Older music makes up 70% of streams. That means new artists need to up the standard. Lift the bar.
I don’t want to poo poo new artists. I can rattle off a slew of new artists that I enjoy. I’m just looking at the incredible low number that “brand new artists” make up 15% of the overall streams.
If the goal is to go Tiktok viral with a two minute banger, and get a $5 million advance from a label, then bravo!
Just note that a legitimate touring artist can generate $5 million in 5 shows.
With only a few exceptions, the Spotify top 50 is bland and boring. And most people who love music, want new music. I don’t want the the best songs of the decade on repeat. Don’t tell me I’m not looking hard enough, I look all day.
The Kid LAROI is great. He came out like a star and is now set for life. The End Of The World Tour sold 35,000 tickets in just 24 hours. But the rest? Meh. Social platforms gave the rise to self worship, but TikTok is social media on steroids that brainwashed musicians who now want overnight fame with a 15 second clip.
Make me believe again. Raise the stakes.
The hottest new artist in the industry, The Kid LAROI has sold out his North American Tour very quickly.
The End Of The World Tour sold 35,000 tickets in just 24 hours.
“I am beyond excited to share this experience with you all,” The Kid Laroi said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to headline a global tour. I cannot wait to see my fans all around the world and give them something that they won’t ever forget. It’s been a long time coming.”
The tour launches January 29, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The tour will stop in major markets like Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Miami. It will end in Atlanta.
The Kid gets a 2 week break for the start of the international leg of the tour which starts on March 28, 2022 in Copenhagen, and ends June 11th in Auckland, Australia.
Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis Songs founder and former Guns N’ Roses manager asks a simple question. Why are songwriters the lowest paid in the business?
Whoever built the music business, built it backwards. Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is more sustainable for its chocolate workers. Santa’s elves are paid more than songwriters.
Mercuriadis notes: “In almost every other vocation in the world – and even in every other aspect of the entertainment business – the equivalent person to the songwriter would be amongst the highest paid… not the worst. How can this not be the case in music?”
Read his full open letter below
CONTINUE READING
Nicki Minaj compares U.S. cancel culture to Communist China.
Nicki Minaj came out skeptical of Pfizer’s vaccine and the media pounced on her. The rapper and CNN’s Joy Reid got into a pissing match. Late night comedians (I say that loosely) also joined in the attacks.
While she was fending off her critics, Minaj insists she has a right to question government authority when it comes to mandates and science.
“You should be able to question about anything you’re putting inside your body” says Minaj.
She said women scrutinize unobjectionable items like cosmetics and beauty products including wig glue.
“But you can’t innocently ask question about something going in your body?” says Minaj. “I remember going to China and they were telling us you cannot speak out against the people in power there, and I remember all of us thinking, oh, ok, we understand and we respect the laws here and that it’s so different from where we live.”
Nicki warns that cancel culture has poisoned the U.S.
“But don’t y’all see what’s FN happening?” she said. “Don’t y’all see that we are living now in that time, where people will turn their back on you for not agreeing? People will isolate you if you simply speak and ask a question.”
Ed Sheeran says award shows are toxic, depressing, and full of resentment.
I’ve always liked Ed because he’s the best songwriter in the business and everyone knows it. I like him even more because he’s a Hollywood outsider and doesn’t play by their rules. His songs sell, fans love him, and he doesn’t need to whore himself to pimps that promise him more FaceTime if he delivers PSA’s. Hence, Hollywood hates him.
Back to award shows. I’ve been to them. I’ve never felt comfortable. It’s a dog & pony show and feels creepy weird. New artists and first timers are enthralled. They think it’s a great networking tool until they realize nobody cares. These shows become a nuisance to the big names. They’re expected to come and show up. Some cave and dread the moment, while some blow it off. They have the “I don’t need you, you need me” attitude. If they find out they didn’t win a prize, they’ll pull a no-show. The big shots don’t like clapping their hands for winners in this culture of self worship.
“The room is filled with resentment and hatred towards everyone else” says Sheeran. “It’s just lots of people wanting other people to fail and I don’t like that.”
Sheeran also says UK award shows are more enjoyable and less cutthroat than the U.S. “In England, our award shows are just like, everyone gets drunk and no one really cares who wins or loses, it’s just sort of a good night out.”
I’m thankful for Sheeran’s brutal honesty.
Newsletter