The question I’m posing to everyone reading would be… Do you believe that in the year 2011, every music artist is getting a fair shake in the business? People often want to ignore destructive things that present obstacles instead of facing it head on. It doesn’t go away on its own and like any disease of this kind, recognizing the issue at hand is the first crucial part of change. Throw away any preconceived notions; this is not about playing the race card. This is not an attempt, to stir up any racial tension or division with some random angry rant. These concerns are legitimate. Although it’s played down, it’s still criminal that there are so many injustices done for decades in the music industry. Do black artist that establish themselves get the same opportunities whites do? I believe this all starts with a discussion on whether or not what’s popular in today’s mainstream music, actually the public’s choice. Is what we hear on the radio due to the high demand for these artist (from fans that request this music), or is what’s popular in music being dictated to us? My gripe is that all of the public’s voice is not being heard nor honored.
It seems that black musicians that cross over and obtain pop appeal, have choices that are limited. It appears that their time to expire is more calculated and their support diminishes much faster than their peers that are white. Requesting many of these artists on mainstream radio stations (that have shown them support in the beginning stages of their careers), may fall upon death ears! These artist often find themselves at a certain point where their abandoned by media outlets and mainstream radio. In these times, disk jockeys are a little more blatant in their responses for discontinuing their backing of these artists by labeling them “too old”(after 30), or just simply by categorizing these people as no longer being “in”. Music is subjective, but this excuse may only serve as nothing more than just a cover up. If everyone isn’t mutually effected the same, where it’s enforced on both ends, it’s unjust.
What puzzles me is when black artists make music in the same vein of what’s currently being played on radio and receiving heavy rotation, yet they’re not granted the equal opportunities to receive the same amount of considerable promotion; which allows for the public to hear the record and decide if it’s a hit or miss. Songs garnering big views on YouTube or artist even having a lot buzz brewing from a healthy fan base, may still not be an important factor. Yet, some songs such as Eminem’s Billboard #1 “Not Afraid“ from the 38 year Old’s 6th LP, “Recovery” may receive instant spins even when it’s initially unknown to the general listening audience, however these programmers will insist that their not being partial to anyone.
From what I observed, many black artists are wiped out or see a decline from mainstream radio during their 4th set (album). It’s as if the quota is met and these artists were allowed to see substantial enough success to not have a solid case for claims of discrimination, yet it’s at a point where these artist are being met with resistance while still being in their prime. For example artist like: Toni Braxton, TLC, Brandy, EnVogue, even Janet Jackson (when counting her album that first got her established until her 4th, before a slight resurgence) would eventually go on to make their first “underrated album” on that 4th outing - despite producing good material. Yes, there will always be black people getting pop airplay, but here’s the trick - many of these artist are either new acts who are mere token, one hit wonders or happen to be the new kid on the block fitting inside a scheme to replace a more established act. It’s this maneuvering in the music world that creates a cycle. These artists that have reigned for a while become the “undesirables” that may be quite competent, but are still taken out of the running when there’s a “replacement”. This is to enable them somewhat from building on their empires. For black artist it’s a constant game of musical chairs. For whites, the newer acts join the veterans. Lady Gaga isn’t replacing Madonna (age 52), nor did she replace Cher (who had a big #1 hit in 1998, with “Believe” at age 52). Yes – there was Tina Turner, but for every Tina you have an Elton John, Bono, Aerosmith and Barbara Streisand whose has been revered and celebrated for equal that time, if not longer.
How is this plan really made effective? It usually starts with comparisons that turn into some kind of a rivalry. Black people actually fall prey to this and adopt this “out – with – the –old – and – in – with – the – new” mentality that we’ve learned to willingly embrace. This competition forms and it’s escalated into something where the public starts picking sides and wanting to see one of the “dueling divas” fail just to have another seem victorious. Still not many realizes how tragic this is in the end. Someone that works hard for 10 years at being successful would be considered to be hogging the thrown. It’s a pity no one is the wiser in recognizing that the concept of pitting 2 divas in their prime against each other is only meant to cancel out someone. So those feeding into the Whitney vs Mariah, Brandy vs Monica, Beyoncé vs Rihanna, Nicki vs Lil Kim, ( guys too) - 2Pac vs Notorious B.I.G, Usher vs R. Kelly, Usher vs Chris Brown’s match – offs, never catch on to the big picture in this. In fact where so busy making sure who we want wins – that were missing the emphasis on all of us losing. Britney may have squared off against Pink and Lady Gaga, but they’re all receiving airplay – which will allow them to have longevity.
If you do a simple comparison you’ll find that the artist starting at the top of the new millennium, such acts as Britney, Pink, Justin, all continued to get backing from pop radio – where blacks that did get that same introduction like, Alicia Keys, Ciara and Ashanti (who have all had #1 pop hits with their very first singles) have all been brushed off early into their careers and are totally absent from that scene. Their only hope for staying relevant is to strictly become an R&B/ Urban act so that they can maintain a following with their mainstream support being non -existent. Again, this happens over and over throughout the history of music. Oddly enough Michael Jackson was abandoned throughout most of the nineties for over a decade, and then given an out pour of love on every station that ignored him in his prime once he died. Here we have a man that owns the record for being the biggest selling artist in the world, who was for years, absent from mainstream radio. Not only MJ, but Prince and eventually Whitney, Janet and many other superstars’ presence started fading. If you ever have time to experiment listen to these popular dance/pop stations that play 80’s artist, you’ll notice that Madonna songs get played throughout the day more than all the others combined. This is true, despite her being such a controversial figure in music. She’s never been under the same scrutiny as say, Janet Jackson – who has suffered from being banned due to the Super bowl fiasco. If this was Madonna would this have been career crippling? It wasn’t for Janet’s “accomplice” Justin Timberlake, who went on to career highs after the incident. How long can we turn a blind eye, when it’s likely that your favorite will suffer through this as well down the line (if their black and happen to be mega successful).
Weigh in…
