IS COPYCATTING COMMON IN OUR CULTURE??

So I was sitting back with my feet up watching TV one day, looking out for new music – as ya do! And after having sat there listening to song after song for about a good twenty minutes, I paused for a second to ask myself, whether or not I was listening to the same song over and over again?

My point is – most songs these days sound so similar that sometimes you forget what you’re actually listening to! Now, if you were listening to something absolutely amazing, with a unique beat and sound then usually that song tends to stick in your mind for days. If you were to pick out a new favourite now – it would probably take you a couple of minutes to think about it.

Over the past 2-3 years or so, most Bhangra music has begun to sound the same. They all have the same typical Desi beat, the same instruments, the same kind of vibe and not just that – but the videos are all the same too! All this ‘same same’ business gets so boring! Am sure many of you would agree? Am not saying these songs are bad, I admit I do like some if I was to be picky – but not many would strike to me as DIFFERENT.

Why is that within our industry artists always struggle to have that X FACTOR? Infact scrap that, it’s not just the industry it’s pretty much a habit within our culture too! We all feel the need to copycat one another to ensure we receive the same attention. Why is it that majority of us are always afraid to try something new? And fail to understand that in order to stick out you HAVE to be different!

I think what am really trying to say is, the industry is losing a huge lack of ORIGINALITY. People are losing their patience when it comes to sitting down next to a drawing board to discuss ideas and create new visuals for people to enjoy. Is it just the laziness to blame? Do they feel it’s easier to just copy somebody else’s style and image with maybe a little tweek of their own [like a slight hair change or something] makes the success come to them quicker? Do they think by having similarities such as the same beat and the same video with lots of cars and fancy girls- makes it a ‘SUCCESS’? Not necessarily my friends.. Sometimes it can get a little boring. From people outside the box – watching the same thing by different artists is like watching paint dry but just a different colour? Get it?

Videos are just as important as the song, so why not take some time to think of ways of making it different? Or having your own touch to make it that extra special or personal if you like? People will tend to remember you more if you stand out from the rest rather than copy what others are doing and have already done.

In my opinion, the only artists within the industry at this moment in time which I feel have some sort of uniqueness about them and stand out from the rest, are: Foji, San2 and possibly even Banger.

Examples?

Foji I believe has ALWAYS done something different every time he has released a song. Not just musically or lyrically but visually aswell. He created a song which everyone loved but decided to go for a completely random video by doing a Flash Mob! Am talking about the song ‘Pumbeeri’. I personally haven’t really seen any artist within the industry portray that before – and that being in such a great way aswell. Not only that but his most recent track ‘Hoi Hoi’ is also something I would class as different! It has an oldskool vibe to it but he showed that in his video too by taking us back in time step by step… its great! That to me is far from copycatting!

San2 is another! His so talented as an individual but his music will always stand out from any of the others – by his voice and in particular his style! That quwali touch is what makes him ‘him’. Nobody would ever look at him and say ‘oh he sounds like so and so.. ‘ because he doesn’t!

Same goes for Banger. Again, in my opinion he has one of the most amazing voices within the game at this moment in time but his music always matches his style. His more of a raw desi folk type of guy – but his videos will always have a twist. Their fun to watch, just like his recent track with Northern Lights ‘Mr and Mrs’. Their teaser portrayed a lovey dovey type of song around Valentines when it was due to release but once the video dropped it was completely the opposite! These surprises the audience love to wait and watch!

Having said that, there was one video in particular that dropped a couple of years back by MC Special. It was given SO much positive feedback for not just the song itself, but the fact the video specifically was so ‘out of the box’. Those of you who are aware of the song ‘Sanu Vi Nachke’ will know exactly what I mean by staying hooked to the track all the way through – simply because the video makes you want to wait and see what happens next. Like I said earlier, it may be down to individuals slacking when it comes to putting ideas together, but by watching this video you can tell that MC Special must have spent a lot of time brainstorming as well as directing how he wanted the video to be. That kind of stuff takes a lot of time and patience, but if you want perfect you have to put in the time. I definitely think we need more of that, but unfortunately we don’t have enough of.

I think a lot of artists and producers need to take note, that although they may feel by doing the same thing is what  ‘works and sells’ – by trying something different and new will give them extra recognition believe it or not! Even if it’s down to the clothes! Change your style! Why have the same Jazzy B’ness about you? With the spiky hair and big gold chains? Why not dye your hair pink and wear yellow shoes? [maybe not that extreme, but imagine if you did the amount of exposure you would get?] haha.. !

Drop the copying and be YOU! Not a shadow of who you look up to!

 By Harpz journalist for Bhangrareleases.com

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