Let’s Stop Comparing New Artists to Musicians of the Past
Christopher K gives us an air-tight analysis of why we shouldn’t compare current artists to ones prior.
Whether it’s Drake and Jay-Z comparisons or Earl Sweatshirt to MF DOOM, it seems all of our favourite new artists are inspired by ones prior. The question rings in is it a good idea to compare a new artist to an artist from another decade? For example, this time around last year EarthGang had dropped their Dreamville debut album ‘Mirrorland’.
The album itself had gotten so much buzz that controversial social media influencer Yes Julz tweeted; “EarthGang is like the Outkast of this generation only with two André’s. I’m so here for it”. The dangers behind the statement lie within how many modern musicians are influenced by artists of the past. Musicians might be lauded with comments like “they aren’t making good music like they use too anymore”.
While being criticized for not following or not staying within the ‘lines’ Artist today are making music that they feel a particular audience will pay attention too even if they are in a different region of the world.
As much as we would like for another neo-soul movement to happen, its best to let the musician be who they are. People complain about things like; a lack of music about social change, the lack of R&B singers who can hit high notes or about how all modern artists sound the same.
The impact these statements have can be harmful when we are not giving the creator a chance to grow into their own.
Many yearn and expect for another coming Nas or J. Cole. On the other hand, you have those calling for another D’Angelo when no one can be D’Angelo but himself. We are calling for these newer artists to bring us back to a nostalgic point in our lives that no one can purely fulfil.
It can be harmful to proclaim someone the next Sade or André 3000, that would create unachievable pressure. When artists today are trying to record music, they produce what represents them artistically.
Take the hip-hop artist Rapsody, she’s asked others to stop comparing or using her as the embodiment of being a woman in rap who doesn’t about sex in her music. Rapsody likes to make music that where feels comfortable discussing within her music.
Where she raps about social justice, promoting positivity within the Black Community, or shinning a light on topics that are not always discussed in the Black Community. Rapsody makes music for what she feels represents her.
Megan Thee Stallion, Mulatto, City Girls, Flo Milli, Ivy Sole, Noname and even Leikil47, all make music that pertains to them and what represents how they feel on a personal level. To continue to compare new to old gives off the idea to others that the contemporary musician is less original. This can lead to unrealistic expectations from an artist.
An example of this was Jay Electronica when he had all of the hip-hop community hyping him up in the late noughties. The pressure mounted so much Jay failed to release any project for over a decade.
Another example of this could be comparing this someone new to a Jill Scott or a Raphael Saadiq, people are expecting this person to have songs similar to ‘A Long Walk’. The reality might be that person X may have sampled one Jill Scott record for their enjoyment.
When it comes down to it, everyone can have their critiques. However, newer artists are either placed into a box, are being pressured to stand out, or must share a similar sound as Ms. Lauryn Hill or Busta Rhymes. All of our favourite past artists had influenced. Past artists that we give praise too needed time to find their style to be not compared to or sound similar to their peers.
Let newer artists find their niche and the particular style that fits them. Thus, giving the musician the free reign to make their art to be about whatever they want. Let us allow the newer rappers, singers and producers to find a space to where they believe they can best express who they are.
For more of Chris K’s work, check out the podcast and ForTheHomies hosted by Chris K, Dre and Rocky on Spotify here. Also, check out their merch site here.