Are we scaring artists away?
The perception of fame and all it comes with has weighed heavily on my mind. We’re now in an age where people leave behind their art to escape adoring and sometimes grueling fans. Blame it on social media, society, status, or whatever you have it, but the separation people place between themselves and someone with a public platform is demeaning. The time to not see humans as multi-dimensional beings that face real problems and insecurities just like you is over. So I pose the question, are we scaring artists away?
Seeing 24 and 28-year-olds go into early retirement because the pressures of being a public artist are no longer worth it, says something. If not to understand for our own personal perspective, we must understand this so we can continue to enjoy music and its many bearers of sonic ingenuity.
If we, the lovers and consumers of music truly cherish artists and the perspective they offer to our lives, it’s time we take a step back from the idolization of the artist and take a step closer to ourselves. With this perspective what we can give to the world, how can we fuel other’s gifts, into more gifts, becomes truly immeasurable.
The reason so many people fall in love with a musician is that they associate the understanding they’ve found through their music, with the person themselves, further holding them in high regard. I get it, I been there, but I’ve come to the realization that the energy I put into appreciating and understanding this person can better be directed inward. It is more important that I know facts about myself as opposed to knowing facts about someone I admire. It is more important that I invest time in my future, as opposed to someone else's.
I know that it can feel like everything when you get acknowledged by that artist you love, and when you get it sometimes you keep chasing that next opportunity. But we’ve got to really stop and look at ourselves, and consider if we’re doing this for the right reasons. The recognition we should seek is our own, and the love we give ourselves is what we should chase.
If all we have to show for loving an artist is what we know about them, how many shows we’ve gone to, or how we know all their lyrics, then we never got the messages. The endless lines advocating to stay hopeful and persistent on this journey to finding our glory were not listened and interpreted into action.
I’ll give an example: Tyler, The Creator is widely known to be a fan of N.E.R.D and Pharrell. He quotes In Search Of and In My Mind as some of his favorite albums of all time. He repeated that when Pharrell said “You can do it too” he believed him — look what that belief directed inward did. It’s all about taking the inspiration we get from others and propelling it forward, start taking the time and focus you pour into others and poor it into yourself. You know what’s better than idolizing your favorite artists, being friends with your favorite artists! A reason you appreciate them so much is cause y’all have aligning beliefs, values, and characteristic traits. So pour on and watch yourself grow — into something everyone but most of all you, can be proud of.
There is something you love doing, and if that actually happens to be listening to music, monetize it, that’s what I did, it’s what I’m doing right now lol. I loved music growing up, it was my refuge. The moments I had with music were of the most clarity and the way a violin could make me cry in awe of its beauty, those feelings never left my soul. I feel the most alive writing and listening to music, so I found a way to bridge both into something I can make a living from, thereof offering a life filled with options.
Think of your relationships with artists as something you want to maintain and to be healthy, and the key to anything healthy is balance. Love a piece of work and then take that love and put it into a project, or a new business venture. We are capable of amazing feats, this is the time to reach them. We are at our best when we channel creation into more creativity, be inspired, and inspire others.
If we don’t heed this warning, the alternative is a world deprived of great art, a world where finding clarity and the words/melodies to get you through becomes that much harder. It’s already underway if you haven’t noticed. But I’m always optimistic about the ability people have to rise above their former selves.
Always remember you are more than who you were in one moment, and the ability to change is a choice away. The power to do so is powered by you.
Love,
Rosina
