Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.

[Velaryon]

The short version of the Drake story is that he was able to get in with some talented connected people who helped him produce three mixtapes that got his name out there enough that he got Lil Wayne's attention, and signed to the Young Money label, which gave him a lot of opportunities to connect with bigger and even more talented people. Drake and Nicki Minaj are undoubtedly the two most talented artists that signed to Young Money, so they got the best backing, and were both able to reach an audience that they connected to. That's what a lot of pop success hinges on - finding the audience.

Speaking of people whose appeal I can't fathom...

[ve4grm]

The short version of the Drake story is that he was able to get in with some talented connected people who helped him produce three mixtapes that got his name out there enough that he got Lil Wayne's attention, and signed to the Young Money label, which gave him a lot of opportunities to connect with bigger and even more talented people. Drake and Nicki Minaj are undoubtedly the two most talented artists that signed to Young Money, so they got the best backing, and were both able to reach an audience that they connected to. That's what a lot of pop success hinges on - finding the audience.

That's how he made it big, yeah. As to what his appeal is, well he isn't my style of music either, but from what I can tell it's that he makes music with a hip hop style, but which is generally a lot softer/calmer/chiller/more approachable than a lot of hip hop tends to be. (A lot of it is very in-your-face and confrontational, trying to make a point and get a message across (and that has its place for sure), whereas he seems to tend to be more about love and hope.)

It's a niche that needed filling. Not what people always think of when they talk about "Rap", but not quite "Pop" either.

There's also the fact that he genuinely seems to be a stand-up guy. Which is rare in a celebrity, and especially rare in recent pop stars (even other of us Canadians, see Bieber).

EDIT - for a similar sort of appeal, I guess see Mackelmore?

[AuthorGirl]

That's how he made it big, yeah. As to what his appeal is, well he isn't my style of music either, but from what I can tell it's that he makes music with a hip hop style, but which is generally a lot softer/calmer/chiller/more approachable than a lot of hip hop tends to be. (A lot of it is very in-your-face and confrontational, trying to make a point and get a message across (and that has its place for sure), whereas he seems to tend to be more about love and hope.)

Yes, that exactly. The message is calmer, the voice is softer, and the language is stuff you can play in front of your parents. It's not the best music, not even close, but it's fairly nice.

[Vinyadan]

Fun fact: I couldn't say the title of a single Drake or Nicki Minay song, nor recognize them when singing. I know that they exist, but that's because their name occasionally pops up on the Internet.

[2D8HP]

Fun fact: I couldn't say the title of a single Drake or Nicki Minay song, nor recognize them when singing. I know that they exist, but that's because their name occasionally pops up on the Internet.

Well that's true of me as well, but that's also true of the overwhelming majority of songs on the radio released after the 20th century

[Fawkes]

Fun fact: I couldn't say the title of a single Drake or Nicki Minay song, nor recognize them when singing. I know that they exist, but that's because their name occasionally pops up on the Internet.

For an example of a good Drake song, listen to Take Care or Passionfruit.

For an example of a good Nicki Minaj song, drastically change your personal perception of what good music is because you are going to hate all of them.





Maybe Moment 4 Life.

[Florian]

Well that's true of me as well, but that's also true of the overwhelming majority of songs on the radio released after the 20th century

True. "Pop" has reached the point of being "vanilla", wanting to not show any edges and not offend any tastes, which at the same time makes it good and also bland.

[Peelee]

True. "Pop" has reached the point of being "vanilla", wanting to not show any edges and not offend any tastes, which at the same time makes it good and also bland.

Yes, I remember the golden days of pop music being cutting edge and not being bland at all. Sugar Sugar was a risk taker, i tells ya. I Wanna Hold Your Hand just didn't care who it offended! Hold on to your knickers, ladies, Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head is about to blow them away!

Oh, wait...

[ve4grm]

Yes, that exactly. The message is calmer, the voice is softer, and the language is stuff you can play in front of your parents. It's not the best music, not even close, but it's fairly nice.

Oh, good. I'm glad my outside-view opinion wasn't off base.

For an example of a good Drake song, listen to Take Care or Passionfruit.

For an example of a good Nicki Minaj song, drastically change your personal perception of what good music is because you are going to hate all of them.

Maybe Moment 4 Life.

Starships is pretty catchy. She's also not really my style, though.

True. "Pop" has reached the point of being "vanilla", wanting to not show any edges and not offend any tastes, which at the same time makes it good and also bland.

80s pop was bland and edgeless. 90s pop was bland and edgeless. 2000s pop... actually had a bit of edge to it.

But yeah, this isn't a generational thing.

[Fawkes]

Oh, I forgot about Starships. That one's pretty good.

And yeah, if anything, pop music is edgier now than most points in the last century.

[Contable]

My boss. Why does he have to be such a control freak?
Neither can I understand those spitting in the street. My father does though. And he is a well-respected engineer with two higher education degrees, and a great guy. Why?

As for "People who work in the career advice field", this is something comparable to teachers. You know, those who can't...

[Keltest]

My boss. Why does he have to be such a control freak?
Neither can I understand those spitting in the street. My father does though. And he is a well-respected engineer with two higher education degrees, and a great guy. Why?

As for "People who work in the career advice field", this is something comparable to teachers. You know, those who can't...

Personally I usually spit in the street because I have a mouthful of phlegm and its really gross having it in there. The alternative is to just let it sit there (ha ha no), or to swallow it, which isn't much better.

[Honest Tiefling]

You mean some pop-singer.

I only know of Drake because of internet memes. No idea what his music sounds like whatsoever.

My boss. Why does he have to be such a control freak?

Basically, one of two things: He's a donkey cavity and wants to feel important, or he's been burnt by careless or dumb employees doing the wrong thing. There's probably a few more answers, but I feel like those two extremes will cover most situations.

Personally, I think spitting in the street is kinda gross, but it's probably a cultural thing. Curious where Keltest is from. I see it here, but honestly, mostly from teenagers.

[Florian]

80s pop was bland and edgeless. 90s pop was bland and edgeless. 2000s pop... actually had a bit of edge to it.

But yeah, this isn't a generational thing.

Puh, am I glad that there's actual intelligent life outside the english speaking countries that that there's "pop" beyond that.

[2D8HP]

Puh, am I glad that there's actual intelligent life outside the english speaking countries that that there's "pop" beyond that.

Spoiler: I'm remindde of the last time I heard a non-anglophone song on pop radio

Show

[Vinyadan]

Sandu Ciorba is the greatest pop singer alive.

[Honest Tiefling]

Spoiler: I'm remindde of the last time I heard a non-anglophone song on pop radio

Show

You didn't get to hear Gangam Style 99 billion times when you stepped out of your house? Are you sure you live near me?

[Peelee]

You didn't get to hear Gangam Style 99 billion times when you stepped out of your house? Are you sure you live near me?

I was in Korea at the height of that song's popularity. 99 billion may be underestimating it.

[Fawkes]

More recently, Despacito was a radio hit in America despite being (mostly) in Spanish.

[2D8HP]

You didn't get to hear Gangam Style 99 billion times when you stepped out of your house? Are you sure you live near me?

I just listened to (some) of "Gangam Style", and it just sounds like a bunch of the headache inducing stuff that was played over the speakers at "Forever 21" when my wife shopped there.

I wouldn't be able to pick it out of a lineup.

[ve4grm]

More recently, Despacito was a radio hit in America despite being (mostly) in Spanish.

Canada, too, despite Spanish being even less common here.

Probably Bieber's fault.

[Peelee]

Why are cheese curds the tastiest with the least appetizing name? This comes up every time I have poutine.

[AuthorGirl]

Canada, too, despite Spanish being even less common here.

Probably Bieber's fault.

Yes, blame Beaver Boy for everything. I don't know why we haven't locked him up in the ice dungeons yet.

[Goaty14]

Neither can I understand those spitting in the street.

I rarely do it to look cool in front of the cool kidz... yea

[Comrade]

Why do some people refuse to chew gum with their mouths closed? Why oh why?

[factotum]

Why do some people refuse to chew gum with their mouths closed? Why oh why?

Why do people eat with their mouth open, full stop? Makes an absolutely horrible noise if nothing else.

[Honest Tiefling]

Why are cheese curds the tastiest with the least appetizing name? This comes up every time I have poutine.

Another question is how does one eat an entire serving of poutine!? I tried it and my American stomach gave up and refused to eat more.

[Florian]

Another question is how does one eat an entire serving of poutine!? I tried it and my American stomach gave up and refused to eat more.

Huh? Poutine, ain´t that either regular potato wedges or sweet potato wedges, cheese and gravy?

[factotum]

Huh? Poutine, ain´t that either regular potato wedges or sweet potato wedges, cheese and gravy?

Cheese *curds*, not regular cheese, I think?

[Peelee]

Another question is how does one eat an entire serving of poutine!? I tried it and my American stomach gave up and refused to eat more.

One does not. At least, not at the place I get it at. Thing's a meal unto itself. We usually split it among the table. And then take most of the entree home in a box. Because this is America, dammit, if our portions aren't ludicrously big than something's wrong.

Huh? Poutine, ain´t that either regular potato wedges or sweet potato wedges, cheese and gravy?

At my place, it's fries, cheese curds, and gravy. I've had it differently at other places, but those places aren't two minutes from my house. And it's still fantastic.

Cheese *curds*, not regular cheese, I think?

Indeed. the curd is the heart of both its tastiness and it's non-tasty-sounding-name.