Leaving behind annoying trends from 2023 in music

A microphone. (Courtesy) The year 2023 is on its last stretch and as we approach the new year, artistes, and industry players must stay ahead of the game and leave behind annoying trends that have plagued the industry. Artistes In this trail, artistes remain at the top of the chain, but there are some tired tropes that they should ditch going forward. In the recent past, we have encountered numerous songs that have majorly overused samples and melodies. To the extent that we have a whole genre, Arbantone, which is simply 'stolen' melodies. There is a lack of originality, which makes these songs not only predictable, but boring. It's important to recognise that music thrives on diversity and exploration. While sampling and borrowing from past influences can be a creative tool, it should not come at the expense of originality and artistic integrity. Another trend that should not see the light of day this coming year is the issue of recycled lyrics and themes. Musicians are getting lazy with their songwriting. They are recycling the same lyrics and themes over and over again. A prevalence of literally copying and pasting lyrics contributes to a general sense of dissatisfaction with the music industry. Listeners may feel that artistes are not putting enough effort into their craft and are simply regurgitating old ideas. Recently, there has been a rise in uninspired music videos. This trend should be left in 2023 for the sake of both artistes and viewers. Music videos have always been a powerful tool for artistes to enhance their music, tell stories, and connect with their audience. In today's visually saturated world, music videos need to be visually stunning and captivating to grab viewers' attention. Uninspired videos often lack visual interest, relying on tired cliches and generic visuals, failing to leave a lasting impression. Another tired cliche that is synonymous with loads of artistes is clout chasing over little or no content at all. This growing trend has seen creatives prioritise it over the quality and authenticity of their music. This has seen many a musician getting more attention for their social media presence than their actual music. It is time to focus on the music and let it speak for itself. For that to take place though, Pulse has some remedy and a word for the artistes to break the boundaries and push their music to the high heavens. Be original, and authentic, and carefully engage with your fans for them to connect to your hard work as they are the same who support your career. In addition to the trends mentioned above, musicians should also avoid using too much profanity and making music that is sexually suggestive or violent. Music should be a positive force in the world - it's important to create music that is appropriate for all ages. Industry players This year has had its fair share of ups and downs and one thing that a majority of upcoming artistes complained about this particular year was the issue of gatekeepers in the music industry. These individuals or entities controlling access to resources and opportunities for artistes can serve some legitimate purposes, like maintaining quality standards and protecting listeners from harmful content, excessive gatekeeping can significantly harm creatives. Gatekeepers often favour artistes who fit a specific mould, based on factors like genre, image, or musical background, excluding talented musicians who represent diverse voices, styles, and perspectives. This homogenises the music landscape and limits the creative potential of the industry. Such individuals more often than not end up exploiting musicians by taking advantage of their lack of bargaining power. This can lead to unfair contracts, low royalty rates, and limited artistic control, which subsequently create a thriving industry that breaks creatives and reinforces the 'starving artiste' stereotype. This discourages talented individuals from pursuing music as a career, further limiting the diversity and richness of the music industry. Still, they often create unfair barriers for new and emerging artistes. Access to resources like recording studios, distribution channels, and performance opportunities can be limited, making it difficult for them to gain recognition and build a career. Closely related to gatekeeping comes in the issue of royalties. Royalty collection and distribution play a crucial role in the music industry, ensuring that artistes receive fair compensation for their work. However, in Kenya, the system has been plagued by challenges, negatively impacting musicians' livelihoods. Accusations of unfair and opaque distribution practices have plagued the bodies that are tasked with royalty collections, with concerns about transparency and ensuring that royalties are distributed equitably among all members. By addressing the challenges and implementing effective solutions, royalty collection and distribution can become a powerful tool for empowering Kenyan musicians and fostering a thriving music industry. This will ensure that artistes are fairly compensated for their work, enabling them to contribute to the development of Kenya's rich cultural heritage and vibrant music scene. Various traits have been gaining notoriety of late including the rise of fake awards and fake promoters. The rise of fake music awards has become a major threat to the development and sustainability of this promising industry. These awards undermine the value of genuine talent, discourage legitimate efforts, and ultimately hinder the growth of deserving artistes. These awards, often poorly organized and lacking transparency, have a detrimental effect on the industry by crippling talent and discouraging genuine effort. Not once, not twice, this past year we have heard stories of fake promoters who often lure artistes with promises of lucrative gigs and advance payments, then vanish with the money, leaving artistes in debt. They have even gone to the extent of booking artistes for nonexistent events, leading to cancellations and damaging the artistes reputation and credibility. On the other hand, they often offer unrealistically low prices, undercutting legitimate promoters who operate ethically and provide quality services. This creates an uneven playing field and makes it difficult for legitimate promoters to compete with them. This is one habit that should not see the light in 2024. Another trend that should otherwise be forgotten altogether is the unfair airplay amongst media outlets. They more often than not, prioritise established artistes with large fanbases, leaving little room for new talent. This limits the exposure of upcoming musicians and makes it difficult for them to build a following. Addressing the issue of unfair music airplay is essential to creating a vibrant and sustainable music industry where upcoming musicians have the opportunity to thrive. By advocating for fair play and creating a more supportive environment, we can help foster a generation of talented artistes and ensure that the future of music is bright and diverse. Last but not least, sexual harassment remains a widespread issue in the music industry, impacting artistes of all genders. However, female artistes, especially those who are just starting, often find themselves particularly vulnerable to this type of abuse. Producers, managers, and other industry professionals, upcoming female musicians have complained for days on end about this vice. Way Forward The music industry is a complex ecosystem where various players, from musicians and songwriters to producers, engineers, managers, and distributors, collaborate to create, distribute, and promote music. In future, this ecosystem must foster harmonious collaboration and ditch tired, annoying trends to move forward. By ditching tired trends and embracing collaboration, the industry can create a more vibrant, diverse, and sustainable landscape for everyone involved.

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