The internet has definitely changed the way we not only purchase music but also the way we see the recording artists who give us a soundtrack to life.
In a recent interview with Thisis50.com, Ginuwine took on the internet, stating that it has "hurt" the careers of many artists.
Unlike traditional internet downloading vs. sales talk, Ginuwine takes on something that is more important -- the fact that we see and interact with artists differently and thus the shock, awe and anticipation that fueled a project is gone.
"We are so accessible as artists. I truly believe the fact that we are so accessible as artists takes away the "awe" of an artist. It takes away the shock value of an artist because we're so accessible," Ginuwine tells Thisis50.
"You can just go on the internet and boom 'you can see us in the studio'," he continues.
In the 80s or even 90s when artists including Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Whitney Houston and Jodeci were just getting started, they were essentially inaccessible, except when performing at a concert or appearing through a traditional outlet. To Ginuwine, that is what made an artist:
"You couldn't touch them. You couldn't see them," he says.
"Now it's like... if Michael Jackson comes in the room you'd be like wow. But if he's sitting there for bout' an hour you'd be like "alright that's Mike" and you'd go on and finish whatever you're doing."
Ginuwine's first project in over five years, titled "A Man's Thoughts" is in stores today, June 23.
How Do YOU feel.... Is Ginuwine right about the internet and artists or is he making excuses ?
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I don't hear nothin....I just want to jump on G....aaawww girl u don't even know!
The man is speaking the truth, the internet has ruined a lot of things in music. I really enjoyed the new Ginuwine CD, now all I need is that new Maxwell and K’Jon that comes out on Aug. 4th and my summer collection of music is finished! If yall don’t know who K’Jon is…he has that song On The Ocean. Check his music out @ http://www.myspace.com/whoiskjon!
PS - Ironic. In light of the passing of the legend MJ today, I tearily watched amazing tribute footage of Michael on the tv. Man, it really drives Ginuwines message home - no one did it better than MJ. Todays artists need to take heed.
Well,Beleive it or not Ginuwine is just part of the future now and as he said he has just got his thoughts back in order, and this technology of the internet digital music wave will be a plus for everyone thats intune with it, because its always been about good music and fans now new artists won't need to be signed to sell their music no more bad recorddeals ect,back in the day the album sold for $15.00,the label gave the artist $2.00 from the sale's(T-L-C) if they where lucky now with the internet an artist can pay $3.00 to the digital distribution portal and keep $12.00 its alot better this time around, wisdom is power!
I also feel that some extrovert artists who love the fame devalue the scene byposting stupidness themselves online. The saying 'CIRCULATION MAKES THE PRICE GO DOWN' is real. Artists need to concentrate on being artists and making music that demands attention (no bogus acting, telling jokes, sex tapes & phony impersonations of MJ moves). In these harsh times Music offers escapism so artists can benefit by delivering it.
He 1000000000% percent right! for real I think the music industry needs to cut internet sales. And go back to when you had to buy from the store. Or at least make things not so easy for fans to access everything. I like it better when the artist feels kinda untouchable because it adds to the entertainment factor. It would increase concert ticket sales and album sales. But another thing is artist and labels better start putting out complete albums like they did in the 80's and 90's.
Michael Jackson realised this years ago and he has said that's why he decides to lay low for years at a time - to prevent over exposure. Now he is gearing up for a new concert, I expect him to be seen more and to actively seek out coverage. when the concerts end, there will be a quiet spell again. Nobody will ever touch Jacko's worldwide sales no. Thriller is No.1 best selling album worldwide and I can't see that being beat.
G is right in that the internet has hurt music sales. But I dont see any artists in the studio, unless they CHOOSE to sahre that vid. . . . . I hope your cd sells well. If u go gold that is good since you're releasing the cd independently.
I agree with Ginuwine. Artist have no privacy anymore, and it is hard for a lot of them to sell records because you can get them for nothing by downloading. Unfortunately, artist like Kanye West have to buy their own albums.
I feel that Ginuwine is completely right on this subject. What he is stating is the truth...Even when somebody goes platinum nowadays you know that would have been platinum many many many times over before the internet came into play. T.I. and Lil Wayne may have damn near gone diamond this past year if things were the way that they used to be. So I agree that the internet has hurt the artist in many ways.