Music Industry Analysis

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Why is it hard for people to be themselves in the industry?

And does the industry allow it?

I will admit I have been sleeping on Ed Sheeran and not just his music, but him in general. He is one of the few artist that is successfully himself. He put out his recent album No.9 Collaboration.

Not only does he take different direction in music for himself he collaborates with numerous artist to create a DJ Khaled style album. However, he puts his own spin on the style. He ACTUALLY sings on them unlike DJ (subtle drag).

I want to talk about the question in the title though.... If you’re here because you follow the page, care about the industry and educating yourself more on how it works, or you just stumbled upon it.... Welcome! I’m not the most knowledgable, but who is?

Recently Ed did an interview with Charlamagne tha God, for typing sake we will refer to him as CTG, ok? ok. The interview is basically a commentary for the project in video format. CTG asks him a question referring to the project, track by track, and Ed answers the question. He discusses lyrics and the meaning behind the people he chose to work with. One section of the interview was interesting though and immediately caught my attention.

The specific thing I’ll be talking about is found around 34:50-36:04 . Ed talks about Beautiful People ft Khalid. In that conversation he speaks about how much he hated living LA and NY because of the fact that there was always something going on. There was always a party or an event that was happening. It was/is a constant cycle.

This immediately made me think about Real Friends by Camila Cabello. Which in the lyrics she talks about LA and the idea of it being a paper town where everything is just for show. This is when things got interesting.

CTG asked Ed, “Why is it hard for people to be themselves in the industry? And does the industry allow it?”

Ed answered the question from his personal experience and I really loved it. He goes on to talk about how it is possible and there is a space for it in the industry, but that person would have to be successful as themself. Basically if you put on an act you can still be successful, but it’s tricky to get out of.

By that and what he said afterwards I can assume he means you can definitely be successful as something else, but once you realize maybe you aren’t happy acting like someone you're not its hard to get yourself out the situation.

So now this poses a completely separate question of if someone goes into the industry young and impressionable do they get to decide?

Fifth Harmony (the girls involved), Miley Cyrus, even Justin Bieber for example they came into everything young. Miley was acting and had this Disney image to breakout of as well as many other Disney stars. At some point she had her moment of wanting to be Miley not Hannah and so she went and made noise the only way she knew how. With her music. She changed her style and how she was perceived to the public so she could break out of that mold. Now her numbers may not be the same, and she may not top the charts all the time or as often, but she found her own definition of success.

Justin Bieber, he came into the industry really early as well. Most people hated him at first. He had an annoying girly voice (they said). He has topped the charts his ENTIRE career and even when he comes back and does something like go on stage at Coachella with Ariana Grande or feature on a song with Ed it’s huge. That’s just the person he is. However, during the Purpose era til now he had this big moment of I want to do what makes me happy. So he got married and does features here and there. Does he still cause the occasional trouble? Absolutely, but he had his moment. He has taken a break to get his actual life on track. Music isn't about the money or the numbers anymore he wants a family and to do what he loves with the people he loves.

Now 5h that's tricky. This situation is completely out of pocket. I have to take it a part. This group was first of all not formed because they were all close friends who knew the others could sing. This was manufactured. They signed contracts and are wrapped up in stuff that would take a lot of words to explain and I just don't feel like it. I’ll mince the words up though.

Camila and Lauren were always the ones who were seen as the success of the group. Basically the Beyonce and Kelly, if you will. Ally, Normani, and Dinah were theoretically being thrown to the dogs (tragic). Where the label Syco/Sony saw weakness they saw something else. Those three are now doing their own thing. Out of their contracts and making music they like. They didn’t have the big moment per say rather they couldn’t leave on their own, but they have the opportunity now.

Lauren Jauregui is getting new management and MAYBE...... she will be able to find her definition of success with music she makes and has say in. She was labeled the more rebellious one of the group and it has already been interesting to watch her grow. She has a huge interest in politics and advocating for people who don’t have as a big a voice as hers. She uses her voice for good and I admire that a lot. This is one of her hopefully many steps to being the person she wants to be.

Now Camila...... I don’t even know. I’m confused. She has a lot going on right now. There’s definitely honesty in her music and she seems genuine. Ed even talks about her in his interview. He said she is very sweet, talented, and genuinely a nice girl..... It throws me off. The narrative that her team gives her or really anyone who isn't able to be authentically themselves in the industry. It’s really crazy when you think about it like this.

She just wants to make music. She’s honest about her life experiences in interviews. Yeah she doesn't say everything, but nobody would. She’s not chasing the fame I don't think. I think the people behind her are though. She really looks exhausted half the time she's on tour or promoting something.

Camila's image is the only thing that is stopping her from having that big moment. Her music is honest, real, and raw. You can tell that by the way she talks about the lyrics she writes. And the experiences behind the songs. She obviously puts all of herself into it. I just hope that she and any of the other people who are in her situation get the chance to enjoy that space that Ed talks about. A space where she can be completely herself.

I hope they find their version of success.