Did MTV Destroy The Music Industry

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   thaivalentineposted 13 years ago

   When I was growing up the public's attachment or appreciation for a musician was based what we heard when we pressed "play" on our stereos.  Then MTV came along and it was all about the image.  Suddenly, record companies focused on finding the "face", rather than the "voice".  Recording studios and Sound Engineers can take a wailing cat and make it a Grammy award winner.
   
   Hardly anyone sings genuinely live today -the days of plugging in a guitar and mic to the amplifier and just performing are gone.  Now record companies have backing tracks, auto-tune, soundboards, etc. to commit fraud when people state they are performing live.  Hearing Taylor Swift and Katy Perry sing live makes my ears bleed.  It's so sad what happened to the music industry.  Concerts were a chance to hear live music, now its a "production" or "performance".

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      Textured Ideasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Good question! I agree but I don't think it's exclusively MTV's fault, there are other factors like instant fame talent shows that changed the music industry for the worst. It's changed so drastically even over the last five or six years.
      
      Katy Perry, Rihanna and the like also make my ears bleed. I hate the whole pop music scene at the moment. I too miss seeing the bands on TV who would just play the music and had immense stage presence without silly costumes, overdone video effects and different 'personas'. But that's just my opinion
      
      Luckily there is still great music out there and great musicians and singers, but they just aren't as famous or as recognised. And things change every few years anyway so this scene won't last forever - luckily!

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      Shinkickerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think video destroys music in general. For me about 99% of music videos are worthless. A disastrous art form that detracts from the music, which should be enjoyed by the ears not the eyes. But I wouldn't blame MTV especially. The pursuit of profit of whatever description kills real music.

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      Obscure_Treasuresposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      In a way, yes, But its not the only reason music is destroyed.
      The main reason music is destroyed is because everyone now depends on technology to make their music and voices sound "good", which is a load of crap. Artists these days dont have true talent, and their only in it for the money. Back in the day, artists didnt let money stand in their way, they always delivered 110%, and actually cared about their music and their fans. Nowadays artists just make songs, depend on their way too sexual videos and music to attract people, make a buck and call it a day. God I miss the old days...
      
      Back in the day, music not only had quantitiy, but it also came with quality. Nowadays, it's neither and it makes me sick.

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         .josh.posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Does this really apply to all music?
         
         Sure, the stuff you hear on MTV is absolutely guilty of what you're saying, but there are plenty of artists who sound just as good -- if not better -- live.
         
         This idea that music is destroyed is rubbish, people just need to stop relying on MTV to tell them what they should be listening to.

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2. 60

   Jonathan Jancoposted 13 years ago

   I don't think it was mtv that destroyed the music industry, but they sure tried damn hard. I think its the record companies themselves. When file sharing started the labels panicked and started suing everyone. After they cooled, they decided to concentrate all too heavily on pop music acts that get supported by extranneous merchandise. After all, you cant download a Britney Spears doll, right?

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   optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

   no but i do think they shot it a few times

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4. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 13 years ago

   There are still "real" performers out there. Have you head Adele? She is great.

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5. 88

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   I don't think the music industry is destroyed, it's only changed.
   
   There is still great music being written and performed. As far as live performances, well, yes, that's been an issue for a long time, especially considering the tour schedules most performers keep. With the technology constantly advancing, music production can make anyone sound amazing. As long as the music sounds good, people are going to follow the performer.
   
   Some of these performers would never survive without the producers. But I think most people who follow music recognize true talent. It is what it is.

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   Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

   the music "Industry" destroyed it. the corporation mentality to make a buck over the pure enjoyment and artistic freedom of the performer was destroyed.
   There are millions of undiscovered real musicians who don't have women gyrating on the stage and lip syncing to sexy lyrics.
   The moguls want to  turn young girls into street hookers.
   I'm not happy with video music.arg!

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7. 60

   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   Have to agree. The corporate hamburger stands opens everyday on time and gets the product to the consumer consistently, but their philosophy of life is nothing more than that and that only, and thus they kill spontaneity wherever it can be found.

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8. 0

   AlienWednesdayposted 13 years ago

   I don't think MTV killed it. I think they gave a voice to the music that was not there. Then corporations came in and frankly society. Society as a whole, wants what they want, and they want it now. People have learned or adapted to not appreciating a good voice. They have learned, to take what they can get now. Instant gratification is what to me has really killed the music industry.

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   Mikeydoesposted 13 years ago

   They changed it and made music videos famous. Lack of great music is due to Lil Wayne throwing out 50 songs a year. How long did it take Led Zeppelin to throw a song together?
   
   If Lil Wayne took those 50 songs and condensed them in to a 10-12 song album.. Who knows it might actually be really good.
   
   Just using Lil Wayne as an example, throw most people in that same spot and it will sound similar.

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10. 71

    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    Did MTV Destroy The Music Industry? Nope.
    
    The dumbing down of America has destroyed the Music Industry and corporate(and individual) greed(misunderstood) helped.

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       Freegoldmanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I dnt think so becz it reinvented by intrducing a lot of rock culture.

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       1. 71

          Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Question- Are you older than me? If not, then I would say that you haven't lived long enough to notice when the "dumbing down" of America began or just not wise enough to understand.
          
          If you are older than me, then you're just blind to what has happened in America.

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    ahorsebackposted 13 years ago

    Excellent Question , the music industry has geared itself to selling to those who actually buy the most, teenagers or those with a teenage appreciation for music. Countries Taylor Swift , is the prime example of this, she has no voice , I won't even get into where mo -town went! Its All about consumerism again.

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12. 0

    .josh.posted 13 years ago

    I do agree that mainstream music has gone downhill thanks to the likes of MTV (though they didn't do it on their own), but I completely disagree that the music industry is 'destroyed.' Not even close.
    
    I think you need to broaden your horizons and seek out some music away from the mainstream - you might be pleasantly surprised. I know we're not allowed to link to our hubs, but it is a topic I like to discuss, and if you let me know your tastes, I'd be happy to offer some suggestions on here.
    
    Music is nowhere near dead, valentine, though it's certainly possible that a lot of ears are. Absolutely mind-boggling that a band like the Black Eyed Peas can actually win AWARDS for their music.

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13. 60

    cooldadposted 13 years ago

    Good question.  I think MTV did what most corporations do; follow the money.  The music industry has changed so much since MTV began.  It's now about casting certain images to fill a band.  The days of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, RATM, Soundgarden, Radiohead are just about over.  Everything is about marketing, not about soul or music.  But that's the world now.  MTV is just another corporation who will do whatever it takes to make money.  Like putting pregnant teenagers on television.

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