UNIT 29 - Richard Dyes 'Star Theory'

Richard Dyes 'Star Theory'

Stars as embodiments of ideologies and cultures

Eminem was and still is one of the most known rappers in the world, he embodied the "struggle" that rappers would usually start from. Growing up in a trailer park Eminem was in a family with just his mother who was on drugs. This was not a healthy lifestyle for his childhood and is his basis for most of his songs today. He had gone through struggles such as facing racism, gang violence and drugs, on top of that being in trouble with the federal government. His lyrics tell a story of what he had gone through to get to where he is now, just like most rappers they'd mention how they have "made it" from nothing to being successful. Being a white male, rap would usually come from the african american culture so he had broken that barrier as he was one of the growing white american rappers that would appeal to all races. He has represented his self as coming up from nothing and still mot forgetting his roots so he can still be original and true to his self.


Stars as constructions

Part of former boy band under Simon Cowells record label 'Syco' 'One Direction', Zayn Malik had left the band in 2015 when he had decided that the groups music wasn't his type and that he wanted a break from everything. He had left the band in order to pursue a solo career by himself. He may have left the group as the style of music and fans didn't quite suit his idea of song writing. He went from teenage girls dream to a more adult/mature audience for his new music. The Label "Syco' wouldn't be affected as much as the boy band were still together as only one member had left. Plus in addition to all the money Simon Cowell makes with these new artists he makes more money by reeling in new contestants on his show 'The X-Factor'. So he can produce another artist every year from that show and still get as much money from giving the winner a record deal which would probably only last so long that the artist will then be forgotten about half a year after they have won the show.


Stars as personalities

A star who connects with their audience would be Ariana Grande, she has a close connection with her fans as she follows most of them back on twitter and messages them back when they ask her questions or just want to say hi. Grande went from being a nickelodeon star on the show Victorious to producing her own songs. Her fan base grew bigger and bigger  as she built her solo music career. With this she had introduced new ways in connecting with her fans who have supported her from the start. It is important I would say for an artist to connect with their fans as they are the main supporters behind their success. Ariana Grande during her time at Nickelodeon had had kept her "adorable" personality as she was described as that in both the kids show and in reality. As the years of her solo career had gone on she has targeted a more mature audience of ages 18+. With songs such as "Into you" and "Love me harder" ft The Weeknd. These songs consisted of lyrics and visuals which were in some what way classed as "adult" viewing. She has matured as a person and with her music however still connects with her younger audience.


Stars as products

Kanye West has made a living off of both his music and his business clothing line. His clothing "Yeezy" has made millions of dollars on top of the money he makes for his celebrity status. His clothing line is well known across the globe and is seen as a very high quality and fashionable. His clothing is endorsed and worn by many other celebrities hence why it is so successful as fans of those other celebrities will see them wearing this brand therefore it will lead to more sales. This type of promotion can be seen as a "Business". Kanye wests ideology of his brand create this unique figure for people that wear them hence why he makes a lot of money off of his product.