Blog #1: The Situation

In today’s society, almost anyone can be a “celebrity.” Now I said “almost.” That does not include me. I am just your average college student, addicted to social media, and creating playlists of music to target every very specific mood anyone might have. These playlists are always growing. Sometimes I’ll listen to a song I have loved for a long

time and decide it fits in a playlist. Other times, there will be a new artist or song I will come across that I want to include.

When it comes to the music industry, new content is constantly being released. With such a large pool of new music every week, how do we find the music we like to listen to? Maybe ten years ago, I would have said the radio. Today, social media platforms are the place to be. Some of my favorite artists are people I happened to hear while scrolling through my feed.

I’m not the only one using social media to expand my music library. As of September 18 (2022), the hashtag, “newmusic” had 9.1 Billion views on TikTok.

Social media platforms such as this one have changed the way the music industry functions. According to an article on Forbes, although still the favored option, record labels are becoming less essential for an artist’s success. It is becoming easier to produce and promote music independently. As explained by the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music, artists still work to gain attention from labels but, “social media evens the playing field and empowers artists.” It has allowed artists connect directly to their fans and potential audience.

In 2022, releasing music can be as simple as posting a video on TikTok. Engaging with other artists can be as simple as duetting their video. A common trend is for artists to include “open verses” to allow other artists to collaborate by adding their own vocals and/or lyrics.

This leads us to what I will be exploring throughout this blog. Using social media to get music out to the public has been successful for many people, allowing them to get discovered or find their “big break.” However, is this method of marketing still the best option? Audiences can be more critical of those who found fame online.

Musicians are viewed as more or less serious depending on how they found their fame. People tend to be less respected when they are deemed an “influencer” as opposed to being considered an “artist.” If a verified social media star releases a song that goes viral on their platform, are they an artist? What about a small indie band who constantly posts their music and finally gets a song to trend?

With social media becoming such a prevalent advertising strategy for musicians, how does the public differentiate artists from influencers? Being able to determine the difference will shape the way we talk about the individual and their music.

Over the next couple of months, I will be breaking down the differences between artists and influencers by evaluating creators’ content and career paths. Stay tuned to dive into topics such as Dixie D’Amelio, Lil Huddy, Conan Gray, Jacob Sartorius, Troye Sivan, Charlie Puth, and many more! As we continue, share with me who you want to look deeper into and/or your thoughts on what I discuss.

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