> Love him or hate him, as soon as there was a bit of
> controversy Eminem didn't stand a chance for record of
> the year.
Actually I think controversy was most likely responsible for much of the
record sales and without all the controversy he probably would not have
drawn so much attention. The kind of taboo aura that exists around this
seems to make it more appealing somehow. Nevertheless, I am mystified as to
why people are so enraptured by his music.
I dislike the way that Emimem is locked into this role of being either loved
or hated. I am fairly indifferent to him. Why must he always be classified
as a hero or a victim. Maybe people were simply not interested. Maybe
there is a reason why he didn't win record of the year.
It seems that you're saying he didn't stand a chance because there was too
much controversy generated by people/media and that the electors should have
realized the artistic merit in his work, and that they are somehow to blame
for not giving him the award. But how on earth could you really expect his
music to not be controversial? I mean, hello, these songs are inherently
controversial regardless of whether you think they are good or not, and
whether or not you think Emimen is a talented lyricist and songwriter. So I
really don't think you can use controversy as a reason he didn't win as his
songs are controversial by their very nature.
Why are they controversial? Maybe because they are DISTURBING? Are they
well written songs that are performed well and have good music behind them?
Maybe so. Do they reflect a reality, do they have passion in them, do they
make you feel something, do they speak to you? Maybe so. But don't you
think that since their subject matter is extremely disturbing and expresses
hatred(whether real or not, whether legitimate or not) that some people are
not going to like this music and not going to want to listen it. What's so
shocking about that? That people don't want to listen to songs about
killing people. Maybe they don't want to listen to it because it stirs up
parts of themselves they'd rather not confront.
People are capable of doing horrible things. Ordinary people, people that
you know. It happens all the time. It's in the news every night. There is
such a fascination with death that pervades society. Maybe this is why
Emimem's music is so powerful. Maybe all the anger expressed towards him is
misdirected. Maybe he is trying only to reflect a sick, twisted society.
Maybe he is extremely gifted/clever for having been able to do this. But
maybe some people just don't want to go there. Maybe it is too REAL.
That being said, maybe people just want to listen to music that makes them
feel good and celebrates the beauty in life. Is there anything terribly
wrong with that? In the midst of all this controversy, we seem to be
forgetting what music is all about. I think its what Kate was talking about
when she described being surrounded by so many increbible, great musicians,
the "heart and soul of the music world".
Emimem, thought provoking, talented, clever, original......yes.
Emimem, record of the year....I don't think so.
Victor Johnson
http://www.cdbaby.com/victorjohnson
"Just beyond the morning falls the river of your dreams,
Escaping from the day these wild creatures run away."
Victor Johnson
