Worlds BIggest Sellout(s)

[Wall2Boogie]

When it comes to bands like Metallica, green day or nirvana it's hard to say they sold out. Their music for the most part stayed the same but became more mainstream. This is beautiful for them but they don't like being labeled as sellouts since their music has gone mainstream and those fans that loved them before they were winning Grammies and being more recongnized tend to look at them as selling out since their fan bases have quadrupled in an albums time

 

[the nail at the foul line]

The Terminator in a landslide. He went from trying to kill Sarah Connor to saving her.

 

[-LEK-]

Nirvana was considered a sell out before never mind came out. Cobain was tired of being labeled a sellout and considered pop. So what does he do? In his words writes the ultimate Pop song. The biggest hit; smells like teen spirt. Even though we all know about 6 words to the song, the idea came from an ex gf who sang in a band. The only deodorant she wore was teen spirit which gave him the inspiration for the song

This isn't true. Nirvana wasn't considered a sell out until post nevermind. The reason being is that they had a big studio album, produced by Butch Vig. The sound was a big departure from their diy attitude and pixie rip offs. A few years prior, they did a split 7 inch with the Jesus Lizard, indie royalty from Chicago on Touch and Go. Added to this, was the leap from Sub Pop to Geffen records, where the band shit on Sub Pop. This is why people from the punk/indie scene didn't care for nirvana. Hell, they played Cahoots in Louisville in 90 on the Bleach tour, so they were well known then.

Also, after NM, when recording in Utero, they went to Steve Albini to produce and record. Albini is considered an Indie God, with being in Big Black and Shellac. He gained notoriety from producing Pixies Surferosa and a Bush album. I think even a robert plant album. His rawness in recording and simplicity made artist come to him. Well once, nirvana had in Utero recorded, they had the hit singles like all apologies, heart shaped box re recorded to sound more polished like nevermind.

They weren't considered sell outs before. And even Cobain said he ripped off smells like teen spirit from the pixies.

 

[-LEK-]

When it comes to bands like Metallica, green day or nirvana it's hard to say they sold out. Their music for the most part stayed the same but became more mainstream. This is beautiful for them but they don't like being labeled as sellouts since their music has gone mainstream and those fans that loved them before they were winning Grammies and being more recongnized tend to look at them as selling out since their fan bases have quadrupled in an albums time

Everyone one of these bands had huge departures to indicate a switch from music that was based on creating music as its primary goal (see Glen Gould) to its primary goal of making money.

Metallica- the black album had more radio friendly songs than 6-9 minute anthologies. The 3 minute pop song was a big switch.

nirvana nevermind - the band went from indie records to studio albums that sounded canned and polished.

Green day Dokie was probably the start, but seriously, no gives a shit about them. Bunch of turds.

I don't care if they sold outs. If you make money doing what you love, so be it. But there is a philosophical point that describes the purpose of making music in multiple ways. Pianist Glen Gould talked extensively about this subject and quit performing live because of a conceived violation of principle. He maintained that there was a primary motivation for creating art and music, which was/is the creative side, which is the soul of art, taking nothing from the void and creating something. The interior.

The secondary motivation was from outside influence, the exterior. This is basically any influence like money, others etc. Gould quit performing because he claimed in his music, the idea of paying bills, selling out halls, creeped into his music and thus corrupted the primary motivation.

This is the essence of selling out.

So when Metallica starts making radio hits after making tons with "one," their motivation change is obvious.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Hi see what your saying lek, I had read a few articles in which cobain claimed the media said they had sold out and were s Pop group rather than grunge, which is why I brought up smells like teen spirit. Cobain said he wanted to write the ultimate pop songs as a slap in the face to those calling them sellouts, the cover of never mind actually portrays this theory. Which as you know a baby representing a teen chasing the all mighty dollar which this represents they will do anything include sell out to get that dollar bill dangling in front of them.

As for Metallica, I don't think they sold out at all. List time music was talked about someone mentioned they sold out in the 90s when they but out songs like enter sandman that back mainstream. The guy had said they switched their music up to and sold out since albums like ride the lightening in the 80s and true fans didn't like the direction they were heading in the 90s .

I agree with you though. If you build upon success, fans take notice and you are immediately labeled as a sellout. Most of us know that isn't completely the truth in most cases

 

[-LEK-]

Ride the lightning was pure. Call of Khutu is a 9 minute song. Plus Metallica talked about wanting to shift to more commercial success. Lars is the biggest piece of shit musician out there.

But it's not building on success. Selling out is a change in philosophy. It's going for money vs going for art. So not sure you do get me. They were selling out. I just don't care.


In each of those cases, all the bands went for money and fame over creating great art.

It boils down to whether you're an artist or an entertainer.

certain bands are just great artists and never saw commercial success. A lot of this is because they are ahead of their time.

One of the reasons the velvet underground is considered one of the greatest bands ever is because of their influence on the music community. They inspired so many other musicians who had commercial success.

 

[-LEK-]

Nevermind is a great album. Robert Johnson selling your soul to devil good, but it's just a different ethos. You can still be great, just you can still be a sell out.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I get what your saying, it's hard to show tone as you know on here but like I said I agree with The way you paid it out. Good post my man!!

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Nevermind is a great album. Robert Johnson selling your soul to devil good, but it's just a different ethos. You can still be great, just you can still be a sell out.

No one knew Nevermind was going to have the success it had and launch Nirvana to stardom. It's easy to say these things in hindsight. Kurt also hated the finished product and called it a Motley Crüe record. If you think Kurt was writing music to make money you're crazy.

 

[-LEK-]

No one knew Nevermind was going to have the success it had and launch Nirvana to stardom. It's easy to say these things in hindsight. Kurt also hated the finished product and called it a Motley Crüe record. If you think Kurt was writing music to make money you're crazy.

I just made the case for it. Didnt say I agree with it. However, it is obvious they made 2 records with the purpose of having commercial success. Its the reason Butch Vig was used and Albini was scrapped. If he hated it so much, dont put it out, happens all the time, second, they went back to that sound after scrapping Albini.

People can have multiple motivations, this isnt a hard concept. You can be an artist to make money and make music. Its just your own ethos and levels of them. So to say that Cobain made music for money isnt crazy. He also made it to create. And who knows what else.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Eminem wasn't really a sell out but he had the formula down pat..every time he released an album he would make on annoying cheesy song for the radio and MTV then the rest of his cd would be fire.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Eminem is the farthest thing from a sellout. He's always stuck true to what he does even if people think he's gone too far. It's not like he's joining boy bands or singing country music

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Eminem wasn't really a sell out but he had the formula down pat..every time he released an album he would make on annoying cheesy song for the radio and MTV then the rest of his cd would be fire.

That goes for 90% of all rappers. They gotta get something out on the air. Back in the day it was harder for guys like tupac, biggie, new, etc. word of mouth was basically how they got their music out since satellite radio was nonexistent at the time.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

That goes for 90% of all rappers. They gotta get something out on the air. Back in the day it was harder for guys like tupac, biggie, new, etc. word of mouth was basically how they got their music out since satellite radio was nonexistent at the time.

You didn't grow up in the 90s, did you?

 

[-LEK-]

Eminem is the farthest thing from a sellout. He's always stuck true to what he does even if people think he's gone too far. It's not like he's joining boy bands or singing country music

Eminem is the very definition of a sell out. He's always been about making money. That's his first goal. His primary motivation is to get paid. I still think you are having trouble with this concept.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Eminem is the very definition of a sell out. He's always been about making money. That's his first goal. His primary motivation is to get paid. I still think you are having trouble with this concept.

What hip hop artist isn't about making money? KRS-one? Beastie boys? Public Enemy? Common? And how does one sell out if their primary objective has always been money?

 

[-LEK-]

It poses the question are they really artists or entertainers?

I would say the rappers you mentioned are probably artists. krs 1 came to mind. There isn't a line that one sits on. I'm sure it's fluid. Eminem just is an obvious one.

There are a few hip hop artists out there for the art. It's about the primary motivation. Is it getting paid or making music.

I don't care eitherway, just discussing what is the definition of a sell out.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

It poses the question are they really artists or entertainers?

I would say the rappers you mentioned are probably artists. krs 1 came to mind. There isn't a line that one sits on. I'm sure it's fluid. Eminem just is an obvious one.

There are a few hip hop artists out there for the art. It's about the primary motivation. Is it getting paid or making music.

I don't care eitherway, just discussing what is the definition of a sell out.

So what if one's primary objective has always been money and then one day they say, hey I'm going to start doing cafés instead of arenas. I'm going to start experimenting with my music and writing. Would this be considered selling out?

 

[-LEK-]

I've answered this over and over.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

I've answered this over and over.

Have you? You've described selling out as going from making art to focusing on money. I've presented the opposite. Would it still be considered selling out if you went from your original goal of making money to making great art?

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I would like to know see a few examples in your mind of people who didn't sell out

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I would also say there is a thin line between sell out and changing with the times.

 

[JumperJack]

You have to cash in while you can or keep it real as a poor.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Lol when keeping it real goes wrong. Chappelle show!

 

[JellyShelly]

this is not limited to music. Everybody is fair game. Politicans, actors, etc. I love this bunch and I know the paddock wil not disappoint. I'll start with one, and then it's your turn, have fun.

Nelly- by far the biggest sellout I've ever heard. He is an inspiration to this thread. First you do a bad country song with Tim McGraw, then you follow it up with another bad one with an awful duo fla/ga line crusin. It's really bad

Taylor swift- she completely left country music in the dust only to make awful pop songs that sound like someone wrote in 5 mins.


Ok it's your turn, who comes to mind when you think of sell out?

Nelly makes sense but mentioning Taylor swift is idiotic considering she's like the biggest name in pop music right now and has made boat loads of cash since she transitioned to pop. Something she couldn't have done had she stayed country.

 

[JellyShelly]

I am the biggest sellout I know. When I was 20 I was a liberal who smoked weed every day and planned on never getting married and having children. At 35 I am married with 2 children and I am about as conservative as it gets. I used to be al about compassion for people who are down and out, now I know how much hard work I have put into avoiding it and I see how little people who are down and out are trying to not be down and out and I don't want to give my money away to help them. I am the biggest sellout I know. I also quit smoking weed so I could get a real job and make money and to make my wife happier and to be a better example to my children. I threw out all my 20 year old values to get other things I wanted. I sold out big time.

lol, your "that guy" at the office aren't you.

 

[JellyShelly]

UKgrad snuck in "George Lucas" right above this post. Thinking about Lucas doing a remake of "Bad Lieutenant" was kind of funny.

The absolute biggest sellout I can think of is Ice Cube. He was arguably the most important member of NWA, and when he went solo he released songs like "True to the Game" that absolutely shredded the sellouts of that time. He is now someone that kids think is safe to run up and give a hug to after those god awful "Are We There Yet" movies.

What an absolute asinine thing to say. Yes, he "sold out" because he grew up a bit and toned down his cop killing image to make millions of dollars.
In fact, it's not Just asinine- it's downright racist for you to say something like that. Like he's "supposed" to be this hardcore, street thug so you can bump him in your Toyota Camry while locking the doors when a black guy walks by (office space style)

I bet you wear tap-out T-Shirts don't you?

 

[JellyShelly]

Did your dad get a discount on his Netflix bill since it was a disappointment?

HAHA

#fail

 

[JellyShelly]

Thank you for clarifying that. On the paddock if you confuse posters you have a normal life.

No, you failed miserably at a put down. Own it son.

 

[JellyShelly]

Eminem is the very definition of a sell out. He's always been about making money. That's his first goal. His primary motivation is to get paid. I still think you are having trouble with this concept.

No, it's obviously you who continues to fail at grasping the concept.

 

[JellyShelly]

I would also say there is a thin line between sell out and changing with the times.

#NetflixFail

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Wow jelly Shelly you have manges to make many friends like Lorde_blow did welcome to the paddock lol. It was nice seeing you lurk for a day

 

[elwood_blue]

What an absolute asinine thing to say. Yes, he "sold out" because he grew up a bit and toned down his cop killing image to make millions of dollars.
In fact, it's not Just asinine- it's downright racist for you to say something like that. Like he's "supposed" to be this hardcore, street thug so you can bump him in your Toyota Camry while locking the doors when a black guy walks by (office space style)

I bet you wear tap-out T-Shirts don't you?

 

[JellyShelly]

Expected lol- when confronted and backed into a corner.... Just bust out a meme!

Oh and accuse the other poster of the most cliche term ever in the history of messages boards... "Straw man" lol

 

[elwood_blue]

Expected lol- when confronted and backed into a corner.... Just bust out a meme!

Oh and accuse the other poster of the most cliche term ever in the history of messages boards... "Straw man" lol

Says the poster who threw out the race card, which is several rungs above "straw man" regarding message board cliches.

 

[wild mandu]

This isn't true. Nirvana wasn't considered a sell out until post nevermind. The reason being is that they had a big studio album, produced by Butch Vig. The sound was a big departure from their diy attitude and pixie rip offs. A few years prior, they did a split 7 inch with the Jesus Lizard, indie royalty from Chicago on Touch and Go. Added to this, was the leap from Sub Pop to Geffen records, where the band shit on Sub Pop. This is why people from the punk/indie scene didn't care for nirvana. Hell, they played Cahoots in Louisville in 90 on the Bleach tour, so they were well known then.

Also, after NM, when recording in Utero, they went to Steve Albini to produce and record. Albini is considered an Indie God, with being in Big Black and Shellac. He gained notoriety from producing Pixies Surferosa and a Bush album. I think even a robert plant album. His rawness in recording and simplicity made artist come to him. Well once, nirvana had in Utero recorded, they had the hit singles like all apologies, heart shaped box re recorded to sound more polished like nevermind.

They weren't considered sell outs before. And even Cobain said he ripped off smells like teen spirit from the pixies.

If they sold out with In Utero...then thank God they did. Great Album. "Serve the Servants," "Heart-Shaped Box," "All Apologies," "Frances Farmer," "Pennyroyal Tea," "Scentless Apprentice" and "Dumb" are all amazing tracks.

<-------- Big fan of Punk-Pop.

 

[RUPPsRevenge1]

Cal, because he will never run the Platoons again.

 

[wildcatadam6]

Garland Andy Barr

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Lol Miley Cyrus can be added to this list. Except she sold her soul and sold her dad out.

 

[bradyjames]

Rick Pitino