The Forgotten Artist

Nepotism babies –a term that has gained traction over the years – refers to celebrities who are thought to gain their popularity solely through the nature of who they know, or, most importantly, who they were born to. However, just because someone is born to a famous individual does not mean they inherit the same voice, or talent as their parents. On today’s episode, we plan to delve into the concept of nepo babies. Is it fair to label someone as a nepo-baby? Is a quote-on-quote nepo baby only successful because of their parents? 

PART 2 - In this part, we discuss the success behind 1989, it's contributors, and the inspirations that brought the album to where it is today, as 1989 (Taylor's Version) has just released.

The year is 2014. Kim and Kanye had just gotten married, celebrities were completing the Ice Bucket Challenge, and Ellen had just taken a world-record selfie. But one massive pop culture event was yet to happen, and would reshape the music industry as a whole. This event was the release of Taylor Swift’s 1989. The album led to three number one hits, a whopping 1.3 million copies sold in its first week - the largest sales for an album in over ten years. The album would not only win the Grammy for album of the year, but gave a rare successful example of the country to pop complete switchover. But how did she do it? Why was the switch so successful, and, most importantly, who were the hidden minds behind the 1989 album? In celebration of 1989 Taylor’s Version, coming later this month, we are going to examine the under-discussed player’s of this album's massive success. (Part 1)

Jessie, iCarly, Victorious, Drake and Josh - ever heard of these? I bet you have. In the 2000’s and early 2010’s, tween television took over pop culture, and often tried to make television stars the next faces of the music industry. This strategy worked well for stars like Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Selena Gomez. But what about the other stars of Disney and Nickelodeon shows? Can anyone name a Debby Ryan song? How about Jeanette McCurdy? Today, on this episode of the forgotten artist, we will discuss the phenomenon of the children’s show to potential popstar pipeline, and the forgotten, short lived careers of these stars.

When we think of Destiny’s Child, who do we think of? Is it Beyonce or is it Kelly Rowland who first comes to mind? With One Direction, is it Harry Styles or Louis Tomlinson? Despite how renowned these groups are, are all the individuals within the groups just as renowned? Today on The Forgotten Artist, we will be discussing the forgotten members of these groups, and the legacy, or lack thereof, that they have left behind. 

The Macarena was released in 1993 by Spanish pop duo Los del Rio, yet it particularly gained traction in 1996 after a remix came out by producers The Bayside Boys. By July 1996, it had hit number one on the US charts, and stayed there for 14 weeks, selling over four million copies. Today, on Episode 13 of The Forgotten Artist, we will be dissecting the story behind this one-hit wonder sensation, its creators, and the legacy it has left behind. 

In this episode of The Forgotten Aritst, we will be uncovering the musical triumphs, yet also the musical tragedies, that the Best New Artist Grammy has displayed since its creation in 1959.

Acapella, the art of making music without instrumental accompaniment, has been around since the beginnings of music itself. At universities, acapella runs rampant throughout music programs, with 13 standing acapella groups currently at Boston University. However, this same popularity is not translated into mainstream music. In this special episode of The Forgotten Artist, we are looking to ask, why is acapella so popular in the collegiate world, but somewhat a forgotten art in mainstream music?

The duo of Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus, better known as Milli Vanilli, dominated the R&B genre of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with hit songs like “Girl You Know it’s True” and “Blame it on the Rain.” Originally founded by Frank Farian in 1988, the German-French duo won Best New Artist at the Grammy’s in 1990. However, the group’s widespread success came to a halt, following the publicized revelation that Morvan and Pilatus were not the true voices behind the group’s sound.

For the season finale of The Forgotten Artist, we have brought on Tik Tok celebrity and drummer extroardinaire Alden McWayne, also known as Gucci_Pineapple. Along with Alden, we are joined by Vu Nguyen of the Dejame Project, an initiative to help promote local Boston artists. Listen along as we discuss the project, Alden’s Tik Toks, mullets, merch, and more. Keep listening until the end for a live musical performance with Alden featuring artists Will Paquin and Andrew Mitchell!

Born in 1959, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, also known as Brudda Iz, was a Hawaiian singer, songwriter and state sovereignty activist, most famous for his covers of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World". His accomplishments, however, extend far beyond these two songs. Today, on Episode 7 of The Forgotten Artist, we will be learning about the life and legacy of Israel, and his impact on the music industry. 

With 13 Grammy Awards, over 33 million album copies sold, and six number one songs on the Billboard country singles chart, The Chicks, previously known as The Dixie Chicks, have become the highest selling country group, as well at one point, the highest selling female band in the United States. You may know The Chicks from hits like “Travelin Soldier,” “Not Ready to Make Nice,” or “Wide Open Spaces” - songs all spearheaded by the outspoken lead singer Natalie Maines. You may also know The Chicks from their anti-Iraq War country music scandal. However, before Maines, before the scandal, and before the widespread attention, The Chicks were a bluegrass band, led by today’s Forgotten Artists, Laura Lynch and Robyn Lynn Macy.

Cannons in three words: colorful, distinct and evocative. Formed in 2013 in Los Angeles, the indie-pop band is composed of vocalist Michelle Joy, guitarist Ryan Clapham, and keyboardist Paul Davis. Though Cannons are not as “forgotten” as other artists we have covered in past episodes and are continuing to produce music, they are a small group that deserves credit. 

When the clock strikes 12:00 on December 1st, sounds of joyous, merry and bright yuletide carols flood the atmosphere as the Christmas holiday season begins. As the eggnog drinking, sleigh bells a-ringing, snow glistening spirit decks the halls, the same tunes come into radio circulation. In the words of Buddy the Elf, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” So, today, on this Christmas special episode of The Forgotten Artist, we will be diving into the life and times of some under-discussed titans of the million-dollar Christmas music industry, and giving credit where credit is due to some musical jolly-good-fellows.

I’m sure we’re all familiar with the infamous “Somebody That I Used to Know,” that came out 10 years ago. The song climbed its way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the best-selling song of 2012. While the song is well-known, the singer himself is not. Wally de Backer, also known as Gotye, is a Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter and instrumentalist and is also the man behind this one-hit-wonder. On this episode of our show, we will dive into the life and career of Gotye, and his impact on the music industry.

Born in 1948, Nicholas Rodney Drake was an English singer-songwriter who recorded three intimate, honest but melancholy albums in the late 60s and early 70s before losing his battle with depression in November of 1974 when he was 26 years old. His stage fright and unwillingness to promote his music led to him having a quiet career, and he sold just about 20,000 copies during his lifetime. His name and music only truly gained popularity after his death, with his three albums being included in the Rolling Stone in its 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and his music becoming sources of inspiration for artists such as Kate Bush and Robert Smith of The Cure. Today, on episode 2 of our podcast, we will dive into the life and career of Nick Drake, and his impact on the music industry.

In 2011, the Black Eyed Peas were a household name all across the world. The band, spearheaded by artists Will.i.am, appl-de-App, Taboo, and Fergie, boasted sold out tours, platinum records, and even the highly coveted honor of a Super Bowl halftime show performance. But, before the millions in sales, came the formation of a conscious band in which there was no Fergie. Instead, the band’s main female vocalist was Kim Hill. Today we will tackle Hill’s involvement in the music industry, and her short, but notable impact on the Black Eyed Peas.