MUSICAL DECISIONS 2025: Who Really Controls What We Hear?

Allen Johnston – The Music Specialist 

www.asha.com 

In 2024, over 2.5 million songs were uploaded to streaming platforms every month. Yet, less than 0.1% achieved mainstream recognition. This raises a critical question: In the age of digital freedom, why does corporate music still dominate? The answer reveals an uncomfortable truth—the illusion of choice in today's music industry is stronger than ever. 

The Algorithm Takeover 

While streaming promised democratization, playlist payola and AI-driven recommendations now dictate success. The same 5 major labels control 87% of Billboard's Hot 100, recycling formulas while independent artists fight for scraps. Viral moments are manufactured, not organic—TikTok hits are often label-backed campaigns disguised as grassroots trends. 

Hip Hop remains the world’s most consumed genre, but at what cost? The "Street Urban" template (guns, drugs, hyper-sexuality) still dominates, while conscious rap struggles for airplay. Black artists generate billions, yet ownership remains scarce—most profits flow to tech platforms (Spotify, Apple) and conglomerates (Universal, Sony). 

The New Plantation: Streaming & 360 Deals 

- Artists earn $0.003 per stream—it takes 300,000 plays just to make minimum wage. 

- "360 deals" now include NFT clauses, taking cuts from merch, touring, and digital assets. 

- AI-generated music threatens entry-level artists, with labels using synthetic voices to avoid paying royalties. 

Meanwhile, youth are fed the same tired myths: 

- "Go viral or die trying" (instead of building sustainable careers) 

- "Clout over craft" (engineers & songwriters remain anonymous while influencers front as artists) 

- "Fake it till you make it" (lavish social media facades hide industry-backed financing) 

The Lost Curriculum 

Hip Hop’s roots in community, knowledge, and self-determination have been erased from the mainstream narrative. What replaced it? 

1. "The Algorithm is the New A&R" 

   - Artists chase 15-second snippets instead of full albums. 

   - Real musicianship (live instrumentation, vocal training) is dismissed as "old school." 

2. "Metrics Over Mastery" 

   - Success is measured in followers, not skill. 

   - Pay-to-play playlists (via DistroKid "promo boosts") exploit desperate independents. 

3. "Fast Music, Faster Burnout" 

   - The "2 songs per month" grind leaves no time for artistry. 

   - Mental health crises rise as artists face constant content demands. 

4. "Keeping It Fake for the Feed" 

   - "Street credibility" is now a branding tactic—executives script "beefs" for engagement. 

   - True hustlers own their masters, not just their image. 

The Resistance: What Can We Do? 

- Support artist-owned platforms (TIDAL, Bandcamp) over corporate streaming. 

- Demand transparency in playlist placements and AI usage. 

- Teach financial literacy—publishing rights, LLCs, and royalty audits matter. 

- Revive forgotten themes: Family, love, wisdom, and economic empowerment. 

The Future of Music Starts With Us 

The industry won’t change until we change what we consume. Seek out real artists. Invest in ownership. Reject the algorithmic agenda. 

The power was always ours. 

It’s time to take it back. 

FORGOTTEN THEMES IN POPULAR MUSIC (2025 EDITION) 

While mainstream music continues pushing toxic trends, these timeless messages have been systematically erased from the airwaves. It's time to bring them back: 

CORE VALUES 

🔹 Family – Where are the odes to unity, parenting, and intergenerational wisdom? 

🔹 Spiritual Love – Beyond lust: songs about soul connections and divine purpose 

🔹 Fatherhood & Motherhood – Celebrating parental sacrifice, not absenteeism 

🔹 Marriage & Commitment – Whatever happened to "forever" love stories? 

SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS 

🔸 Black Pride & Self-Respect – Replacing self-destruction with self-mastery 

🔸 Education & Empowerment – Beats about building generational wealth, not blowing checks 

🔸 Community Uplift – Anthems for activists, teachers, and healers 

🔸 Mental Health Awareness – Vulnerability as strength, not weakness 

LOST VIRTUES 

◼ Integrity – Staying righteous in a corrupt game 

◼ Patience – Success is a marathon, not a TikTok sprint 

◼ Humility – Real G's credit their teams and ancestors 

◼ Financial Literacy – "F.U. Money" > "Fleek Money" 

Why This Matters: 

These themes built civilizations. Their absence explains today's cultural decay. We need artists brave enough to resurrect them—and fans wise enough to support them. 

Challenge for 2025: 

Find one underground artist preserving these values. Stream their music. Buy their merch. Be the change. 

(Add these themes to your playlists. The algorithm learns from YOU.)

— 

Allen Johnston 

The Music Specialist 

www.asha.com