The role that media can play in an artist’s success is very prominent these days. In an instant a video of somebody performing can be uploaded onto the internet and anybody can see. If seen by the right amount of people or the right people, then a musical career can be right around the corner.
“I think that the Internet is a great way to enhance a musician’s career. Anybody can see and you never know who’s watching,” said a sophomore, Alex Rivera.
YouTube began in 2005 as a video uploading service and has since been home to millions of videos. Videos can range from showcasing talents, media clips and even to video blogs. As the site grew, musicians began to upload videos of themselves or their bands performing music. For a few lucky musicians, YouTube gave them their start in the music industry.
The biggest YouTube sensation to date is teenage pop sensation, Justin Bieber. In 2007, Bieber was discovered by talent manager Scooter Braun through videos that his mother uploaded of him singing on YouTube. Within two years, he had already signed a record contract with R&B artist Usher and had his debut album My World debut at number six on the Billboard charts. Three hit albums, a successful 3D movie, world tours and two Grammy nominations later, Bieber is currently working on his fourth album, still on top of his game.
Pop music seems to have a huge calling on YouTube, not just with Bieber, but with others including pop duo, Karmin. In 2011, the musical fiancés Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan uploaded their cover of Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now”, which quickly went viral. They were invited to perform on talk and radio shows, including On Air with Ryan Seacrest and were signed by Epic Records. Their first single, “Brokenhearted” went platinum and they now have their second album, Pulses which is due out sometime soon.
Songs aren’t the only megahits from YouTube fame. Their music video counterparts have a huge role as well. This past year, Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis released “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” as a joke for their audience on their talk show. It went internationally viral and the brother duo has since appeared on numerous media outlets around the globe performing the catchy tune, fox garments and all. This notoriety has also sparked a children’s book, which will be released on Dec. 10 and is entitled “What Does the Fox Say?”
Another YouTube success story comes in the form of South Korean pop sensation Psy. In 2012, his music video for the song “Gangnam Style” blew up the Internet and came with a dance craze that swept the nation. It became the first YouTube video to reach one billion views and is the most watched video on the site of all time. The song garnered radio airplay and even went platinum in single sales. Psy himself was invited all over the world to perform his hit song and his next single, “Gentleman” is currently the most viewed video of 2013 on YouTube.
“YouTube makes it so easy to get your name out there. If I was a musician, then that would be my first stop,” said junior Amanda Saginor.
Lori Lichter, Student Development Counselor at the Center for Student Success, doesn’t believe in rising to fame via YouTube. “I don’t think it’s that great. I am actually a fairly private person, and I don’t like getting anything out there on YouTube,” said Lichter.
The vast abilities from the Internet are endless these days. One day you can be a struggling musician and by the end of the week, you could be a viral sensation. One upload can garner tremendous success. YouTube fame not only has skyrocketed many to notoriety, but it now gives others hope for the same thing with just one click.
IMAGE TAKEN from nydailynews.com
