When an Artist Takes Shots at Industry Bigwigs
It’s quite widespread seeing an artist hitting out at a fellow singer but then, it’s a whole different game when an up and coming artiste decides to hit out at everyone in showbiz. It takes guts.
In August 2013, rapper Kendrick Lamar set the internet abuzz with his verse in Big Sean’s unreleased album, Hall of Fame (HOF) and no, it’s not because of Big Sean. In his extended verse, “Control (HOF)”, Lamar took the opportunity to “call out” some of his closest industry friends likes Drake, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, A$AP Rocky and more.
Although the verse was viewed as a catalyst for some nasty beef, many of the artists he called came out showing support for the message and took it as a compliment; the likes of Pusha T and Diddy. However, it later turned out that Lamar was simply calling out to his friendly competition and telling them he’s not far behind them; infact, he was already–if not, almost there.
Even Meek Mill had something to say about the highly controversial verse strongly refuting that Lamar was trying to any of them because they know each other personally.
Back home, last week the industry was thrown into a spin after an upcoming dancehall singer who has adopted the Jamaican way of doing music took shots at the industry heavyweights among them reputable radio hosts and deejays.
An acrimonious Blaqy known for his controversial video, Show Me, made headlines after he took a swipe at the likes of Willy M Tuva, G-Money, DJs Wesley, Pinye and Kalonje. According to Blaqy, the aforementioned acclaimed radio hosts and deejays are “rotten”.
While this may be a brilliant way of getting on the charts fast enough, the move is exceedingly precarious because the scale might tilt either way. While Lamar’s move was hailed, Blaqy’s seems to have left many in the industry gasping for breath and instead reproach has been directed his way.
Some people thought it was fake publicity since Blaqy was tearing down one of his friends and the guy who helped propel him to the limelight – Tuva – until he started making damning allegations against the celebrated radio and TV host that guys realized he was in for the long haul.
Yes, Blaqy made a statement and he got the infamy he wanted but what does that mean to his career as a singer?
Already, some deejays on Twitter were coquettish about touching Blaqy and so was a well-known radio host who personally called and said these words before, “Blaqy has committed a suicide.” Asked to expound, he explained that not a single radio host will want to be associated with him unless as they risked being backstabbed.
In his words, “I really respect Tuva as a pioneer radio host and if anyone has the balls to take shot at him sembuse sisi?” he wonders aloud.
Considering deejays and radio hosts play a central part in pushing an artist, burning bridges with them only spells doom for any artist. You can be sure than even if you next produce a ‘clean’ video with good lyrics and flow, nobody’s gonna touch it…and you know what that means.
Neither am I defending the guys Blaqy hit out at nor do I have anything against him, but truth be told criticism is criticism if only is done the proper way.
#MyTwoCents
