Hey guys,
I am back. It has been a while. I decided to type this blog because I know ever since I was younger that there was always an uproar the next morning after awards on who should and shouldn't have won. In the case of the VMA's, I would like people to realize something. That contest is a numbers game. Yes, the Video Music Awards is a numbers game and a POPularity contest. Why do I say that? Because every artist who won sold records and are household names. Example: The Best New Artist is Lady Gaga. (Her fellow nominees were 30H!3, Asher Roth, Drake, and Kid Cudi). Lady Gaga sold over 3 million copies worldwide of her debut, The Fame. 30H!3 sold about 300,000 copies. Asher Roth sold about 150,000 copies. Although Drake and Kid Cudi have big internet and mixtape buzzes along with appearing on other artists albums, they have yet to come out with official debut material (Both are releasing their official debuts on September 15th). Lady Gaga wins by numbers.
Second example: Best Female Video. Taylor Swift sold 4 million records. Lady Gaga sold 3 million. Katy Perry sold 2.5 million copies. Kelly Clarkson sold a little over a million. Pink sold 1.2 million copies. Taylor Swift wins.
I am not doing this to shoot MTV down or anything, I am just being realistic. MTV is the center stage for America. It gives America what it wants. Viacom owns all three major music networks (BET, VH1, MTV). Each network has its core audience. The BET demographic is for urban audiences. The VH1 demographic (except for the reality shows) is for older audiences. The MTV demographic is for everyone. MTV is the melting pot for the music networks. Basically the demographic the musician appeals to, is the network they will be upheld and featured on, and MTV signifies that you made it.
I am back. It has been a while. I decided to type this blog because I know ever since I was younger that there was always an uproar the next morning after awards on who should and shouldn't have won. In the case of the VMA's, I would like people to realize something. That contest is a numbers game. Yes, the Video Music Awards is a numbers game and a POPularity contest. Why do I say that? Because every artist who won sold records and are household names. Example: The Best New Artist is Lady Gaga. (Her fellow nominees were 30H!3, Asher Roth, Drake, and Kid Cudi). Lady Gaga sold over 3 million copies worldwide of her debut, The Fame. 30H!3 sold about 300,000 copies. Asher Roth sold about 150,000 copies. Although Drake and Kid Cudi have big internet and mixtape buzzes along with appearing on other artists albums, they have yet to come out with official debut material (Both are releasing their official debuts on September 15th). Lady Gaga wins by numbers.
Second example: Best Female Video. Taylor Swift sold 4 million records. Lady Gaga sold 3 million. Katy Perry sold 2.5 million copies. Kelly Clarkson sold a little over a million. Pink sold 1.2 million copies. Taylor Swift wins.
I am not doing this to shoot MTV down or anything, I am just being realistic. MTV is the center stage for America. It gives America what it wants. Viacom owns all three major music networks (BET, VH1, MTV). Each network has its core audience. The BET demographic is for urban audiences. The VH1 demographic (except for the reality shows) is for older audiences. The MTV demographic is for everyone. MTV is the melting pot for the music networks. Basically the demographic the musician appeals to, is the network they will be upheld and featured on, and MTV signifies that you made it.
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