OK you wanna hear something truly woke?
When I was like in high school I wanted to be a hip hop artist. I probably like hundreds of pages of songs I wrote.
I've always been a HUGE music aficionado. I know lots of people who formed bands and made their own music, and I've listened to it.
Now the common narrative that people told me is this: A lot of good musicians don't make it. Why? They weren't lucky enough to be discovered.
So it's a sad story. A musician who's talent goes undiscovered just cuz of fate.
But this is not the truth. Wanna know the truth? Here it is:
99.99% OF MUSICIANS DON'T MAKE THE KIND OF MUSIC PEOPLE WANT TO LISTEN TO
No, seriously, this is true.
I've listened to people's mixtapes, listened to underground bands, and most of everything I've heard is not impressive compared to what's on the mainstream charts.
Sorry, but this is the truth. The real reason why popular music is popular is because it's better everything else.
Is your band that struggles to get every member together to jam together on the weekend as good as Metallica?
Is the guy who every two months posts a minute long verse on his Facebook page as good as Jay-Z?
Is the girl who covers songs by using more high notes going to be the next Mariah Carey?
Being able to sing, rap, play guitar or any instrument, and being able to compose a song that millions of people will play on repeat are DIFFERENT THINGS!
And it's not all about being known by everyone. Yngwie Malmsteem isn't a household but a lot of people love his music, hence he is successful.
But believe is or not, pop music follows certain patterns of notes, timing, and rhythm which male us hooked on the song. It's more scientific than artistic process.
So when you ask questions like this
You assume that anyone who's a successful musician is rich because they sold out to the man. That's the same mindset every other failed musician has.
If your expectations are delusional, you're going to be bitter when reality doesn't match your entitlement.
And what are your own terms?
Like Drake said, "‘Cause while my closest friends out there partying
I’m just here making all of the music that they party to."
Are you ready to make that sacrifice? When all your time is spent in the studio, and playing shows, are you really going to feel like it's on your "own terms" then?
Will you still want to be a musician then?
Because that's what it takes if you wanna make it to the top. If you're serious about it, decide right now that you're willing to sell your soul to your craft.
Otherwise, make music as a hobby and be happy you have that.
When I was like in high school I wanted to be a hip hop artist. I probably like hundreds of pages of songs I wrote.
I've always been a HUGE music aficionado. I know lots of people who formed bands and made their own music, and I've listened to it.
Now the common narrative that people told me is this: A lot of good musicians don't make it. Why? They weren't lucky enough to be discovered.
So it's a sad story. A musician who's talent goes undiscovered just cuz of fate.
But this is not the truth. Wanna know the truth? Here it is:
99.99% OF MUSICIANS DON'T MAKE THE KIND OF MUSIC PEOPLE WANT TO LISTEN TO
No, seriously, this is true.
I've listened to people's mixtapes, listened to underground bands, and most of everything I've heard is not impressive compared to what's on the mainstream charts.
Sorry, but this is the truth. The real reason why popular music is popular is because it's better everything else.
Is your band that struggles to get every member together to jam together on the weekend as good as Metallica?
Is the guy who every two months posts a minute long verse on his Facebook page as good as Jay-Z?
Is the girl who covers songs by using more high notes going to be the next Mariah Carey?
Being able to sing, rap, play guitar or any instrument, and being able to compose a song that millions of people will play on repeat are DIFFERENT THINGS!
And it's not all about being known by everyone. Yngwie Malmsteem isn't a household but a lot of people love his music, hence he is successful.
But believe is or not, pop music follows certain patterns of notes, timing, and rhythm which male us hooked on the song. It's more scientific than artistic process.
So when you ask questions like this
It shows you don't have the mentality to be a successful professional musician.Is it really possible to be a 'real' musician?
Like the guy who makes music (on his own terms) and gets paid for it, respected for it and people look up to this guy and not some commercial fart who just hits play and a million dollar amount is transferred to his bank.
You assume that anyone who's a successful musician is rich because they sold out to the man. That's the same mindset every other failed musician has.
If your expectations are delusional, you're going to be bitter when reality doesn't match your entitlement.
And what are your own terms?
Like Drake said, "‘Cause while my closest friends out there partying
I’m just here making all of the music that they party to."
Are you ready to make that sacrifice? When all your time is spent in the studio, and playing shows, are you really going to feel like it's on your "own terms" then?
Will you still want to be a musician then?
Because that's what it takes if you wanna make it to the top. If you're serious about it, decide right now that you're willing to sell your soul to your craft.
Otherwise, make music as a hobby and be happy you have that.