This blog seeks to use the Seth Godin Ted Talks "This is Broken" to analyze Hip Hop music and industry.
The first point made in the clip is " If I think it's broken it's broken." Understand that Hip Hop is broken because it fits this rule in the eyes of so many - for example the older Hip Hop generation think it has strayed far from the roots of a tool for societal empowerment.
1. Who in the Hip Hop industry says "It's Not My Job"? I've heard many times radio djs saying that they hate the music that is played on the radio. It's not their job to decide what songs are played based on chart stats. Artists have a false perception that djs get to freely choose the music played especially on major radio. Who's job is it to ensure that women have a fair representation and deal negotiations in the industry?
2. Selfish jerks? hmmm...enough said.
3. The world changed would relate to how the music industry has changed with the digital age and the failure of many to adapt. It is broken when artists seek major labels with ideas of the old model of signing a deal, being discovered and then getting fans. The new model is more towards building independent music labels and building a fan base before big label partnerships in distribution and so forth.
4. I didn't know - I'm sure all the time people in Hip Hop - which is a male dominated industry - don't know the needs of women. I'm sure people who work in artist development have ran into problems not knowing the needs of the artists.
5. This goes into to the "I'm not a fish" concept - People work with or critique artists having never been an artist. How can an orange tell an apple how to be a good apple?
6. Contradictions - The contradictions are rampant. Women are expected to be over-sexualized in Hip Hop industry whether emcee or model in a video. The business decisions that a video model or an emcee makes can bring short-term success but ill long-term consequences on the person. The contradictions are apparent in the fact that these policies are the anti-thesis of the "business work ethics" and what would be viewed as sexual harassment at the workplace. Another contradiction is the branding of rappers rapping about living lives of luxury, or living a "street life" yet may be broke and live in the suburbs.
7. Broken on Purpose - how many artists who have won Grammys and countless awards, and sold millions of records only to be broke and/or owing millions of unpaid taxes. This is evident of a music industry as a whole that is broken on purpose in order to serve those who stand to gain the most money from the fruits of other's talents. However this brokenness has led to ingenuity in the new generation to create their own businesses within the industry.
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