(I just mentioned this in another thread, but I think it deserves it's own discussion)
Tell me I'm lying though.
More adult-contemp R&B stations are dying & changing formats into rap stations(just happened here in Dallas). There's becoming no place to SING and be heard, unless its on a rap hook. Which ironically enough, rap is dying in popularity too unless ur an already established name. It's feels almost like a game to phase out Black music period.
If you're a young black male with a great voice, you have no place in popular (not pop) music anymore, unless you go the pop Jason Derulo-type route. Not saying he's a great singer by any stretch, but that's the avenue if you want any sort of real success. You've seen ppl like Chris Brown do it successfully...but then he tries to sneak in some R&B-ish influences (his roots) on "X"....and it FLOPS.
If you're a black female with a great voice, you have to go the ratchet route. K-Michelle, Tamar Braxton(semi-ratchet), etc. You gotta be in some sort of messiness on Media Takeout or a stupid reality show to build a buzz. That's just messed up.
Sure you got Trey Songz, but he's been around a while & has a fanbase, YET even he had to switch into a niche artist role (making bedroom music) in order to save his career. Ironically, this is why D'Angelo quit music back in 2000 b/c he was being forced into that role.
It's odd that when American was supposedly MORE racist (70s, 80s, early 90s), there were more Blacks in music and being successful doing whatever style they wanted.
It's really sad the Black youth are growing up devoid of true musicianship on the big stage. At least give them a choice.
Tell me I'm lying though.
More adult-contemp R&B stations are dying & changing formats into rap stations(just happened here in Dallas). There's becoming no place to SING and be heard, unless its on a rap hook. Which ironically enough, rap is dying in popularity too unless ur an already established name. It's feels almost like a game to phase out Black music period.
If you're a young black male with a great voice, you have no place in popular (not pop) music anymore, unless you go the pop Jason Derulo-type route. Not saying he's a great singer by any stretch, but that's the avenue if you want any sort of real success. You've seen ppl like Chris Brown do it successfully...but then he tries to sneak in some R&B-ish influences (his roots) on "X"....and it FLOPS.
If you're a black female with a great voice, you have to go the ratchet route. K-Michelle, Tamar Braxton(semi-ratchet), etc. You gotta be in some sort of messiness on Media Takeout or a stupid reality show to build a buzz. That's just messed up.
Sure you got Trey Songz, but he's been around a while & has a fanbase, YET even he had to switch into a niche artist role (making bedroom music) in order to save his career. Ironically, this is why D'Angelo quit music back in 2000 b/c he was being forced into that role.
It's odd that when American was supposedly MORE racist (70s, 80s, early 90s), there were more Blacks in music and being successful doing whatever style they wanted.
It's really sad the Black youth are growing up devoid of true musicianship on the big stage. At least give them a choice.
