I think both things can be true at once.
Discussion
Now THAT is a nuanced take.
There’s levels to it for sure. Ced Gee from Ultramagnetic MCs has some very interesting info about Sony and the situations that ultimately lead to the rise of Biggie Smalls etc. all. On the flip side, I’ve also been to talks with the exec from Sony who made an absolute shit tonne of money buying up rap labels in that era.
Long and short is some people became extremely wealthy and some talented kids end up dead.
Currently the most amplified voices are some of the lesser talented ones. Probably it’s always been so.
I’m not going to chat anyone’s business that isn’t in the public domain but there’s some first hand accounts I’ve heard that are very interesting.
I’ve huge respect for those leaving that world and doing things on their own terms. They may not have the same bank balance but they define entire genres of music.
Interesting times ahead as the industry no longer requires the front person to sell product (bands and session musicians mostly been cut out already).
Funny you shld say that name. I happen to know someone who was framed by them.
Some very interesting stuff was happening around those people and a fair bit of it tragic.
Extremely tragic. Its all about control. Because they knew if they could consolidate and build a music empire where they controlled the full stack, they could simply will hits into existance. If their songs were the only hits, they were the only ones making money. And look where we are today.
Part of why music is so diluted is because the top talent will recognize theire being forced to create art that isn't what THEY want to be creating. Its easier to prey on the aspirations of the middle curve and bend then the way you want. You give them wardrobe, you give them songwriters, you give them gear, money, and fame. All you ask for is their soul. Literally the devil's playbook.
The top talent that push back is often blacklisted and relegated to the indie corners of the world, like DeMu. There's a reason we have a disproportionate amount of good music across all genres here.
The cardi b situation is different and I dont entirely disagree with you on that. Certainly the scenarios are not mutually exclusive.
But just so we are crystal clear... it needs to be stated in no uncertain terms, coerced sexual exploitation is happening in the music industry today.
Again, I have first hand experience on this topic. The careers of many popular artists today have been shaped over the years very intentionally by their managers and label reps to progressively ramp up the sexuality over time. This is not a female only issue. If not the sexuality, its almost always written into contract terms that management or the label have full control over their entire look/persona in any public setting. Most artists do not like this (creatives tend to want to walk their own path) but most will see $$$ and compromise their own personal morals to achieve their "dreams". The industry preys on this.
It is not a question of projecting morals or anything else like that. Its quite literally the total control of a person's public persona at any cost, for the sake of $$$. And most the time that coercion comes at the compromise of the coerced own person set of morals or conviction, wherever on the scale it lays, because the sharks can always swim lower.
Sometimes with guys it’s more they ‘act gangsta’ whilst actually being pretty compliant to the business. It’s quite a journey from Public Enemy to incoherent mumbling through autotune but here we are.