I was gonna say Gospel music cause that's like music based on black churches. Like I said too before the internet it was a lot easier, but back then you could also go platinum within small groups. Now you need to reach like 100 million to sell 1 million, back then you could reach 1 million to sell 1 million. (#s obviously outta my damn ass but you get the point).
Like Gerald Levert peaked at #17, #18 and #48 and went platinum according to wikipedia. #17 this week is 10k sold, #48 is 5k sold. So you can put that in perspective relative to todays artists, K Michelle was #2.
This is really the problem,its harder to sell a million by reaching a million....so artist do everything in they power to reach everybody and "expand they brand
",but it usually has the opposite effect....you can still go gold and do nice numbers with a black fanbase,I do believe that....Maybe even platinum if new artist didn't completely forget about the black demographics over 30....If a black artist focused on hitting all black demographics that would be enough.
Also the BET's and radio stations dont do anything to create new stars....The big stars dont wanna show up to the BET awards,why not go all out to give an upncomer a great performance,letting them open up the show,give them awards....So I see his point about creating new stars....WHen WE really start fukking with somebody,that alone is enough to make other demographics and races of people cross over without the artist having to pander and sell out.
But with Tank,he wasn't really that big in his prime....I think with him its moreso a matter of his name being "old" unfortunately....and he's not exactly recreating the wheel or breaking new ground....As a artist you just have an expiration date for the most part,rnb fans know Tank,if they haven't fukked with him before now,nothing will probably make them....You kindve just have your time,and you gotta blow within in that amount of time,or you probably never will.
