Why does the mainstream industry only want a select few to be popular?

**Frownland** · 09-21-2014, 12:41 AM

Nevermind. I find only calling trendy things pop friendly to be kind of arbitrary because, as DWV said, pop just means popular. Like I said before, how can an artist become so popular if they weren't pop friendly?

~~Soulflower~~ · 09-21-2014, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

Janelle Monae is way more popular than most artists can ever dream of being. I think it's safe to say she has made it. I don't think radio play and popular music videos are the end all be all to defining success in the industry.

Prince loves her and backs her so I'd say she made it! Lol

She is more popular than an indie artist but I wouldn't call her a "pop star"

She is not selling out arena's or is heavily marketed.

She is an artist that deserves to be a pop star though.

**Frownland** · 09-21-2014, 12:45 AM

Until Janelle Monae is the president of the United States I think it's safe to say that she's incredibly underrated.

DwnWthVwls · 09-21-2014, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulflower

She is more popular than an indie artist but I wouldn't call her a "pop star"

Really? I would.

She's not super star status, but I think she is representative of that 1%.

Same with Lana Del Rey, FUN, etc. They are not dominating the charts but they've had their hits and are widely known.

~~Soulflower~~ · 09-21-2014, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Nevermind. I find only calling trendy things pop friendly to be kind of arbitrary because, as DWV said, pop just means popular. Like I said before, how can an artist become so popular if they weren't pop friendly?

But we are not talking about popular music in "general terms".

Of course if a rock singer makes a rock song that becomes popular, the fact that it is a rock song does not matter because it is still popular therefore making it a pop song.

However,

We are discussing what is typically defined as pop friendly in TODAY's music scene based on TODAY's current pop trends and based on TODAY's current trends, Adele's music is not typical pop friendly music in today's mainstream market.

~~Soulflower~~ · 09-21-2014, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Until Janelle Monae is the president of the United States I think it's safe to say that she's incredibly underrated.

Yes she is.

She is soooooooooooooooooo underrated.

**Frownland** · 09-21-2014, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulflower

But we are not talking about popular music in "general terms".

Of course if a rock singer makes a rock song that becomes popular, the fact that it is a rock song does not matter because it is still popular therefore making it a pop song.

However,

We are discussing what is typically defined as pop friendly in TODAY's music scene based on TODAY's current pop trends and based on TODAY's current trends, Adele's music is not typical pop friendly music.

No, that's what you're discussing as I define it differently. Carry on.

~~Soulflower~~ · 09-21-2014, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

Really? I would.

She's not super star status, but I think she is representative of that 1%.

Same with Lana Del Rey, FUN, etc. They are not dominating the charts but they've had their hits and are widely known.

What hits?

Janelle Monae has never had a Top 10 hit let alone a Top 40.

She is not a Top 40 artist.

She is not a pop star.

She is not widely known.

A pop star is someone who is constantly on the radio, winning awards, performing at awards etc.

FUN and Lana are definitely not pop stars. lol

~~Soulflower~~ · 09-21-2014, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

No, that's what you're discussing as I define it differently. Carry on.

I will carry on, thanks.

**Frownland** · 09-21-2014, 01:05 AM

Hitting No. 5 on the Billboard charts with The Electric Lady kinda hints that a few people know about her.

09-21-2014, 12:41 AM	#201 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	Nevermind. I find only calling trendy things pop friendly to be kind of arbitrary because, as DWV said, pop just means popular. Like I said before, how can an artist become so popular if they weren't pop friendly? __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

09-21-2014, 12:45 AM	#203 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	Until Janelle Monae is the president of the United States I think it's safe to say that she's incredibly underrated. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

09-21-2014, 01:05 AM	#210 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	Hitting No. 5 on the Billboard charts with The Electric Lady kinda hints that a few people know about her. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x Last edited by Frownland; 09-21-2014 at 01:11 AM.