Blog: Average Joe

Recently I was posed a very interesting question while discussing my mixtape and how it progressed (more on that later) as well as the music scene today:

What makes successful artists so successful?

I think what it really boils down to is how well an artist's fans can relate to them. The more people can relate to you, the greater following you will have. Now, I've never claimed to have a huge fanbase, following, or whatever you want to call it, but I do know there are people who appreciate the music I do and can relate to a lot of the work I put out, and that keeps them interested.

I feel like a huge part of the success of New York artists during it's last heyday (Diplomats, G-Unit) came from the fact that they personified exactly what so many people in popular culture were trying to be and trying to do, especially with 50 Cent, who's (authentic) story is widely known but also something people can understand and relate to. And once he moved further away from that, his (musical) success declined.

Eminem is (arguably) another example. In a prominently Black culture, to have a White representative stand out in the genre and be damn good at what he does was a huge culture shock. Now, this is not at all on the same level, but it could be argued that White artists saw Eminem's rise to prominence in the same light as Black people see Barack Obama's history-making achievement: people tend to relate to those most like them, and seeing someone like them in a place of prominence inspires them to believe that they, too, can get there. I think that factor played a sizable role in Eminem's widespread success but, that said, he has put out some quality music, period.

On smaller scales you have your Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West's, but the story can be generalized to the same principle -- they're just your Average Joe's that people can truly relate to. Nothing Kanye's written about has been off-the-wall; you get tales of his aspirations, his family, his struggles. His latest body of work, "808's and Heartbreak," is a quintessential example of what I mean. While the critics have already deemed this a throwaway album, I'm certain he will gain more fans with this and begin to separate himself from the pack. And yes, I enjoyed what I heard of the album.

All in all, I think that these artists success' stem from simply being someone you can relate to. I don't think it's about image, "swag," or prosperity.

At least, for the time being.

I definitely have a feeling this dynamic is going to change, and soon. I wish I could say what it's going to change to, but I certainly feel it will change. But, only time will tell.

N. Talekt