40 replies to this topic

[RockstarCelineDion]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to know what do you think about the music industry today? more specifically what do you think about the music industry's relationship with the artist?

I'm want to hear your comments about this subject; I will let my opinion match Michael Jakson's opinion of the music industry which is said in this rare live footage:

http://www.youtube.c...watch?v=<object width="1280" height="745"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.c...></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.c...hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="1280" height="745"></embed></object>

Thoughts?

[Bell]

I think producers want only music that sells well. It may be normal but it's unfair at the same time. They often make singers record a certain type of music and have a certain image that is far from what they really are. Music industry is like every other industry. Money is the most important thing. Many singers don't have the chance to choose what to sing and how to look or behave. Their producers make the decisions and tell them what to do in order to gain as much money as possible. Singers can't always stand all this pressure and some of them just give up. They become victims of the music industry that once made them popular. And it's really sad.

[RockstarCelineDion]

Bell, on Jun 26 2010, 06:41 AM, said:

I think producers want only music that sells well. It may be normal but it's unfair at the same time. They often make singers record a certain type of music and have a certain image that is far from what they really are. Music industry is like every other industry. Money is the most important thing. Many singers don't have the chance to choose what to sing and how to look or behave. Their producers make the decisions and tell them what to do in order to gain as much money as possible. Singers can't always stand all this pressure and some of them just give up. They become victims of the music industry that once made them popular. And it's really sad.

You are right; however, in this video, it's Michael Jackson, THE KING OF POP who sold BILLIONS of records for Sony, who is speaking out on the music industry. He has complete control over his career; nonetheless, he's speaking against the company. This video shows that the music industry seniors are so cruel and devil-like that they don't give a s*** about anyone in the music industry even for their biggest-money-generator like MJ and even other artists like James Brown or anyone else.

I'm wondering why Celine is still in this company; First, they don't do her any favor promotion-wise anymore [Taking Chances] and she deserves to get her own label and start her own company so that if she has to take control of her career when Rene would pass on she wouldn't have to feel pressure over her head from $ony Music Inc.

Edited by RockstarCelineDion, 26 June 2010 - 11:37 AM.

[Bellamy]

That's the music industry. I don't think the other big companies are any better than $ONY.

[Scramasboy]

What Bellamy said is completely true, Sony is probably the biggest name when it comes to record companies, and Celine could have a contract which makes her unable to leave, not to meantion even for an Artist Celine's caliber it probably wouldn't be as easy as most think it would be for her to do it on her own. Over the years there has been obvious favoritism, one day your in, the next your out, companies make the stars these days, not the persons individual talent, and number ones are bought [This, I am so close to positive on, for a few artists at least, wont name names] and its all attacthed to the grammies, who pick go with what is current as well. It used to be that the Peoples Choice Awards were awarded for popularity and the Grammies was awarded for Quality. Not anymore, for years now. It's a sham, the whole music industry is a bust really, it's sad too because it really is a shadow of what it once was. They want to do the least amount of work for the most money, Look at Celine. She is probably still one of sony's top selling artists beings her fans are always there to buy her releases and they don't care to make something new or exclusive or to promote anything new, because they know she will still sell the same amount as the person they are promoting the fudge out of. [a can sell 2 million with promo and celine can sell 2 million without, and promo costs 1.5 million, they'd rather just leave it and not do the work] at least thats how it seems, and Celine, as much as I adore her, just doesn't give a hoot anymore, lol! In her mind I'm sure it goes something like this

"I sold 200 million albums already, I have 42+ number 1 singles worldwide, I did a 5 year stint in one spot which was mega successful, I did a 130+world tour with each venue had 7,000+ seats, which was almost always sold out, which is the second most successful world tour by anyone, anywhere, and that was 27 years after my debut in the industry, I'm a damn successful Artist, and no one will be able to top that, I have a cool 500 million+ in the bank, I have my next vegas stint planned, and new cd's planned, now all I care to do is rub cocoa butter on my growing belly and chill in my lazy river"

[RockstarCelineDion]

Scramasboy, on Jun 26 2010, 07:22 PM, said:

Celine could have a contract which makes her unable to leave, not to meantion even for an Artist Celine's caliber it probably wouldn't be as easy
as most think it would be for her to do it on her own.

Did you watch the video?

MJ says at first that He left Sony, owning 50% of Sony

Celine can leave Sony. If MJ have left Sony, Celine could do the same; Plus, MJ sold tons more than Celine, so pratically speaking he was much more important than Celine in the music industry; so Celine is not like the big deal today in Sony IMO. If they don't give her enough promotion, that's because they know that the extra promotion would be only money thrown out of the window becoz she can sell a limited quantity of CDs/DVDs in their opinion. Basically, if they don't give her the attention that she needs and the promotion for her releases, she's better off leaving them and get her stuff together in her own private company Celine Dion Inc.

[Scramasboy]

I dont deny that Celine would do better for her career by leaving Sony, I just think Celine isn't as ambitious as she was and she probably feels thankful to Sony for helping her get to where she is. I don't think Celine would go all out like she did in the 90's if she was doing her own thing either, I just don't think she wants to, though it'd be cool to see.

[Bellamy]

RockstarCelineDion, on Jun 27 2010, 10:42 AM, said:

Scramasboy, on Jun 26 2010, 07:22 PM, said:

Celine could have a contract which makes her unable to leave, not to meantion even for an Artist Celine's caliber it probably wouldn't be as easy
as most think it would be for her to do it on her own.

Did you watch the video?

MJ says at first that He left Sony, owning 50% of Sony

Celine can leave Sony. If MJ have left Sony, Celine could do the same; Plus, MJ sold tons more than Celine, so pratically speaking he was much more important than Celine in the music industry; so Celine is not like the big deal today in Sony IMO. If they don't give her enough promotion, that's because they know that the extra promotion would be only money thrown out of the window becoz she can sell a limited quantity of CDs/DVDs in their opinion. Basically, if they don't give her the attention that she needs and the promotion for her releases, she's better off leaving them and get her stuff together in her own private company Celine Dion Inc.

I don't think MJ meant he own 50% of SONY, he only own 50% of Sony/ATV, formed in 1995 when Sony paid Jackson $90 million for 50% of ATV Music Publishing. Barry Massarsky of Massarsky Consulting says that Sony/ATV is comparable to BMG Music Publishing two years ago when Universal Music Group acquired it for $2 billion. Massarsky estimates Sony/ATV is worth about 80% of BMG at the time of acquisition, or $1.6 billion. Jackson's share is half that, or $800 million. Based on a multiple of eight to 10 times net publisher's share, Jackson's share of the company's revenue is $80 million per year.

Also although MJ said he's leaving SONY, but he was in SONY even after he died.

Quote

In March, Sony Music Entertainment reached a deal with Jackson's estate to release 10 albums of the singer's music through 2017. The albums' content will vary-a collection of previously unreleased tracks is expected in November and a reissue of Epic's 1979 release of "Off the Wall" is anticipated next year. All told, the estate is guaranteed between $200 million and $250 million for the deal. Some of that amount was likely paid in an advance. No albums have yet been released, however

[RockstarCelineDion]

Quote

Also although MJ said he's leaving SONY, but he was in SONY even after he died.

MJ had alot of issues going on in his life that made him full of debt [child molestation cases etc...] that's the main reason why he didn't leave $ony becoz he didn't have the money to go on as a free agent; Plus, when MJ died his whole family was against the $ony Co. putting out his "This is it" concert; however Sony went on with the project and released it because MJ was in debt w/ Sony; that's the main reason he didn't quit Sony. However, Celine has no issues W/Sony and can leave Sony whenever she wants.

[Bellamy]

You never know how long her contract with SONY is. Also what is a good candidate for Celine to go? Please don't tell her own label. A huge star like her need a big record company to support. I doubt the other divas like MC, Whitney, Shania, even Madonna get a much better deal with the record company than Celine.

[Scramasboy]

From what I remember, Celine is a top CD sales earner [meaning she makes more money per cd sold than many other artists] I think I read that somewhere here on the forum within the last 2 years lol!

[Bellamy]

And a record label of her own would be the least interesting thing to her now.

I think we should stay on topic about the whole music industry, instead of discussing Celine's and SONY over and over like before.

[RockstarCelineDion]

http://www.youtube.c...watch?v=<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-n...></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-n...4abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>

Another Jazz-music legend Joni Mitchel talks about how her record label "dictate" on her that she should change the cover of her album. Another form of industry-controlling every movement that the artist makes; I know they let her use this cover for her single but nonetheless, she talked about how they forced her to change the album cover which is pretty lame coming from the music industry that wants to control EVERYTHING and that's from an artist way back in the 80s.

[Bell]

Scramasboy, on Jun 26 2010, 11:32 PM, said:

I just think Celine isn't as ambitious as she was and she probably feels thankful to Sony for helping her get to where she is. I don't think Celine would go all out like she did in the 90's if she was doing her own thing either, I just don't think she wants to, though it'd be cool to see.

I agree. We all know that now family is the most important thing for Celine. Maybe these days we, the fans, care about her career more than she does.

[Scramasboy]

Bell, on Jun 28 2010, 09:14 AM, said:

Scramasboy, on Jun 26 2010, 11:32 PM, said:

I just think Celine isn't as ambitious as she was and she probably feels thankful to Sony for helping her get to where she is. I don't think Celine would go all out like she did in the 90's if she was doing her own thing either, I just don't think she wants to, though it'd be cool to see.

I agree. We all know that now family is the most important thing for Celine. Maybe these days we, the fans, care about her career more than she does.

Yep, and I think SHE realizes that she won't be able to top her 90's success. I was thinking about it, Mariah Carey was most successful in the 90's voice and career, and in 2005 she had another career high but that was only after a pretty deep low. Whitney Houston is the same, had a high only after a real low, and her high wasn't that amazing but she definantly got a nice amound of sells and coverage, Celine hasn't had the down to get back up, she's was HUGE HUGE HUGE in the 90's and early 2000's and has had a steady line of success since then, which isn't anything to scoff at! I'd rather Celine have steady success than one real high, some real lows and a moderate high and low again etc etc. idk.

[Davey84]

Scramasboy, on Jun 27 2010, 02:22 AM, said:

"I sold 200 million albums already, I have 42+ number 1 singles worldwide, I did a 5 year stint in one spot which was mega successful, I did a 130+world tour with each venue had 7,000+ seats, which was almost always sold out, which is the second most successful world tour by anyone, anywhere, and that was 27 years after my debut in the industry, I'm a damn successful Artist, and no one will be able to top that, I have a cool 500 million+ in the bank, I have my next vegas stint planned, and new cd's planned, now all I care to do is rub cocoa butter on my growing belly and chill in my lazy river"

Bell, on Jun 28 2010, 06:14 PM, said:

Scramasboy, on Jun 26 2010, 11:32 PM, said:

I just think Celine isn't as ambitious as she was and she probably feels thankful to Sony for helping her get to where she is. I don't think Celine would go all out like she did in the 90's if she was doing her own thing either, I just don't think she wants to, though it'd be cool to see.

I agree. We all know that now family is the most important thing for Celine. Maybe these days we, the fans, care about her career more than she does.

well I don't care about her getting number 1's all the time, but I do care that her airplay is ZERO, old and new songs, while people like Whitney, Madonna etc are still played! My fear is that Céline will stay the biggest selling female outthere, but totally irrelevant for the music history/industry!   I get worked up by the bad single choices made by Sony! TC had so many good songs, but they pick the worse! THAT team has to change IMO!

[fan2celinedion]

Scramasboy, on Jun 27 2010, 02:22 AM, said:

"I sold 200 million albums already, I have 42+ number 1 singles worldwide, I did a 5 year stint in one spot which was mega successful, I did a 130+world tour with each venue had 7,000+ seats, which was almost always sold out, which is the second most successful world tour by anyone, anywhere, and that was 27 years after my debut in the industry, I'm a damn successful Artist, and no one will be able to top that, I have a cool 500 million+ in the bank, I have my next vegas stint planned, and new cd's planned, now all I care to do is rub cocoa butter on my growing belly and chill in my lazy river"

Davey84, on Jun 29 2010, 11:15 AM, said:

well I don't care about her getting number 1's all the time, but I do care that her airplay is ZERO, old and new songs, while people like Whitney, Madonna etc are still played! My fear is that Céline will stay the biggest selling female outthere, but totally irrelevant for the music history/industry!   I get worked up by the bad single choices made by Sony! TC had so many good songs, but they pick the worse! THAT team has to change IMO!

Very well said!

[Bell]

Davey84, on Jun 29 2010, 04:15 AM, said:

My fear is that Céline will stay the biggest selling female outthere, but totally irrelevant for the music history/industry!  

I hope this won't happen.

Edited by Bell, 29 June 2010 - 10:38 AM.

[volleyceline]

I personally don't like today's music, but I mean as in the genre of the music, not the industry. I don't know that much about it, all I know, as Bellamy said, Sony is a wonderful company, but could do better with promoting their artists :-/
As of now, the industry creates and sell songs that will make the most money. I know for a fact, that Sony and everyone who Celine has collaborated with have treated her well, otherwise we would have heard

Good topic

[Scramasboy]

Davey84, on Jun 29 2010, 02:15 AM, said:

Scramasboy, on Jun 27 2010, 02:22 AM, said:

"I sold 200 million albums already, I have 42+ number 1 singles worldwide, I did a 5 year stint in one spot which was mega successful, I did a 130+world tour with each venue had 7,000+ seats, which was almost always sold out, which is the second most successful world tour by anyone, anywhere, and that was 27 years after my debut in the industry, I'm a damn successful Artist, and no one will be able to top that, I have a cool 500 million+ in the bank, I have my next vegas stint planned, and new cd's planned, now all I care to do is rub cocoa butter on my growing belly and chill in my lazy river"

Bell, on Jun 28 2010, 06:14 PM, said:

Scramasboy, on Jun 26 2010, 11:32 PM, said:

I just think Celine isn't as ambitious as she was and she probably feels thankful to Sony for helping her get to where she is. I don't think Celine would go all out like she did in the 90's if she was doing her own thing either, I just don't think she wants to, though it'd be cool to see.

I agree. We all know that now family is the most important thing for Celine. Maybe these days we, the fans, care about her career more than she does.

well I don't care about her getting number 1's all the time, but I do care that her airplay is ZERO, old and new songs, while people like Whitney, Madonna etc are still played! My fear is that Céline will stay the biggest selling female outthere, but totally irrelevant for the music history/industry!   I get worked up by the bad single choices made by Sony! TC had so many good songs, but they pick the worse! THAT team has to change IMO!

I completely get and agree with you.

[Davey84]

thanks!   I guess that shows us, that the single choices they made in the past, were wrong ones

[fan2celinedion]

knfscruff, on Jul 2 2010, 06:45 AM, said:

I personally don't like today's music, but I mean as in the genre of the music, not the industry. I don't know that much about it, all I know, as Bellamy said, Sony is a wonderful company, but could do better with promoting their artists :-/
As of now, the industry creates and sell songs that will make the most money. I know for a fact, that Sony and everyone who Celine has collaborated with have treated her well, otherwise we would have heard

Good topic

Ok sorry but I really need an explanation, what is "today's music"?

[volleyceline]

fan2celinedion, on Jul 3 2010, 04:14 AM, said:

knfscruff, on Jul 2 2010, 06:45 AM, said:

I personally don't like today's music, but I mean as in the genre of the music, not the industry. I don't know that much about it, all I know, as Bellamy said, Sony is a wonderful company, but could do better with promoting their artists :-/
As of now, the industry creates and sell songs that will make the most money. I know for a fact, that Sony and everyone who Celine has collaborated with have treated her well, otherwise we would have heard

Good topic

Ok sorry but I really need an explanation, what is "today's music"?

Today's music, as in non-stop Lady Gaga and Usher, etc. Yes, I myself like some of those songs, but, they're missing something special in them. Listen to some of those songs, and they make NO sense whatsoever, a bunch of mushed words, but as long as us, the general public, keeps listening, the longer they'll keep creating those songs.

I hope I cleared that up for you?
Would you like anything else?

[Davey84]

I think quality wise the best music was made till the millennium, after that the computer took over the emotion... I don't think that 'today's music' is as memorable as it was 10-20 years ago

[Scramasboy]

Davey84, on Jul 6 2010, 01:56 AM, said:

I think quality wise the best music was made till the millennium, after that the computer took over the emotion... I don't think that 'today's music' is as memorable as it was 10-20 years ago

I agree with that too. You actually had to have physical talent to become a huge star.

[RockstarCelineDion]

Just FYI, this topic is about how the industry [decision makers] behave. It's not about what genre of music is given out or the quality of music that is given out...
Whether you like it or not, Sony,WMG,UMG or ANY other company are ain't saints and they are MONEY-driven. Sony is not a wonderful company and it's way far from being friendly; it may look like a friendly company but the way it treats artists is another facet we, in this topic, are trying to figure out

Basically, most people that replied on this topic are quite off-topic...

and a NB for the people who work at Sony: it would be interesting for you to give us some insights from your position if you can...

Edited by RockstarCelineDion, 06 July 2010 - 08:52 AM.

[Guybrush Threepwood]

I think that some concerts ore ridiculously expensive, for certain artists... a concerts ticket can pay a months worth of rent for me.

[volleyceline]

RockstarCelineDion, on Jul 6 2010, 08:49 AM, said:

Just FYI, this topic is about how the industry [decision makers] behave. It's not about what genre of music is given out or the quality of music that is given out...
Whether you like it or not, Sony,WMG,UMG or ANY other company are ain't saints and they are MONEY-driven. Sony is not a wonderful company and it's way far from being friendly; it may look like a friendly company but the way it treats artists is another facet we, in this topic, are trying to figure out

Basically, most people that replied on this topic are quite off-topic...

and a NB for the people who work at Sony: it would be interesting for you to give us some insights from your position if you can...

I know we all get a little   at times, but I think we all know more about the 'genre' of today's music, rather than the industry.

[RockstarCelineDion]

Quote

While being interviewed for August's Cosmopolitan, Britney Spears divulged that there are certain parenting obligations that she is not looking forward to.
Britney added, "If my sons told me they wanted to be in the entertainment business, I'd lock them in their rooms until they turned 30."

I just quoted this interview from Britney Spears talking about how she would DISLIKE a lot that her two boys get into the music industry.

You don't have ANY idea about what the music industry is like and Britney Spears is not debuting; she has been in the music industry for 12 yrs and got her head spoiled and twisted by fame. Maybe Britney didn't name the devil but it's clear that something is bugging her from this music industry; plus, I remember watching an interview from 2008 where she opens up about her will to be UN-famous and she stated the fact that she cannot do that; wonder who's keeping her locked?

Thoughts?

Edited by RockstarCelineDion, 06 July 2010 - 08:28 PM.

[volleyceline]

RockstarCelineDion, on Jul 6 2010, 08:27 PM, said:

Quote

While being interviewed for August's Cosmopolitan, Britney Spears divulged that there are certain parenting obligations that she is not looking forward to.
Britney added, "If my sons told me they wanted to be in the entertainment business, I'd lock them in their rooms until they turned 30."

I just quoted this interview from Britney Spears talking about how she would DISLIKE a lot that her two boys get into the music industry.

You don't have ANY idea about what the music industry is like and Britney Spears is not debuting; she has been in the music industry for 12 yrs and got her head spoiled and twisted by fame. Maybe Britney didn't name the devil but it's clear that something is bugging her from this music industry; plus, I remember watching an interview from 2008 where she opens up about her will to be UN-famous and she stated the fact that she cannot do that; wonder who's keeping her locked?

Thoughts?

I wouldn't blame her for not wanting her boys in the industry!! Besides, what makes her think they will have the talent to be?? Just cause they're Britney Spears' sons!  

She got her head shaved by fame