The Artist Don’t Owe You Nada

The internets has given a voice to people who feel that they always have to express it.

Frank Ocean and Travis Scott let down fans who have too much time on their hands last weekend. Apparently their music, to the fans, is like a paycheck — we give you ourselves as fans and you must pay us now with music. Thing is…the fans are not these artist’s employers, their respective labels are.

Wherein lies the change.

In the past, the record label pressured the artist — the artist plead their case…sometimes it got ugly like when Sly Stone put off on releasing There’s a Riot Goin’ On and the label held back on his royalties. Dirty shit. Or the label did like Motown when Stevie Wonder pushed back Songs in the Key of Life, making the delay a marketing tool, selling t-shirts that said, “We’re Almost Finished.”

The fan just waited. Waited and purchased the product when it was released.

Whatever the case, I feel like if an artist that I love produces music that I enjoy, it’s a gift. I can ride out to whatever that song or album is until the wheels come off. But of course I grew up in an era where artists may only release one song, maybe two and that be it. (How many songs did Joe Ski Love make?)

The wait for Sade albums extends between each release and you know what her fans do? Wait. And they do so patiently. When asked, she explains it like this:

You can only grow as an artist as long as you allow yourself the time to grow as a person. We’re all parents, our lives have all moved on. I couldn’t have made Soldier of Love any time before now, and though it’s been a long wait for the fans — and I am sorry about that — I’m incredibly proud of it. I feel a responsibility when we’re making the music to create something with love in it. So I think people can then feel it, and I’m happy to say that’s what we have given them. Sade

Now, I know that’s not what most rappers and singers are aiming for. Many are just trying to give the audience what they want. But for the ones that are trying to make good work, they should have as long as they need, it’s usually worth it. (that’s how D’Angelo fans felt last year, at least).

But you know what? They don’t need the fickle complainers anyhow. Look at Lauryn Hill. She hasn’t released music since before my daughter was born, fourteen years ago. Yet she still books shows and tours the world…with her lateness and all.

And Jai Paul releases (and takes away) music when he damn well pleases…and his followers love the torture.

So complaining fans…go find a hobby or sumn. Collect baseball cards or revisit your Pokeman card collection. Anything to fill your time. But don’t immediately jump on social media and tell your so-called favorite artist that they lied to you or that they owe you music. They don’t owe you shit. And, nine times out of ten, that will only make your wait longer…so shush it.