Warning before we get started.
I don't claim to properly know the guy of the topic, Justin Bieber, nor do I have a proper clue of his biography aside from the swift rundown I did. Simply put - I will be brutal. Readers, you might not like that. Get over it.
I have a duty to respond in a blog (I emphasize "respond", i.e. an emotional response). When I try to look at music in general, I dive into the worlds Rock, Electronica, Classical, Jazz, and some Rap. I explore and enjoy their sub-genres and hybrids. But when it comes to Bieber's work (Pop?) stuff, I can't help but to cringe. No hate to the person themselves, but FOR ME, their stuff is trash...so's country music, but that's a different story...
Now then, if I hate his life's work, shouldn't I hate him?
Not necessarily. Bieber's work may seem terrible to me, but his story isn't one to abhor or anything. The kid has talent, obviously. But because I am emotionally too outraged to continue writing coherently -- simply because I despise his music -- I will show a list of why I do not hate the person. (You'll see, even though my previous statement really does hinder my goal, you'll see why I don't hate the guy).
Reasons why I don't hate him, per se.
- He's made over 200 wishes come true for dying people through the Make A Wish foundation. He plays a part in the Charity: Water stuff, giving clean water people around the world who don't have it. He has power, and so far, he uses it for the right things. There are plenty of more charity examples.
- The guy has worked hard to make it. Talent + work = success.
- I'm an artist, I inherently support other artist - it's my thing.
- For more reasons of why I don't hate him, check out this random guy's blog (I think number 5 is pretty funny). He pretty much summarizes the reasons, in a jerk-ish, funny kinda way.
No hate for Bieber, but I don't care for him (I'm neutral).... and so, if my hate is not for Bieber, but I support his endeavor to succeed, to whom should I direct my burning hatred?? Well, I personally blame sappy pubescent girls, I mean, young teens for making a market for his TERRIBLE MUSIC (x_x)...
 |
| Kill the that music...KILL IT WITH FIRE!!! |
Ok so I had a really long comment about how your comment on "sappy pubescent girls" is really offensive and sexist but I accidentally signed out and I have a 3 hour environmental science exam tomorrow that I need to study for so I'm just going to leave you a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/07/coverflip-maureen-johnson_n_3231935.html
Apply the coverflip concept of gender stereotype book markets to what you said concerning pubescent girls controlling the market and if you would like I'll talk to you in class about what I mean exactly by your comment being sexist.
would it make you feel better if I replaced "pubescent girls" with "young teens"? The point I was making is that our hormone-filled youth has allowed for Bieber's music to prosper. Take it any further than that, and it's your deal.
DeleteMy point was mostly that they have no control over the market. The market is designed to target what industry officials think of as stereotypical "girl music". And because that's the only music that they are exposed to in their peer groups. I found the comment sexist because you assumed that the consumers actually had control over the market and genuinely liked that shit when their tastes have been manipulated subtly by industry executives looking to make a profit without considering the individual worth of its consumers apart from gender stereotypes
DeleteI agree with you that he does have musical talent and has worked his butt off and that is to be admired to a degree by all artists. I guess I am just bothered more by his actions than anything else. If he tried and put more of his time in working on his music and less time screwing around, he probably could have some pretty decent songs because in his defense, he actually has a pretty incredible vocal range.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but maybe that's just his "style"...idk.
DeleteIt is interesting to note, in light of your critique of him as an artist, how little his music figures into much of the discussion about him. It seems almost like a non-entity, a placeholder that does not figure into the equation. I think the point that Amanda was raising, that so much of the image of these artists is test-marketed to appeal to and to exploit, rather than to challenge, the assumptions of their fans, is part of the reason for this apparent emptiness. Some popular artists, of course, have transcended this and become unwitting countercultural icons or at least figures recognized for some serious artistry. Something seems to separate Michael Jackson from the Biebers, although I can't exactly put my finger on it.
ReplyDelete