The Exponent


Monday, 2/26/2001	5 day quick link 2/23 \| 2/22 \| 2/21 \| 2/20 \| 2/19

Column degrades talented musicians

It's one thing to have an opinion after knowing the facts about something, but to make a completely uninformed judgment is just ignorant.

I'm talking about the Brian Dillon column in the Feb. 19 Exponent about how music "lacks authenticity and talent."

The writer says he "checked out the credits for the lyrics for some of the boy bands" and he can't find a "single song where a group could take credit for the lyrics." Obviously he didn't look too hard. If he had, he'd notice that on 'NSYNC's latest CD, "No Strings Attached," they wrote half the songs and produced and/or arranged the vocals for almost all the songs. 98 Degrees also wrote all but three songs on their current CD and BSB wrote seven of the songs on "Black & Blue."

He also states "true music is made from a group of guys that formed a band themselves." Any research will prove that 'NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees all formed these groups on their own and were friends before the groups got together. They weren't "thrown together in a nationwide audition."

As for rap, I'm not a big fan of it either, but I still consider it music. It's just a different way for an artist to express his or her thoughts and feelings. Take Eminem for example. I don't like him. I don't agree with what he says or what he portrays in his songs. But I believe he is extremely talented and I respect him for that. Who's to say what "real music" is?

There's no one definition. Everyone has their own taste in music — that's what makes it diverse. Just remember, next time you feel the need to degrade what many artists have worked very hard to accomplish, make sure you know all the facts first.

Sarah Csakany

Sophomore, School of Liberal Arts

Rhiannon Joliff

Junior, School of Liberal Arts

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