In right now’s overly-saturated music market, the place artists compete for our consideration, authenticity is extra beneficial than ever.
Photograph Credit score: Justin James (@justnjames_)
In right now’s overly-saturated music market, the place artists compete for our consideration, authenticity is extra beneficial than ever.
With the rise of streaming, it has develop into simpler for artists to distribute their music to a worldwide viewers. Whereas this has led to extra alternatives for artists to succeed in new followers, it has additionally created an more and more crowded and aggressive panorama the place it may be tough for artists to distinguish themselves from their friends.
On this atmosphere, authenticity is significant in serving to artists reduce by way of the noise and join with an viewers. Authenticity can take many types, together with a singular sound, a particular visible model, or a compelling private story. Regardless of the kind, authenticity helps an artist to face out from the gang and construct a loyal fan base that connects with their music on a deeper degree.
Consider Kendrick Lamar, whose authenticity is mirrored in his music, which frequently explores race, id, and social justice points. Lamar has been praised for his capability to attach together with his viewers personally, and his music has been credited with inspiring social change. J. Cole’s authenticity has helped him construct a devoted fan base — learn: very, very devoted — and his music has been praised for its honesty and vulnerability. Equally, there’s Tyler, The Creator, whose authenticity is mirrored in his music, typically exploring themes associated to id, psychological well being, and private progress. Tyler’s willingness to be weak and trustworthy in his music has helped him obtain long-term success.
Photograph Credit score: Joseph Baura
One of many explanation why authenticity is so essential in right now’s music market is that it helps to create a way of belief and credibility with followers. In an period the place shoppers are bombarded with countless content material and promoting, authenticity can sign to followers that an artist is real, trustworthy, and clear. When followers really feel that an artist is genuine, they’re extra prone to make investments their time, cash, and emotional vitality into that artist’s music.
Authenticity additionally helps to create a way of group round an artist’s music. When followers join with an artist personally, they’re extra prone to share that artist’s music with their buddies and social networks, serving to to unfold the phrase and construct momentum for the artist’s profession. On this manner, authenticity may help an artist to develop their fan base and attain new audiences.
Whereas successful single or viral video could present a short-term enhance to an artist’s profession, it’s typically the artists who’ve constructed a robust and genuine model that may obtain long-term success. By staying true to their imaginative and prescient and values and creating music that resonates with their viewers, artists just like the aforementioned Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Tyler, The Creator, managed to construct loyal fan bases and sustainable careers.
Want a post-streaming increase instance? Look no additional than Lizzo. Lizzo’s music is thought for its self-love, physique positivity, and empowering messages. The multi-GRAMMY award winner has been praised for her authenticity and skill to encourage her followers to embrace their distinctive qualities. Authenticity — and loads of catchy bops — has undeniably helped Lizzo construct a loyal following of paying followers.
Photograph Credit score: Joseph Baura
In distinction, artists who lack authenticity could wrestle to attach with their viewers. This could result in a scarcity of assist from followers or the flexibility to develop a fan base, to start with. For instance, some artists could also be tempted to comply with the most recent tendencies within the music business in an try to realize recognition. Nonetheless, this will backfire if their music is perceived as inauthentic or unoriginal. See additionally: many examples.
One other issue that may have an effect on an artist’s authenticity is the music business’s affect. The music business is a enterprise, and file labels and producers could attempt to manipulate an artist’s picture and sound to suit into a specific mildew that they imagine will promote. This may end up in artists dropping their distinctive sound and elegance in favor of one thing extra marketable.
One latest instance of an artist who struggled with authenticity because of the affect of the music business is Billie Eilish. In a 2021 interview with British Vogue, Eilish opened up about feeling pressured to current a sure picture and conform to business requirements early in her profession.
Eilish, who broke into music at 13, turned identified for her distinctive and unconventional model, each when it comes to her music and style sense. Nonetheless, as her profession started to take off, she discovered herself being pushed in a extra typical and sexualized path, which didn’t align together with her true self and private values.
Within the interview, Eilish spoke candidly concerning the wrestle to keep up her authenticity within the face of business pressures, stating: “I really feel like I’ve grown a lot and gotten higher in my voice, nevertheless it’s tough whenever you’re continuously being advised what to do and the right way to be.”
Regardless of these challenges, Eilish, who is just not alone in her expertise, has continued to prioritize her authenticity and distinctive voice in her music, as evidenced by her critically acclaimed second album, Happier Than Ever, which was launched in 2021. Eilish explores private progress, psychological well being, and self-acceptance on the album whereas showcasing her signature mix of haunting melodies and introspective lyrics.
Whereas the music business can generally push artists to adapt to sure requirements or pictures, artists like Billie Eilish function a reminder of the significance of staying true to 1’s personal imaginative and prescient and values, even within the face of exterior pressures. By prioritizing their authenticity and distinctive voice, artists can join with their viewers on a deeper degree and construct a loyal fan base that may assist them all through their careers.
