I was on the train to a rehearsal listening to What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (cause existential crises in the midst of genocidal terrors lol) and the thought hit me that these types of albums would be looked at as preachy or "too divisive" today.

In asking myself why that is, I was like "well, social media's made it where you can get that kind of material from other sources"

However, there's been this sentiment I've seen across social media about how no one's listening to politicians or the people in charge and that it is in fact up to artists to speak on the things happening in the world. Posts like these going viral for example

But my question is, if art/music as a whole has become so niche that no big superstar act will realistically risk "fucking up the bag" (even if the bag is probably at a low value) speaking on an issue, and the people claim that no one listens to the politicians and the scientists about what is going on in the world

Then how do people know what's going on in the world?

Was it designed to end up this way and for all the "bs" to be pushed to the forefront as a distraction?

idk I've been kinda in a f***ed up mood all day ngl

I jst feel like people would rather ignore whats going on in the world and feel like artist are forcing them to hear it when they get political.

@op have you heard Dave’s catalog by any chance? To me he’s the only mainstream rapper besides Kendrick really touching on real issues

All while maintaining mainstream popularity, coolness, and without being preachy at all.

I think these kind of artists are lacking present day because it’s so much easier to see if people are frauds or really about what they talk about these days.

There’s a lack of “the right messenger” but it’s still possible. Just can’t be f***ing corny and gotta get your point across in a poignant fashion.

Listen to this.

There are barely any artists these days that can even handle addressing issues. A lot of the rappers / artists propped up by labels these days are ignorant as f***

Athletes say more than artist these days which is pretty wild lol

Record labels, ignorant music, private prisons n allat…

you don't get tunes like these anymore!

Feel like discourse online is focused on being negative as it drives the most interaction so even if someone did come through with a positive message or thought provoking content relevant to the world today like the example in OP people would call it whack, try hard, or whatever is synonymous with those terms. I’m fully convinced you could put any one of the beloved artists from past in todays world and I would guarantee they would not be loved to the same degree

The day Chance The Rapper nuked his career by dropping The Big Day is when all positivity in rap music died

"Omg this artist is too political and preachy for me 🤧🙄😢😭" DUMB AS BIH GROW TF UP

Doesn’t help that the album was pretty atrocious on top of being overtly positive although tbh I do like a few songs on there

The way they flipped Nuclear War on this

Good thread @op btw

More people are looking to music as an escape. "Ignorance is Bliss" after all. Also if you have anything you take seriously it will be instantly b******ized by Twitter and social media. Everything is a joke, nothing is sacred.

I feel like anybody trying to make an actual statement with their music has to cut themselves off from the typical mainstream audience because if not they'll be eaten alive.

When they push that button

betcho ass gotta goooooooooooooo

You gotta do what Kendrick does basically and just stay off the internet besides dropping music

I think the duality is important to your point. Music should be there as an escape and also as a way to spread messages about real life. Both are integral and mean a lot to people

crazy s***, billy woods is kool keith matthew angry on this album

We don't look for social awareness in our art anymore because everyone is socially aware of any happenings by virtue of being connected 24/7 with social media.

really good bitterness

thanks.

So true bestie

Typed out a long ass response to this but I ain’t tryna hit y’all with a wall of text lmfao

Its never been this way. Look at the biggest songs from each decade. None of what’s popular reflected the world