Money For Nothing: Behind the Business of Pop Music

[cavmedic53]

Anyone who wants to see the entire video, can watch the full length preview on the website. It's watermarked the entire way through and some of the info is behind but that's only because with some mergers it's gotten worse. It's still very sad and sickening.

[suchafool990]

if these evil music corporations are so horrible and shitty then what does that make all the people who buy and support their music hmm?

...........*crickets*

[cherubicnerd]

my god. i knew it! i knew talent had to come in different sizes,ethnicity , and ages! bring back the days of quality music!

[WritingFighter]

This explains why several European artists are doing so well today (of which there is a surprising amount). Their creativity wins people and the big companies scratch their heads, sucking more money out to try and produce more.

[vicdella80]

where can i find the whole documentary? saw this back in 02 at some mini film festival

[chrisz]

@vicdella80 You can buy it online from the MEF, it is pricy though. I saw this documentary in one of my journalism classes at college.

[JohnF30Music]

this was in about 1999-2000 because it shows the 5 big four record labels. it's 4 now.

[MYSTERYGARDEN777]

STAY TUNED FOR MYSTERY GARDEN'S

R-E-V-I-V-E MUSIC 2010/2011!

[pvredsox]

this video is useless and it has only been 4 years

[chrisz]

@pvredsox care to elaborate, or are you just going to spit baseless rhetoric? Much of the information in the film is still relevant in todays music industry.

[pvredsox]

@chrisz I wouldn't call the word useless as "rhetoric". But sorry if i angered you. terribly sorry. All i'm saying is if you listened in on a pothead who knows anything about the music industry from the past 30 years they'd just say this. "The man is killing music brooo"

[tofu64gamer]

where can I find the fully one online

[Quex01]

University of Illinois is financed by the goverment, lol

[floydclaptonblues]

A record store...? What the hell is that? Seriously, I went into Wal-Mart a couple days ago and there was one CD shelf! No shit!

[steph4234]

this is definitely 90's, if they knew it got so much worst by 2010...

[eathenicus]

@steph4234 It was worse back then, and it's even gotten worser now, hell, I'm sure there are more indie labels more than ever thanks to the web,

[cdwondotcom]

sad in its self the brand names dropped in this.. Jst don't buy music and dont watch TV , screws em over nicely.. shame people are such sheep

[mark1800]

ha, ho knew chuck d was so articulate

[INS1977]

....

comercialism kills art (music) e t c

[imyourtrash]

This stuff is KILLING whatever art is left in music.

[imyourtrash]

Wow that is soo intelligently put and relevant to the point being made here. You should become a musician, you'll go far with yo mama jokes.

[legendof]

HAHAHAAAAAAAAAA

[PopCulture20]

@lilpiska YOU GOT OWNED!!!!

[JH335163]

Corporate takeover of the music industry will be the result of its downfall.

[lickmynose]

What is creeping me out about this is it sounds like musical inbreeding. If we continue to create music like this through corporations, we are heading towards a very deformed breed of music. We will be developing sound that is made from the same parents over and over again. If the music that is produced by these folks reaches the greatest population, we'll be having some a musical family tree that doesn't limb out. We become susceptible to the elements because there is no diversity.

[lilpiska]

yo mama's head is so small when she pierced her ears she died.

[legendof]

BAHAHAHAAAAAAA

[legendof]

It's already here.

[georgiagritz]

very nice, the people are going to have to burn this corporate industry to the ground, I still believe in them, even though, they have got lazy. Proof of that is this current administration that has got away with criminal activities beyond anyones imagination. Of course ClintOOn was no bargain!

[LadyTai7]

...and that is why no one is buying music any more... has little to do with downloading... has a lot to do with money-hype generated and minimum to "no talent."

[james869]

You're a shitty girl for calling her a shitty girl. People have a right to disagree with you and Kathleen Hanna. I love KH and if everyone loved her, she'd be doing something wrong. If that chick wants to hate KH, though...she needs to not use the term "grrl" to describe herself.

[buopako]

is it dead yet? The music industry set-up/system deserves to die,imho.

[lickmynose]

What they are saying relates a great deal to education too. This is one form of how we educate each other. We connect authentically and contribute to the future generations of their relationships with our history. What we do culturally is an autobiographical imprint for humantiy. If we are fakin' it, we are in for some very contorted relationship with our history.

[sillyunderpants]

Good observation, well articulated.

Caught me off guard, I really didn't expect to read an educated comment on Youtube.

[lickmynose]

Why thank you sillyunderpants. We might be thinkers, but we do have a sense of humor judging by our YouTube names! I love it.

[lickmynose]

What they are saying relates a great deal to education too. This is one form of how we educate each other. We connect authentically and contribute to the future generations of their relationships with our history. What we do culturally is an autobiographical imprint for humantiy. If we are fakin' it, we are in for some very contorted relationship with our history.

[alienevolved]

look for terence mckenna-culture is not your friend, on you tube for a more in depth analysis

[matrix74650]

i second that motion!

[juliaisafilmbuff]

Can someone PLEASE upload the entire movie, pleeeeaaaasssee?

[Killface9]

Don't feel bad about that at all. Both Ani and Kathleen are solidly boff worthy. Rock on.

[WeMustBeStopped]

I realize as a hetero American male I'm risking decapitation/castration by saying this, but I want Ani soooooo bad. (and Kathleen Hanna is adorable too) (Yeah, I called her adorable, I know what I said)

[clairetreetops]

this vid is really informative to people who dont listen to alot of NON mainstream music... but regardless, some people like the boxed & packaged with a bow shit they can hear on the radio. it's everyone's free choice to listen to what they want to, and everyone on here arguing over it is really rather pointless. one, its music. two.... this is the internet.

but have fun....

[jolie0183]

this is supposed to specifically address the issue of how corporations have a strong hold on art and culture and how it mass produces it and warps our sense of culture.

it has absolutely nothing to do with what older people and younger people are listening to.

fact of the matter is, your're listening to the music you are because they allowed you to. they control everything.

it's a business, and that is exactly the problem. And it's a big problem.

[kabfik]

you know that's what's so interesting, I really really miss Tupac Shakur. The man was a fucking leader who made everyone I mean everyone walked his way, he made underground talented rap music popular. Remember the end of 95 and the whole year of 96, it was Tupac's year for sure, during 96 that's who everyone listened to, he made all the teens and young adults of that time period make them realize the problems facing our ghettos, and pop culture back then was way different from what it is now.

[toadiesplace]

Not to interrupt the argument going back and forth, but brilliant video. Thanks for posting it, I'll be sharing it with many people.

[thecyberpunk]

God I hate Ani Defranco.

[Debonair73]

That's throw away artist, Sorry.

[Debonair73]

It would be interesting if they compare the music industry in America versus Europe. You often hear that in Europe they don't through away artists like they do in America. Also, country music in American is more loyal to the artists except for the Dixie Chicks.

[bapyou]

...cont: Now, it seems, it is so fractious. Everyone has their favorite style/bands/genres, and it's just a big argument. There ain't anything <i>groovy</i> about it at all. It's all about who is or isn't making money. Which I suppose is the subject of this vid.

[sydxriot]

Most indie bands never want to be on a major record label. in the punk genra is being on major record label is taboo.

id rather listen to outsider art than lip-synching pop bands.

[toranamunter]

what a pack of whingeing hippies. if you're so righteous, how about not signing multimillion dollar recording contracts?? What, dreads guy signed a royalties agreement to use his track on a commercial, gets paid big time, and now wants to bitch about it???

[javs8583]

haha are u jealos that they make money n u dont???

[toranamunter]

Jealous? lol! not even slightly. Its just so lame when musicians who've dedicated years to scoring record deals turn around and bitch about their obligations like petulant toddlers. Take some responsiblity for your own decisions.. nobody put a gun to their head.

[jasestuff]

That's funny, I don't see any creative "hippies" being signed, so what's your point? It's all throwaway acts being signed nowadays whose music nobody will want to hear in 5 years from now. Thanks for being part of the problem.

[ViolettGrrrl]

Courtney Love is the best of the best

she fought against Universal Music remember??

because they puto pressure over artists to produce even when they are not inspired to...

[qwerty424424]

even though the monopoly of record companies sucks... they still have talented artist.. just because they are popular doesnt make them less talented... i love a variety of artist, popular and non-popular

[bonesdsm]

gawd, i love Lathleen HAnnah.

[EnderNox]

"Popular" music is awful, always has always will.

[neothomist1275]

EnderNox, that is because it is not truly "popular"--naturally integrated into society and passed down from one generation to the next--it is "proletarian", at once a vehicle for and a product of social liquidation.

[shaneturner]

i love ani d's music. she's dopeee - me

[Doopex]

Why is music without "depth" wrong? Why is music that has it inherently better? What is wrong with music that is sensational and momentarily (?) effective? What would be a better state? What to say of those who disregard mainstream music and listen to indie/self-distributed music? Does their presence not say that people are *choosing*? Are there not unlikely hits? Are there not people who hit the formula yet fail? How does this compute?

How can these questions NOT seem damn essential?

[jasestuff]

Man you're dense. All the "sensational" hits of yester-year that people still love and cherish had "depth". Ever heard of Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, the Eurythmics (1980s), etc, etc? Everything that was without depth is made fun of today for good reason. Depth has NOTHING to do with the song being a hit, being fun, being hip, etc. It's the artistic "depth" that's referred to, which takes time to develop, like a fine wine.

[Doopex]

Artistic depth is both irrelevant and entirely subjective. I am entirely comfortable suggesting one of the most creative musicians around today is Timbaland, responsible for some of the biggest hits in 2006, who opens up the r'n'b formula. But that's not the point. The point is, music has the right to be disposable, as does all, and music have the right to enjoy disposable music. If you don't like it, shut it and go look elsewhere.

[jasestuff]

"Doop" is right- you've been duped. As for "shut it and look somewhere else"- who made you king? You're the problem as I see it. Music sucks because of ignorant and tasteless people like you who support this mindless crap. And PS- there is no choice on radio anymore. If you read once in a while you might know this, but that's asking too much I know:)

[Doopex]

No one made me king. It is neither mine or yours right to seek to impose our own aesthetic values on others. If the majority isn't having an uprising against the music industry, it's because it's doing something right for them. And that's ok. If you as a minority feel frustrated by the majority's tastes, look elsewhere. It might be inconvenient, but it's how these things work. And if you want the views you hold to be taken seriously, it might be best to quit the attempts at personal attacks.

[bapyou]

Man, there is such a thing as quality. When you listen to say the Motown hits of the 60s/early 70s, you feel and hear the quality of the music, the production, the playing, the songwriting, the singing. Do you sit around and discuss <I>aesthetics</I> when Marvin Gaye is singing What's Goin on? I wouldn't want to listen to the same music forever, but the music on the radio today is too <I>considered</I>; it just doesn't flow with the same all-encompassing vibe that the music of the 60s did.

[Doopex]

I don't care about "What's Going On", And there was plenty of fluff back then. What's your point? If you feel it doesn't "flow", I fully respect that, seriously; it doesn't suit you (and I can imagine that it sucks not to enjoy the music most widely distributed). But lets

not make the mistake of taking aesthetic

afinity as something objectively defining...

[bapyou]

My point is that, the music of the 60s (yes a trite, overused phrase...but there isn't a substitute), everyone just got on board with the popular music of the day. It was so much more a part of EVERYONE'S culture. It was there like your living room sofa. And there was real J-O-Y in the music. Today, if there is any joy expressed in popular music, it's forced or ironic. Popular music was much more of a shared culture back then. cont...

[Doopex]

How do you know, if I may ask?

[bapyou]

How do I know what? I'm uncertain as to what you are referring with your question.

[Doopex]

That "the music of the 60s (yes a trite, overused phrase...but there isn't a substitute), everyone just got on board with the popular music of the day. It was so much more a part of EVERYONE'S culture. It was there like your living room sofa. And there was real J-O-Y in the music."

[bapyou]

How do I know this? Because I was alive at the time, fool. What? Do you think that every perception that one has must come out of a book or some other from of reference?

Let me ask YOU a question: Are you alive?

[Doopex]

It was an honest question. Could you calm down?

I'm very glad that you're not making it up on the basis of books or movies - it'd be criticizing the present with a basis on a fiction of the past, which is fine but not something to build an argument on.

But you did, so it's different: I simply respect your position but do not agree because I have no way of comparing it to reality.

I'm alive, yes. Why have you resorted to personal attacks?

[bapyou]

I don't have a clue what you're going on about. What I wrote stands on its own merits. If you don't understand it, then it is a function of your age or the disconnect with the past that everyone seems to have at present. There was true joy in the music of 30-40 years ago. I don't hear it today; except that which is forced or ironic, i.e. a joke. Cheers.

[Doopex]

I was asking why you pictured 60s music as inherently different, fearing it might be a myth. As it turns out, it relates to the fact that you LIVED IT IN PERSON. I didn't, so how perspectives can't be properly compared, because the experiences they're based on differ too much. So, I was agreeing to disagree. I'm not attacking you, I'm discussing and exploring these ideas, so there's no need for "fool", and no need for damn ageism.

[bapyou]

I called you fool because I think the musicians and purveyors of music in the present day have fooled you and many in your age group into thinking they are giving you their all. You should demand better. My perceptions might be a function of age, although, I see a lot of young folks who love Motown, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, or Stones, etc. Don't see too many older folks getting on board with the latest flavor of the month.

[Doopex]

Older people are always hesitant in relation to culture that follows theirs; its only natural. That point's irrelevant. And I think I get to decide exactly what I want to demand and that it's arrogant to think you can judge that pseudo-objectively.

[bapyou]

<i>Doop</i>: For the second time: "...I've encountered a lot of young folks who love Motown, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, or Stones, etc. Don't see too many older folks getting on board with the latest flavor of the month." Respond.

[Doopex]

I did. "Older people are always hesitant in relation to culture that follows theirs; its only natural. That point's irrelevant." Far easier and more common to look to the past than to the future.

[bapyou]

Doop: My comment was not about older people. My comment was about younger people. So, you haven't addressed my comment. You're talking about older poeple, I'm not. And anyway, good art is timeless. What is missing from much of today's "popular" artists is the timeless quality. I think that this is why young people are finding something of value in older music.

[Doopex]

The old people you mention were probably once young people whose tastes were frowned upon by older people; the young people will be old people frowning upon what younger people listen to some day. Its how age and change relate; its only natural: people more easily look back than forward. So that statement applies to different times and things in a way that doesn't really say anything about the things whose appreciation is being examined. It's a void point.

[bapyou]

Void. Like much of today's popular music. Ciao.

[Doopex]

That was pretty immature. But okay. If you want to drop the subject there are, however, better, more polite ways of doing it. Bye.

[bapyou]

Immature? How so? I happen to think it's true. You still did not address what I wrote. You addressed what you THINK I wrote.

It doesn't matter. Stick to your guns.

[bapyou]

Also, I get attacked all of the time on YouTube. It's the repository for a lot of frustration.

[harshtradamus]

im with you doopex

[dudumzim]

That's right.

Where some frustrated people with inferiority complexes (not that most critics are like this, of course) see oozing masses of desensitized, will-lacking coprophagous sheeple morons without the least of good taste on music, these guys saw a potential market, and i admire both consumers and providers for that.

[Doopex]

...I really am unable to read your comment for sarcasm. Hmm.

[dudumzim]

What sarcasm?

I was simply talking about supply and demand.

When people want to consume crap, then crap shall be provided for them.

It's a Win/Win situation

[Doopex]

The problem being, economics deal with objective currency, something which "crap" is not. Sigh.

[dudumzim]

I'm talking about music, not currency.

"Crap" music is "Crap", as it is demanded and provided by the people who work with "Crap" to people who want to listen to "Crap".

Simple as that.

[Doopex]

Forget it, at least your essential logic is fine.

[raymondleeleggs]

I agree with you, timbaland is the most creative music producer out now, and people have the right to listen to music if it's there. And Artistic depth and talent are a matter of ones opinion. N sync was talented they could sing and dance well.

[donnerbrandpear]

Why is eating food that has no nutrition wrong? Why is food with nutrition inherently better? What is wrong with food that is full of sugar and preservatives? What would be better for your body? What to say of those who disregard junk food and eat healthy food? Does their presence not say they are *choosing*? How can these questions NOT seem damn essential?

[wettabletom]

I absolutely agree. Not to say that depth is irrelevant in music; it's nice to have, but not essential for "good" music. As an audio engineer, I greatly appreciate the amount of effort that goes into most pop music. It may not be effort from the artists, but its still effort nonetheless.

When you start disregarding the aesthetics of music in favor of unaesthetic meaning for the SAKE of unaesthetic meaning, you begin entering the territory of pompous indie-rocker.

[wettabletom]

PS: Almost all of Mozart's music had no "depth" to it. It was written as music for music's sake; no meaning or intention. Much like N'Sync, or Backstreet Boys, or any other bubblegum pop group from the 90's.

[Drewshka]

The difference is that Mozart was making big musical breakthroughs through his compositions--he was a musical genius. N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys can't even come close to comparing to Mozart or any other classical composers. They understood musical structure, they had vision and talent, N'Sync can sing back songs that were written for them. How is that the same thing?

[luisthedude]

N'Sync, don't know shit about music and expression, only their imgae makes them notable, they have no talent just looks, it shows you how profit is a posion to musical creativity.

[tonyli3s]

even if it was true he still had so much musical talent that he still made absolutely amazing music that are much beyond what nsyncs 5 iq brains are capable of

[FarfFignuton69]

Kathleen Hanna is so awesome

[troybrooks]

This is so important. I just wish more people knew how spoon fed they were by these corperations.

[debbieyup]

hah kathleen has such a valley girl voice.OMG those djs like suck.

[CarolX2]

Haha, yeah, I never realized she sounded so valley girl until now. She literally sounds like she's trying to be funny instead of for real.

[bucketofstars]

she's always talked like that. she even wrote the song VGI (valley girl intelligence) becuase of people making fun of the way she talks.

personally, I think it's adorable.

ps. thanks for the video!

[RIOTdontdiet]

Sweet video. Fuck corporate fucks and talentless garbage.

[jentastic]

cheers for this

[lot110]

Proof!!!

[alainek]

awesome, thanks!