Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars?
Dec 22, 2023
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Joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research, this episode explores whether emerging artists like Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa can reach the same level of superstardom as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. They discuss breaking through in a saturated industry, the impact of streaming and TikTok, and the monetization of streaming by genre. The changing landscape of the music industry, the importance of personality in superstardom, and the changing dynamics of music popularity and revenue are also explored.
Emerging artists face challenges in achieving the same level of worldwide fame as previous generations due to the changing music industry landscape and fragmented audiences.
Streaming has impacted artist success, with Latin music generating less revenue per stream despite massive streaming numbers.
The concept of stardom is being reshaped by increasingly fragmented audience tastes, hyper-personalized content consumption, and algorithmic recommendations.
Deep dives
Dua Lipa: Strong live resume and hit-making ability, but may lack a strong brand or super fan factor
Dua Lipa has had numerous hit songs and a successful live career, but her brand and fan base may not be as strong as some other artists. Her live shows are known for their spectacle, and she has a global appeal. However, her songs may be more famous than her as an artist, and her brand awareness may not be as high as other artists.
Doja Cat: Known for hit songs and a strong personality, but controversial incidents may hinder her
Doja Cat is a hit-making artist with a strong personality that has attracted a devoted fan base. She has a knack for making hits and her ability to shift between genres is remarkable. However, she also has been involved in controversial incidents that have alienated some fans and may impact her reputation.
SZA: Impressive staying power and emotional connection with fans, but her desire for privacy may limit her growth
SZA has shown impressive staying power with her music, with songs that continue to resonate years after their release. She has a strong emotional connection with her fans, many of whom are attached to her music on a deep level. However, she has been vocal about her desire for privacy and has expressed discomfort with being in the spotlight, which may limit her growth as a superstar.
The challenges of reaching global superstardom
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the difficulties faced by contemporary artists in achieving the same level of worldwide fame as previous generations. The changing music industry landscape, fragmenting audiences, and the lack of a mainstream platform pose challenges for emerging artists. The hosts highlight the importance of fan engagement, touring, and catalog acquisition in reaching the highest echelons of stardom. They explore artists like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, and others, analyzing their brand awareness, controversy, streaming statistics, and cultural impact. Ultimately, they question if any artist from the new generation can reach the level of global superstardom achieved by icons like Taylor Swift.
The impact of streaming and monetization on artists
The hosts delve into the effects of streaming on artist success, focusing on the genre-dependent monetization of streams. They discuss how Latin music, despite its massive streaming numbers, generates less revenue per stream due to lower service fees and higher reliance on ad-supported listening. This challenges traditional notions of commercial success and calls for a deeper understanding of revenue generation in the music industry. The hosts also touch on catalog acquisitions and the trend of interpolating past hits to tap into the mainstream. They ponder the role of public data transparency and its impact on decision-making within the industry.
Redefining success and the evolving landscape of fame
The hosts contemplate the changing dynamics of fame and success in the entertainment industry, drawing parallels with Hollywood and the video game industry. They discuss how increasingly fragmented audience tastes, hyper-personalized content consumption, and algorithmic recommendations have reshaped the concept of stardom. The rise of indie studios like A24 and the success of niche content emphasize the need for redefining success metrics and recalibrating label strategies. They explore the challenges faced by new artists and the limitations of accessing the mainstream. The hosts also question whether the era of global superstardom, exemplified by artists like Taylor Swift, can be replicated by emerging talents.
Music has several big new stars with tons of talent, but will they ever have a year as big as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé in 2023. Both women have been commercially successful for decades and continue to dominate the charts even to this day. They came up in a different time, which works to their advantage.
But what does this mean for the streaming and TikTok era artists who want to break through all the noise? Can they ever reach the same level of stardom?
In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to discuss what it takes, the impact of streaming and TikTok, and whether artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and others will ever reach the level of superstardom of artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Adele or T Swift.
04:16 Breaking through in a saturated industry
08:32 Monoculture
09:36 The impact of streaming and TikTok
14:30 Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Burna Boy, Post Malone
33:44 Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, SZA
58:29 Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny
01:11:23 The monetization of streaming by genre
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