Singapore Idol and Final 1 are just some examples of the reality shows that scout for talents in Singapore. Taufik Batisah, Hady Mirza and Jonathan Leong are some familiar names whom have participated in these shows. However, what happened to these artists after gaining recognition? While pondering on this question, one may start to realize that there is an existing flaw in our societal perceptions that prevents our local music talents from thriving. There are many reasons for the lack of popularity for Singapop.
The first reason is the lack of interest from the audience themselves. When questioned about their favorite pop artists, the answers received are mostly from the top 40 charts. Even when one is asked to name a song of a different genre, upcoming indie bands and country music from overseas comes to mind. This proves that the audience in Singapore are not supportive of local music. They are not proactive to look out for music in their home ground. This could also be due to the lack of a distinct identity in our music industry. Hence, no matter how much local bands publicize and promote themselves, majority of the local audience are not receptive to the local music.
The other reason is the harsh reality of our society. High cost of living requires for one to have a stable job to sustain themselves. Unlike in other countries, artistes in Singapore would have to take up a day job while keeping music on the sidelines. This could lead to opportunity losses in nurturing and growing their talents as music becomes a hobby.
If other countries can do it, why can't Singapore? Singapore has made a name for itself in sports, education and healthcare. We definitely have the potential to make something out of our music industry. However this can only happen if there is a change in societal systems and mindset. As we grow to accept and support our local talents, we are allowing our music industry to thrive
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