What Makes Music “GREAT” in TODAY'S Music Industry

[@pjsomervelle1765]

first time listening to an episode all the way through, really enjoyed this conversation. As a music manager it's essential we have these deeper talks in the current state of the industry. thank you!

[@BrandmanNetwork]

Thank you! That means a lot!

[@samlovelymusic1]

This is by far the greatest podcast I've seen between you two. Y'all are giving such valuable insight from such an unbiased perspective... This conversation should be used in a university study for performing artists... for real man.

[@samlovelymusic1]

The part where you were talking about "generational songs" that got put into the lime light by corporations was mind blowing to me... It made me realize that "good" is the worst possible way to describe any form of Art, and the Monalisa metaphor was right on point. The best part to me was when you broke down great art and used Tupac as an example... For someone to write a song that can shift the listeners world perspective if POWERFUL, and that made me feel a hell of a lot better about my songs that my mom don't understand.... but they make sense to me as a young man in this world.. That's why the expectation for me to be "good" is detrimental to my productivity, but if someone expected me to be GREAT... Well that's an easy assignment because I just feel like I have to speak my mind then. I take pride in being a lyricists who can get the listener to ask good questions and think for themselves, but I have a question: If an Artist makes art that's so Great that it can shift the World view of a listener, do they HAVE to stay consistent with their world view? What if the Artist decides to be a flip-flopper? It's not like they're running for office in the White House.... So as long as the song makes perfect sense as to what the Artist was going for in that specific moment in time... Then I'd say it's great art to me. At the end of the day, it's on the listener. At least in terms of what song they decided to play in their headphones...

[@BrandmanNetwork]

Thank you

[@doce.c.1365]

I’m gonna rewatch this. I’m impressed that you guys gave this kinda time to this topic. Impressed that you know Maggot Brain!! More after I rewatch!

[@samlovelymusic1]

The part where you compared football fans to music fans was spectacular too. The sport at different levels, the people who played the game themselves, Madden Players, people who only watch on TV, and the annual Super Bowl viewers.... Man that analogy was so good. TBH tho, I think that there are three other "kinds of sports fans" that are devilishly related to music fans, and we'd be fools to forget about them: Fantasy League Players Stats Guys Bookies & Sports Betters

[@slythetiedyeguy1932]

This was a great music conversation

[@Allthatwethink]

I played Maggot Brain for the homie after the club some years ago. That song takes me places even when I’m sitting still. 💯

[@BrandmanNetwork]

EXACTLY! This comment says you know about Maggot Brain foreal foreal, "hat song takes me places even when I’m sitting still"...especially if you close your eyes. It's an trip without the acid.

[@DIRTYFINGERPROJECT]

BrandMan Sean really took it back with Cartoons & Cereal, cats don’t be talking about it like that. Gunplay got off on that thang too.

[@BrandmanNetwork]

Maaaan I'll forever appreciate Gunplay giving us that verse.

[@eltontrebajo]

My number 1 is memorability and connectivity

[@peake864]

Music is music, i think people throw out terms to downplay the music they dont like or they are competing with... I might think your shit wack, dont mean it aint music... most of these problems occur in hip hop

[@Thisguyecm]

@@peake864 yeah man it’s the audacity and calling to create for true artists. Anyone can write a song but will it mean anything? Does it influence people? What kind of contribution to the world is it? That’s the start of great music. IMO

[@Thisguyecm]

It’s all subjective. But the vibration of the artist does make a difference in their music. Why you think Ye, Lauryn, Tupac, and Biggie stay relevant. Their truths in their music radiates and then the delivery of their message isn’t just mediocre. There’s a lot of care in what they want to deliver. Specifically hip hop.

[@peake864]

real shit and thats what i think makes music great... I can tell when an artist cares and when they simply just tryna hustle music... it shows in the music

[@sydneymcdonald1494]

254 in D building

[@Turtle320]

I can’t believe y’all got me to listen to “shoulder lean” from a musical approach or on purpose tbh 😂

[@BrandmanNetwork]

But it's not a lie though lol

[@Turtle320]

@ not at all. As much as I wanted to deny it, my ear for jazz wouldn’t let me haha

[@Thisguyecm]

I would say Jay Z has more of a jazz flow. When he does some of the adlibs “uh uh” and specifically on story of oj heavily jazz influenced. He talks on the beat then raps but it’s a subtle switch.

[@BrandmanNetwork]

Jay Z definitely has a jazz flow. But people have link him and Biggie's flows historically. So it's kind of one in the same.

[@samlovelymusic1]

It's funny to me personally how you said that Kendrick got the masses to "appreciate his music as Art," but most people don't go that deep. Most people just consume music on a song by song basis, and they figure out what they like and apply it to themselves. It's funny to me because I think you're 100% right about Kendrick and his discography, but I never saw him as the thing the idol that everyone else made him out to be... I was a kid that was completely unaware of the whole scene, and I didn't even know what a discography meant until I was 24 despite me "dedicating my life to music." Lol it's embarrassing to be this honest about my meekness in a comment section rn low-key hahaha But all I knew is that Kendrick was a man of influence and he had a reputation to uphold just like the rest of the celebrities, artists, and athletes... With that being said, it never once occurred to me to listen to Kendrick's music as if it's a testimony like that. I was probably scared that my pops would whoop my ass if I was looking at another man in that light LOL I always consumed his music on a song-by-song basis, and I always felt like I was listening to THE RIGHT SONG AT THE RIGHT TIME. I think that's where most Artists can see each other and appreciate the realness in each other's lyrics without worrying about "being a fan of them." This has always led me to greatly appreciate "big" artists songs that aren't the most popular with the masses, but that's just because it's the lyricism that matters the most at that point... Despite whether it's "good" or "great." For example "XXX" Featuring U2 was "ight" to everyone in my high school when he dropped "DAMN," but that's just because most mfs just care about the "vibes." That song hit different to me, and I'd argue that it saved my life in high school. The story, the realizations, and the epiphany it gave me was above and beyond the rap game. Lastly, it was iconic to me that he featured a legendary band like U2... They were one of my Father's favorites, but less than 1% of the kids my age knew what that band meant. My Dad being a real rocker gave me an upper hand in knowing them, but Kendrick was one of the few rappers to true to his lyrics and "artistry" in that sense. Not to mention, his music is mainly "next level bangers" by definition, and that's big respect from a fellow Artist like Me.

[@BrandmanNetwork]

This is dope man. Thanks for sharing. It's amazing how our personal experiences determine how deeply we can/can't appreciate music.