The Music Industry

Music is very persuasive. Artists have the power to reflect on current society, as well as manipulate it with their lyrics. They often start trends, create popular phrases, and influence listeners, both negatively and positively, based on the messages they rap or sing.

When an artist displays their image, either with words or in music video, they are displaying a lifestyle. Different people are attracted to different lifestyles. Some can relate to a lifestyle directly, and some try to achieve a lifestyle that appeal to them by changing their looks, how they talk, and the music they listen to. When people are able to listen to music and relate to the message or lifestyle being portrayed, it is likely that they will be easily persuaded about what is being said.

Music also has the power to affect how we feel. Sometimes lyrics, and even music itself, are so convincing and can relate so much to your own life that it can change your emotions while you listen. In a way, it persuades how you feel.

Music today is so accessible, thanks to the internet. Instead of going out and buying an entire CD, often for only a few songs, we are able to download our favorite single songs. We are also able to preview songs, discover new music based on what we already listen to, and organize music on the computer without having to store CD covers or worry about scratching a disc. Downloading makes listening to music not only cheaper, but much more convenient.

It also changes the industry, because now there is more focus on selling single songs. Album sales used to be the main concern, but now the competition lies with the individual song that result in the most downloads.

Two issues arise with downloading music. The first is illegal downloading. which loses record labels a lot of money. When people are able to receive music for free, the company is losing out on sales. The second issue is the fact that unsigned artists are able to put their music on the internet to be downloaded. People don’t need the assistance and advertising from major record labels to be known in the music industry anymore. People can promote themselves, develop a fan base, and end up on anyone’s iPod without the help of a record label, who used to be able to make money off of such artists.