Remember when singers like Shanice, Mariah Carey, Tevin Campbell and Brian McKnight ruled the music scene? Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, skill played a major role in a person making it in the music business.
Now it seems to be less skill and more appeal.
The record industry is corrupt in identifying and developing raw talent. It seems when Artists and Repertoire representatives go out seeking new talent; they are just seeking “eye candy,” not “ear candy.”
When someone puts in a CD, an image is not projected, but before the CD was bought, I bet an image of the artist was visualized. Music videos with the use of sex appeal are the items that sell, most of the time, not the talent.
Many of our most recent singers, the A&R “musical discoveries,” should not have had the chance to audition for any record executives.
Out of the late Aaliyah, Ashanti, Britney Spears, Lumidee, Janet Jackson and Musiq, none of them actually possess much vocal skill and ability. It seems nowadays almost every singer sounds alike and lacks creativity.
There are true singers such as Christina Aguilera and Beyonce´ currently dominate the charts with true abilities.
R. Kelly, also known as “The ‘R’ in R&B” to his fans, is an incredible singer/songwriter but doesn’t use the vocal talents he did when he first came onto the scene. It goes to show talent and skill doesn’t matter. It’s all about tight beats.
And it shouldn’t be that way.
Artists keeping the “soul” alive in music who also possess skill and appeal include the, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige, and whom I believe to be one of the “King Crooners,” Carl Thomas. Blige and Thomas sing from the heart, soul and mind, unlike others.
In the last couple of years, many artists have dominated the charts because of their appeal, not their vocal abilities.
I feel the music industry has gone too far and their overall “talent pool” has become utterly ridiculous. Music is an art form, not a fashion show. If an artist has the pipes and vocals to drown out the competition and have the ability to change the face of music, as we know it, then let them do so.
The music industry and artists rarely seem to recognize defining talent that will either make a mark on music or change the face of music, as we know it. Up and coming innovators like Vivian Green, Angie Stone, and Anthony Hamilton are some who have the skill, maybe not the model look, to make it far in music. Will the madness ever end?
Nyerere Davidson, 18, is a freshman public relations student from Milwaukee, Wis. He can be reached at nyejournal@hotmail.com.