The Growing Divide Between Influencers and Music Journalists

In the current music content ecosystem, the two parties are at loggerheads

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

There is an innate difference between influencers who comment on music and music journalists. They serve two significantly different purposes. The influencer is trying to garner increased attention, develop a viral moment, and entertain their viewers. Meanwhile, the music journalist either uses the rules of journalism to seek truth in a story or attempts to critique music fairly.

You can see where these intentions start to collide.

In recent years, with the rise of the influencer, we have begun to see the old guard attack them wholesale for being just that: influencers. Through their music journalists’ eyes, journalists criticize influencers for acting too much like influencers and not enough like journalists. This trend reveals the journalists’ understanding of the current content economy and demonstrates how little they know of the specific influencer they’re shaming. Whether it’s Robert Christgau’s snarky comments on Anthony Fantano’s video reviews or Elliot Wilson poking fun at Kai Cenat dancing with Nicki Minaj, the head-butting between influencers and music journalist exceeds genre.