mainstream vs. underground Options

[*mzkandi*]

Main•stream (mAn’strEm’), n., adj.
1) A genre in music and other forms of media that is often defined by widely-accepted and currently-popular standards, trends, and hypes that have been established by the by the media, typically resulting in the promotion of superficial traits.

Underground

Art, opinion or organization that exists outside of mainstream society or culture. Also known as "independent" or sometimes "counter-culture".
Ex.
Giff preferred the underground music scene in her area to the bland stuff that played on most radio stations

http://www.urbandictionary.com

There is alot debate on the issue of mainstream vs underground music. Like some say mainstream artist are basically sellouts controlled by corporate America, while some say underground is basically people who cant afford get on a major record label because either cant really get their name out or are not good enough. What is your take on the two and which do you listen to more?

[Ineeddubs30]

Im not going to follow the trend and just say underground.

I prefer mainstream.

Each has its benefits and down sides.
For instance in the underground you can pretty much say what you want and express artistic freedom where as on the mainstream level you have certain boundaries that can’t be crossed.
Also another downside about the mainstream from pretty much all genres including rock, rap, and pop music is you have to display a certain image that satisfies the listener. Its not about the quality of the music, but more about the image of the artist. Whatever sells records I guess. On the other hand the underground is more about the music and not all about the money, however as soon as they go mainstream a lot of once faithful listeners will turn their backs on them and claim they are sellouts. I mean can you blame them when you have the opportunity to make more money. Put yourself and that perspective and ask yourself what you would do. One thing I do not like from every genre is that people have it set that the music genre should have to cater to their needs. There is no true way to define music no matter if you don’t think it should be about guns drugs, devil worshipers, or sex. Artistic freedom should be displayed no matter the subject. I know it sounds like Im more of an underground person, but I still prefer the mainstream because in my opinion I hear better music on the recognizable level. But like beautifuls0ul___x said that doesn’t change the fact that good music is good music. Another odd thing is when an artist becomes over popular all of a sudden he becomes overrated. I agree that fanbase does not make the better artist but obviously the artist must be doing something right in order to have his name recognized. True enough the most intelligent and intellectual artist such as the Commons, Mos Defs, and Talib Kwelis don’t get enough recognition and are definitely on my underrated list , but music evolves with time.

Im not afraid to say I listen to mainstream more often than underground.

Lol I wrote an article.