black female rocker!

I do like that he did something different as well even though I felt he should have had 11 -12 songs on it but it's cool. And the rest of your post is pretty much what i'm saying .. thanks for making it a little more clear

@aardvark15, there are black female rockers... of course you don't hear much of them but they're out there.

Timmy84 said:

@aardvark15, there are black female rockers... of course you don't hear much of them but they're out there.

But you get what I'm saying. Usher tried to branch out and lost money, fans, and positive reviews. I'm sure other people are scared that something like that might happen to them

babybugz said:

mjscarousal said:

Well I think thats a very judgemental thing to say or maybe you havent been exposed but there are alot of black artists that do explore new styles of genres.

I'm not being judgemental at all it's something I notice. But in general there are a Majority that won't t explore outside those main genres. And i'm aware that there are those that do in the underground I guess i'm speaking from a mainstream point when I say a lot.

The major labels don't know what to do with artists/performers who don't sound like they look. With very few exceptions, if you're "black" and don't make "black/urban" music (code: R&B and Hip-Hop), you're not getting signed. Irregardless of how good your music is, if you don't fit the sterotype, they don't know what to do with you. They don't know who to market you to. And that's what it boils down to. Marketability.

babybugz said:

mjscarousal said:

You should clearly state that in your opening statement because you do come across as judgemental.

Its quite obvious NO ONE on the radio is trying to experiment.

I don't have to state anything because that's not what i'm trying to come across as with my post. Thanks for answering though.

Saying that alot of black people dont experiment is rather generalizing thats why Idenity said theres a thread dedicated to newer artists that experiment.

I just suggested maybe you include mainstream music since that is what your referring to.... thats all no biggie

Most mainstream r&b artists dont experiment because, their not real artists for one and their making music purposely geared toward the radio for hits and money. There not trying to push themselves. Artistically outside that realm there are artists like Erykah Badu that do try to experiment.

aardvark15 said:

Timmy84 said:

@aardvark15, there are black female rockers... of course you don't hear much of them but they're out there.

But you get what I'm saying. Usher tried to branch out and lost money, fans, and positive reviews. I'm sure other people are scared that something like that might happen to them

I like his efforts, don't get me wrong but... I don't know, his direction is not real clear... but I see what he's trying to do...

Also, maybe it's just because they're also so typecasted in what they appear to be to the public that to branch out would confuse a lot of folks. Like can you imagine Mary J. Blige doing a full fledged rock album? People would think she lost her damn mind.

The real question should be why are black listeners afraid to try new things?

Timmy84 said:

Also, maybe it's just because they're also so typecasted in what they appear to be to the public that to branch out would confuse a lot of folks. Like can you imagine Mary J. Blige doing a full fledged rock album? People would think she lost her damn mind.

She's definetly not changing at all in her career

smoothcriminal12 said:

The real question should be why are black listeners afraid to try new things?

I don't like when some say this is "too white" or not "black enough" that's very ignorant to me.

babybugz said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

The real question should be why are black listeners afraid to try new things?

I don't like when some say this is "too white" or not "black enough" that's very ignorant to me.

Music has become to intermixed to really claim that something is "too white" anyways.

aardvark15 said:

Timmy84 said:

Also, maybe it's just because they're also so typecasted in what they appear to be to the public that to branch out would confuse a lot of folks. Like can you imagine Mary J. Blige doing a full fledged rock album? People would think she lost her damn mind.

She's definetly not changing at all in her career

Yeah after 20 years of the same thing, I can see why. She's of the "if it ain't broke, I ain't fixing it" types and maybe her style of music is the only thing she can do.

That just brings me to another point: maybe there's some artists who are one trick ponies that only know how to do one genre maximum.

Like remember when Lil Wayne tried a rock album? Uh yeah it didn't quite work.

smoothcriminal12 said:

The real question should be why are black listeners afraid to try new things?

AGREE.

smoothcriminal12 said:

babybugz said:

I don't like when some say this is "too white" or not "black enough" that's very ignorant to me.

Music has become to intermixed to really claim that something is "too white" anyways.

Eminem's the most successful rapper for God's sake

smoothcriminal12 said:

babybugz said:

I don't like when some say this is "too white" or not "black enough" that's very ignorant to me.

Music has become to intermixed to really claim that something is "too white" anyways.

That still ain't stopped folks from saying that though regardless of how we "progressed". Also ignorant black folks would go "why are you listening to this white shit?"

[Edited 6/17/12 18:22pm]

babybugz said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

The real question should be why are black listeners afraid to try new things?

I don't like when some say this is "too white" or not "black enough" that's very ignorant to me.

There is no shortage of ignorance.