Whose Pen Is Mighter Than The Sword: Artists vs The Media

Everyone loves to see their single reviewed, right? Most expect it on the same the day as their release, right? Allow me to burst your...

Everyone loves to see their single reviewed, right? Most expect it on the same the day as their release, right? Allow me to burst your bubble and bring you back “down to Earth”. There’s something most artists don’t get and this will always play to THEIR own disadvantage (I mean they’re the ones that need the coverage, right?). Let me break down the silent war that rages between the artists and the media and why the artists will always end up losing.

• The media has the power to make or break an artist

This is a bitter pill to swallow but it’s true (Look what they did to MJ). The internet has become a global village and information is now a Google click away. Imagine googling yourself (not that way….smh) and finding the first page results are all negative reviews. No matter how good you may think you are or be a lot of people rely on Google for information and I wouldn’t give an artist a second thought if I’m seeing ten bad reviews about him. Don’t get wrong, I’m not saying you should kiss the media’s rear end but try and establish a good working relationship with them.

• Don’t make your emergency our problem

Artist: Spekk wattup?

Me: What’s good fam?

Artist: Nothing much, here’s my new single, dropping tomorrow. Could you review it?

 So I’m guessing the artist assumes I’m always sitting idly by my laptop waiting to receive a track to review. I do have a life a life outside of this and overnight reviews are rushed. I like to listen to a track at least six times before I write a review about it and doing that overnight is pushing it a bit too far (I enjoy my daily dose of movies every night, yes MY TIMETABLE). I am not a miracle-worker; give me enough time to absorb your track before you “force” an opinion out of me. Rushed things will always work out to your disadvantage.

Don’t wait for the 11^th hour to send me your project/track if you want an appropriate article. Even if I do accept to review for track, there are 7 or more reviews pending in front of yours. I know, the truth hurts. So yeah “nhamo yeumwe hairambirwe sadza” (Another person’s problem isn’t mine).

• What you say online can and will be used against you

So you’ve had a bit too much to drink or you had a tiff with your girlfriend and decide to air your frustration on social media. Rants aren’t always facts. A certain strangely-named artist decided to diss bloggers through his status update. Yes we saw your childish tantrum. How do you expect a review for a track you never sent? Never even came across the link on my Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for the rant though you have relieved my workload (one less artist to blog about). Is this beef? No, just being professional, defamation of character gets you nothing. Do us all a favour and grow up, you clearly aren’t a man yet, so stop calling yourself one.

• .       The early bird always gets the worm

I have to really emphasize this. Give me your project at least two weeks from release, if you expect a review. Release dates are not dreamed but carefully strategized. If your label boss is professional he/she knows that too. Schedule your music properly. Record in time, collect your tracks in town and contact the media in time. You have only yourself to blame for your time management. Put in the works needed to perfect your craft, my ears will be thankful.

NB* Me and I in this article stand for The Media. Any resemblance to the author is purely coincidental.