Rufus Wainwright Slams Beyonce's Music

[breatheH20]

I love how the world has turned into a place, where success is only measured by numbers.

I can't believe someone said "Beyonce is better than Rufus Wainwright because she sold more records." (in a nutshell).

It's that kind of attitude about music (and other things) that keep the bullshit in full effect.

 

[Lostlover]

I think we're losing track of his comments, so I'm going to repost them:



1) Her songs are formulaic
2) Her songs are produced in a way that's utterly mesmerizing in the basest way
3) There's no enlightenment
4) Mainstream pop these days is more of a scientific experiment than an artistic experience

You listen to music for "enlightenment"?

I would suggest going to church if you do.

 

[cantthink949]

in terms of pop music, beyonce has contributed a hell of a lot more than most other pop artists today...she's been hugely successful with her group destiny's child, a group of female singers that actually have good voices

beyonce's newest music she actully took part in writing after the movie dreamgirls came oiut, so she spilled a lot of the emotions making the movie brought up onto her CD...

also beyonce is an AMAZING singer live...her performance at the MTV VMA's with "ring the alarm" was amazing and her dancing was great...ad when she sang three songs at the 2005 or 2006 Academy Awards, she blew me away

she is one of the only pop singer's that doesnt need computer-generated melody's and voice inhancers to make music...she is amazing

 

[steampunk]

You listen to music for "enlightenment"?

I would suggest going to church if you do.

I turn to books and music and art for enlightenment, not religion thank you very much.

 

[steampunk]

If anyone is interested in musical commentary on Rufus, check out Roger Bourland's blog: http://rogerbourland.com/blog/category/rufus-wainwright/

Dr. Bourland is a Professor and Chair of the Composition program at UCLA. He has written extensively on Rufus and has even given a seminar devoted to Rufus.

That's very interesting. Thanks for the linkage!

 

[AngelFromAbove]

I have been listening to Beyonce since she first debuted with Destiny's Child. She is the most popular female artist currently; she has worked diligently as a business woman to sell her product, and it is paying off for her. She is Sony's prized possession. Beyonce is also a very talented all-around performer.

As far as her singing abilities are concerned, she is not that great of a singer. Her vocal range is two octaves and a half; the average singer has about two octaves. Her vocal chords are thin, which is why she has a more piercing and less rich sound than other females. While she could sing other styles, her vocal chords would not allow her to sound drastically different. Finally, her power is exaggerated; she does have some power, but it cannot compare to Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, etc. She is not that kind of quality singer.

While it was unprofessional for Rufus to single her out, he does make a point about contemporary music. It is formulaic and it is produced in a way to sell. However, this is not a new phenomena; it has always been this way in the music business. Like any other business, it is about the dollar at the end of the day.

 

[sweet_taboo]

I don't think his statements are completely unreasonable, but I think his willingness to so blatantly name Beyonce and not the other artists who also put out pop music today show's limited class.

While Beyonce's music might have little depth and be annoying to many, for one professional artist to openly state that they are "sick" of another artist's music is slightly arrogant, rude, and a bad idea.

Rufus' comments about Beyonce were immensely unprofessional. His publicist (if he has one) should have advised him against this.

 

[xterranx]

Now the argument's moved on to "professionalism".

Anything specifically?

I’m really sick of Beyonce. All of her songs are formulaic and produced in a way that’s utterly mesmerizing in the basest way. There’s no enlightenment. Like most mainstream pop these days, it’s more of a scientific experiment than an artistic experience. But hey, it’s your life, you know?

He was asked "anything specifically". And he didn't say much either-- except that he was "sick of Beyonce" and that her songs are formulaic, which they are. He didn't say she was some blankethead, screaming hobag that is full of herself.

With the things I hear about Beyonce, she isn't very professional either.

 

[sweet_taboo]

Argument? Who's arguing? I discuss...

I don't believe the discussion has suddenly 'moved' to professionalism. As I was reading the responses, I noticed that several posters regarded Rufus' specific comments about Beyonce as unprofessional. Although Rufus was asked anything specifically, it wasn't necessary to mention Beyonce's name...he could have made his point without saying her name. I doubt Beyonce would have said the same about him...especially to the media. Being able to discern what should be said and what should not be said is an important part of being professional.
I like Beyonce's music. I like Rufus' music. It's difficult to compare them because their styles are like apples and oranges...each has its own place and value.

 

[Luminox]

I don't know who this guy is...(maybe he's not of my generation ??) BUT to slam a fellow singer like that is a bit...unprofessional shall I say ? If he's so 'above it all' why does he need to be catty and pick on Beyonce ?

Yes music nowadays has gotten pretty brainless BUT : hey, whatever ! That's why it's called "entertainment". People listen to music for different reasons. Not everybody listens to music in order to be enlightened and undergo a spiritual evolutionary journey or whatever ! A lot of people just wanna chill out and have a good time and dance or something like that. That said, I'm a fan of meaningful songs too, I'm not really a fan of all that hip-hop/rap stuff that goes around today, that is pretty much all the same like Kidwithathorn precisely said !I like songs that have a meaning, and are not just mindless mumbo-jumbo recited over a beat that's hard to distinguish from all the other mindless mumbo-jumbo beats !

But SOMETIMES I don't wanna listen to a song that's gonna get me all wondering about the meaning of life or all that 'deep stuff' , sometimes I just wanna bounce to a brainless, silly beat ! Whatever !

It's like saying action films or comedies are not "real" or "quality" movies because they're not heart-tearing dramas that talk about the war or about heroin-addicted single mothers . People can sure use a comedy every so often !

 

[techkingpin]

the thing with beyonce being trash is true
but only on this new album
how did she go from being a survivor to
i'll be damned if i see someone else on your arm, and baby let me cater to you
she went from being independent to basically saying "girls it's okay to let your man dominate you. it's okay to be subserviant and slutacious"i would rather listen to tone deaf country jackass's who play the banjo
then listen to ANYTING off her album now.
and i HATE country and the banjo

Exactly Beyonce is so contrary!

 

[Muscles4daze]

Try reading what I said next time and the. commenting.

Let me sum it up again... obscurity means good music?

... Don't think so Rufus Wainwright (who?).

Rufus knows his ass would love a feud with Beyonce, with the hopes of boosting his album sells. I find it to be very tacky for an artist to downgrade another artists talents. Beyonce could care less about Rufus Wainwright, she booty bouncing right to the bank.

 

[sfireboy]

I respect Rufus and his opinions but if the music industry were based upon people exactly like him it would be bankrupt, it needs diversity. I'm not insulting his music because to each his own but she's a pop artist nothing more nothing less and for someone to make a remark like that towards her and single her out makes it seem like he is jealous of her success. It also shows his insecurity and lack of confidence in his own music because if he truly cared about his music he wouldn't waste time trying to define his success relative to others, he should just be happy that he is able to make music that his fans like.

 

[kidwithathorn]

personally i really dont like Mr. Wainwright's music in the least
don't like Beyonce's either
what he said is extremly unproffesional and i think that he only pointed her out cause she is one of the best female singers out there and one of, if not THE, most selling female out there. i think that he only wants people to know him to increase his album sails.

the whole thing where we are compering beyionce to christina, mariah, and others
yes they do have a more powerful pitch then Ms.Knowles but that dosen't make them a better singer. in truth a would rather listen to someone whos not singing so lowed i have a chance of going deaf.

also, in all truth i would rather go to a beyonce concert than Mr. Wainwright.

 

[Luv_Trail]

I wonder what Rufus Wainwright would say about Prince, who incidentally has performed with Beyonce. Prince won't perform with just anyone. One must have talent to be allowed on stage with him.

I'm sure Prince would tear Rufus a new asshole.

 

[Legend500]

I think we're losing track of his comments, so I'm going to repost them:
1) Her songs are formulaic
2) Her songs are produced in a way that's utterly mesmerizing in the basest way
3) There's no enlightenment
4) Mainstream pop these days is more of a scientific experiment than an artistic experience
Those four facts are absolutely true.

Still waiting for someone to dispute what Rufus actually said.

an obscure singer out there from Canada who NEVER deserves a commercial hit or a platinum plaque, and her her answer should be Dofus Wainwright.

He's from New York, and has had strong commercial success everywhere but the US.

I respect Rufus and his opinions but if the music industry were based upon people exactly like him it would be bankrupt, it needs diversity.

The music business is tanking because of employees like Beyonce. Rufus is one of the few, very few artists in the business who's sales are up over the last album.

Stats, on the other hand, are facts…and the fact of the matter is that Beyoncé career stats topple his.

In what? Sales? So in your statistical opinion the very pinnacle of pop music is the Backstreet Boys' Everybody? The best female singer in history is Shania Twain? Obviously sales is a poor measure. Reviews by music professionals? Beyonce's Rolling Stone average (over two Cd's) is a 3.0, Rufus' is a 4.0 (over 5 albums). Number of albums released, then? Educational attainment? a Houston magnet school versus Millbrook and McGill University? Greatest musical accomplishment? Working with Jay-Z versus composing an opera and working with mulitple platinum selling artists? Film history? Opposite Steve Martin in the Pink Panther vs. Opposite Leo DiCaprio in the Aviator? Dreamgirls (albeit heavily produced and outshined by a broadway star) vs. Brokeback Mountain? Artists who say they listen to their music? Beyonce's nobody versus Sting, Elton John, Keane, the Scissor Sisters and Neil Tennant?

 

[AngelFromAbove]

the whole thing where we are compering beyionce to christina, mariah, and others
yes they do have a more powerful pitch then Ms.Knowles but that dosen't make them a better singer. in truth a would rather listen to someone whos not singing so lowed i have a chance of going deaf.

I am not sure whether or not you are referring to the post that I made earlier, but I did not simply refer to Beyonce's power alone. My overall point is that as a singer, she will not be remembered for her voice; she will be remembered for her performance.

 

[sunoftheskye]

Oh lord. This is turning into a blood bath.

 

[kidwithathorn]

i'm one of those people who will remember her voice
i am able to point out her voice because it's so distinct
as for the performance goes, i didn't watch it. i stopped watching music awards cause you know whose gonna win, it's very pointless

 

[AngelFromAbove]

i'm one of those people who will remember her voice
i am able to point out her voice because it's so distinct
as for the performance goes, i didn't watch it. i stopped watching music awards cause you know whose gonna win, it's very pointless

First, I was referring to the music industry, concerning her voice; She is not going to be noted for her vocals. I was not alluding to individual preferences. Second, I wasn't talking about a specific performance on an awards show. I was talking about her performances, in general.