Singers sing about growing up in bad neighborhoods with no money, but it's all relative. And what punk rock singer wants to sing "I have it good and I've always been filthy rich" ? Nobody could identify with that...RunBeerRun wrote:I don't think anyone ambitious was poor, maybe low earning/without an education. If you used public transportation and had no dependents it would be pretty easy. The only way you'd be "poor" is if you couldn't handle your own drug use.
Do most music stars come from poor families?
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- KVRAF
- 4287 posts since 6 Nov, 2009
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- KVRAF
- 42529 posts since 21 Dec, 2005
I fixed that for you 
Not that any of these guys are any good (well, are any of them? ) but I'm pretty sure they rap about how hard thug life is.
http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rappers-who ... 10920.htmlarkmabat wrote:
Singers sing about growing up in bad neighborhoods with no money, but it's all relative. And what rapper wants to rap "I have it good and I've always been filthy rich" ? Nobody could identify with that...
Not that any of these guys are any good (well, are any of them? ) but I'm pretty sure they rap about how hard thug life is.
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- KVRer
- 18 posts since 22 Sep, 2006
I knew at least one person who wrote artist bios for publicists who confided that thy always trid to make artists they repped sound poorer than they were. This was especially true with genres where being well off would come off as "less authentic". I think music stars come from varied backgrounds. Becoming a "star" often is a reflection of who you know and thus I am never shocked to find out some new star is actually related to other famous people.
Even in genres that seem obvious choices for being mostly done by poor people may not be as percieved. Many of the bigger names in hip-hop came from upper middle class to wealthy backgrounds. The upper middle class kid who could afford samplers, drum machines and studio time had a huge advantage over the rich in "street cred" but too broke to make a pro level demo. Today this is even more true since rappers don't have to pretend to be from the hood or poor. Drake grew up with famous relatives and was an actor on a popular teen show and it has not hurt his standing one bit. Rick Ross was a corrections officer which isnopposite of the drug dealer lyrics rapper he portrays. This is well known and he still sells records that are blasted by actual drug dealers. Go figure. Dig deeper past perceptions and you will find rap is full of many college educated middle and upper middle-class kids.
I think the poor struggling artist image fits our feel good story of poor boy overcomes odds that America loves, but is not based on any fact. There are lots of poor non-stars but part of what makes them non-stars is not having money to afford the little things that help get foot in the door. I think social media and more options of distribution may alter this but for now, as someone pointed out, this perception is likely sampling bias.
Even in genres that seem obvious choices for being mostly done by poor people may not be as percieved. Many of the bigger names in hip-hop came from upper middle class to wealthy backgrounds. The upper middle class kid who could afford samplers, drum machines and studio time had a huge advantage over the rich in "street cred" but too broke to make a pro level demo. Today this is even more true since rappers don't have to pretend to be from the hood or poor. Drake grew up with famous relatives and was an actor on a popular teen show and it has not hurt his standing one bit. Rick Ross was a corrections officer which isnopposite of the drug dealer lyrics rapper he portrays. This is well known and he still sells records that are blasted by actual drug dealers. Go figure. Dig deeper past perceptions and you will find rap is full of many college educated middle and upper middle-class kids.
I think the poor struggling artist image fits our feel good story of poor boy overcomes odds that America loves, but is not based on any fact. There are lots of poor non-stars but part of what makes them non-stars is not having money to afford the little things that help get foot in the door. I think social media and more options of distribution may alter this but for now, as someone pointed out, this perception is likely sampling bias.
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- KVRAF
- 4329 posts since 26 Jun, 2004
As long as we are talking strictly about success, and not talent, I guess I disagree, in theory.
I think there are logical processes that always tend to favor those with more resources.
They have changed throughout history, but always tend that way.
“I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, natural history and naval architecture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry, and porcelain.”
I think there are logical processes that always tend to favor those with more resources.
They have changed throughout history, but always tend that way.
“I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, natural history and naval architecture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry, and porcelain.”
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- KVRer
- 18 posts since 22 Sep, 2006
And in case it isn't obvious, just because someone raps about "thug life" doesn't mean they have lived it. Even Johnny Cash knew there was commercial appeal to certain demographics to implying he had been to jail long before he ever got arrested
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- KVRAF
- 1924 posts since 24 Apr, 2010
That's just bloody lazy, that is ! Come on, do your research.fantasyvn the OP wrote:I have not compiled a comprehensive list
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- Banned
- 10196 posts since 12 Mar, 2012 from the Bavarian Alps to my feet and the globe around my head
How dare you? I always thought Marshall Mathers were the real Slim Shady...dubdisciple wrote:And in case it isn't obvious, just because someone raps about "thug life" doesn't mean they have lived it...
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- Banned
- 10196 posts since 12 Mar, 2012 from the Bavarian Alps to my feet and the globe around my head
See, that's what happens when musicians are too poor to afford a fork...jancivil wrote:
