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Color Blind: No African-American Artists Had a No. 1 Hit in 2013 Color Blind: No African-American Artists Had a No. 1 Hit in 2013Somehow, Beyonce didn't have a No. 1 hit in 2013. Nor did her husband. Or Kanye. Or....
Larry Busacca / PW / WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment / Getty Images
Beyoncé performs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 2013 Hip-hop stars Beyonce, Jay Z and Kanye West may have the power to turn everything they touch into gold but not when it comes to scoring a huge pop hit in 2013. In fact, they and other African-American artists did not have a single No.... last year. According to writer Chris Molanphy, who surveys the pop charts, in a piece for Slate, this is the first time this had happened in the Billboard chart ‘s 55 years. It represents a huge contrast to 10 years ago when a person of a color recorded every chart-topping hit. Rather, African-American artists were featured on other artists’ songs last year, such as Rihanna on Eminem’s “The Monster” and T.I. and Pharrell on Robin Thicke’s inescapable summer hit “Blurred Lines.” In a similar role reversal, Molanphy also cited that white artists topped the No. 1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart in 44 out of the 52 weeks last year. The color omission also applied to this year’s recent inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in which there is not one living African-American artist among them — E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemmons will be posthumously inducted. As for why this is happening, Molanphy wrote: “Music fans are playing out an unironic version of Stephen Colbert’s joke about not seeing color…and yet somehow, when the data is compiled about what we’re all buying and streaming, the Timberlakes and Matherses and Macklemores keep winding up atop the stack, ahead of the Miguels and J. Coles.” Read more: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye African Americans Miss Billboard Hot 100 in 2013 | TIME.com http://entertainment.time.com/2014/01/10/color-blind-no-african-american-artists-had-a-no-1-hit-in-2013/#ixzz2qHprqulI | |
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It is because RnB these days is awful. Most of it should not even be played on any radio station no matter what the format. It has also been the worst selling genre of music for a few years not. I also do not see Pop stations taking the time to edit out all the profanity and inappropriate lyrics in most of the songs.
Make better music and pop stations may play it and people may actually start buying.
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yes and no gay man had a no 1 hit either....you can make something out of nothing of course. Didn´t Beyonce make the biggest impact in 2013?
I don't check if a singer is black or white and i think most people don't. | |
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Well said Laura. I completely agree. | |
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Given the lamentable state of what passes for the best-of-the best R &B music, the subject matter is both puzzling and laughable. | |
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Agree to what? Timberlake didn't even hit number 1 in 2013, what's the point of this article? | |
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1. The Rock & Roll Hall of shame isn't and never will be some-type of litmus test of whether an artist, band, musician, singer, or songwriter created a creditable body of work and/or career. The Hall is a fucking joke.
2. Be very careful what you desperately sell your soul out for... because it seems crossing over now means crossing over to oblivion.
Institutional racism is a fact it doesn't and hasn't disappeared; however is does transform itself to deny people opportunity or shut them out all together. Usually when you see an economic shift, people of color ( particularly black folks) are left looking in from the outside. Racism has always existed in music, always. So, when you look at these few music conglomerate's that are responsible for creating and marketing music to the mainstream.... ask yourself who's going to get their dollars and time? When profit margins are razor thin and "image" is everything, what are they chances talent wins out over a look or color? That's one aspect its not all black and white either.
As Id' and Ms. Richardson have mentioned the, state of R&b/Soul is terrible. The few artist who are tauted as such seem to put "brand" first and music second. As a whole I get the impression that today's artist ( irrespective of genre) have company suites in the recording studio dictating what they create. If all politics is local in my opinion, so is music. We are the places for these Black musician's to play and build a base? Painful as it may seem music isn't what most folks spend their money on anymore, including me.
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[Edited 1/13/14 11:24am] | |
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I just posted on this today. There were 3 black artists in a number 1 song. T.I & Pharell were on Blurred Lines. And, Ray Dalton was on Can't Hold Us. That's 3 black artists on a number 1 song. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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Articles like this piss me the fuck off. Cause they act like no black artists ever have number 1 hits or are never played on radio this is pure race baiting bullshit. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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Can we also talk about how so many mother fucking hip-hop and r&b producers. Have stolen yes STOLEN from Asian, middle eastern, latino and Native American artists. Straught up still their shit and give them no got damn credit. And y'all know it happens... Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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Oh please stop it.
As Id' mention can you define most of that garage as R&B/Soul? I guess we differ... I"ll leave at that.
Oh, the nex time Robin T.I & Pharell have a hit, they should attempt to come up with some orignal shit. I know they have it in them.
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I never said i like it. The article is about how no black artist has a number 1 hit. I didn't say it was a masterpiece or some shit. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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I agree to the comments made by Laura (see below in bold)
It is because RnB these days is awful. Most of it should not even be played on any radio station no matter what the format. It has also been the worst selling genre of music for a few years not. I also do not see Pop stations taking the time to edit out all the profanity and inappropriate lyrics in most of the songs.
Make better music and pop stations may play it and people may actually start buying. | |
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If you make better music and you're Asian it won't get played no matter what Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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I wonder why music made by 'Black' and 'African American' folks automatically means R&B and/or rap. Are Andre Watts, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Johnny Ventura, Denyce Graves, and Charley Pride not black? The article says African Americans had no #1 hits on the Top 100, yet the average comments here say R&B was no good and in general US society, it's the same stereotype that black music = R&B. There's no default genre with "White" music. It can mean anything like country, heavy metal, rave, or opera. . As far as the article goes, it's doubtful any Cherokee performers had any #1s or even charted at all on the Hot 100. So I don't know what the point is. You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton | |
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This is very true as well. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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---That no African-American artist hit number one on the pop chart a first in 55 years. This is a fact and since the vast majority of African- Americans perform RnB music this may have something to do with the overall quailty of that style.
I hope I made it clear for you. | |
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well it did not help sell any of the music sell which means the vast majoirty have never herd or gave this stolen music the time of day.
I am sure these artist can use the courts to collect what little money those stolen samples generated. | |
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Once again T.I & Pharrell were on a song that was number 1 on the pop charts for 10 weeks. And Ray Dalton sang the chorus on Can't Hold Us which was also number 1. They were feautured on the song... and yes they are black. So, once again this article is false. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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Huh? which music do you mean? the artists who had their music stolen? or the producers? cause they all had HUGE hits by stealing music from Middle Eastern artists Big Pimpin for example. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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There also hasn't been a gay artist who hit number 1 either. Luarie said African Americans have been having number 1 hits for 56 years (Yes, sorry this year counts too) Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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They are discussing RnB artist performing RnB music which made it to Number One on the Pop chart. They are not discussing African-Artist who do country, jazz, heavy metal or any other style other than RnB. I do argee that the article makes it seem like it is based on solely on race but it really is a combnation of race, bad music and cultrual differences. Rnb artist need to do better music and tone down the offensiveness. You cannot crossover to pop audiences and get away with the same stuff you do with urban audiences. | |
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Rnb music sells the least next to Classical it has been like that for a few years. I honestly do not think the average person would have even noticed or can now recall the songs you are discussing. I know I cannot because I cannot stand Timberland. | |
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In fact, they and other African-American artists did not have a single No.... last year. According to writer Chris Molanphy, who surveys the pop charts, in a piece for Slate, this is the first time this had happened in the Billboard chart ‘s 55 years. It represents a huge contrast to 10 years ago when a person of a color recorded every chart-topping hit. Rather, African-American artists were featured on other artists’ songs last year, such as Rihanna on Eminem’s “The Monster” and T.I. and Pharrell on Robin Thicke’s inescapable summer hit “Blurred Lines.”
There is nothing here that says R&B performer, it clearly says "African American" and "person of color". Anyway, "person of color" is not black only, it means anyone not white. So are you saying that all of the #1's that African Americans had on the pop chart during this 55 year period were R&B? Just because the next paragraph mentions white acts appearing on the R&B/hip hop chart, does not make the previous one about R&B only. Talking about white people appearing on the R&B/hip hop chart in itself is just another way of saying R&B = "black", like it's some big deal. If a white act appears on the jazz or blues chart, no mention is made of their race. So why is it so about the R&B/hip hop one? It's the same if a black act performs in a genre not R&B like "Black rock" & "Afro Punk" or a white one in R&B/soul/funk/rap. It's "blue-eyed soul", not just R&B. It's even insinuated in saying something like "Why is Phil Collins accepted by R&B audiences, but not rock ones?" in that because Phil is white, then he's automatically supposed to be liked by rock (aka white males) critics as if what they think is any more important. Daryl Hall said on an episode of his show that rock critics are suspect and prejudiced of music not rock or does not have a blues influence. [Edited 1/13/14 15:11pm] You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton | |
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You said almost exactly what was i thinking Mickey. But, i couldn't quite put it into words. Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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this shows future proof, and showing the end result of what kicked off in 1987, some 26 1/2 years ago
genuine black music expression has been wiped out and was submerged by the Pop Ascension Movement which obliterated our culture
it's toast and will only get worse, because all the virtue has been tapped into, exploited, and drained out to where there's nothing left..........TOAST...... | |
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“Music fans are playing out an unironic version of Stephen Colbert’s joke about not seeing color…and yet somehow, when the data is compiled about what we’re all buying and streaming, the Timberlakes and Matherses and Macklemores keep winding up atop the stack, ahead of the Miguels and J. Coles.”
This is what I can't stand though. Talking about 'the Timberlakes, the Matherses, the Macklemores' against 'the Miguels, the J. Coles' as if there's a white/black division running along music to begin with.
I thought '13 was a fun year for music. Loved Em's new album, didn't care for Jay's; pumped Kweli's 'Prisoner of Conscious' a LOT, had mixed feeling's about 'Yeezus'. Em is having his first substantial mainstream successes since 'Encore' from 2005. He hadn't been relevant to the hip hop scene in about 8 years. There were no white rappers bubbling up to the surface during the time of his lull. Macklemore is doing well because 'Heist' is some catchy shyt, with balanced but accessible lyrics, and the production on it is tight.
Who's going to lose any sleep over another Tennessee white boy running around with 'black music'? Timbaland won't! He's laughing all the way to the bank! You buy JT's record, some of that money is going to flow into a brother's pocket.
Pharrell was EVERYWHERE last year. 'Happy' topped several European charts. And you know that he's Blasian!
So yeah. Maybe no US Billboard number ones aside from featured guest spots, but still a lot of great mainstream successes. I don't want your rhythm without your rhyme | |
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ANOTHER GREAT POINT
Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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Speaking of shit lines... that song is apperently still int he top 40. I'm so sick of that song people need to let it go already Pistols sounded like "Fuck off," wheras The Clash sounded like "Fuck Off, but here's why.."- Thedigitialgardener
All music is shit music and no music is real- gunsnhalen Datdonkeydick- Asherfierce Gary Hunts Album Isn't That Good- Soulalive | |
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SHIIIIIIIIT. Black artists barely make #1 on the pop charts anyway and most of the #1's last year were so long running it didn't give anyone else a chance. Bullshit article and I'm black. Fuck this. | |
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