The Famuan

Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Opinions

So you turn on your radio, and you expect to hear music right? Wrong! The likelihood that you will hear real music nowadays is almost slim to none.

The reason I say this is simple - a lot of the people who are putting out music today are not musicians. As much as I love my hometown of Atlanta, I must assert that if I hear one more "snap" song I think I will die.

The siege of less than substantial music berating American airwaves is appalling. There is a movement of sorts that is casting a shadow of mediocrity over the entire music industry.

It seems as if anyone can have a hit record today as long as they have access to recording/sound-altering software and a mic.

No one wants to do the real ground work - learn how to play an instrument, learn scales and learn what music is really all about.

Don't just think because you made a "tight beat" that you are a musician - you're just someone who knows his way around a PC or a Mac.

Furthermore, we have got to do better as the consuming public. Don't accept an "artist" who doesn't have the capability to operate and perform outside of a studio.

There are some serious problems that are truly bringing the music industry down. One is what I like to call the "manufactured artist/singer."

This is a pretty face with an average voice that can be polished with some expensive accessories, placed in tune in the studio and sold as a professional musician.

For instance, how can it be possible that someone who can't manage to stay in the same key when singing a capella has reached platinum status? It baffles my mind that a blonde-haired black woman who shall remain nameless would probably get laughed out of an American Idol audition but has lasted in the music world for almost three years.

Who am I talking about? Think about it. But truthfully, it is not her fault.

The record companies of today should be absolutely ashamed for delivering these less than melodious songbirds and their lyrical garbage for public consumption.

What happened to the people who can really sing? Nothing! There are real musicians and singers still in existence.

This just isn't fair to real musicians. You should be required to know your craft to be a professional musician or singer. If this were the case, the music industry, the artists and all of us would be better for it.

The next time you get in your car or go to a party and decide to "superman that …", really think about what you are listening to, and ask yourself if you could do better. If you don't consider yourself a professional musician and your answer is "yes," cut that junk off!

Music is about more than being catchy and selling records, it's an actual profession and there are some people I wish would stop playing as if they are professionals.

Drew Lucas is a senior public relations student from Atlanta. He can be reached at drewlucas2004@yahoo.com.