Sell Out Artists

[Jitters]

Does it bother anyone else when a band or group "sells out"? I know opinions vary on what selling out is but I mean when a group does an ad for Pepsi, or uses their music in an ad, something that's just purely for money. The last thing I want to see is somebody I look up to telling me what to drink or wear in an ad (n) Something snapped in me this month and I'm getting rid of all the stuff I own by people that have done this, all I really have left is the Beastie Boys and Prince. I even got rid of my Simpsons DVD collection because they were in some dumb ads for restaraunts in the 90's. It really sucks to have to do this, I sort of got into Jay-Z this year and now I'm selling his stuff because he's in a comercial for some laptop (n)

Am I just being weird or does anyone else try and avoid these artists?

[Kid Presentable]

Beatsies and Prince are fairly commercial artists. They're both on major labels.

This shit used to bother me a lot when I was 13. You're being a little extreme, man. I say this because the only people who could benefit from your lifestyle choice are the people you tell.

[The Notorious LOL]

you're not being weird...you're being a dork.

[Drederick Tatum]

^indeed. enjoy listening to no music.

[Knuckles]

Am I just being weird or does anyone else try and avoid these artists?

Here's (http://www.acornbooks.com/acorn/images/items/228983.jpg) a book for you.

[Jitters]

Beatsies and Prince are fairly commercial artists. They're both on major labels.

This shit used to bother me a lot when I was 13. You're being a little extreme, man. I say this because the only people who could benefit from your lifestyle choice are the people you tell.

I know they're commercial but over the years they've kept it real and as far as I know, haven't done anything to bad, Prince on American Idol is really pushing it though :(

And what do you mean by "the only people who could benefit from your lifestyle choice are the people you tell." I'm confused as to what you mean by that.

[pshabi]

I know they're commercial but over the years they've kept it real and as far as I know, haven't done anything to bad, Prince on American Idol is really pushing it though :(

And what do you mean by "the only people who could benefit from your lifestyle choice are the people you tell." I'm confused as to what you mean by that.
I'm confused too. How are they benefitting?:)

[pshabi]

Does it bother anyone else when a band or group "sells out"? I know opinions vary on what selling out is but I mean when a group does an ad for Pepsi, or uses their music in an ad, something that's just purely for money. The last thing I want to see is somebody I look up to telling me what to drink or wear in an ad (n) Something snapped in me this month and I'm getting rid of all the stuff I own by people that have done this, all I really have left is the Beastie Boys and Prince. I even got rid of my Simpsons DVD collection because they were in some dumb ads for restaraunts in the 90's. It really sucks to have to do this, I sort of got into Jay-Z this year and now I'm selling his stuff because he's in a comercial for some laptop (n)

Am I just being weird or does anyone else try and avoid these artists?
I bought a corvetter cause of prince and only go to White Castle cause the bboys sang about it.

[Kid Presentable]

I'm confused too. How are they benefitting?:)
Touche'.

What I mean is you're living with no music, no good stuff, based on 'principles'. And you're going to have to explain that to people.

[Jitters]

Touche'.

What I mean is you're living with no music, no good stuff, based on 'principles'. And you're going to have to explain that to people.

Where I'm from nobody gives a flying flip what I think so I don't have to explain it to anybody. "You're living with no music", just to make myself a little more clear; I'm still listening to tons of music, if anything this has been a positive experience. I'm listening to more independent artists like MF Doom and some other great people instead of people that are thrown at you through commercialisation and things of that nature.

[Kid Presentable]

Where I'm from nobody gives a flying flip what I think so I don't have to explain it to anybody. "You're living with no music", just to make myself a little more clear; I'm still listening to tons of music, if anything this has been a positive experience. I'm listening to more independent artists like MF Doom and some other great people instead of people that are thrown at you through commercialisation and things of that nature.
OK cool. But why bother?

[Jitters]

OK cool. But why bother?

I wish I could tell you, the best way to put it is I can't really respect a group if they don't respect themselves, a lot of people think the Roots are a really good group, I'm not familar with too much of their work but after seeing them in a cigarette commercial it's hard to listen to a song of theirs with a message and not think of that instead. Should I "be kind to everyone" like the song says or buy Kool cigarettes? Because apparantly they support both.

[kaiser soze]

When you hear music from an artist you like in a commercial it doesn't mean they are trying to sell the product to your grandma, they are trying to sell it to you

it's your fault that you helped make the artist popular for buying their music

[Jitters]

When you hear music from an artist you like in a commercial it doesn't mean they are trying to sell the product to your grandma, they are trying to sell it to you

it's your fault that you helped make the artist popular for buying their music

I'm not really sure what you're trying to say to say, that it's MY fault or what, Snoop Dogg has been in about 5 commercials this year alone and not once have I gone to the store and bought one of his albums so it's not my fault that he's sold out. Most of the time when I see someone in a commercial that is a musician I already hate them i.e Mariah Carey. I'm just saying it's even worse when it's someone that I do happen to like and I'm distancing myself from people that seem to have a mentality of that nature to prevent that from happening.

[Lex Diamonds]

Aw, it's like a mini DroppinScience in the making.

Musical Bigots! Fuck Yeah!

[TurdBerglar]

led zeppelin/cadillac

what the fuck is that shit about?

[Kid Presentable]

I wish I could tell you, the best way to put it is I can't really respect a group if they don't respect themselves, a lot of people think the Roots are a really good group, I'm not familar with too much of their work but after seeing them in a cigarette commercial it's hard to listen to a song of theirs with a message and not think of that instead. Should I "be kind to everyone" like the song says or buy Kool cigarettes? Because apparantly they support both.
It's kinda odd. But I've never been bothered that much. Did you really get rid of Simpsons DVDs?

[DroppinScience]

Any band who sells more than 50,000 records and have more than 10 people showing up to their gigs are all sell-outs! (n)

[Jitters]

It's kinda odd. But I've never been bothered that much. Did you really get rid of Simpsons DVDs?

I'm getting rid of them this weekend, I'm selling them to a store so I can get most of my money back for the 6 seasons of the series that I own.

[pshabi]

Where I'm from nobody gives a flying flip what I think so I don't have to explain it to anybody. "You're living with no music", just to make myself a little more clear; I'm still listening to tons of music, if anything this has been a positive experience. I'm listening to more independent artists like MF Doom and some other great people instead of people that are thrown at you through commercialisation and things of that nature.
Doom's my dog, but ever here of Dangerdoom?

[cosmo105]

what's the point of getting rid of it though? why not just keep it and be more concious about the choices you make in the future? that's a little extreme. dork.

[Jitters]

Any band who sells more than 50,000 records and have more than 10 people showing up to their gigs are all sell-outs! (n)

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or serious :confused:

It's not hard for people to be on a major label and maintain their integrity, most dont have any to begin with.

[Jitters]

Doom's my dog, but ever here of Dangerdoom?

Yeah, MF Doom+Dangermouse=Dangerdoom

Good album, it's an example of my point, they haven't sold out and still make good music, I just wish more artists could take that "mindframe" into consideration.

[cosmo105]

what about when someone like, fuckin, Moby sells his songs and gives all the proceeds to charity? what's wrong with that?

[Jitters]

what's the point of getting rid of it though? why not just keep it and be more concious about the choices you make in the future? that's a little extreme. dork.

Well it's my choice, and I've made it, I'm washing my hands of that kind of stuff. What's with everybody calling me a dork anyway?

[DroppinScience]

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or serious :confused:


Jitters, which artists in particular are you calling out? And what did they do? You'd think they kicked a puppy or something.

Honestly, I always bristle when I hear someone go: "Oh man, they totally sold out!" A few times, there is merit to this, but most of the time it just means the band in question changed to a style they're not fond of (not the same as "selling out" per se).

I think you have to look at each artist (and their alleged sins) on a case-by-case basis. Just because their song appears on an ad, it doesn't mean you have to turn your CD collection into a giant bonfire.

In a perfect world, it'd be nice if all the artists had this tangible sort of "integrity" (a la Fugazi), but that's not the case, and it's NEVER been the case either.

[Jitters]

what about when someone like, fuckin, Moby sells his songs and gives all the proceeds to charity? what's wrong with that?

Well, that's different, it's not to often you hear about things of that nature, he is given it to a charity, not his own wallet. That's opposed to AC/DC letting Verizon use Back in Black and getting richer off of it. One of those sounds greedy and the other doesn't.

[pshabi]

Yeah, MF Doom+Dangermouse=Dangerdoom

Good album, it's an example of my point, they haven't sold out and still make good music, I just wish more artists could take that "mindframe" into consideration.
You do realize it was themed based on cartoon network shows and plastered all over their channel and website right?

[cosmo105]

Well, that's different, it's not to often you hear about things of that nature, he is given it to a charity, not his own wallet. That's opposed to AC/DC letting Verizon use Back in Black and getting richer off of it. One of those sounds greedy and the other doesn't.
you do realize that artists sell records to get rich, right?

[cosmo105]

You do realize it was themed based on cartoon network shows and plastered all over their channel and website right?
CHECK!

[Jitters]

Jitters, which artists in particular are you calling out? And what did they do? You'd think they kicked a puppy or something.

Honestly, I always bristle when I hear someone go: "Oh man, they totally sold out!" A few times, there is merit to this, but most of the time it just means the band in question changed to a style they're not fond of (not the same as "selling out" per se).

I'm not pointing fingers at any one artist, just musicians in general. It doesn't bother me when a group "changes their style" as long as they still have the same heart that was behind the old music. Take the Clash for example, they did almost every genre under the sun, but they always had a lot of heart in it. It has just always has bugged me when people do crap just to get richer, if I was in a band that was selling millions of records I would never let the music be in a commercial, music is supposed to mean something, if I wrote a song about how I really loved somebody I wouldn't want it in a commercial telling people to buy a pair of Nikes, because then its meaning is misconstrued.

[DroppinScience]

But what about all the indie bands putting their songs on ads, as a means of getting wider exposure, due to it being impossible to get on the radio?

They're far from living the MTV Cribs dream and putting their songs in an ad is the difference between paying the rent and continuing to write music or pawning off their guitars and working at the office.

[Jitters]

You do realize it was themed based on cartoon network shows and plastered all over their channel and website right?

There is a difference though, they both watch the network and are fans, as opposed to Adult Swim paying them a bunch of money and saying "make an album based on our shows", like people do with movie soundtracks with original songs, the soundtracks to movies always say "music from and INSPIRED by." Which basically means it was inspired by a big fat check. So it was inspired by a real liking of those shows as opposed to a real liking of money from corporations. Although I do see what your point is. It is a fine line.

[Jitters]

But what about all the indie bands putting their songs on ads, as a means of getting wider exposure, due to it being impossible to get on the radio?

They're far from living the MTV Cribs dream and putting their songs in an ad is the difference between paying the rent and continuing to write music or pawning off their guitars and working at the office.

Yet another very good point (y)

I guess if they really wanted success AND credibilty they wouldn't take the easy way out by using the music in an ad. They would work their butts off to get some exposure, play live shows, give some demos to fans to get the word out about what they are doing and things like that.

[DroppinScience]

But what I'm trying to tell you is that present-day circumstances makes it harder than ever to get by on sheer hard work alone (and I have no doubt they're working their asses off, too). If mainstream radio wasn't so dominated by ClearChannel, payola, media consolidation, etc. they wouldn't have to turn (or at least feel like they'd have to turn) to putting their songs in car commercials or the like.

Whatever the case, you're gonna half to sell off LOTS of your CDs if you're going to be this rigid.

[Drederick Tatum]

guess if they really wanted success AND credibilty they wouldn't take the easy way out by using the music in an ad. They would work their butts off to get some exposure, play live shows, give some demos to fans to get the word out about what they are doing and things like that.


so you're saying that instead of potentially getting paid millions of dollars to allow one song to be used in a commercial but still maintain total creative control over what kind of music you make, you would instead choose the much more uncertain road and stay in your friend's garage, dreaming of the big time.

[Kid Presentable]

Yeah, MF Doom+Dangermouse=Dangerdoom

Good album, it's an example of my point, they haven't sold out and still make good music, I just wish more artists could take that "mindframe" into consideration.
Dangermouse is selling 'Crazy' to McDonald's. True.

But I'm not going to shit on your ideals. Good luck with that.

[pshabi]

There is a difference though, they both watch the network and are fans, as opposed to Adult Swim paying them a bunch of money and saying "make an album based on our shows", like people do with movie soundtracks with original songs, the soundtracks to movies always say "music from and INSPIRED by." Which basically means it was inspired by a big fat check. So it was inspired by a real liking of those shows as opposed to a real liking of money from corporations. Although I do see what your point is. It is a fine line.
I actually feel bad that everyone is jumping on your case. I really don't like it either when bands sell their tunes for commercial jingles and the like.

However, if you go to www.mfdoomsite.com and ask the folks who have been down with Doom for a long time (unlike you and I), 90% will tell you they dislike the album and that he somewhat "sold out."

Whatever though. This thread is actually getting annoying.

[Jitters]

Dangermouse is selling 'Crazy' to McDonald's. True.

But I'm not going to shit on your ideals. Good luck with that.

Ummm... "Crazy" is a Gnarls Barkley song, is that what you are refering to? If you are that really sucks (n) I was digging that album when it first came out.

[Jitters]

But what I'm trying to tell you is that present-day circumstances makes it harder than ever to get by on sheer hard work alone (and I have no doubt they're working their asses off, too). If mainstream radio wasn't so dominated by ClearChannel, payola, media consolidation, etc. they wouldn't have to turn (or at least feel like they'd have to turn) to putting their songs in car commercials or the like.

Whatever the case, you're gonna half to sell off LOTS of your CDs if you're going to be this rigid.

I know, it's hard for struggling groups out there but I respect and love them that much more when they can do it their way without having to sell their soul to the devil. As for selling my stuff, luckily I dont have many CDs at all, I have a lot of records for my turntable but I made a killing of all the original pressings of things like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin (y)

[Jitters]

so you're saying that instead of potentially getting paid millions of dollars to allow one song to be used in a commercial but still maintain total creative control over what kind of music you make, you would instead choose the much more uncertain road and stay in your friend's garage, dreaming of the big time.

If it was me, then yes, I would stay in that garage dreaming, I wouldn't want to be part of an industry that doesn't give young fresh talent a chance anyway.

[Jitters]

I actually feel bad that everyone is jumping on your case. I really don't like it either when bands sell their tunes for commercial jingles and the like.

However, if you go to www.mfdoomsite.com and ask the folks who have been down with Doom for a long time (unlike you and I), 90% will tell you they dislike the album and that he somewhat "sold out."

Whatever though. This thread is actually getting annoying.

Yeah it is pretty lame, I made this so people could voice their own opinions about this subject, not question mine.

[Auton]

This is the most idiotic line of reasoning ever.

[Kid Presentable]

Ummm... "Crazy" is a Gnarls Barkley song, is that what you are refering to? If you are that really sucks (n) I was digging that album when it first came out.
I was going for degrees of separation. Dangerdoom=Dangermouse=Gnarls Barkley.

[pshabi]

I was going for degrees of separation. Dangerdoom=Dangermouse=Gnarls Barkley.
shhhhhh

[Jitters]

I was going for degrees of separation. Dangerdoom=Dangermouse=Gnarls Barkley.

What, you mean Dangerdoom sold out because Gnarls Barkley is very loosely related to them through their producer?

[Auton]

the producer is 1/2 of both groups, so yes. and as pointed out, dangerdoom was a sell out project anyway. cartoon network? ouch

[Jitters]

the producer is 1/2 of both groups, so yes. and as pointed out, dangerdoom was a sell out project anyway. cartoon network? ouch

Not sure what that adds to the conversation from your standpoint......

I already explained the whole dangerdoom thing anyway

[Auton]

by your definition, how is danjermouse NOT a massive sellout?

[Jitters]

by your definition, how is danjermouse NOT a massive sellout?

Check a few posts back, I already explained.

[The Notorious LOL]

However, if you go to www.mfdoomsite.com and ask the folks who have been down with Doom for a long time (unlike you and I), 90% will tell you they dislike the album and that he somewhat "sold out."




anyone who says an artist who scans 60-70,000 "sold out" and is serious is a huge nerd. He never did anything particularly interesting past his first LP...some of its been okay.

[pshabi]

anyone who says an artist who scans 60-70,000 "sold out" and is serious is a huge nerd. He never did anything particularly interesting past his first LP...some of its been okay.
That's a question of taste and personal preference. I know it's your whole internet schtick to act like your "taste" and "opinions" are gospel, but it gets pretty tired.

I could get into what other great things the man has done, but honestly, you're not worth my time.

[trailerprincess]

David Hasselhoff is now in ads for Pipex in the UK, and every day ir makes me glad that he has stopped singing and continued 'acting'

That's a sellout I can live with.

[trailerprincess]

Hahha, you want to live with him? Wouldn't his chest hairs clog the sink?

perhaps but as he is a trained lifeguard, that if I did end up drowning in my own bath due to clogged plughole, I would be safe.

[The Notorious LOL]

That's a question of taste and personal preference. I know it's your whole internet schtick to act like your "taste" and "opinions" are gospel, but it gets pretty tired.

I could get into what other great things the man has done, but honestly, you're not worth my time.


I wasnt even referring to you.......but!


wait, you're the dude who doesnt know his beats for shit. Nevermind. You're the one whos not worth the time or effort.

[Lex Diamonds]

You shouldn't throw the CDs away you should have a sale, so normal people can gain some CDs and you can at least get paid for being a weirdo. (y)

[Jitters]

You shouldn't throw the CDs away you should have a sale, so normal people can gain some CDs and you can at least get paid for being a weirdo. (y)

Thats exactly what I'm doing, why throw them away when I can get most of my money back?

[Drederick Tatum]

cause that's selling out. if you were true to your ideals you wouldn't need that blood money.

[dave790]

selling out is going against you're principals/ideals for the sake of profit.

now i admire certain bands/artists for sticking by their stance and sticking to their principles and what not, but at the end of the day i simply like what i like.

i love the beasties because they've always given me the distict impression they're doing exactly what they want to do, albeit in thier own time. things like the way they ran Grand Royal, or just the simple way they stand out as clearly being themselves and not following a set genre or way to act i really do adore.

so yeah, stuff like that can make a difference. being able to respect artists you're really into is important, and heightens your love for them. but i'm not going to stop liking something i liked cos it was used in a tv ad or what not. specially if those bands, or in the case of the simpsons, tv show, is in the hands of a major.

[natalieuk]

some of waht your saying makes sense to me but sometimes its hard to avoid i mean i love britney and shes the sell out queen! But i have the upmost respect for bboys because they will never sell out and in check it out they actually state that! the top five sell outs are

Madonna
Britney (but shes so cute!)
Gwen Stefani
Robbie Williams
Christina Agu wateva her name is- ho

[ggirlballa]

hilary duff is a major sell out but then i don't want to list her as an artist

christina aguilara i can't hate on her much becuz of all the bad things she had in her childhood (but thank god she's done with the dirty phase)

if u have product in target or wal mart with your name on it you're a sell out!

[natalieuk]

well asda is part of walmart and Sharon osbourne advertises for them so she is a major sell out. No to mention the osbournes and pop idol. She gotta go!

[natalieuk]

Not meaning to sound like a hard bitch but christinas childhood (violent father etc) is something that alot of ppl have put up with, including me. But if i wanted to be taken seriously i wouldn't use the sympathy vote

[ggirlballa]

Not meaning to sound like a hard bitch but christinas childhood (violent father etc) is something that alot of ppl have put up with, including me. But if i wanted to be taken seriously i wouldn't use the sympathy vote

true, yes a bad childhood isn't an excuse for her selling out but i said that i can't hate her much becuz of her childhood not as an excuse for her selling out

[natalieuk]

yeah i undastand :) i just dont like her didnt she advertise for both coke and pepsi? AND sketcher to boot!

[Drederick Tatum]

what the fuck are you two talking about?! all those artists you list are manufactured pop music, designed to sell the maximum number of records. how can they possibly sell out when all they do is create commercial product?

[ggirlballa]

also all the american idols seem to sell out too

and most "pop" genre artists sell out as well


and a grip of mainstream rappers


sadly:(

[Drederick Tatum]

all the American Idols seem to sell out?! fuck, they're probably getting paid a wage. they're the musical equivalent of a factory worker.

edit: ok. you're 13.

[natalieuk]

but most of those artists claim that they're not mainstream pop. and i find it hard to draw a line between pop and whatever else. i'm stating which famous people sell out (and its not just singers) thats what the fuck i'm talking about.

[Whatitis]

Getting rid of an original press of a Zepplin(if actually true) album because you label them as a 'sell out' is just plain stupid. Just because someone "sells out" does not discount them as a good artist. If the Beasties did an ad for something(we all know they more than likely wouldn't) I would be a little disappointed maily because of thier stance on doing ads but I sure as hell would not get rid of any thier stuff. I enjoy them too much to do so. Stop worrying so much about the whole "sell out" thing and enjoy artists for what you originally got into them for.

[Jitters]

Getting rid of an original press of a Zepplin(if actually true) album because you label them as a 'sell out' is just plain stupid. Just because someone "sells out" does not discount them as a good artist. If the Beasties did an ad for something(we all know they more than likely wouldn't) I would be a little disappointed maily because of thier stance on doing ads but I sure as hell would not get rid of any thier stuff. I enjoy them too much to do so. Stop worrying so much about the whole "sell out" thing and enjoy artists for what you originally got into them for.

Thats the thing, due to them "selling out" I can't really enjoy them, I don't really like them to much anyway so even if they didn't let commercials use their songs all the time I would still get rid of them.

[Jitters]

if u have product in target or wal mart with your name on it you're a sell out!

If you're being serious, which I'm assuming you are, could you explain why? I'm opposed to people getting rich off of ads but they have to sell the album somehow, I don't see how that makes a person or group sell outs :confused:

[The Notorious LOL]

mail me all of your shit you have deemed unfit for you.

[Knuckles]

mail me all of your shit you have deemed unfit for you.
Then you can mail me the shit you deem unfit from his shit.

[The Notorious LOL]

we can have a shit party!

[Documad]

Am I just being weird or does anyone else try and avoid these artists?
I do avoid them and I always have.

[Jitters]

I do avoid them and I always have.

And that sir, is why you are the man (y)

[Jitters]

mail me all of your shit you have deemed unfit for you.

You'll just have to bid on them like everyone else on Ebay :D

I'm getting rid of original pressings of my records like Public Enemy, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, the Who, AC/DC and a bunch of other stuff, want a link? :p

[cosmo105]

all the American Idols seem to sell out?! fuck, they're probably getting paid a wage. they're the musical equivalent of a factory worker.

edit: ok. you're 13.
haha, i was waiting for you to check the date of birth. giggle!

[saz]

i think what many are forgetting, or don't realize, is that in a lot of these instances of 'selling out', the artist or band doesn't own the rights to their music...their management or record company does, and wants to make more moola

[ggirlballa]

If you're being serious, which I'm assuming you are, could you explain why? I'm opposed to people getting rich off of ads but they have to sell the album somehow, I don't see how that makes a person or group sell outs :confused:

i meant like them having their on line of cheap perfume & shit like that

of course the album will be sold in target or wal-mart

[dave790]

Madonna


"selling out, is not my thing..."

[Auton]

the intelligence (or lack thereof) demonstrated in this thread is enough to shake my faith in people in general. you are seriously not a music fan if you think like this. you have no real appreciation for the form if you have such a shallow view of it. (n)

btw calling the beachboys, gwen stefani, or anyone who STARTED THEIR CAREER MAKING MUSIC FOR TEENAGERS sellouts is pretty much the most retarded thing i have ever heard in my life. booooo

[Jitters]

i think what many are forgetting, or don't realize, is that in a lot of these instances of 'selling out', the artist or band doesn't own the rights to their music...their management or record company does, and wants to make more moola

I took this into account, my favorite band is the Beatles and their music is in commercials a lot. Of course as of this year they don't own the rights to any of it being used commercially, I believe it is owned by Michael Jackson and the Sony Music Company so I do take things like that into account. Besides, John Lennon is probably rolling over in his grave because of American Express using "All You Need Is Love" in their commercial.

All you need is love............................... and an American Express (n)

[Funkyfreshgrape]

Green Day is and i can't can't think of any more at this momment! lol!