But it's highly unlikely that teenagers at the moment will suddenly hate rap after they grow up... stations like Heart will have to change their policy on rap and in fact music in general or else they run the risk of disappearing when the majority of their audience start to die and they aren't gaining enough new listeners. They'll be fine for a few more decades but after that...

 

I doubt that's how it'll work in practice.

 

Yes, most of those who grew up with rap will continue to listen to it as they reach their 30's & 40's - but teenagers who dislike it will also carry their preferences with them. ISTM what will happen is that rap-specific oldie stations will evolve, as the lyrics will remain unsuitable for prime-time broadcasting, and stations like Heart will continue to serve a similar demographic to what they currently do.

 

But hitting #10 on iTunes causes the increase in sales to speed up, as being top 10 on iTunes puts your song on the front page of iTunes which is basically free promotion.

 

But surely that assumes that people will suddenly start liking a song *just* because it's on their front page? ISTM people either like a song, or they don't, with the chart position being very much a secondary consideration.

 

Besides, it doesn't seem to work for OAOS songs that reach the iT top 10, e.g. Coldplay - it doesn't stop them from dropping steadily...

Edited June 10, 201114 yr by vidcapper

But surely that assumes that people will suddenly start liking a song *just* because it's on their front page? ISTM people either like a song, or they don't, with the chart position being very much a secondary consideration.

 

Besides, it doesn't seem to work for OAOS songs that reach the iT top 10, e.g. Coldplay - it doesn't stop them from dropping steadily...

 

No, but being on the front page of iTunes gets your song noticed, so if for example Dev gets T10 and on the front page - people will go on the front page, see Dev's name and think 'oh, she's that girl from Like A G6, I gotta check this new song out' and buy it, or see the words 'Tinie Tempah remix' and think 'I love TT, I betta check out dat song'

 

And what comes up must come down, so of course Coldplay are going to drop, especially as they are a fanbase act.

But surely that assumes that people will suddenly start liking a song *just* because it's on their front page? ISTM people either like a song, or they don't, with the chart position being very much a secondary consideration.

 

Besides, it doesn't seem to work for OAOS songs that reach the iT top 10, e.g. Coldplay - it doesn't stop them from dropping steadily...

 

It's not a question of 'liking', it's a question of 'knowing'. Lower-profile songs can really benefit from going top 10. See Give Me Everything, Mr Saxobeat, Party Rock Anthem to name just three.

Definately should be non-rap versions, actually i think there are for some songs. I know stations like Smooth Radio play the Plan B song without the rap in it...much better IMHO!

But i really hate the trend that an pop/dance artist must always have a token rapper (or shouter if you prefer) on their track. It just completely ruins the flow of the song.

Jennifer Lopez - On The Floor is much better without Pitbull's awful whining over it.

 

Definately should be non-rap versions, actually i think there are for some songs. I know stations like Smooth Radio play the Plan B song without the rap in it...much better IMHO!

But i really hate the trend that an pop/dance artist must always have a token rapper (or shouter if you prefer) on their track. It just completely ruins the flow of the song.

 

e.g. The Saturdays - Higher?

I don't really care if I'm honest. A lot of the times I think the rap adds to the song e.g. The Saturdays - Higher ! I love the intro "Frankie Mollie..."

 

But I do understand that some people may not like rap, so yeh it is a good idea to have two versions available

I do think a lot of the time adding a rapper does ruin the flow of a good pop song, in the case of Higher I really like the intro, but his rap section is abysmal so it's a still a no from me.

I personally think rappers are "commercial crutches" for artists trying to get mainstream attention.

I put yes because I think people should have the choice of listening to the rap.

 

There are so many 'rent a rapper' tracks out in the last couple of years which have been poorly added in with the same beat and it just doesn't work sometimes.

Don't care :P Some raps annoy me but if that's how the ARTIST wants them to be heard then so be it :D Options are nice too

I don't really care. I don't listen to much music with rap in, although I'm not against rap altogether. I own albums from Outkast, Eminem and Plan B so I wouldn't say I love heavy rap music but sometimes it's ok. I dislike raps being added to songs (Bright Lights, Bigger City) just because I feel they weren't needed. But some songs (California Gurls) do benefit from 15 seconds or whatever of rap.

 

So basically it wouldn't change my life either way.