I Heart Radio Music Festival

 “This is the biggest live music event in radio history” – Ryan Seacrest

This was a promotional event for a radio station “I Heart Radio”. They aren't really trying to appeal to a specific artist fan base, more so the casual radio music fan base.  The objective was to provoke the emotional connection many of us have felt for radio as a concept.

I Heart Radio Music Festival was hosted by Ryan Seacrest best known for American Idol.  This event/launch was streamed live on iHeartRadio.com, across the I Heart Radio app, and Clear Channel sites.  This multi-day festival was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas September 23rd and 24th.  The unforgettable event featured the world’s biggest artists such as: Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, David Guetta, Kelly Clarkson, Sublime With Rome, and many more.  One of the exciting highlights of the event was the special performances by Usher and Sting.  

Since all the artists are from various genres in music, they do not share an artistic common ground, yet they do share major label contracts and the ability to reach big fan bases.  The event reached the largest combined US radio and online audience ever.  This new medium offers a challenge to Pandora. 

The I Heart Radio app and site offer access to the programming of more than 750 Clear Channel stations.  It resembles Pandora’s customization while offering access to more songs, content, and more control than Pandora.  Also providing the ability to create playlists with no commercials through the end of the year.  Many are looking forward to this new channel. 

"Tha Carter IV" is finally here!

 After years of anticipation and several delays, Carter IV did not live up to the hype.  Wayne does not show the same intensity he did 5 years ago.  "Tha Carter IV" is not a bad album, and may be more easily digested and supported by those largely unfamiliar with Wayne’s antics and unaware of his previous highs. A few years back, when Lil Wayne was going around calling himself the “best rapper alive,” he really was. The rhymes that came spilling out of his mouth were complex and colorful and wildly charismatic.

Nothing on “Tha Carter IV” comes within miles of ‘6 Foot 7’ Foot’  — and Wayne seems to know it. Wayne sounded fatigued and not as innovative on many tracks.  Many fans speculate that the reason for this is because he is having withdrawals due to his sobriety.  Through his lyrics he expresses his mindset “I stick to the script/I memorize the lines,” he raps, “cause life is a movie that I've seen too many times.” A lot of the tracks sounded redundant like something you would hear on his mixtapes.  After such a long wait and after his release from jail fans had higher expectations, myself being one of them.  After reading many reviews it is evident that Wayne is falling into a repetitive trend.

On a positive note, Wayne’s Carter IV album sold just under one million copies in the first week, the album did still go platinum worldwide by selling over 1.03 million. The 964,000 copies Billboard counted are just sales from the US. The album also topped the United World Chart too, which is another great accomplishment for Wayne. This album marks Wayne‘s second highest first week sales behind Tha Carter III that sold 1.05 million in 2008. 

Although the sales numbers are positive the reviews are not. Its quality versus quantity, and it seems that the quantity is outshining the quality in the current state of music.  Wayne still has loyal fans that support and purchase his material, which makes him a successful artist.