Did you hear? Big things coming soon. I can’t tell you how many times I here this. I wait and wait and wait…

And what usually happens? Nothing. It’s a zero score in a game.

People tuned out. Especially if you use buzz words like deep dive, engagement, optimize, and queen. They’re the worse. Do you really want to bore people? Post a photo dump. Like anybody cares about random photos. Let’s face it, you have nothing to post, no story.

A personal story always hooks me. Especially if it’s real and heartfelt. You have to guts to be vulnerable. Especially today because it could be used against you.

Britney Spears is winning her bid to end her fathers control over the conservatorship. How? She told a story. People reacted. Her father couldn’t take the public backlash. He wants out.

Stories have to be real. We know the difference between genuine and fake.

If you make a real connection, folks will want to hear your music. They’ll like your music if they like you. It’s not the other way around.

I can’t help you with story building. Stories are built on the battlefield, not in class rooms.

Universal Music is expanding it’s music recorded-music operations in China.

The labels are Republic Records China, EMI China, PolyGram Records China, and Universal Music China. Each label will operate independently with its own artist rosters, A&R and marketing teams. The suits will report to UMGC chairman and CEO Sunny Chang.

“After 15 years of development in the local market, Universal Music is once again demonstrating its commitment to the Chinese creative community by becoming the first international major music company to launch multilabel operations here,” said Chang in a prepared statement.

“Under the new structure of four distinct labels, the star team at UMGC will be able to better support local musicians in a way that is more professional and comprehensive. With an innovative and pioneering spirit, UMGC will develop rising stars from the Chinese market and promote Chinese pop music so that it can be heard an audience around the world.”

AEG Presents will now require proof of vaccination for entry into its owned clubs, theatres, and festivals.

AEG Presents operates New York’s Webster Hall and Brooklyn Steel, The Roxy and El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, Firefly Music Festival, Day N Vegas, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Coachella Music & Arts Festival.

“We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one. We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but I’m confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing what’s best for artists, fans, and live event workers.”

It’s easy to lose yourself in establishment culture.

Pop artist Lorde wrote Royals in her bedroom when she was 16. She had something to say. But she couldn’t recapture the same magic since she wrote her debut album Pure Heroin.

She had a long time to work on the first album. Also, it’s written without obsessing about success. Lorde’s idea of Royals came from an article in National Geographic with a picture of Kansas City Royals baseball. She said “It was just that word. It was really cool. In fact, she didn’t even like the song.

Some of the best ideas come from your childhood when you put no rules on creativity. It’s an innocent time with little barriers. As time moves on circumstances change your Life. Your environment becomes more stressful with daily rituals and there’s more societal demands.

Establishment culture becomes more frightening real. You try to fit in. With Lorde’s success came corporate sponsorships. Olivia Rodrigo is releasing PSA’s.

The label and publisher start demanding more songs. You start getting nervous because you aren’t at a high state of awareness to create.

More parties to attend. You meet new people from touring like choreographers, make up artists, and Tiktok influencers. Everyone is giving you advice. Life becomes a blur.

You start conforming to the people around you.

Not only will you start talking like the people you hang around, but you will start to adopt their beliefs, opinions and world views.

You’ll start questioning everyone you know, your thinking and feelings. Is it real or fake?

You feel disconnected from yourself and reality. Learning to like applause is easier to learning to like yourself.

You’re being swallowed up in establishment culture until you’re accused of being culture vulture like Iggy Azalea. Like Azalea, you’ll quit. The inspiration will be gone. You’ll no longer enjoy music. You’ll hate what you loved.

You must survive the disaster. Remember who you are and don’t forget it. Remember the struggles you went through and give credit to those who helped you in your journey. Don’t forget what connected you to music. Keep your inner circle small with people who know you. Your relationships need to be authentic. Anchor yourself in reality.

Breakup with culture before it cancels you.

Social media has created an addiction of wanting to fit in. It’s terrifying to be the one who is the outcast.

The establishment culture shares the same latest trending news. They post the same thoughts. Type the same things. Share the same feelings. Last week it’s Britney. Now it’s Simone Biles. She’s flooded in LIKES, RETWEETS and FOLLOWERS from singers, actors, rappers, models, activists, athletes, and politicians. Nobody will leave this poor girl alone. It’s not like they care about her. No..No. The media and the establishment simpletons just want to ride on her coattails.

Birds of a feather flock together. Who wants to be a social outcast?

I get it. Fitting in is comfortable. It’s the path of least resistance. It’s more gratifying to open your unfollow app and view 2 new follows than 10 lost followers. Even if you’re lying to yourself, it’s still easier than social conflict.

But if you’re a NEW artist wanting to fit in, consider yourself invisible. We have fewer household names, and even less cult figures. Open your social media app and you’ve entered into a world of “sameness”. It’s easy to fit in, to blend in, and hide. Don’t tell me you’re going to embrace your individuality by posting a photo along with the latest trending hashtag.

The moment you open the app you’re looking for acceptance and validation. It’s very hard to create original art under those circumstances.

Michaelengo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But he wasn’t looking for approval. But the artist who overly obsesses with need of acceptance will never produce anything of the ages.

If you’re trying to write songs that appeal to the masses you’ll never be your true self because you’ll be always trying to shape yourself to the preferences of the people around you.

People never make history by fitting in. Ask yourself. How am I going to change entertainment? Or political discourse?

Social media created a monoculture monster. The platforms despise originality. If you’re an artist, take note. It’s time to face the monster and fight against the establishment culture.