Photo tip via #guerilla vs bro twitt accnt

Sometimes I wonder how 'mainstream' a formerly independent artist can go. I feel like there are 'levels of going mainstream' which inspire an escalating amount of resentment/'backlash' against u, depending on how mainstream your music/personal brand goes. I think it is 'important for a band to try to go mainstream' so that they can setup college funds for their kids. But when a band/artist 'goes mainstream', we can't help but feel a lil bit like 'h8 u.'

Here is a list of escalating microevents which make u feel like 'fuck... they r going mainstream':

• Having ur music used in a commercial
• Getting a mainstream record deal where u have 2 make 6 albums and only get like 3% of sales
• Your CDs are in a mainstream store like Best Buy
• Playing live at a Late Show
• Playing live on a Late Show
• Being played in the background of an MTV show/promo spot
• Having ur song be the theme song to 'The Hills'
• A legacy 'artist' like David Byrne saying that 'ur music is rlly authentic.'
• Some free spirited cunt saying that she 'listens 2 ur band all the time' in a magazine interview (like Natalie Portman in her prime)
• One of those authentic male actors 'saying that ur music is good' and 'being in attendance at ur concert'  (like Ryan Gosling showing up at a Grizzly Bear concert, then getting blurbed about being there)
• U r 'blurbed about' as 'the next big thing' in some notable magazine that will go out of business next year
• Having a rapper sing over ur catchiest song
• Kanye West nonsensically raps over ur song just cuz it is 'so kewl'
• Being nominated for a Grammy but losing to a pop star/rap star
• Winning a grammy
• Ur music is used by a political campaign since the message is so generic and welcoming, and the song is pretty catchy/uplifting
• Lindsay Lohan going 2 ur concert/DJ Set
• A 'very famous' like Bono/Thom Yorke saying that 'ur band is rlly good.'
• Getting ur picture taken with Oprah
• Barry Obama lists u as an artist on his iPod
• Marrying some1 richer/famouser/more influential than u
• You play in some shitty 'live collab' where u sing an old song with an old artist, like singing "Brown Eyed Girl" in some shitty duet with Van Morrison
• Having Oprah 'perform a sexual favor' on u
• God puts ur music on his playlist in his iTunes library

Can yall think of any other events within the alternative artist product lifecycle where u 'find urself cringing' and saying 'fuck... we lost them.... think they are mainstream now'? Has there ever been a particular artist that u stopped liking after they 'fucking sold out' by being involved in one of the above circumstances? R u worried about M.I.A.'s next album, and the 'hype backlash'?

Sort of wish Oprah would use her massive platform to 'do something good' instead of just being snarky and causing health scares across the nation. Tired of her being some1 who 'tells middle america' about emerging trends/weight loss techniques/technologies. Wish we could build them a 'website 4 stupid people' or something.

M.I.A.

Buzzband, Alternative Celebrity

M.I.A. is known for thinking that the American government is out 2 get her.

Lists: rappers, indie songstresses, annoying ppl, 2k10 buzzbands

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