Three factors that make an artist a complete package

To each his own. Everyone has his own opinion as to what makes an artist a complete package. But as for me, you only need three factors to possibly make it in the music industry.

Here they are below:

Possess a certain look

Each aspiring artist must have a certain  look about him–that certain factor–so that when he enters a room  he immediately holds the attention of the people around  him. His outward appearance must be an accurate representation of what exactly his musical style is and his choice of genre that will be associated with him from that point on.

An additional point on this is that it will make the artist more identifiable to his target demographic. Also, this is the visual aspect that music goers and aficionados rely on if they still have no clue to what the artist’s music is all about.

On the other hand, many artists have taken the “extreme route” when it comes to this factor that they appear downright ridiculous in their choice of wardrobe just to stand out; they cheaply rely on “shock value” (ex., Lady Gaga) just to get people to talk about them.

Possessing a certain look is the first among the three factors.  But if you rely solely on this, you are destined for failure and will be quickly forgotten.  After all, you would not want people to purchase your CD just to look at your photos in the CD sleeves rather than have them listen to your music contained in the CD itself.

Because if you are that shallow, you would be better off as a poster on somebody’s wall rather than having your debut CD as a part of his personal prized collection he will keep for years to come.

Have natural musical talent

It would always be best to have some natural musical talent to begin with. It cannot be denied that there are certain individuals who are born with a gift for singing, as well as those who learn on their own to play an instrument or more. Knowing they have the natural inclination should encourage them to hone their skills and inspire them to reach their dreams.

When you have some natural musical talent, or better yet loads of it, I can compare that to one being able to take the first few steps up the ladder of success. And when you have done that, it  becomes clearer where you want to take your career as an artist, and not whether you can, one day soon,  become an artist or not.

Many local household names who have represented OPM had to start performing anywhere they could–in any venue where they could showcase their talent.  Sarah Geronimo quickly comes to mind.  She had to first perform in front of miniscule crowds before the time came for her that millions now know who she is simply by name recall or upon hearing any of her songs being played.

Don’t just be a follower; be yourself

Just because you are riding along a certain trend happening at the moment in popular music does not mean your career will last. Why so? Well, guess what will happen when people get sick and tired of hearing the same songs being performed over and over again?  They get bored and move on to the next trendy hit and its music video which are raking in millions of views on YouTube for the time being.

The harsh reality is that the attention span of listeners and music aficionados who love popular music has become so short already. Hence, the appended word, “Popular”. That’s just the way it is.  That’s just the way it  has been for decades.  And when you accept that hard fact, then it will be to your greater benefit to not always be covering, singing, and performing a Top 20 hit just to get a cheap pop from the crowd, or to have gigs in venues that seemingly do not promote artistic growth.

Perform songs also that ring true to who you are deep down as a person. So what if these songs are from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or just a few years old ? Great music never grows stale, and therefore, it is timeless.  When you can throw in songs in your set list that  are not the same  as everyone else  is performing, you will begin to  find  who you are artistically  and not  be  just “another one of those”  who is merely going with the flow of things in the ever changing music landscape of popular music.

Constantly embracing music trends is like short term solutions in figuring out where you want  next to take your  career in music.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I am not saying that you should go totally against the grain by not singing at all any current hits. But when you do, be selective with the trendy hits you will cover  and mix in  with those  more of the music you grew up listening to–your  personal  favorites–so that  when they are all pieced together, the combination  will  paint an accurate  portrait of who you really are  as an artist.

For Pope Francis

I would like to thank Pope Francis for blessing our land and its people with his holy presence.

Indeed, Holy Father, in you and through you, God’s Love became so tangible and palpable for all of us.

Please come again, Pope Francis. We so need you to be among us.

Yes, we will also pray for you as you pray for our country and the Filipino people.

Pope Francis, we love you!