Fading Stars (The Age of the Artist)
We are all too familiar with the black hole of no return we like to call Mainstream Media. The cycle of the decades has changed how we view, percieve, and even enjoy (or don't enjoy) the music of today. As a fan of the more old-school pattern and style of music it is a dream of mine to be able to hear older artist's latest offerings on mainstream radio. Artists is such caliber as Prince, Janet Jackson, Duran Duran, Madonna, etc. should be staples in radio playlists and in moderate to heavy rotation. The music heard on mainstream media influences future artists and music lovers alike. The creativity factor and quality of a music product is way more important than the age of the artist, right?
Artist's that started their career in the 70's, 80's, and even 90's tend to struggle at times to get their music played on mainstream. The albums that these artist's make are constantly hit infested, groove inducing, and even chart topping records yet the audience only hears a single on their album on radio that plays it once every blue moon. The special relationship and creative process of older artist music is that we get an offering and genuine product from the masters of craft. We get a lesson in blend of 80's style along with futuristic and modern sounds of today. If you look at the record industry now, the 80's style of music is what younger artist's like Taylor Swift and The Weeknd are immitating. And guess what? Their music is played on heavy rotation at radio stations across the world and their 80's style songs are usually chart toppers. What's the difference?
As Luke 6:40 says, "The disciple is not above his master." If we are supposed to be learning from the greats why are we constantly being fed knowledge of the amateurs and new comers in the industry. It's not that we don't need to hear younger and newer artists but we also need to learn from older ones as well. They could all teach us a lesson on what music SHOULD sound like and how it should edify and help the people who consume the music instead of tearing them down as some artist's don't mind doing to the people. Older artist's have come a mighty long way and even Prince willl tell you not to sign record deals but to find creative alternatives to distributing music. Why? Because he has been thorugh the industry before and he knows the slavery and servitude the record companies dictate. If we listened maybe younger artist would not fall into the same pitfalls they made the mistake of falling into.
Many of the older artists have turned to a spiritual light and can shed knowledge in that what you put out for the world to see is your responsibility. Vulgar language, promiscuity, and drug use is sometimes saturated in the older catelogs of older artists. Many of them often explain how words and verses to songs rule a nation and can either edify or destroy. Younger artists need to learn how to change and do something different to EDUCATE the youth and not destroy their communites in speaking of gun violence and boasting of mob charms. As I always say, learn from the legends and don't make the same mistakes they did because what you put out is in the world forever. Seek to exalt righteousness while adding your flavor and your own mix instead of glorifying what ought not be. You may not be able to control the media but you can outsmart it by making a change in your artistic creation and spreading a message in a collective of righteous people just like you. Oh yeah, and you want a new innovative sound? Study the greats of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and even 90's.
-Peace and Love
