When I was listening to the radio the other day, the radio hosts were discussing the issue of artists maintaining the ability to stay relevant. One host said, “People say they want variety, but they really just want the same old thing.” This statement stuck with me, and it got me thinking about how an artist can stay relevant when the majority of people have this mindset. Think about it for a minute. Let’s say you’re a die-hard Britney Spears fan, and have followed her loyally ever since she came out with her braids in a schoolgirl outfit singing “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” Britney has been able to come out on top for overa decade, continuously making hit after hit after hit. But let’s say she all of a sudden changes it up, and makes an album so different, and so out of character
for Britney, it’s almost like she’s a new artist. Are you mad? Or are you excited?
Singers are constantly struggling with this dilemma. Many try to stay true to who they are and create albums within their general genre, yet others attempt to branch out to other genres, which usually does not sit well with the rest of their fans. However, when a singer does either of these possibilities, many fans react with either disdain towards an album that has similar music, or are angry about the new route the artist selected. This double negative leaves artists in a state of permanent confusion. Once an artist struggles with his or her own artistic directions, it is difficult to overcome, and therefore stay “relevant.”
In my opinion, I truly believe “people say they want variety, but they really just want the same old thing.” Nobody likes a dramatic change of any sort, but we are often too stubborn to admit we are stuck in our ways and perfectly content with the way things are. For singers, upholding the ability to stay relevant holds the same philosophy. If an artist has what it takes to achieve timelessness and join the likes of The Beatles, then he is smart enough to realize that the moment he completely changes his style and who he is as an artist, his relevance has terminated. A true singer knows when to slightly change up a new album here or there, yet still allow their genuine artistry to shine through. The point of a singer is not to be relevant, but rather to be real.