I think its a sign of the times/demand for variations on music and culture that we have already consumed that Justin Bieber can release "Never Say Never, The Remixes" and likely still make a profit. I was walking through the mall today when the poster caught my attention. My first thoughts were how many albums can he release with the same freaking songs? Then, I realized that he, or whoever is managing him, is actually a genius. This is what he has to say about who is present on the album:
So, the concept is easy. Take songs that were already loved and adored by his screaming fans (from his movie of the same name) and then "remix" them by "singing" with other famous artists. However, from what I can gather, these remixes aren't "true remixes" because the songs are actually pretty much the same with the exception of the vocal overlays of the additional artist. As well, I feel that it is almost taking the fun away from fans when the "official" remix is released rather than something that fans created and did, but this seems to be the growing trend. A signal of the subculture being circumvented by capitalism? Or is it just the Biebs looking to make another dollar?
And yes, the album did indeed debut at number one the week it was released. Somehow.
I think that Bieber releasing another album purely of remixes is simply a way for him to make more money on his already widely accepted music and it is definitely a genius move. Making the remixes and releasing them is forcing the listener to hear the song in a specific way rather than having the freedom to create their own. With the idea of what the remix is "supposed" to sound like, some of the freedom is taken away from the listener and put back into the hands of the corporations and the artist themselves.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I don't really like this idea of purposely creating remixes for profit, it does create a sense of curiosity in me as to what Bieber's songs would sound like with the artists he listed. I will most likely YouTube some of them once I'm finished posting this. So yes, it definitely does play into the capitalist economy. Even though the remixes are released for the enjoyment of the listener, in terms of remix culture, I think releasing remixes purposely by the original artist is cutting off part of what remix culture is about. It would be much more interesting to me if Bieber and his record company found artists on YouTube (like Bieber was) and collaborated with them to make remixes. That way, the remix culture would be incorporating both corporations by having the presence of Bieber's record label and the grassroots element of the common people.
I completely agree with you Jordan, in the aspect that this idea is absolutely brilliant. This is a form of remix that has never been played with by anyone in my personal knowledge of popular culture.
ReplyDeleteMaybe by deleting the notion of "what something is supposed to sound like" into taking something new and fresh into consideration would open up more minds to creativity.
Although the "Beiber Fever" is at its peak, I think that if the young Canadian has worked his way to the top (with many thanks to his mentors), then he can creatively construct ideas an solutions to stay there. This creative remix would most definitely make the singer even more successful with his catchy and celeb filled new beats.
What will Biebs (and his team) do next in order to make a few more millions?
I agree with both of you, it seems that Beiber and his management team are taking advantage on the 'craze' that has become his career by 'remixing' his already famous songs. However because the song doesn't allow the consumer to create a new meaning of it but instead forces them to listen to it in a particular way, I agree with Cornelia's argument that it is not 'true remix'. It does not combine the producer and the consumer at all, but instead is simply a creation put together by Beiber for his fans, and therefore cannot be considered a meaningful remix. In my opinion, it is just another CD of catchy songs that his fans are going to buy (which was the capitalistic intention) until he releases another. Like Jordan pointed out, if it were his fans that were collaborating with him to make the remixes, the CD would be less a money-making idea and more a true remix that allowed fans a chance to engage with the material.
ReplyDeletePS, I found the Bieber/Chris Brown "remix"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo2alrG7yf8
I'm not sure that I agree with the comment made above regarding Bieber's 'remix' album as not a true remix. Sure, the only people that participated in the remix were his so-called friends, but I still think that there may be some new injection of meaning if only in the vocals, as superficial a change as it may be, that the listener may take out of it. The choice to be an acetic participant in what we consume is a choice that we make, some remixes simply allow us to do some more easily. I would argue that the people that Bieber got to remix the vocals of his tracks are in fact his fans, or at least would claim to be, thereby joining the forces of consumer and producer. If this is not a remix, then I wonder is the remix Album of the Stars' album "Set Yourself on Fire" appropriately titled "Do You Trust Your Friends" is not also a remix album? Granted, there was more instrumental remixing as well as vocals that we re-interpreted, but the fact remains that this was simply a number of songs re-interpreted by fellow artists that was later sold for profit. Since these were not 'fans' but rather 'friends' of the original artist, does this suggest that this album is not a remix album at all? I guess my point is, at what point of adding something new does something become a remix, rather that just a reinterpretation of a work?
ReplyDeleteWe've talked a lot about remix as personal, not-for-profit interpretations of other works. As previously mentioned, remix is becoming a new means of making capital, and a rather ingenious one as well. Adorno would probably be rolling over in his grave; as if it wasn't bad enough that all the music that is being profited off of now all sounds the same (according to he), now we're just remixing, and changing ever so slightly, something that's already been done. I ask that Bieber does not add fuel to Adorno's bitter fire of pop cultural hate.
lol @ Kaitlyns last statement
ReplyDelete