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?

[hall0w]

id say mainstream

[katssso]

Mainstream works best for me.

[R-Mac]

Underground.

Underground artists and bands have much more freedom than mainstream artists. Whereas mainstream artists must go gold or fail, the underground aren't really pressured by that.

As for underground artists not being good enough, that is definitely a lie. We have so much crap rappers on BET and sucky bands on MTV it's not even funny.

So for now, I say underground >> mainstream, unless someone convincingly changes my mind.

[nightsong]

Definitely underground.

xo, Pauline

[*StanleyThePanda*]

Yeah, I like underground....although alot of the underground band I have been listening to for years.....are now starting to get mainstream....not too bad though.

[iheartjohn]

Underground. Mainstream artists are too hyped up.

[Saeglopur]

I like underground better personally. It's more artistic than greedy.

[Im So Vain]

I choose underground and I disagree with part about underground artists not being good enough, because in most cases what undergroind artists speak on in their music is more real. While mainstream artists are more into their self-image. Heres a quoute from an under ground artist im listeninhg to now

"I am not trying to market to that get naked crowd. My primary purpose is to serve people who like what I am doing."

-Kem

[*not_your_average*]

Underground, definitely.

[Hiphop d[-_-]b]

underground mos def.
mostly undergroung hipop & rap do it for me.
but some undeground rock [garage bands] are really good.

[lbjshaq2345]

some underground, some mainstream

[HongKongDong]

I am strictly underground music. Pure S. Cali underground
I honestly have no clue what is going on in the mainstream now-a-days.

[beambitious]

I listen to both. Some underground and some mainstream.Probably more mainstream though.

[beautifuls0ul_x3]

whatever is good. just because an artist has a fan base consisting of more than 5 percent of the population, doesnt mean the artist is bad. of course, conversely, just because an artist sells lots of albums, doesn't mean he is good either.

i really don't like this topic because it separates music into two groups - mainstream and underground. good music is good music.

[yummy_delight]

Underground artists aren't in it for the money. They're just making music because it's what they love. I like underground music better because it seems like what they have to say is more real than a lot of the mainstream music today since they aren't backed by corporate America.

Of course, that's not to say that mainstream doesn't have its positives. The reason why the music is mainstream is because it's what the people want. It wouldn't be mainstream if people didn't like it.

[Saeglopur]

whatever is good. just because an artist has a fan base consisting of more than 5 percent of the population, doesnt mean the artist is bad. of course, conversely, just because an artist sells lots of albums, doesn't mean he is good either.

i really don't like this topic because it separates music into two groups - mainstream and underground. good music is good music.

and old music is old music. *puts on Tony Bennett*

[*mzkandi*]

i really don't like this topic because it separates music into two groups - mainstream and underground.

Umm yeah this topic isnt seperating anything, thats just the way it happens to be, there are some artist that happen to make it big and some that dont and actually choose to stay underground. I am merely pointing out the fact people compare the two and wanting to know which one people listen to more

good music is good music

true.true
and bad music is bad music *shrug*

[*anubis*]

mainstream

[Levy2k6]

im into the underground stuff... i love alot of houston rappers.. alot of rappers come out of houston and made it like lil flip, mike jones and one or two others but i like there old stuff... mike jones was anoying even before he got mainstream tho.. lol.

i love me some chamillionaire... lol.

[inthemudhole]

Hm.
I guess I'm going to go with underground bands.
Mainstream bands aren't always overrated or terrible, you know.
I realize some of my favorite bands are mainstream or borderline mainstream, and I still respect them 100%.
However, underground bands are probably my overall preference.

[jnukes]

Underground .. DEFINATELY .

[PiGo]

eeh, It depends. I LOVE 90s mainstream R&B, but most of todays mainstream artists are garbage in the talent and quality department. I don't really listen to underground per se, just not mainstream if that made sense.

[*disco infiltrator*]

I prefer underground, but I'll listen to more mainstreamy bands if I like them.

[pyrochick19770]

Underground is my music of choice.