What is the definition of "good music"?
 

I know people tend to say that music is something that is entirely subjective, but I've always wondered how artists can be commonly grouped as "bad" or "good" artists and where the standards for doing so come from.

Do they come from the amount of listeners an artist has? Isn't the goal of a musician ultimately to get his vision and creations out to as many people as possible? That is also what a majority of crappy award shows are based on and what the general public tend to look at when evaluating music.

Then surely it must be based on technical skill? Normally if a person can play their instrument really well or can sing like no one can then they are good artists? Then I'm always baffled when people reject rappers like Nas and Common for artists like Wacka Flocka based on the fact that they are "too wordy" or are "dictionary rap" as to state that their superior lyricism is a vice?

So what I'm asking is that is there such a thing as a collective barometer for "good" and "bad" music and artists? If so then what is that barometer based on?

Stuff that Pitchfork likes.

Music with redeeming qualities. ICP has negative qualities, music that isn't very good but not worthy of hate is of neutral quality, and good music is just good music. Entirely subjective to the listeners tastes.

If there's a collective barometer of what's considered good, then it's responsible for a lot of successful crap. And by crap, I do mean that in a negative sense. So, it seems to me, the reasonable thing to do is forsake any sort of broad statistical measurement and just focus on what you think is good, which should favor personal scrutiny that's as free of any significant external influence as possible.

Any and all artists I suggest and listen to.

You are the exemption in my statement above.

what u deem "negative qualities" some people can see them has Postives

This.

We had this discussion in one of my Digital Composition classes. Not to be cliche, but I think "good" music is something that someone took their time and put a passion towards achieving their own purpose. They may see their creation as amazing, and that's what really matters, whether or not they share that view with you or thousands, even millions, is what separates good from fantastic.

Good music is music that volunteers at the local homeless shelter and is respectful of its elders.