March 31, 2022
After a cancelled performance at the Asuncionico festival in Paraguay Doja cat received backlash from fans claiming the singer neglected them outside of her hotel. After the many complaints from...
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After a long 4 year’s K-pop group Big Bang makes a comeback to the music scene with the song “Still Life.” This song has become another banger from the group reminding fans of the music they once...
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The first theatre production highlighting the global takeover of the K-Pop industry will be making its Broadway debut later this year, with its opening night scheduled for November 20, while...
Read moreApril 6, 2022
Over the past month, singer Ed Sheeran has been battling a copyright trial, accusing him of plagiarizing his 2017 hit song, “Shape of You” the song’s resemblance to their song, “Oh Why” Sami Chokri...
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If you’ve been on social media for the past few months, odds are you’ve probably heard of the iconic viral hit, “Leave The Door Open” by Silk Sonic on just about every corner of the internet.
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Debut: April 2022 After having competed on the reality survival show, “My Teenage Girl”, the seven-member group CLASS:y was formed, signing a seven-year contract with label, M25. The group was...
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Queendom returned for its long awaited second season (hosted by Girls Generation’s Tayeon) and here’s all you need to know: Queendom is a South Korean reality-survival show in which six girl groups...
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Bobby Shmurda has finally been released from his deal with Epic Records following his own plea for his release on social media stating, “I did six years in jail trying to get off this label before...
Read moreApril 5, 2022
Alas, BIGBANG have finally made their long-awaited return to the spotlight with their new single, “Still Life” – a heartfelt ballad about the perils of growing up and learning from your past. As...
Read moreApril 5, 2022
Last week, Louisville heartthrob Jack Harlow dropped a 13 second snippet of a new song he’d been working on that samples Fergie’s hit, “Glamorous” and it immediately went viral on TikTok within...
Read moreMarch 18, 2022
After month’s of anticipation Japanese Girl group XGalX debute with new single “Tippy Toes”. The group consists of 7 young empowered women named Jurin, Harvey, Hinata, Chisa, Maya, Juria and Co...
Read moreMarch 29, 2022
Newly heartbroken singer Shawn Mendez performs his new song “When you’re gone” at South by Southwest. This is the debut song that came out after his break up with fellow singer Camila Cabello after...
Read moreThe world of music has always been shrouded in a certain level of mystery and allure, but the recent spat between Meek Mill and Drake has brought a longstanding issue back into the spotlight: ghostwriting. The controversy ignites a debate about the importance of authorship and authenticity in music, particularly in genres where personal narrative and credibility are key, like hip-hop.
In 2012, Damien Hirst, a renowned artist, responded to criticism about his minimal personal involvement in the creation of his famous spot paintings by comparing himself to an architect. His defense highlighted a crucial point: in many creative fields, the end product is a collective effort. This idea is widely accepted in some areas, such as speechwriting for politicians or scripts for TV presenters. However, in music, especially rap, there's a significant focus on the authenticity of the artist's voice.
Hip-hop is a genre deeply rooted in personal storytelling and authenticity. As Austin Daboh from 1Xtra points out, the personal nature of rap lyrics means that ghostwriting can be seen as undermining an artist's credibility. When rappers like 50 Cent talk about their life experiences, such as surviving multiple gunshots, the expectation is that these stories are their own, not fabricated or penned by someone else. This personal connection is why Meek Mill's accusation against Drake struck such a nerve; it challenges the very foundation of what many believe rap should represent.
Yet, ghostwriting in music is far from rare. Many iconic tracks have had contributions from writers behind the scenes. Nas helped craft hits for Will Smith, Method Man contributed to ODB's debut album, and Jay-Z wrote for Dr. Dre and even Bugs Bunny. Killer Mike has openly discussed his own ghostwriting experiences, explaining that writing from another artist's perspective can make perfect sense. In pop music, where the focus is often more on the performance than the personal narrative, the use of ghostwriters is widely accepted. Artists like Taylor Swift and Lorde have brought songwriting to the forefront of their identities, showing that pop can value authenticity too. The inclusion of voice memos on Swift’s album "1989" underscores how integral songwriting is to her brand.
However, not everyone in the industry is thrilled about this shift. Some believe that performing and writing are distinct talents, and that good performers need not write their own songs. The reality is that many hits are the result of collaborations among multiple writers and producers. This is particularly true in genres like hip-hop and dance music, where the lines between production and songwriting are increasingly blurred.
The debate over ghostwriting ultimately circles back to the question of what fans expect from their favorite artists. Is it the artist's voice and story that matter most, or simply the quality of the music they produce? For some, the idea of an artist not writing their own lyrics feels like a betrayal, while for others, it's just part of the creative process.
In the end, the issue of ghostwriting in music reflects broader questions about authenticity and authorship. While some fans might feel deceived if they discover their favorite artist didn’t pen their own hits, others might appreciate the collaborative effort that goes into creating great music. Perhaps the only real rule in ghostwriting, as in many aspects of life, is this: if you're going to do it, don’t get caught.