Has the Music Industry lost out to Fashion?

                                            

Lady Gaga’s website quotes ‘It’s not just about the music. It’s about the performance, the attitude, the look; it’s everything.’ The artist that is ‘Lady Gaga’ is heavily based on the physical image she portrays to the media and the way she conducts herself. Without the persona and attitude that is ‘Lady Gaga’ she would not have acclaimed as much success as she has already.

Opinion 1

“Music is no longer made for enjoyment where the money is a bonus, but rather music is made for the money and the enjoyment is the bonus.”

Lady Gaga’s portfolio extends beyond making music. She is globally renowned as an artist who sets the fashion trends, is cool, loves to tackle controversial stories, a gay-rights activist and appreciates providing her fans with big, explosive performances. The edge which Ms Gaga brings to the music scene, is the full package, she can sing, write songs, perform and presents herself as something beyond normality. She is a role model for those that do not fit in with the mainstream world and for many original audiences in East side New York restaurants who watched her perform , she was a singer who embraced her individuality and made being fashionably different something to be proud of. In many ways Lady Gaga has given those who lacked strength to express their individual qualities a musical artist that they can relate with and find solitude.  

Opinion 2

“New and upcoming artists are not successful because of their music, but are successful because of their publicity and their audiences agree with their personal values and beliefs.”

According to Lady Gaga’s website ‘This is one rising pop star who hasn’t been plucked from a model casting call, born into a famous family, won a reality TV singing contest, or emerged from a teen cable TV sitcom. I did this the way you are supposed to.’  Gaga was an artist who worked hard and earns her place in the music industry. Although her fashion is what sets her apart from other artists, she is musically talented. Able to play the piano and sing well, she has enabled herself to venture off into different markets that may not necessarily concern the music industry. Artists are role models whether they sign up to be one or not, and Gaga is a credible business woman who has made a successful brand name for herself by working extremely hard. The music industry demands that an artist has the whole package besides simply being able to sing well, because audiences demand this too. If Gaga tried to make it as another young white girl singer, she would not be as successful as she is today. The music industry has grown rapidly from the days where Britney Spears ‘girl next door look’ was highly marketable and now artists need to provide a greater body of work which can make them stand out in the competitive industry. Our project requires us to market an artist and Gaga’s extreme marketability factor is something that will help us to understand the lengths we need to go to in order to have a successful campaign.

What do you think about the importance of image in the Music Industry?

Is it even important?

Music Industry Issues and Debates

Are Artists of the previous generation still viable in todays music industry?

 Many of you like me are probably born in the early 90s, rewind 30 years and the Liverpudlian band ‘The Beetles’ were formed and dominated the popular British music scene. The group's music originally rooted from the Rock n Roll genre, but the band managed to diversify their music into several genres including Folk Rock and Psychedelic Rock. According to Wikipedia source the 'Beetlemania' transformed 60s music in Britain and the group were perceived as the embodiment of progressive ideals, seeing their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. Critics claim The Beetles are the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in popular music because of the numerous accolades the group has obtained such as the highest number of number one albums on the UK charts and have held down the top spot longer than any other musical act. This great achievement can only show why many deem The Beetles ‘The greatest British band to grace the music scene’, nevertheless the question I oppose you; are great artists such as The Beetles still viable in today’s music industry?
 

Opinion 1

“In 2001 The Beetles sold 2 million copies of their album on iTunes on the first day of release. Till this day, The Beetles still make money for this album sale. This shows that The Beetles is a timeless band with their music always being enjoyed by their loyal fans. Unlike artists of the modern era such as ‘Lady Gaga’ The Beetles music was the main focus and not their image.”

This opinion supports the idea of The Beetles being a viable band for today’s music industry; their music is enjoyed worldwide by millions of audiences. Some were fans in the period of their album release, but many are young listeners of today’s music. The Beetle legacy continues to live on and their music is appreciated regardless the revolutionary change in the music industry.

Opinion 2

“Because The Beetle’s music is their focus, they are liked by a wider audience. Therefore they have loyal fans aka ‘STAN’ (slang word for hardcore fans). Simultaneously they have classical and younger fans that enjoy their music as well”
This opinion believes The Beetle’s fans are come from different music genres as well as the typical loyal fans. It understands that The Beetle must be viable, in order for their music to appeal to a grander audience.

An example where The Beetle music still exists;

The advert was broadcast in Winter 2008 more than 40 years after 'Beetlemania' and The Beetles began producing music.

Whats your thoughts? Do you believe music from previous generations are viable in todays music industry?

Quality Music Directors and Why I love them!

Hype Williams: Music Video Director

Signature styles and the effects it has on the audience

Ø  The Fisheye lens which distorted the camera view around the central focus.

E.g. "Gimme Some More" by Busta Rhymes effect: childish, playful, and obtrusive.

Ø  Regular widescreen ratio, while a second shot is split and placed in the upper and lower bars.

E.g. "Diamonds on my Neck" by Smitty & "So Sick" by Ne-Yo effect: informative and storytelling taking the audience on a journey where they feel as though they know more about the artist and the message of the song.

Ø  Combining a centre camera focus on the artist or actor's body from the torso upward and a solid colour background with a soft different-colour light being shown in the centre of the background.

E.g., "Gold Digger" & "Digital Girl" (Remix) by Jamie Foxx by Kanye West effect: a sense of illumination of the background by the foreground subject and makes the video look simple yet highlights the artist greatly.

            Gil Green: Music Video Director

Ø  Regular widescreen ratio, while a second shot is split and placed in the upper and lower bars.

E.g. Tony Yayo - I Know You Don't Love Me (feat. Lloyd Banks, Young Buck & 50 Cent)

Ø  Fast cutting rate and plenty use of medium close up & close up shots

E.g. Rick Ross - Hustlin' & Akon - Lonely effect: creates a deeper intensity and focus on the artist and the action on screen ( My FAVOURITE)

 

Ø  Music effects used: James Bond codes to introduce the artist, combines with the theme of saving the day

E.g. Birdman - 100 Million (feat. DJ Khaled, Dre, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy & Lil Wayne)

Ø  Music effect used: blank screen and increasing cutting rate effect: its erratic and fast, keeps the audience entertained

E.g. Flo Rida - Elevator (feat. Timbaland)

Ø  Subjects Fading in and out of the shot

E.g. Lil Wayne - Lollipop (feat. Static Major) effect: slows the video down

            Chris Robinson: Music Video Director

Ø  Slow moving objects with a close up shot

E.g. Alicia Keys - "Fallin'" effect: slows down the pace of the action and creates an intensity where the artist is the main focus and emotional with the audience

Ø  Slow moving objects with a close up shot

Ø  Colourless background with foreground object being highlighted (red ball)

Ø  Use of Smoke effect: illusion of the artists being above

Ø  Panning shot effect: on going action which the audience can follow and feel included

E.g. Eminem feat. Lil Wayne - "No Love" effect: fuzzy objects stresses the action more (FAVOURITE FOR USE OF EFFECTS)

                                     Jonas Akerland: Music Video Director

Ø  Slow moving objects with a close up

Ø  point of view shot and panning shot: journey

E.g. "Run To You" for Roxette

Ø  Slow cutting rate with fade in and out

E.g. "Beautiful Day" (version 1: airport) for U2 effect: slows down the pace and creates a soft tone

Ø  extreme close ups and close up shots (with silhouettes)

E.g. "Fresh Out the Oven" Jennifer Lopez effect: enhances her sexuality but the video is quite boring and repetitive.

Ø  extreme close ups and close up shots

E.g. "Beautiful" for Christina Aguilera effect: intense and endearing (extremely emotional)

'Music, Money and Hip Hop Honeys'

After watching the documentary on BBC three, I questioned why the basic TV channels 1-5 does not broadcast this the way ‘the joy of teen sex’ has been given a regular slot. The documentary achieves its aim to divulge the truth behind video vixens, as many common perceptions that it is all glitz and glamour have been proven not 100% correct. Of course with all things there is a minority that enjoys the luxuries which this business of being video girl can bring. The simple idea of having a pretty face, sexy body (what that may be considered in different cultures varies) and the ability to captivate an audience through a female presence can be achieved. Modern hip hop artists incorporate what us the buying public want to see. If not, millions of YouTube hits would not accumulate on the artist’s videos. However the harsh reality that some girls are abused, and do not get paid for featuring in a music video is the ugly side of the music video girls industry. Tashi J is a video girl who has featured on numerous British hip hop videos; in the documentary she plays the lead role with the lead artist Mega-man in the So Solid Crew’s shoot. She is made to look sexy in a yellow backless dress, arguably she is very moderately dressed in comparison to other female vixens that barely wear clothes and flaunt their buttocks in g-strings as shown later in the documentary. One artist X- O man argues that ‘sex and violence sells’ and the girls are not exploited because they know what they are putting themselves in for. Although I agree with this argument, it fails to take into consideration the idea that young girls are naive and want the fortune and riches which they have seen other topless models like Katie Price aka Jordan  accumulate wealth effortlessly through selling her body. As a result they will do anything possible that will get them to this level if it means in the future they will reap the fortunes too. These girls are made to believe taking sexy topless pictures and a smiling on camera will make them recognised and established and their body will become expensive for future photographers and video directors to use. On the contrary they cheapen their assets by allowing thousands of people to see their bodies and exploit them as sexual objects. These women lack intelligence to realise their bodies are priceless and should not be given a monetary value and in one way what they are doing; advertising their body and selling themselves can be interpreted as a form of prostitution. Sharice who sells her photos online to strangers that have become her fans, falls a victim to men’s desires, Mulvey theory of Voyeuristic objectification is experienced here, as the audience (men and women) gain pleasure from looking at her body anonymously and have an advantage over Sharice because they can do whatever they want to do with her photos. Her identity is taken away from her and placed in the hands of complete strangers. Sharice’s photos could be placed on social networking sites and used to lure other victims into the hands of molesters. It is irresponsible to allow strangers to have your identity as well as influencing young girls to believe she must look and copy the acts of the video girls. Dressing in a provocative manner and grinding in a sexual way as they want to be like the girls in the videos or keep up with what is fashionable and cool. Subconsciously girls may feel that boys expect them to behave in this way if they want to be as cool as the girls he admires in music videos. Amber Rose is another example of where a video girl/ model made a millionaire name for herself through being Kanye West’s main video girl, she even managed to pursuit a year relationship with the hip hop mogul and she made girls believe it is cool to be a slutty video girl as it can make you get rich fast. Not taking away Amber Rose’s shrewd business plan (as she has made millions of pounds after all) she could possibly have a very high IQ but the fact she is allowing music artists to exploit her body ‘buttocks hanging out, titties hanging out’ does not portray a positive light on her. On the other hand Amber Rose and other video girls could argue that they are in control as without their bodies, the videos lack content and are next to nothing. In addition they make a fortune from looking pretty and what girl does not want to look pretty?