I think it is time for a review of the pop music industry.

FOCUS:

• Kanye West
• Britney/Rihanna
• Europe cf. USA

Kanye Kanye Kanye

Now i am about to make some MAJOR generalisations, so bear with me.

Kanye's album Graduation [2007] is quite an interesting listen. It's totally angsty, unhappy, misogynistic and i dare say racist.

Kanye has a HUGE chip on his shoulder, bigger than Smiths Chips that the alien that looks like Alf used to munch. Take the lyrics from the "Can't tell me nothing". I am sure Kanye was trying to make the point, in a very round about way, possibly trying to employ sarcasm or cynicism that money didn't change him. But it came out very wrong:

"Nah Nah Nah wait till i get my money right, Nah Nah Nah then you can't tell me nothin right. excuse me was you sayin something? Nu-uh you can't tell me nothing"

I would like to stress that the "nothing" is said with much vehemence.

The point I am trying to make is that Kanye is constantly complaining about how his life was tough in the early years, about how his hard work and excellent production skills (not to mention the fabulous ploy of 'finding God', Pamela Anderson and the Pink Polo) got him to where he was. He complains about how it's so hard for Black Americans to make it in the world, about how everyone is looking at him, trying to bring him down.

Trying to bring him down? He who looks shall find. I really don't think the world is concerned with Bringing Kanye Down. I mean really, i have better things to do with my time. Asides from that, the whole Bring Kanye Down is inextricably linked with his obsession about being black. When you listen to his songs - i.e. "everything I'm am" or "Big Brother" you ONLY EVER hear cameo mentions (i dont know if that;s what people call them) about black people who have made it.

Now I am not denying the African American slavery past, but i am suggesting that SHIT HAPPENS AND GET OVER IT. People have been persecuting me for thousands of years - I don't walk around like the worlds owes me for my troubles. I admit that i am slightly more neurotic, and i allow Kanye that same indulgence, but REALLY, it's TOO MUCH.

Kanye's focus on colour tells me that he is more obsessed with racial differences than your average person. Oh, just because a black man points out the differences doesn't mean that man might not be racist.

And I know i may sound way harsh but i am not in the business of vilification. The simple point i am making is that Kanye talks about how life was shit for him, about how nobody could possibly understand that trials and tribulations of a marginalised person, about how the black person who makes it is amazing. I say STOP LOOKING AT THE COLOUR AND LOOK AT THE TALENT. who cares what colour a person is? Really Kanye, give it a BREAK. get over it. STOP BEING A VICTIM.

Music that can seem inspiring may be a front for a real problem. I can't listen to a lot of Kanye in one go - it's too much, too hard, too full of the weighty world. And i don't think that black America needs to take on board that victimised personality. I know you think I am nuts, but music affects people. This is the stuff that changes kid's dreams.

OKAY what a rant.

Next - Rihanna and Britney.

Let me preface this by saying that Rihanna is by no means a new Britney and nor could she ever be.

I love Britney but I am afraid that my love-story with her must end. I thought Britney was adaptive and a showgirl but it seems to me she is stuck in an eternal rut. I use Rihanna (R) as my comparison, because R tried to make it for a couple of years before her big break.

See if you look at Brit's records, she had successive albums that took her from being an innocent teenager to a rampant woman. She starts innocent and took the world on a journey of growing up. Smart move, because everyone loves the innocent girl, everyone loves a girl corrupted. Each album took her further.

But, what happens after the innocent girl is corrupted? She's meant to realise her mistakes and learn. That's what the next come-back should have been. It should have taken us on the learning experiences of childbirth, a failed marriage and losing control. It should have happened in 5 years.

Instead, Brit has come forth with a single and an alleged album that wreaks of My Prerogative - Wanting more, taking more and hoping that the same "shit" will sell.

In other words, Brit has stopped evolving. And therein lies her problem. I respected the evolution for as long as it was going on, but it has stopped. And so the affair is over.

Rihanna on the other hand is a classic example to the music evolution pop artist. Instead of draining us with her private life antics and deliberate diva ways, Rihanna has evolved by way of music. Listening to her album, each song has a different genre theme. Moroccan - 'lemme get that', ballad - 'good girl gone bad', rock - 'shutup and drive', dance - 'dont stop the music' - just some examples. But it's just excellently produced, no drama.

I don't know if that's better, but it's a welcome change from all the britneys, lindsays and paris'.

And boy's are like that as well - less drama. Probably why they stay for longer.

Europe cf USA

In a fit of individuality, Australia has tried to escape the American RnB/pop obsession and adopt a more European style - the 'dance' music. We call it house, but the roots are the same.

What do we think of this? I laugh, because Kanye used Daft Punk to back 'stronger' and it caused an uproar. I think the claim was "oh my god what is this new music! (i dont like it)" but really the subtext was 'WHy are you using a Parisian 'band' (are they a couple of dj's?) when America has plenty of cool people to collaborate with?'

And i think it signifies a shift. It's not that America will adopt house music (i think House music has a very short life just generally), it's that the genres will be completely mismatched.

Take Maroon 5's new album. Totally taken themes from jazz, the 40's the 80's, the 70's - clear as day. Daniel Johns has done the same for silverchair. And I am really excited for music to come. I know everyone bags the "popping" of the artists they loved, but i would say that it's also working the other way - "pop artists" are selling in - becoming a little more alternative.

It's all very exciting.