Liking mainstream artists is okay

BANDWAGONRIDING THE BANDWAGON Why mainstream artists can't be "too popular" to listen to

ZERU MARUT

news staff

TT here is a rising sentiment among music fans that tends to put them at odds with popular artists: the need to be special. Whether it be in the bowels of YouTube comment sections or heated Twitter threads, social media is full of people trying to show off their distinct taste, proving they're not just any music fan. But there's no reason to dismiss popular artists just because they're "basic."

One justification for disliking mainstream artists is that if everyone listens to them, lesser known acts get less exposure.

It’s true that discovering a previously unknown musician is a great feeling, which also shouldn't be looked down on. However, listening to popular artists does not prevent someone from listening to less popular ones. The magic of streaming services is that hundreds of undiscovered artists are there to be found along with the more popular ones with just a few clicks.

Mainstream artists can be a great way to get into a new genre, as they tend to be a good indicator of what the genre sounds like. Many mainstream artists include lesser-known artists in their music, adapting to their style while also introducing the new artist to a larger audience, which may even help launch the newer act to greater success. For example, when Lil Wayne, one of the biggest rappers of the 2000s, backed Drake's (who was at the time just an up-and-coming singer/rapper) entry into the music industry, nobody could have known that Drake would eventually grow into one of the most popular and influential artists of the decade, if not all time.

While listening to unconventional artists is okay, and there are justifiable reasons to dislike popular artists, being "too popular" isn't one of those reasons. It's important to recognize what mainstream artists do, whether it be representing their genre, introducing new acts to a bigger audience or simply making good music. p

ZERU'S TOP POPULAR ARTISTS

DRAKE

Rap, Pop, R&B Recommended Songs: "Laugh Now Cry Later," "Find Your Love," "Feel No Ways," "Company"

About:

Starting the decade as a promising singer and rapper, Drake ended the 2010s as a titan of the music industry. Whether it be his record-smashing discography, numerous accolades or unique music style, Drake is a name almost everyone can recognize.

FRANK OCEAN Recommended Songs: "Ivy," "In My R&B, Pop Room," "Pyramids," "Thinkin Bout You"

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Despite only having two albums and a mixtape in his nine-year-long career, Frank Ocean stands out as one of the defining voices of this generation. Ocean's infamous gaps between projects adds to his mystique, dropping singles along the way to keep his fans begging for more.

LIL UZI VERT Recommended Songs: "XO TOUR Rap Llif3," "20 Min," "For Real," "Yessirskii"

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Coming from Philadelphia, Lil Uzi Vert rose to stardom in 2016 and 2017 with his album “Luv is Rage 2” cementing his image in the mainstream. Uzi’s charismatic vocals and playful demeanor make him stand out from his peers.