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| Worst YouTube video ever: "It's So Cold In Tha D" |
As recently as the 90's, one had to have talent in order to have an opportunity to be called a "star" or "an artist." Those days are long gone. Now, all a person needs is a camera and a YouTube account. It doesn't matter how well you play or sing. It only matters if you're trendy enough to "go viral."
There were two televised talent shows that I remember watching a lot while growing up: "Star Search" and "Showtime at the Apollo." Those were basically the only two options of being seen in the world in hopes of becoming a music legend. You even had to beat the odds just in order to make it as a contestant on one of those shows. Now, there is no direct competition to getting an opportunity to be seen. There is no more "8 Mile" as "M&M" said. There's no more separating the best from the wack. There's no more school talent show to see who's good enough for regional, good enough for state, good enough for a national contest.
So, there's no way to weed out the non-talented from the talented. If you want an opportunity to share your skills (or lack thereof) to the world, just shoot a video. It's free and it's easy. Ask this guy...
When I first saw this video, I thought it was a Chappelle Show skit. It was almost a week before someone convinced me that it was supposed to be a serious video. Over 8 million hits for his rapping "skills." Now, I'm not sure how many of these millions watched this because they thought Yung Humma had talent. I'm also not sure how many millions watched this because someone sent them there for a good laugh (I fall into this group). People get on YouTube, rap/sing and then parade around like stars. And some people are crazy enough to believe that they are stars simply because of the number of hits that they have.
M&M was onto something when he brought up this concept and if you want more of his "M&M'isms" then check him out here. Now, don't get me wrong. There are some extremely talented people on YouTube who rap, sing and even act. There's Issa Rae, Real Dondada and this young lady below who goes by the name "Jane Doe." The problem is that they can't always get traction on page hits because people like the Numa Numa guy and Why Must I Cry guy get all of the attention. After all, Americans love a train wreck.
So, if you're going to check out YouTube videos for performing artists, then do us all a favor: please show your support for real talent, like Jane Doe, and give a thumbs up. And for the "Lemme Smang It" types, please thumb them down so the rest of us can be forewarned. Let's focus on real talent and not gimmicks. I can only take so many Nicki Minaj songs.
Be sure to give Jane Doe a thumbs up if you appreciated her vocal talents.