It’s been three-fours of the year into the Freestyle scene and what many of us were hoping to be a new beginning for our music has turned out to be a double edge sword. The past few months have been very disappointing (lack of new releases) but at the same time very inspiring as radio (even though it is satellite radio) is taking a new interest in our artists, a great deal of new talent (4-Ever, Angelino, Anthony Gitto, Nina Martinez, and Isabel) has surfaced as well as the return of a few of the forefathers of our genre (Cynthia, Gioia, Exo, Betty of Sweet Sensation and Willie Valletin), and due to technology, fans have been able to communicate in ways never before possible (Ring tones).
On the surface one would think that these events (Copa, Spirit night club and Carmello’s annual Park concert) would bring us all closer together and unite us as a dominant force that would make the industry take note of our artists and music. Some of the “issues” that have been dominating discussion groups in our community the past few weeks’ makes me wonder: Where we really are?
I use the internet to keep abreast of the general “vibe” of fans and spend a great deal of time surfing in and out of many, many sites and bulletin boards to view firsthand what the fans are felling and looking for. In addition, I hear a great number of fans from all over the country that have a pretty good idea of what the general feeling on the streets is toward Freestyle. It seems that the past few weeks there has been more negativity about artists (Cynthia, Judy Torres), new material and the industry in general.
Now hold on, before you totally tune out, try and read on with an Open Mind. The reason that I was drawn to Freestyle was that this music and this community (Latin Freestyle, Club Freestyle, Freestyle Music, Freestyle File, NHB Freestyle etc..) had (and still has) a positive feel to it that I have seen in no other genre. The music is pure; the artists are real (not manufactured by some marketing department) and the Fans are passionate (at least until recently).
It seems that lately people are more interested in using public sites to post dirty laundry, to get even with each other, to trash industry icons that have done nothing but help Freestyle grow and get on national radio and to rip apart the efforts of any artist or industry supporter. Do Not Get Me Wrong Here. I am not saying that every project deserves props or that some of the issues are not valid. However, I do feel that the way that these things are being brought to light is putting a very negative spin on what we are all trying to accomplish. Using public bulletin boards to post harsh comments about industry happenings and rip apart the work of artists is very bad for everyone. Much of what I have read has not been verified and could be considered are slander. Many industry veterans have been recently attacked for their actions and opinions (I use the word “Attacked” because many of the comments have been very aggressive). Why would anyone want to be so harsh to people that are devoting a lot of time and energy to our music when so very few in the industry are willing to work for the progression of Freestyle?
As fare as comments about new music goes, I know that there are a lot of projects out there that aren’t up to par and agree that we should share its info but do we really have to be so fierce in how we describe it?
Remember, these artists are people and their work is very close to their hearts sol please respect this when reviewing them.
In addition, much of this info is not only seen by our community but, many others as well and when thins are dominated by overly aggressive comments (many times resorting to profanity and personal attacks), it gives a very unprofessional impression of everything that we are about.
Constantly I am hearing and reading that our music doesn’t get the respect that it deserves, but I ask you, from the recent activity of our community, do you really think that we deserve it?
Anyone that puts forth an effort to promote gets accused of “Cashing In” and taking advantage, radio station people that play the music get accused of “Payola”, and reviewers get slammed because they won’t spend their time writing negative things. I know that I am going out on a limb here expressing “not only” my opinion and expect a lot of backlash because of it, but Freestyle is near and dear to my heart and I am very concerned that we are all getting away from what really brought us together THE MUSIC!!! Speaking of which, let’s get on to the really important stuff, we only have three more months to go before the New Year, so lets make it a great one and keep the music coming, Good or Bad.
Peace
On the surface one would think that these events (Copa, Spirit night club and Carmello’s annual Park concert) would bring us all closer together and unite us as a dominant force that would make the industry take note of our artists and music. Some of the “issues” that have been dominating discussion groups in our community the past few weeks’ makes me wonder: Where we really are?
I use the internet to keep abreast of the general “vibe” of fans and spend a great deal of time surfing in and out of many, many sites and bulletin boards to view firsthand what the fans are felling and looking for. In addition, I hear a great number of fans from all over the country that have a pretty good idea of what the general feeling on the streets is toward Freestyle. It seems that the past few weeks there has been more negativity about artists (Cynthia, Judy Torres), new material and the industry in general.
Now hold on, before you totally tune out, try and read on with an Open Mind. The reason that I was drawn to Freestyle was that this music and this community (Latin Freestyle, Club Freestyle, Freestyle Music, Freestyle File, NHB Freestyle etc..) had (and still has) a positive feel to it that I have seen in no other genre. The music is pure; the artists are real (not manufactured by some marketing department) and the Fans are passionate (at least until recently).
It seems that lately people are more interested in using public sites to post dirty laundry, to get even with each other, to trash industry icons that have done nothing but help Freestyle grow and get on national radio and to rip apart the efforts of any artist or industry supporter. Do Not Get Me Wrong Here. I am not saying that every project deserves props or that some of the issues are not valid. However, I do feel that the way that these things are being brought to light is putting a very negative spin on what we are all trying to accomplish. Using public bulletin boards to post harsh comments about industry happenings and rip apart the work of artists is very bad for everyone. Much of what I have read has not been verified and could be considered are slander. Many industry veterans have been recently attacked for their actions and opinions (I use the word “Attacked” because many of the comments have been very aggressive). Why would anyone want to be so harsh to people that are devoting a lot of time and energy to our music when so very few in the industry are willing to work for the progression of Freestyle?
As fare as comments about new music goes, I know that there are a lot of projects out there that aren’t up to par and agree that we should share its info but do we really have to be so fierce in how we describe it?
Remember, these artists are people and their work is very close to their hearts sol please respect this when reviewing them.
In addition, much of this info is not only seen by our community but, many others as well and when thins are dominated by overly aggressive comments (many times resorting to profanity and personal attacks), it gives a very unprofessional impression of everything that we are about.
Constantly I am hearing and reading that our music doesn’t get the respect that it deserves, but I ask you, from the recent activity of our community, do you really think that we deserve it?
Anyone that puts forth an effort to promote gets accused of “Cashing In” and taking advantage, radio station people that play the music get accused of “Payola”, and reviewers get slammed because they won’t spend their time writing negative things. I know that I am going out on a limb here expressing “not only” my opinion and expect a lot of backlash because of it, but Freestyle is near and dear to my heart and I am very concerned that we are all getting away from what really brought us together THE MUSIC!!! Speaking of which, let’s get on to the really important stuff, we only have three more months to go before the New Year, so lets make it a great one and keep the music coming, Good or Bad.
Peace
