MUSICAL DECISIONS – 2025 EDITION

Allen Johnston – The Music Specialist 

www.asha.com

In 2024, over 500,000 new tracks flooded streaming platforms daily, yet only a handful achieved true cultural impact. Despite the illusion of endless choice, who really decides what dominates the airwaves, viral trends, and blockbuster soundtracks? The answer isn’t popularity—it’s power, algorithms, and corporate agendas. 

A glance at today’s global charts reveals the same mega-labels, superstar monopolies, and manufactured trends dominating every region. This isn’t a coincidence—it’s engineered control. The public’s "choice" is an illusion, filtered through **payola playlists, AI-curated feeds, and branding deals designed to steer culture, not reflect it. 

Wealth, Influence, and the Illusion of Opportunity 

With 1% now controlling 90% of global media, the myth of meritocracy in music is dead. Hip Hop remains a billion-dollar engine, but who truly benefits? Black creativity still drives the culture, yet the role models pushed hardest—rappers, athletes, influencers—are often corporate-approved caricatures. When did we accept that hustle = exploitation and authenticity = marketability? 

Why are doctors, engineers, and educators invisible in mainstream media, while scandal, excess, and hyper-materialism dominate? When did integrity become "uncool"? 

The 2025 Hip Hop Paradox

1. "The Game is AI’d, Not Played"

   The digital era replaced mentorship with algorithmic luck. Youth chase virality, not wisdom—believing clout** outweighs craft. True knowledge? Sold as a $999 "masterclass"** by influencers who’ve never built a lasting career. 

2. "Free or Famine" 

   Artists demand exposure pay but won’t invest in legal, financial, or business education. A $2,000 designer hoodie is a flex; a $200 contract review is a "scam." Fast fashion > fast knowledge. 

3. "Skip the Work, Demand the Deal" 

   Labels want overnight Tik-Tok hits, not artists. Young creators expect AI tools to replace grind, dreaming of a Drake cosign without a decade of hustle. Real independence? Owning your masters, understanding royalties, and rejecting 360 deals in disguise. 

4. "Keeping It ‘Corporate’" 

   "Street credibility" is now a boardroom strategy. The real thugs? CEOs exploiting trauma for profit. The hustle is no longer survival—it’s branding oppression as "authenticity." 

The Erased Lyrics 

Where are the anthems for real life? The industry scrubbed these themes. Can we bring them back?

- Family 

- Fatherhood 

- Sacred Love 

- Elders’ Wisdom 

- Loyalty Beyond Clout 

- Healing, Not Harm 

- Black Legacy (Not Stereotypes) 

The Challenge 

The system won’t change itself. **Support indie artists. Demand substance. Teach ownership. Culture isn’t an algorithm—it’s our choice. 

What soundtrack will YOU empower?