Has The Internet Helped or Hindered Soul and R&B music?
December 2, 2008 by admin
Filed under Your Opinions Do Matter
The Internet has been an amazing phenomenon wouldn’t you say? We can now find info on virtually any topic or niche, including our favorite music genres like Soul and R&B. But has it really helped or has it hindered the progress of the music we love so much?
Sure, we can now research Artists, Gigs, New Releases, Interviews, the Cheapest Prices, The latest News, Gossip etc, etc. However, is this new found freedom really the begining of the end? Is the Internet starting to hinder, handicap and make us less friendly, less social and less interactive as human beings?
Do we now go to record and/or CD stores less? Do we now go to live concerts less? Do we now visit night clubs and/or local community clubs and associations less? Do we even pop into our local newsagents to buy or subscribe to our favorite music magazine? Do we physically laugh, smile, sing and even cry, inter-mingle and socialize with each other the way we use to?
Or are we and our music quickly becoming A SLAVE TO THE INTERNET???
If we did not have the internet then how could we ever enjoy Soul TV? I don’t think we have becomes slaves to the world of internet. We can find a lot of information on our music artists because of the internet. This means the internet is helping us. Things have become easier now.
I feel quite the opposite about the matter. The internet merely presents itself as an alternative. I say it helped ….. tremendously. Music in whatever form remains to be the flowing art that it is. Humans aren’t socializing less. In fact, we’re now global. Social networking is here to stay.
The internet has only helped most musical artists by giving them exposure. Sometimes the fact that the internet has such a fast turnover means that its better at promoting new acts than already established ones. But if an act is current and popular any kind of exposure can only be good surely?
I wouldn’t totally discount the writer’s musings. He does have a point. I relish the days when I’d attend concerts with hundreds if not thousands of people in the crowd. You know, being in a venue where you’re all singing along, feeling the energy. There’s nothing like it.
Music has a different face now with the internet being so popular. It didn’t used to be this easy to get the latest tunes. People appreciate it more I suppose if they exerted effort to get it. Like if you had to wait in line for the newest record of your favorite artist. The anticipation makes it seem all the more worthwhile.
I’d say YES on people being more social and friendly. But on the question of whether we’re “physically” participating…. that stumped me. I believe that music should be celebrated. Sometimes it isn’t enough to listen to it. The joys of moving along with the audience, singing back to the band, dancing with your partner — priceless.
Is the internet a handicap? Of course not. It merely heightens the state of mind that the person has. For example, someone who’s an extrovert and who loves meeting people will be able to do that and will have a bigger pool to wade in. Then there’s the socially inept person. He doesn’t have to ever leave the house so he remains solitary.
For me, the internet can do no wrong. It’s a resource like no other. It allows people around the world to contribute and at the same time gain from it. It’s the human factor that screws it all up.
Subscriptions to music magazines. That’s got to be one of the things I missed the most during the 80’s. I love the smell of the paper. I loved leafing through the pages and trying to imitate their wardrobe and hairstyles.
There are less people joining associations….while there are even less associations or fan groups being organized. There was a time when the club scene was bustling. Well, there are new acts all the time. But the oldies music …. I miss hearing that live and by the artists I’ve come to admire.
Everything has its own pros and cons. For that matter, the internet is not as exception. Nothing is perfect in the world and some flaws (even minor) are always there. However, I believe that the Internet is a very good option for both music lovers and artists. Nothing is wrong about that.
The internet has been excellent for promoting soul and R&B music. If we did not have soul TV or websites on music, then we would not have been able to learn so much about music so easily. I agree with David, that people have closer with social networking and the internet. It is great.
In a blink of an eye and at the click of the button, I can again reminisce over my favorite bands, artists, balladeers, jazz greats, etc. What’s not to love?
Hindered music? Not in the least. Where else but in the net can I find the most obscure piece of music in no time at all?
I can’t imagine going back to the days when the internet hadn’t existed yet. I wouldn’t how I’d fill up my time. And how else will I be able to communicate? Snail mail? And how about pictures and music? It will take hours and days to be able to do anything.
The Internet has definitely been an amazing phenomenon. That is certain. If there are bad things about it, we can guard ourselves against them. However, the good thing about Internet is that we can search so much about music, our favorite stars, find out new releases, download music and do so much.
Slave to the rhythm maybe but I dunno about a slave to the internet. I think there are kids growing up today who will have known no other way and sure its possible that they will only use Facebook, YouTube etc and have less interaction with music on the live scene. But revivals will crop up and kids are naturally curious, so as long as there are bands gigging, and venues to play at, there will be live music and hordes of kids will go along. Look at the popularity of summer festivals etc. Maybe things will change, but the internet is just a part of what music is all about.
I really don’t think anyone can dislike the internet or feel it is useless. The soul artists who are famous today have become popular because they maintain their own websites. In addition to that we only need to search about them online. That’s it. We can know so much about them.
Are you crazy ! The internet is a social phenomena and a collective outpouring like no other in history, and it documents, promotes, embellishes and delivers content all day every day, creates millions of jobs and enables access to information for ANYONE rich or poor black or white. What has hindered music is people getting lazy. If you wanna sing, go do it, form a band, make contacts, do a tour. But don’t tell me no-one helped you do it. It’s all up to YOU.
I agree with Springy2008. You are right. The internet aided helped many musical artists in many ways, but the most prominent thing is that they get exposure through the net. They internet is very good at offering this to budding stars. A lot can happen with the right amount of exposure. Success is directly proportional to the amount of exposure that they receive.
I don’t think the internet COULD hinder music, because like art, music is a communal outpouring of emotions, thoughts and passions. Music takes place wherever there is a listener and a player. But the live scene has changed hugely since people have had the internet. I have yet to see it really used in an interesting way at a live gig but I am sure that there are people working on that.
The internet has changed the world in so many different ways. The whole world is so easily accessible. It is not music artists who benefit from this medium but also every other person. If you need any kind of info then there is the internet for you. That is so much fun.
It is only because of the internet that modern generation can learn so easily about the stars of the yesteryears and the old hits. You can even download old and forgotten songs. That is the best part about internet and downloading songs.
We have not become slaves to the internet nor is the music industry becoming a slave. It is totally up to us to decide whether we become slaves or not. If we allow that to happen then it will. If we don’t then nobody can force us to. We are using the internet for our benefit.
And don’t forget that the internet was set up as a democratic medium by which everyone can access information. That’s more than you can say about the US and UK charts which were often rigged. If you search for artists long enough on the net you can nearly always locate them, whereas you could spend years in record shops tracking down soul oldies. I say let’s hear it for the net!
I think this is a very good place to voice our opinion regarding different issues. I really feel that this website is doing a great ting by allowing us to speak out from out heart and say things in which we believe. The net is the best place to gather info on music and anything else.
Isn’t it a kinda crazy question when you think that we are reading this on the internet? I mean, its not as if any die-hard anti-web people are gonna comment on here? But to throw one in for their vote, I’ll say that I think the internet encourages homogeneity, it dilutes movements in music and promotes the spread of copycat artists rather than original sounds.
I will never say that the internet has hindered soul music in any way. If there was no internet then we would be missing our favorite Soul TV. The world of internet is not ruling our lives in any way. We can get a lot of useful information on various music artists due to the internet.
The internet has made everything so simple for us and musical artists too have got the necessary exposure because of the internet. The internet surely has a fast turnover but it not only promotes new artists but have also rekindles memories of the older artists.
NOTHING has had more of an impact in the last 100 years in communication as the internet. It is easily helping people connect all across the world and has helped the cause of spreading Soul and R&B music as well….
Yes, undoubtably the internet has changed the way we view things and communicate. The net has surely helped the cause of soul and R&B music everywhere…..
Perhaps the internet has helped people communicate, but I don;t know how much it has helped the cause of Soul music and R&B. Wouldn’t bet in it though. All it has done is made it easier to get access to everything soul and R&B….. i am very doubtful.
I reiterate - I really don’t think anyone can dislike the internet or feel it is useless. The soul artists who are famous today have become popular because they maintain their own websites. In addition to that we only need to search about them online. That’s it. We can know so much about them.
Well, to be honest, I think the internet has probably helped create more interest in soul music or let people share their music and views on soul and R&B. Without it, things would have been tougher.
The net has given us better and easier ways to connect and express ourselves. Beyond that, I don’t know how much it has helped to further the cause of R&B for instance. R&B was doing quite well as it is.
Atleast we have so many sites dedicated to artists now that may have been forgotten earlier. They are getting their due now. See this site for example.
The Internet has rocked the joint! I love the way we can now get all the soul music we want .. easy! It was much tougher 20 years back.
The net is a lifline in itself. Having it there allows us to get all the stuff we want but couldnt find earlier….
The internet has surely helped us stay in touch with our fav soul and R&B music. Of course, its helped people!
I guess it has helped a bit. Made it easier to collect music you like, and find it as well. Should be safe to say it has helped.
I think the net has expanded the way people can listen to music and removed geographical boundaries - it has helped a lot .
Of course it has helped. Its so easy to get your hands on your favourite soul soongs now.
it actually helped us appreciate R&B & Soul music more.. there are lots of other music out there that we can’t just find it elsewhere but on the internet. you can as well tend to interact with people whom can be of help in some concerns you may have when it comes to these type of music. it surely does help!
Of course its helped man! Look at all the stuff you can do now. get new music, latest updates, old songs on video. So much more is possible.
I think the net has also helped spread a lot of piracy so its a tough call. only real point is that the net has helped us get info on any writer we want today.
The internet has changed so much. I remember how tough it once was to get good net connectivity, but it is so easy to share media now with such blistering internet connections available to us today. The net has surely helped us keep our interest in soul music alive and helped it grow.
With time we have learned to enhance our internet experience to be able to share songs and music like we used to trade music CD’s in earlier days. There are so many good resources available for R&B music that we can get any music we want - no matter how old it is. The net has helped us do that.
The net has improved how we can get our music and now we can buy music online - even old songs we liked but could never get due to the local store not keeping it in stock. Yes, its helped for sure.
The internet has brought about changes that have changed the way we see and listen to soul and R&B. Take the fact that we can watch soul TV on this site and you will see how far we’ve come….
A site like this is what youth needs, it is very hard to find this much quality in one site like this that is what internet lacks and if security procedures are taken to stop the filth on the internet then sites like this are harder to find.