American Pop Culture | A Celebration of Mediocrity
Vložit
- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- #funny #celebrity #popmusic
Using Vogue Magazine's "73 Questions" as our guide; join me for a humorous look at pop culture today.
Please "like" and subscribe and check out my website www.onlykidwithacamera.com. Also visit me on Instagram jonblacksto...
Facebook / jonblackstonemusic
If you'd like to support my channel please make a donation at paypal.me/OnlyKidWithaCamera?...
#funny #celebrity #popmusic - Komedie
Jon....this is genius! And so true!! Thank You!
Thank you so much, sir! I always appreciate your kind words. Especially because I know you’re such a music freak like I am!
I always said music went downhill when "American Idol" went on the air & died back in 2006 when Taylor Swift & Nikki Minaj signed their record deal.
I couldn’t agree more. Those TV competition shows did more damage to popular music then can be measured. Thanks for watching!
Art created in any given time period-reflects either inspiration, or the revulsion of reaction…
That’s a great quote; and very apropos.
Full on truth, Jon. Well done.
Thank you friend!
Thanks, Jon. let's head back to the 1970's and find joy plus rock and roll on this beautiful planet 😊
Thank you good sir! I appreciate the kind words!
Nailed it!
Thank you so much for watching and for the great comment!
I can't watch this, it makes me so angry! I was born in 1966, I've seen "music" degrade into tone deaf garbage over the last 35 years, mostly thanks to "rap". I worked in the music industry on the recording studio side in LA and remember when the 1st. auto tuner came out around 2000, it's really gone down hill even faster since then!
I’m sorry it upset you. I was trying to induce laughter. I believe we’re on the cusp of a major pendulum swing. Young people are rejecting the shallow garbage coming from the entertainment industry.
@@JonBlackstoneI want to believe that, and I hold onto hope. There is great music out there, but the economic model of the current industry is simply dystopian. It’s nearly impossible to make any money as a musician, unless you churn out the candy crap that the Doja Cats and Ariana Grandes and Post Malones use to pollute the zeitgeist.
Decades ago I read that pop music changed significantly in cycles of around 7 years. I feel like I’ve been waiting 3x that long for the exhilarating I felt in 1991 when guitars and some bands from Seattle rescued us all from Stock Aikman & Waterman.
@thetype85 1966 represent! Great year to be born, except I would love to have been old enough then to appreciate the music of the era.
And while I appreciate HipHop’s right to exist, the degree to which it has changed the whole feel of popular music. rhythms are totally different. Can’t get away from it!
@@midlife_crossroads1964 for me! I was also too young but my older brother played Beatles all day long. Thankfully we had the incredible music of the 70s to grow up with. Thanks for watching and the great comment!
@@midlife_crossroads of course you know I agree with every word you said. But I’m noticing a change in younger people I have kids that are teenagers and they are rejecting modern pop music and modern pop culture in general. I think we’re about to see a dramatic pendulum swing of youth rebelling against the garbage that the entertainment industry has been pumping out for the past 20 years.
The vast majority of Hip-Hop & Pop stars today can't actually sing, play an instrument, or write a song with more than one chord. They can't reproduce their music live, so they lip-sync & have prerecorded music tracks when performing. This was a perfect amusing & sad commentary on the state of popular music today.
Thanks for watching and your insights. Ultimately there is still great music being made; but all the celebrities making tons of cash are mediocre or worse. I’m glad you appreciate the humor. I was cracking up the entire time I was editing. It’s my favorite episode I’ve ever done. Hope to from you again!
@@JonBlackstone Yes, absolutely there is still great music out there. Unfortunately, one has to seek it out as what's left of the music industry & the free media promote mediocrity.
It’s nice to know there are channels like this that exist. It helps me understand the difference between music with heart and artistic integrity and “music” that is nothing more than forgettable sewage.
Also, well done with the humor in this video. Gave me a couple of laughs! It’d be cool to see some future videos of this style mingling in with your usual content.
Thanks for the great comments! You really made my day. I sincerely mean that. Stay tuned!
@@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125 I got to say you really have made my day. I worked so hard on this video and tried to incorporate my personal love of great comedy into my commentary. It’s so cool that it’s resonating with people like you. I plan to do exactly what you suggested!
Ohhh thank you. We'll done. Mos8loved all the album covers. It's been ridiculous a long time now.
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you for watching and please share!
Wow,the work and editing you put into this is very impressive. Well done….and great message on how things have change. The internet pretty much messed things up. Pop culture/music/movies have been going down hill since the mid 90’s.
1965-ish to 1995-ish….I feel is the golden era for music and pop culture. Cheers
Thank you so much for the great compliment! You’re right I did do a lot of work on this video. In fact, it’s my favorite video to date. I’m really proud of it. Of course I agree with everything you said. I’m assuming you’ve seen my episode. “what happened to music”? Thank you again!
@@JonBlackstoneYes! I’ve seen that episode too and it’s great and very in-depth. I concur with all of your points. Nothing will be like the golden era of music again ….. the 60’s 70’s 80’s and to extent the 90’s. So many thing ruined music including auto tunes/radio stations/Lime wire…..etc.
I do have to admit, even though I’m a big album and cd collector, I love Spotify. I’ve discovered so much new/old music on there. I’ve discovered bands like the Moody Blues/Grateful Dead/Kinks/Dylan etc….bands and artists I never would have bought a bunch of their releases, but it’s right at my finger tips on there.
Keep up the great work. You and I are the same when it comes to Elton….. we both love him. He’s a top 5 artist for me along with Bowie/Beatles/Zeppelin/Stones. Cheers
No word of a lie, the rapid ascendance of stupidity culture began with, "America's Funniest Home Videos".
Prove me wrong.
I don’t think I could prove you wrong! I think you’re right! However, I think it was American Idol that put the final nail in the coffin as far as popular music is concerned. But I hear your point loud and clear! Thanks again for watching!
People searching for the definition of 'crassness and vulgarity' should be directed here. Impressive and thought-provoking but ultimately a bit depressing... because it's oh so true. Well done and very creative Jon. Where is everyone? These videos should have hundreds of thousands of views.
You had me laughing and crying with this video. Loved It but made me sad too. Most of the pathetic "musical" celebrities like Diddy, Kanye, J-Lo, Lizzo or Kardashians or even Swifty aren't mediocre though.....They just plain SUCK.
😂😂😂 You made me laugh today! I try to let them speak for themselves; but I picture you on a high mountaintop with a megaphone screaming “they suck!”
Jon, man, you are getting me hooked on your overarching series on excellence in music and the forces so working against that today. In today's world, truly great bands from "world music" are "gated" out of the American music scene, which is a very important scene culturally for music. Hence, the industry's propensity for protecting the god awful status quo that we are left with.
The creativity of music, which is a timeless phenomenon is still there. It's just that we're no longer playing it in our media streams in America.
I have limitless examples of this, should you ever be looking for examples.
First of all, thank you for the awesome comments! By the way, you’re the very first person to comment on my new video! I really appreciate what you said in your comment. And just so you know I’m aware there are some really great artist making music today. my criticism is on the mainstream pop music scene. The people with the money get behind the good artists; they’re only interested in ones that will attract the attention of the lowest common denominator. I’m sure you know what I mean. Thanks again for watching!
@@JonBlackstone I know exactly what you mean. That's why a group who doesn't fit that "lowest common demoninator" can have a song with 619 million views (Nico and Vinz, "Am I Wrong"), and no one knows who they are? Not an accident; the music industry does not want spiritual and challenging artists to influence people to contemplate the mystery of their existence. Lowest common denominator is about control; spiritual enlightenment is about liberation. And I believe all great music, certainly the Elton John Band period of music, was definitely about spiritual enlightenment and self-reflection. I put Nico and Vinz in this frequency and wavelength in regards to musical creativity. At a minimum they are a breath of fresh air in pop culture's brain dead atmosphere.
Jon you hit every nail on the head with this video. It makes my skin crawl when I see some of these people. And they are so self righteous!!
Tacky and trashy and they want respect!!!
SMH!!
Another great video - it was worth the wait.
Thank you so much Patti! I always look forward to hearing your commentary. I had so much fun making this video and poured a ton of heart and soul into it. I’m so thankful people are digging it!
@@JonBlackstone I could have said a lot more but I thought better of it. There was a great deal of research put into the video. So much material available, I would imagine it was difficult to decide what to include. ♥️
Great video, Jon. But it does make me sad to think of the young people who idolize these "musicians" and try to be lke them. Very, very sad.
Thank you Martha! I gotta say I think we’re on the cusp of a major change in our culture. I believe this next generation is going to wholeheartedly reject the shallow, manufactured garbage being thrown at them by the entertainment industry. I already see it happening. That’s one of the reasons I made this video now. I want to be part of bringing it down! Thank you for watching!
Stevie Wonder was in the part of the video with the text "rolling over in their graves". Last I heard he was still kickin
Good eye! I was hoping people wouldn’t notice that.😂 Thanks for watching!
Hi Jon, I admire all your work. I suggest trying to interview with Charley Crockett. He comes across as genuine and authentic! His music is a throwback to the past.
you only have to look at what has happened in US politics / corporate economics over the last 25 years to explain the resulting music culture that we currently have. Its a direct line . That also includes TV and movies.
I couldn’t agree more. It seems like we’re surrounded by mediocre people in high places. Thanks for watching!
I tend to favor music artists today who display other values than those of pop culture, who still deal with the timeless themes and spiritual wisdom. I am specifically thinking of the Norwegian musical duo Nico and Vinz. Consider checking out their landmark album "Black Star Elephant". Much spiritual wisdom and self reflection going on in this masterpiece 21rst century work.
Having put that out there, now I'm ready to join your general discussion as to the phenomenon addressed by your program.
This is a real thought-provoking video on the current state of the entertainment/music world. Hearing that a lot of lip-syncing and backing tracks were used at the recent Glastonbury concert by the younger mega popular artists is incredibly disappointing. Further, some veteran acts who can no longer perform adequately onstage are doing the same thing and tarnishing their once well-earned legacies. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised. $$$$. I can recall true performers (real artists) over the years holding large audiences in a trance playing solo - no dancers, no big accompaniment, etc. Just a voice and an instrument and well written song. I was fortunate to see Harry Chapin live: a true and genuine musician and story-teller. NO gimmicks, just talent and sincerity and an honest connection with the audience. I saw Elton John in Hamilton in 1999 playing solo to some 17 000 people who were held in silent awe as he played the classically influenced "Carla/Etude" and "Tonight." The audience erupted into a standing ovation at the conclusion of this suite of songs. Pure musicianship. How about Roberta Flack and "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"? Artists should be ashamed for not performing/singing live, especially when you consider the ticket prices that fans have to pay. Then again, maybe the new/current generation of audiences isn't bothered by lack of integrity and the fakeness of these select so-called artists. Fortunately, there are some great young musicians out there who can write, perform, and sing. I was sad to hear Taylor Swift say that she regretted not writing the "Friends" theme for the sake of royalties. That was an opportunity to identify a song for its overwhelming and possibly universal emotional beauty on an individual level: Money vs. emotion. Is this what song-writing is now all about?
Thank you for your excellent comments! Of course I agree with every word. Music is only about what people look like these days. That’s the criteria. Either you look like a fashion model or you’re sticking out like Lizzo. Thanks again for watching!!!
Excellent video, Jon. The Nixon parts are hilarious. The music today(and started long ago) just sucks.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Obviously, you know I agree with every word you said.
This video calls to mind a passage from Umberto Ecco's The Name of the Rose. An elderly monk is pointing out how he sees the world now as compared to the world of his youth in the early 1300s. "...but this is merely one of the many facts that demonstrate the disaster of an aging world. The young no longer want to study anything...blind men lead those equally blind...the jackass plays the lyre, oxen dance." When does music stop being music? When do we stop calling a performance a concert? I don't really have anything against contemporary entertainers and entertainment. I think my issue is with what they call themselves and how they are marketed. Illusion, escape and fantasy are an essential part of entertainment and media. I am conflicted over auto tune, click tracks, etc because of how shady their use often is. If you buy a recording to call to mind the memory of a video by the performer, that is ok. If the recording had to be heavily engineered to make it at all listenable, can you market it as music? I'm not sure.
Thanks for the great comments, Holly! I should’ve had you write the script for this episode. I couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks for watching!
@@JonBlackstone 😂 I don't know about writing your script, but thanks for the compliment!
Wow! Really ugly!
I didn't know it's that bad!
My son-in-law is American from Los Angeles. Now I understand what he meant with the words superficial and stupid.
However, there is a time lag before all this crap reaches the whole world. Like Covid19.
Has anyone ever calculated how many brain cells die per minute when you listen to such air movements (I don't want to call it music)?
Wow!
That was kinda painful to watch. The cultural decay is self evident. The fact that it is not in any way accidental is the more disturbing part. Who is doing it and why is the thing that would get my comment removed from CZcams. The consolidation of record companies and radio stations under the control of a handful of megacorporations and the rise of MTV in the 80s was just part of a well coordinated plan to debase culture. The roots of it go back decades earlier. Anyone who doesn't know what the Frankfurt School is should look it up. The sociocultural decay of the Weimar republic is being echoed in the modern US and Europe. The reaction to that was pretty bad. I hope we can course correct in a more constructive manner.