Is The Music Too Loud? (Written by Malika #3)
Welcome to Industry Me Presents: Written By Malika, my new monthly music column. I am Malika, your Favourite Industry Insider, ex-Artist, full-time Songwriter, and now, Music Journalist. I think there are some real discussions that need to be had about the current state of music. So, I have volunteered myself as tribute to do so. While I understand the struggles of this industry, more importantly, I understand the business. So, I will be here with you on the first Thursday of every month, to break down the latest releases and what’s been happening in the world of music.
A Tribute to Quincy Jones
Music has had a rough month I must say. I think it wouldn’t be right to start this month’s column without first paying homage to the legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones, who passed away at the age of 91, on 3rd November 2024.
Starting his career in the 1950s, as a Jazz musician; he then moved on to becoming a producer. Most notably, he executively produced 3 career-defining albums: ‘Off the Wall’ (1979), ‘Thriller’ (1982), and ‘Bad’ (1987) for Michael Jackson. Then later, executively producing the iconic TV show ‘Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’. Not only massively popular commercially and culturally, but a huge catalyst for launching the acting career of Will Smith, specifically.
Amongst die-hard music enthusiasts, like myself, who geek out on the songwriter credits, and the origin stories of the soundtracks to our lives, there is a long-standing theory that Michael Jackson’s musical influence can be heard in parts of all modern-day music. After all, his influence was so great.
However, I’d like to pose an alternative theory, that actually without Quincy Jones, the sonic landscape of music as we know it, specifically pop, soul, and R’n’B, wouldn’t exist.
I truly would have loved the opportunity to speak with Quincy not that I can say I had anything in particular to say, just to be in his presence or hear an iconic story.
Though I didn’t know him, and he clearly lived a full and remarkable life, this feels sad to the music enthusiast in me.
Rest in eternal power, sir. Prayers to his family & loved ones.
Liam Payne & The Music Industry
Another loss happened this month, with the tragic passing of Liam Payne from One Direction on 16/10/24. He was discovered in 2008 on X Factor, a Music TV competition. After being unsuccessful he returned in 2010, and became 1/5th of 1D. During most of their 6-year run as a group, they dominated the commercial music space becoming one of the biggest bands in modern-day music history. Many would say they were the modern-day Beatles, as the hysteria for this group was unlike many had seen and/or witnessed in years. Aged just 31, he is survived by his mother, father, two sisters, and his 7-year-old son, whom he shares with pop star Cheryl.
Whilst I don’t want to focus too much on Liam’s personal story, I even debated whether to discuss it at all this month, as I’m not here to capitalise on, deep dive, or give commentary on an insanely tragic incident of someone that I never personally knew. However, his untimely passing did spark a question in me relating to a wider conversation about why we, and when I say we, I mean the music industry, keep having tragedies like this.
Having personally been singing & songwriting since the age of 5, and then having a breakthrough hit at age 19, I can understand and empathise with the emotional turmoil artists experience trying to exist in the music business. Being a tortured artist is a real thing! No matter what level of the industry you are.
The mental pressure to exist, perform; try and do things, which at times conflict with your core beliefs is exhausting. Many times, we see artists having to constantly wear an image that has been carefully curated and constructed for the audience to buy into and ‘sell the brand’. Because as a musician, you are the product. You are the can of Coca-Cola.
This then doesn’t include real life, and having to manage the expectations of everyone around you. The artist is constantly trying to navigate an industry that is constantly changing and unstable. From how to sell & market your product (because remember, this is a business! and YOU are the can of coke) to the unbelievable pressure of figuring out how to stay relevant, keep your career going, and be in demand amongst the ever-changing diaspora of what & who the ‘in sound/person/band’ is.
Being an artist at any level, indie (starting out), mid-tier (signed), or major (priority) is a lonely path. An experience that most creatives go through but is rarely expressed, discussed, or fully understood by those around them. As the common response when trying to explain these very real emotions, the response often is “Yeah, but at least you get to do what you love and live your dream.”. My therapist would say none of the above sounds like a dream or love.
However, as I write, I hear 3 particular voices saying “Oh, this sounds very dramatic,” with an eye roll. And it does, but that’s because it is.
Being a tortured artist is a VERY REAL thing. As humans sometimes our commitment to misinterpret and misunderstand each other is award-winning. It has me thinking, are we missing the point? Is the music too loud?
When writing this, the stories come to mind of music industry alumni who to the untrained eye, seem to have reached the top of the music mountain with fame, wealth, and icon status. But, we later learn they struggled and suffered so deeply. Judy Garland, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Tammy Wynette, Ray Charles, Joséphine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Prince, DMX, ODB (of Wu-Tang), Justin Bieber, Lily Allen, Eminem, Ari Lennox (who we’ll get back to later), Mac Miller, and now Liam.
Who before his passing spoke openly about his struggles with alcohol and drugs, and the effect starting so young in the industry had on him. I’ve not even touched on the stories of the artists who make it big then lose everything and end up fading into obscurity without a penny to their name due to naivety leading to bad business. After all, this is the music BUSINESS and it is more lucrative to do this than look at ways to change and improve the ecosystem.
Time and time again, the creative industry tends to encapsulate, immortalise, and, unfortunately, glamourise the image of the tortured artist. This is all in an effort to preserve and ultimately monetise the brand.
I’m praying for Liam’s family & friends, and all the others who lost their loved ones, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally to the music.
Ari Lennox Instalive & Her Label
Speaking of tortured artists, on October 29th R’n’B singer Ari Lennox posted a (now deleted) 18-minute Insta live video. It details her frustrations with her record label Dreamville (owned by rapper J. Cole (a subsidiary of Interscope Records)). She publicly begged to be released from her contract, having been signed by them in 2015.
During her time with the label, Ari has been very much a fan favourite in the R’n’B scene. She is often mentioned alongside her peers Summer Walker, Lucky Daye, Jazmine Sullivan, Kehlani, and SZA. The singer has also been very vocal about her mental health struggles throughout her career. It has always seemed to be met with a lot of encouragement and support, especially from the fans.
However, on 18th November Ari released a song called ‘Smoke’. It seemed to receive minimal promotion around it. This is except for an interview with Youtuber Terrell, who interviews singers on his YouTube channel ‘The TERRELL Show’. There are moments in the now-deleted episode, where Terrell can be seen attempting to pour into her, asking about her struggles, and trying to uplift and encourage Ari to believe in herself and her talent more.
Something about the interaction didn’t sit well with the singer and seems to be the cause behind Lennox going live stating she didn’t want the interview to be released. She went on to state that she, “No longer wants to be the face of mental health, I’m happy,” but, “I (just) have to pay for my own Google ads because my label does not believe in Google ads… I’ve tried to be nice but my label keep playing with me.”.
This is a developing, so I want to reserve my thoughts till then before doing a full deep dive. However, I believe there is a bigger conversation to be had around this regarding exactly what is happening in the music industry right now, what this means for the future of the industry, and the impact it’s having on artists who are currently signed, Chloe Bailey, Normani, Ice Spice come to mind.
At the time of writing this, no one from Dreamville or Interscope has publicly responded.
On Repeat – Here is where I’ll highlight a song that I personally have had on repeat:
Nia Smith – Give Up The Fear – (Nia Smith, Violet Skies, Ed Thomas, Jimmy Napes)
I was told about Nia when I was in an A&R meeting back in 2022. Instantly, I sent her a message about working with her. Following this, I saw her live at the first Other Songs Event in 2023. One song she sang with the icon Jimmy Napes on Keys was mind-blowing. I have a video on my phone somewhere, and finally, she released this, ‘Give Up The Fear‘.
When I finally got to click on it, I let it go round and round. Having played it so much it wouldn’t surprise me if it ends up on my Spotify Wrapped. (It won’t be the no.1 though, that spot is definitely going to ‘Not Like Us‘ by Kendrick. But this could definitely be a close second.) Her voice is so beautiful and there has been such a gap in the market for someone who looks & sounds like Nia, especially since Emeli Sandé‘s debut, to full that UK soul space. I’m really looking forward to following her journey and seeing where she goes.
Check Nia out on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Songwriter/Producer Highlight – Here is where I’ll be highlighting Producers and/or Songwriters:
AMAC
This is a producer and someone I’ve had the pleasure to work with quite a bit, but he deserves to be highlighted. He works closely with Toddla T and has contributed to many bangers. This includes ‘Boasty‘, with Idris Elba, Stefflon Don, and Wiley. Furthermore, he has recently contributed to Bashy’s new album, ‘Being Poor Is Expensive’ (my favourite album of 2024 hands down) as well as others. He’s spent the past few years building and working quite a lot behind the scenes doing add prod* on a lot of records. Also, he was given the PRS Hitmaker Fund. I think the time is coming for him to step out of the shadows.
Check AMAC out on Instagram.
*Music industry term for additional production
Artist of the Month:
Sophie Faith
I’ve been following Sophie Faith’s music for a while, and really love her voice. Her latest release is her EP ‘Hold My Drink, Watch This’, which will be released the day after this is posted (8/11/24). Her music is soulful jazz-influenced R’n’B, and I appreciate her beautiful vocals and tone. She also hosts a night called ‘Sophie & Friends’ at Soho House allowing the spotlight to be shone on her peers. So today, I wanted to shine a spotlight on her.
Check Sophie Faith out on Instagram and TikTok.
Check me out here: @MalikaOfficially // @ThisSoundsWrite
See you next month and make sure to read our previous columns here.
(Send thoughts, submissions, review suggestions, and comments to: Malika@thissoundssoundswrite.com)
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