When Artists Get Too Influenced

[@hadjitube]

Unlock my profile & get access to some never before seen content! myxt.com/@hadji

[@NStarX9]

I love this!!

[@TedDiabetes]

Nothing disinterests me quicker than when someone tries to recruit me for a project and immediately starts listing off bands or aesthetics they wanna rip off. Especially at this point in my life. You bring you, I'll bring me, along with our sigular and collective influences. Let's get in a room, have it out, get weird, and see if we have any chemistry that will lead to something organic and inspired.

[@Boywhocriedrainbow]

Trend hopping is no one’s fault. Everyone is desperate. But if your music sounds desperate it’s your fault.

[@hadjitube]

hhaha this is well said

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

It's the fault of Tiktok brain

[@willwright6510]

You should check out Willie Olivier before it’s too late

[@hansmemling7605]

@duhduhduhdiesel1436 The garage rock scene in the US was exactly the same back in the day. Everyone was making it in their garage and most people sounded the same. Because certain music survives time all the similar and badly sounding ones are forgotten but what happens now is visible to all to see, leading people to believe it was different in the past when in fact it’s the same now as it was then.

[@hadjitube]

@@hansmemling7605 good point

[@hayien]

It is a crushing realization, listening to how good Mk.Gee is, but the more I‘ve worked on crafting a sound the more I notice it‘s almost not even the sound itself that needs crafting. It‘s feels more akin to the idea that the more depth you have as a person and as an artist the better it will translate into you art. It‘s really hard to do that since it requires to dive into your own psyche but it‘s the common denominator that makes unique artists unique. Great vid

[@M1GUELSYOUTUBE]

really appreciate the conversation about influences vs biting. i think it's always good when people try to sound like themselves. The pressure of industry probably adds more to this, but I think people can usually hear authenticity.

[@JAE-li9vw]

valid take on older influences being purer, I can’t blame anyone for wanting to drop everything and become mkgee tho

[@thysweetlord]

Become Mkgee by going back to the sources

[@thomasharding2015]

Bro thanks so much for this. You verbalized all of this so well. You can't think "what would they do" because it takes you away from what you could you.

[@Smoothhh_One]

I’ve been feeling like this for a couple weeks now. Lmao. Glad I’m not the only one

[@k2a2l2]

i havent heard of mk.gee before but you are spot on with everything, everyone is inspired by their favorite music but you still got to be yourself if you want to be happy with your own music

[@k2a2l2]

listening to two star album and damn this is really incredible. if yall like this you should check out Jam City, reminds me of them a little bit (the album Pillowland by them specifically)

[@emi2004]

u should make a video about vegyn!! he’s made songs with mkgee and frank u probably know him

[@Kev-1k]

Good idea

[@xnlac]

WE LOVE VEGYN❤

[@yvngarmz5984]

This video is equal parts entertaining, informative, and creatively inspiring/motivating. Keep it up. Love your stuff!!!

[@victorcobane6644]

Great video, said a lot of stuff that I have felt and been processing myself in a really easy to get way.

[@thewizardtk]

You are gonna go far, you got that charismatic youtuber vibe

[@Akirasloss]

Been watching for a bit and decided to check out ur music . I got “ boi” on repeat rn

[@jihadamcsween2677]

I’ve actually never experienced that feeling of I won’t measure to that because I want to take a piece of the art with me and be just as impactful in my own way the reason I like the music and the artists I do is because they are able to connect and resonate with the audience not because of the specific sound they have but the connection they have with the music and how that translates that what I want ( but in a way that is my own and special). This is such an interesting topic to dive into 😊

[@nadpher]

Everything you said is so real

[@Donbdazed808]

I’m guilty of being too influenced on my past projects not necessarily by what’s trending but what I like I’m tryna blend all my influences to create my own sound though love this videos message. Keep making music fs gang💯

[@BigmomaJLG]

Interesting video. Your contents great. Love the perspective. Honestly, I was a bit high last night so I forget everything but I do think it’s an interesting callout you’re making. IMO, on one hand, the pursuit to sound like your favorite artist is fine. There’s a John Mayer quote out there where he mentions his pursuit of trying to sound like his favorites, are why he is who he is. So realisitically, all could say the same with mk.gee. It’s really interesting stuff, makes sense this big following wave or sound chasers. But where I do think people get it wrong is in that pursuit of chasing a sound. Mkgee says himself, that he’s ripped drums from the 70s. He’s extremely prince coded, has some Michael flair , his guitar licks have neo soul elements and also Hendrix and Santana. And I’m here for it all. And for that reason I’m all for the people that chase mike. What I’m not for is this I need a tascam 424, or “this is what his guitar sounds like” because that’s the completely wrong chase. Also no idea what a mike tone is like some people are saying. Hes got 12 songs on that album and the tone is different on every one haha. People wrongly think a chorused out guitar is mike. Nah that’s 80s. I think if you really want to study Mike, it comes from his influences and how creative he is. We all have a different base set of influences that have influenced us to this point. Mines similar to Mike, but it’s also different, therefore I hear different, therefore I creatively output different, therefore I will never be him. But understanding why he sounds the way he sounds and his influences, is 1000% worth studying, attempting, and thinking about out when possible. Also, chances are by the time people actually can truly replicate anything like Mike, mikes gonna be onto the next thing. So people miss the point completely. It’s not about sounding like him. But def use him as a puzzle piece , maybe a really big puzzle piece, to influence yourself. Hes connected to a lot of other pieces

[@hadjitube]

100%!!!

[@AmandaabnamA]

I've heard people say he makes 80s music not cheesy and that to me that shows that you don't know his influences. So you see his music as utterly new, but what makes is great is that to me it adds some grunge to both the synth of the 80s and the American folk rock as well. Chefs kiss blend, but it only came from nowhere if you don't appreciate the influences

[@Dheeee]

I’ve been bumping your music for a while and had no clue you were the dude’s videos I’ve been watching, I thought you were two different people LMAOOO

[@matroEnt]

This was very sweet. Quickly becoming one of my fav KZbinrs

[@MiguelRamirez-cr7gh]

This is the same thing happening in the metal/rock world with Deftones. Somewhere along 2020 it seemed every metal band was just ripping off a sound they were known for 20 years ago, and not afraid to straight up rip them off. Deftones use to be one of the most loved bands on the planet by fans, every since bands started ripping them off it became sort of a comedy, and annoying when someone would point out they sound like them. Now you see a ton of hate in the comment sections.

[@november0227]

Mkgee make me pick my guitar up and cry

[@ProdLucio]

facts

[@blackjeansonahotday]

Hadji pointed directly at me and told me to believe in myself..... and now I do....and now I'm finally free

[@kakuyon]

This is dope dawg! Thanks for collecting all this info, I thoroughly enjoyed and learnt 🙏🏾

[@kakuyon]

Also very random, tryna remember why you look familiar 😅... were you on Breakers radio discord?

[@hadjitube]

@@kakuyon that sounds kinda familiar can u jog my brain

[@kakuyon]

​@@hadjitube uhhm like the P&P guys did that radio show for a stretch in 2020... Maybe not....

[@hadjitube]

oh no 100% that was me hahah i just forgot exactly what breakers was

[@kakuyon]

@@hadjitube oh dope ‼️ really glad I stumbled onto your KZbin great to see you 🫂

[@lukehauser1182]

Got me to listen to Mk.gee - thanks!

[@jihadamcsween2677]

I’ve actually never experienced that feeling of I won’t measure to that because I want to take a piece of the art with me and be just as impactful in my own way the reason I like the music and the artist I do is because they are able to connect and resonate with the audience not because of the specific sound they have but the connection they have with the music and how that translates that what I want ( but in a way that is my own and special)

[@Hehehoohoo-j3d]

Or on the other hand, I’ve been using wonky guitar sounds forever now just because I like to experiment with guitar fx and always had cheap guitars so had to experiment to make them sound good, and now everyone is saying I sound like MkGee when I’ve been doing my own thing way before I ever heard of him 🙃💀😔

[@Deadblob54]

people have been using wonky guitar sounds since the 60s everybody just looking to "brand" a sound

[@jihadamcsween2677]

This is something a noticed in a new artist tallumen I found they are very talented but I feel like they are so inspired by their faves, that they sound like the other artists and not original. The indie artist Tallumen is heavily inspired by Jeff Buckley to the point where their songs sound just like Jeff Buckley songs even down to the vocal technique/ style of singing.

[@KordTaylor]

👏 THANK YOU! You have some really nice insights here. And yeah the country thing, the old music thing, etc.. My son is a artist/writer/producer (22) and I'm seeing all this in his world. And the mk.gee + Dijon and it seems like a "use real players" thing is coming back with all of that, the new WILLOW stuff and elsewhere. Type beat is a reflection of the old American label approach where they were trying to sign bands that were "sound alike" of hit making bands.

[@NOXBEATZ]

Bro thank u for this. Such a gold channel

[@NStarX9]

We need more authenticity I feel so alone in the music space

[@nickwinsor4402]

Thank you!

[@tropicalwhiskers3922]

Gee sounds like lofi LANY

[@franky_spankyy]

You are really so well spoken man you present all of your thoughts in such an engaging way, keep up the great work 🫶🏼

[@joshuaveal4875]

Pmo to the Mk.Gee clones I wanna be tapped in

[@christianbruner779]

Keep doing your thing man

[@Aptoosmoove03]

He a fan he a fan he a fan 🕺🏾1:51

[@cellphonesex]

glad to see mkgees popularity rise , we’ve been making the same sounds. even sampled him in 2019

[@Subideable]

Same dudes that’s were jockin mac demarco are gonna make mkgee type tracks

[@tigersteffi]

Mk.gee didn’t invent baritone tuning. Today in this essay I will

[@hadjitube]

hahah no doubt hes just inspiring a lot of people rn

[@tigersteffi]

I just wanted to add to this as someone who’s found a lot of inspiration in what Mike and Dijon do. I think their sound is resonating in a particular way because it feels attainable. Lately, in the guitar world, it seems like you fall into one of two camps: you either play a million notes per minute on Instagram reels with a Telecaster-style guitar plugged into a Fender-voiced cab sim, or you do the same thing but with a crazy custom 7-string. Growing up, I didn’t really have any guitar heroes, and now as an adult, I feel it even more because it’s hard to emulate someone like Tosin Abasi, for example. But Mike’s sound feels achievable while still being technical, with a strong emphasis on dynamics. I think it’s crucial to take what you learn from your heroes and put your own spin on it, just like Mike is taking late-era Phil Collins and filtering it through his own style. Just my two cents!

[@hadjitube]

@@tigersteffi thats a rly good point!

[@RapsandRiffs]

My dad’s a pastor and put me on to a Christian artist Phil Keaggy who reminds me a lot of MkGee with the guitar tones (the song “let everything else go” being a perfect example), I don’t know if Mkgee heard of him but that was who he reminded me of immediately… im too tapped in to irrelevant things 😂

[@levipatton93]

This is so real!! Phil Keaggy is so fire! He definitely has a similar approach to guitar as mk gee. Super cool comment to see under this video.

[@RapsandRiffs]

@@levipatton93 I’m stoked someone else knows who Phil Keaggy is 😂

[@3129021jc]

Any songs you guys recommend? Kinda curious now lol

[@loganhagler1889]

yoooo Phil! I loved him as a kid.

[@RapsandRiffs]

@@3129021jc anything from his record “town to town” if you like the spaced out pedal stuff, if you like Zappa jam type stuff check out his band “2nd chapter of Acts”

[@Satisfyerism]

envy ✨✨

[@garebear1332]

I’m Just A Fan ~ Teezo Touchdown

[@nawsh2252]

I love this topic. The part that hit the most for me was the quote about his experience at USC. I was thinking, and maybe this branches to another discussion, about how this phenomenon appears at different levels. Like when I was growing up and in my formative years, I felt like a lot of musicians and hipster scene people would dislike or dismiss me entirely. I didn’t handle it well tbh. I kept asking myself, “I feel like I have something to add here. Why does everyone hate me??” It created this whole trauma around my hometown. Another related anecdote, I used to know a girl who is in that music department at USC. She is a grad student and teaches one undergrad class. She proudly told me once how it was basically a fun pastime with her students to collectively dog pile their “hatred” for Jacob Collier. They thought it was an outright disgrace he spoke on campus once. All I could think and say was, that sounds like envy. He’s trying to create art and be inspirational. You guys don’t even have the confidence to write music. Why do you “hate” him? She had no answer and changed the subject.

[@catopotato3330]

bro u need to hear new leon thomas he got melodies for days

[@hadjitube]

im halfway thru the album super fire. hes sick

[@augustbluemusic]

Great video man. I met Mike a few times before Mk.gee really took off when I lived in East LA with roommates from USC. at a certain point, he must have dialed in a very specific guitar tone and creative choices (with Dijon too) to really make something special. also laughing at the "Hadji you suck" text during the sponsorship break😭

[@kudshirt6061]

My room mate likes your hair xo

[@pilotsock2602]

Yes I do

[@hadjitube]

hahahah thank u !!!!

[@anameno.mp3]

ngl bro I'm definitley one of those ppl, the song I'm working on is basically js "Noah's Highlight Reel" from walmart 😭

[@hadjitube]

lmaoo u will find ur own style! just freak it a little

[@anameno.mp3]

@@hadjitube yeah thx! Seeing this video has helped alot in opening my eyes to try and search for my sound. I still think its going to be like this "experimenral ambient alt indie" thing but I'll make sure to find more ways to make it original.

[@hadjitube]

@@anameno.mp3 sounds sick, and theres a lot of different ways that can go!

[@Lesedi_Gololo]

He's Big Mike right? He was on Dijons album absolutely?

[@hadjitube]

yep!

[@briantharpe1937]

Solid vid though 👌🏼

[@victoryzy]

I customised my guitar to a baritone and bought a Tascam 4 track tape recorder because of this man. am I cooked?

[@hadjitube]

hahah no its still gonna be what you do with it at the end of the day!

[@victoryzy]

@@hadjitube hahaha for real.. Dijon and mkgee helped me to find musical vocabulary I didn’t know existed. Gonna take what I learnt and do it my way bringing this sound to Asia 😤

[@pestoburger]

I’m a Mk.gooner

[@Rightofhu]

Basketcase

[@Javier-ox8ui]

remember when it was tame impala

[@DOSTmain]

sponsored video lets goooooo 📈

[@EstelleAllen-f6x]

tracey brakes mentioned

[@KordTaylor]

Ok. Only prob is that this could be multiple videos 😂 Also so you have the direct connect to fans gotta see if you have a Patreon or discord. If not check it out.

[@hadjitube]

hahahah yea i usually do one vid every week on tuesdays ive just been on vacation! i do have a discord yea. im still pretty new but maybe one day ill have a patreon. i post all my vids one day early for free in my broadcast channel on instagram!

[@Bgoods]

mac demarco did the same thing when Salad Days came out. Indie couldn't escape cribbing his aesthetic for 5 years afterwards.

[@hadjitube]

yea ngl that shit affected me and made me wanna make indie music too hahaah

[@realSeanMcMahon]

@@hadjitubeyup. Those were my Brooklyn days, many an ode to Mac DeMarco and Kurt Vile. Lots of common sounds in circulation among us. We all had Tascams and we all played electric guitars through them too. Good on mkgee for making it his thing!

[@Connercozy]

be the first Conner Cozy

[@la-uwu-rence]

Crazy, I saw your OG mk.gee video, but didn't realize it was you when you asked me if I make music. Great stuff man! I did have a couple of thoughts, but know I enjoyed the videos I have watched so far of yours first and foremost. - For the survey, I think one factor to consider is the question itself, "Do you make music?", this is not a 1:1 of being a musician or asking someone that question, per say. Mainly, people may have A LOT of ways to define both "make music" and "musician". Especially in NYC, you can have gig musicians who do not compose, but will take orchestra gigs or do cover songs. Do I think they make music? For sure. Do you? It seemed like you wanted to encourage people to not be ashamed or downplay what they do (which I appreciate!), so I think so. Does everyone think that? Probably not. I mainly say this to say that could have affected the data. Also, you know NYC...people want to be left alone and will give the 'easiest' response. I also think if ya do something like this again, consider maybe asking inside the venue as people come in for a more 'random sample'. As I know for me, I got there at 5:00 PM and I think I was probably #50 of people you asked, so combo of bug fans/had the freetime to chill. - I think there is a point to discourage people trying too hard to replicate someone's success and trend follow. However, I do think this can be part of the creative process as well. I know mk.gee may disagree based on his statements, but I do think there is value in trying to replicate what someone is doing and to make it your own. I know for me, trying to replicate his sound has taught me a lot for music production and even helped me appreciate more nuances about how to achieve it. I think the latter part can help to go outside the Two Star & Dream Police style, but its a process. I think there is a point that trying to recreate it to get the same success/renown is problematic, but there is a value long term in wanting to replicate the sound imho....I do say this as someone guilty of this and I am sure not everyone agrees with me XD

[@hadjitube]

agree with everything u said! honestly i freestyled that whole thing, i almost flaked bc of the weather / was tired and having a bad day so i didnt even rly plan that out too deeply haha. will def improve next time and maybe film it

[@la-uwu-rence]

@@hadjitube hey, no worries at all, and again, I think it was a fun thing you did! I was debating on adding this, because I’m not really all that knowledgeable about it and it has a vibe, but I studied Economics in college and I love the studies logistics. Also, I feel that, I was 50/50 if he’d be able to play that day XD

[@ZzzBliss]

real

[@paxxous]

i saw him live 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@capnjames]

Dang I’ve had a baritone 🥲

[@IFeastOnGlue]

If people think being a fan is cringe, that means they think Nardwuar is cringe. I like Nardwuar

[@hadjitube]

@@IFeastOnGlue honestly one of the best arguments ive heard haha

[@LacuArt-l5d]

Where does one go to find out like specific samples or the granular details of electronic music? I’d like to know when a specific snare is being used haha

[@hadjitube]

i think its just the ear u get from listening to that particular sample 1000 times in your own work haha

[@endlesspath-bb6yt]

🔥🔥

[@iluvpabloiluvpablo]

Long ass ad bro lol

[@hadjitube]

lmao im still getting it down

[@ejoyce98]

You should do a video on brakence!

[@olanrewajufolaronmi108]

Make a video about you Because you’re really good

[@MatthewAndrew111]

Mgk revived pop punk but also rock for a whole different generation. I like that you touched on that, he doesn’t get enough credit though

[@hadjitube]

yea a lot of people dont like mgk as a person or a rapper but i didnt think his pop punk stuff was too bad!

[@MatthewAndrew111]

@@hadjitube haha people have their opinions for sure. When you see a dude do this for years, it’s hard to deny. I didn’t resonate with his earlier stuff. You check out hotel Diablo? Tickets to my downfall and Mainstream sellout have very solid rock production.

[@Pikachu-o2j]

the issue is that a lot of those TikTok artists try to copy and steal from others. Sorry I don't want to listen to some Deftones copy, I prefer to listen to the original. They don't know the fine line of getting inspired, and doing your own things versus straight up copying. not to be mean but especially the younger generations are doing that

[@hadjitube]

for sure, i dont think its mean to point it out, but its true when its younger artists they will hopefully see that theyre doing it and outgrow it in due time. plenty of artists who are now great and unique started out emulating someone, a side effect of today's social media world is we see all these artists at step 1 now

[@like7Y50N]

this dude reminds me of Morty for some reason...

[@hadjitube]

gonna pretend u mean morty the ghost type gym leader from pokemon silver and not rick and morty

[@like7Y50N]

totally Rick and Morty's Morty--with all due respect.

[@natureplayer1980]

"the product wasn't horrible" re: mgk pop punk kinda a hot take lol

[@benaskukenys3173]

listen to Lightspeed by Ben Khan

[@jaymondkreek854]

Bro what is that instrumental in the background

[@jaymondkreek854]

The first one

[@hadjitube]

hadji gaviota (me) - i’m bored

[@okaight7248]

I had to force myself to learn not feel down by new artists that are impressive anymore. I say "nice" and move on. It sounds pretentious and like a cope but I'd rather make my own sound that makes me happy and feel expressive as opposed to be a walmart version of my favorite new artist. There's too much over influenced noise floating in the ether and almost everyone would rather listen to the artist who's sound you stole anyways.

[@hadjitube]

no that's not pretentious at all!!! this is the way!!! let's go

[@briantharpe1937]

He’s good but he feels like like an emo new gen re hash of Bon Iver 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@hadjitube]

he def got a lot of justin vernon in him! but he also got the justin vernon stamp of approval haha

[@JakeBodenhamer]

Greta Van Fleet

[@grantandrews4826]

Greta Van Fleet gives me acid reflux.

[@000SPACER]

OnG

[@jaywood5831]

I like mkgee a lot but it's funny how no one realizes he basically ripped off unknown mortal orchestra

[@jackmmarsden]

This is nothing new. This happens with every trend

[@marcusagain]

for the love of jesus its MICK GEE NOT MUHGEE

[@hadjitube]

idk my mom has one of those "Mc-" irish last names and we say it the way I would say Mk.gee in this video

[@marcusagain]

@@hadjitube true my bad brother

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

Why no mention of Drake or Beyonce, who constantly pander to trends and co-opt smaller artists when it's convenient to do so?

[@hadjitube]

i did mention beyonce! in the country section. that phenomenon ur describing feels like something different than what i wanted to talk about, although it’s a good topic and maybe worth another video to look at those relationships. i was thinking more about younger artists or people without an established fanbase and a long career yet, who get caught up in whatever’s hot when they’re trying to find their sound

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

@@hadjitube I missed that. Idk, I think more scrutiny should be on the vultures like Drake and Beyonce than young pups, but I can see how them implementing trends prevents careers from getting off the ground

[@hadjitube]

@@duhduhduhdiesel1436 yea totally an understandable perspective, that goes both ways because some artists prob thrive off the spotlight, while others feel ripped off, honestly could be its own video

[@iamtheone2000]

@@duhduhduhdiesel1436 a culture vulture is someone who takes from the culture for their own benefit without doing anything to give back to said culture . Drake isn’t a culture vulture because anytime he shines light on a culture that artist and said culture receive more shine and drake continues to collaborate with said artist and show love to the originators. i can understand beyonce being called a vulture tho ,l

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

@@iamtheone2000 lmao Drake is by definition a culture vulture. It is well documented that in many cases, the artist might get a minor bump and then fail to come out of the shadow of the Drake stimulus effect. That isn't even considering all the whitewashed dancehall he did, along with his fake accents/patois. I'm not engaging with this one further

[@landon8390]

Tbh I do not get the hype around mk.gee and I wish I did. the songwriting and lyricism as well as guitar playing itself without the tone is not unique. The tone itself in my opinion sounds like shit and it’s been done before by guitarists like Adrian Belew. Dude has great vocals and can sell a great vocal performance, but it all sounds half baked to me. I guess I just don’t get it, doesn’t do anything for me emotionally or get me excited but I respect the talent. it’s honestly not that hard to make a mk.gee song when broken down. It’s all pretty formulaic and we treating him like the next jimi Hendrix or something. I respect every person here though and the contrary opinions, maybe put me on to something that will change my mind

[@Fenilee]

I really wish you would stop going to shows during this ongoing pandemic

[@kylenymeyer]

I’ll probably get some hate for this… But Mk.Gee is a wannabe Justin Vernon without the class.

[@hadjitube]

everoyne is entitled to their own opinion! but Justin vernon himself has gushed about mk.gee haha

[@eichlers__]

tracey brakes mentioned 🥹

[@escherpainting8622]

the mk.gee penny hasn't dropped for me yet at all. Just do not get what people are liking about it. Seems a little bit too much aesthetic and not enough art