Uh! Oh! May-dah! Somebody call the Waaaaambulance!
The Weeknd didn’t get a Grammy? Who coulda seen that coming?
“What Happened to The Weeknd? The Devolution of Artistry is What ;)”
Hello my fellow truth seekers,
This is DaWigi signing in with Journal Entry #2
I know, its probably the oldest argument to hear… what happened to the good ‘ol days when…? Blah, blah, blah….
It can’t be argued that music artist change. That’s just how it is. For every album marks a certain time period in their life. In a sense, their catalogue is like their musical photo album. Hm. The Weeknd isn’t special. He might have a funny name, “The Weeknd…” I mean, I would hate to be called that growing up — but, other than his name, he’s just like any other artist… or human, or species on this rock that’s subject to the whimsical change of the time. That’s right, despite his expensive production, and improved vocal performance, there’s just something that he’s missing now that he had when he first came out in 2011… hm… what’s that word? Oh, yea! Authenticity.
Once upon a time, we didn’t know anything about The Weeknd. What’s that? A band? Where’s your second member? We didn’t know him, but he sounded like you were going to know him by the end of his song. He had that “It” factor before Hollywood made that phrase lame. He had the juice, but there’s just something about having the juice and not talking about it that sits better with me…
Anyway.
Somewhere between Thursday, Echoes of Silence, and Kiss Land he got musically better, but seemed less in tune with himself. Granted, he was much younger when he first started… so his content wasn’t very matured, but that’s what he knew — the drugs, parties, and bagging hoes, but it sounded like that’s what he liked and not what his Brand and label enourages him to do. There comes a point where artistry means daring to be who you really are because that’s you and not what others want you to do… he’s very safe… or maybe I’m just reading too deep into this…
Who is The Weeknd? What are his everyday challenges? What are his thoughts on Ja Rule’s thoughts on the current situation of the world? He doesn’t sing about any of this. Just like most cinematic modern super heroes, there’s this tough guy image of who he wants others to see as and not who he really is… that boring little man he claims he is in his interviews… I mean, who is he to say he is boring? He might be interesting. Or, better yet, more relatable.
I suppose this can be said about any and every artist of today that have become businesses that bow before the almighty dollar, selling craftmanship for a boot and a nickel. Boy, would I hate to be put in an inauthentic box. Once upon a time, people sung because they were feeling something real others so happen to relate to, not because a bottom line.
I get it. The Grammys are political. But, great artist get overlooked every day, b. The Grammys don’t make the artist, the artists make the Grammys.
Never chase awards. Do it because you love to do it. Get in the flow state and maybe help someone along the way…
Anyway, I’m rambling.
Thanks for tuning in.
This has been DaWigi. Signing out.
Let Your Truth Freak
