The music/Rap industry is cooked
Anyone black that wants to dj or rap needs to build a international audience and leave the USA alone . No wonder azealia banks is in Stockholm. A lot of people don't wanna admit they sold out thier culture to people who weren't post to be in rap and now everything is pure garbage. Thier is no diversity, originality and new spark interm of sounds. Nyc when it comes to hip hop is dead/not great because true Black Americans artist aren't even the face of thier own genre anymore. Nyc lost it when BA started to move in droves down south. Female Rap is now in stage that it's not about the artistry but about selling cat, men, and seggual expolition. It's not new lil Kim already did that interms of hyper seggual. Rap , R&B is becoming diluted just like the NBA because now its no fully black people that are the face of thier own genre. I remember growing up video vixions were brown/darker skin. Black men where writing songs about black women. remember melanin has rhythm and spirit ✨️. Now its people who shouldn't have been pushed or been the face of the culture now representing the culture. Too many black people are just open to everyone and not enough gatekeeping. Now its too the point that ya gave your pearls to swine. Once ya started replacing Black Women and only not pushing artist to actually have talent = they write thier own music and compose and produce thier own sound= original like Kanye west. Now the music industry is horrible and I know why a lot of the real talent people are building a international fan base and not even investing in the American music market because it's become a huge trafficking hub and its not balanced anymore. its not about the music its about pure expolition and how to pimp a butterfly.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but I totally get what the original post is saying about the music industry feeling 'cooked,' especially when it comes to rap and R&B. As a music lover, I often wonder: how do artists, especially Black and African artists, manage to stay authentic in such a cutthroat and commercialized landscape today? It feels like the hunger for quick trends often overshadows genuine talent and unique voices. One of the biggest struggles I see is the pressure to conform. Artists are constantly pushed to create what's 'popular' or what labels think will sell, rather than what truly reflects their artistry. This is particularly challenging for artists trying to break through, and it often leads to a diluted sound, exactly like the original author mentioned. When I see incredible DJs pouring their hearts into their performances, mixing unique sounds, it makes me think about the pure passion that used to drive the industry. What happened to that drive for original sound that could earn you record awards for innovation, not just marketability? For many up-and-coming Black and African artists, building an international audience, as suggested, isn't just a choice—it's becoming a necessity for survival and creative freedom. The American market, with its intense gatekeeping and commercial demands, can be suffocating. Artists often find more appreciation and a stronger connection with fans overseas who are genuinely seeking diverse sounds and authentic storytelling, not just the next viral hit. They're looking for that raw energy that defines hip-hop and R&B at its core. Another aspect that bothers me is the lack of investment in developing diverse talent. The original post hit on it when talking about Black American artists not being the face of their own genre. It’s not just about who’s visible, but also about the support systems in place. Are artists being encouraged to write their own music, compose, and produce their unique sound, like a Kanye West did in his prime? Or are they being molded into a factory-produced image? True authenticity comes from that creative ownership. I believe fans have a role to play too. By actively seeking out independent artists, supporting those who are experimenting, and valuing lyrical depth and musical innovation over superficial trends, we can collectively push back against the 'cooked' narrative. Let's champion the artists who are brave enough to be themselves, to tell their stories, and to remind us why we fell in love with this music in the first place. The industry might feel broken, but the spirit of authentic music, often amplified by talented DJs and live performances, is still out there, waiting to be rediscovered and celebrated.