Quote:
Originally posted by Dale
If the title 'artist' entailed being able to sing, then does that make every person on this planet that can carry a tune an 'artist'? No, it really does not. Music is seen by many as an art form for a reason because its a means of expression. The ability to write your own songs, become involved in the production of your songs (including playing instruments) are all important factors to consider in what being an 'artist' is about, and quite frankly Shakira does all those things and Rihanna does next to none.
If I listen to a song and find out the artist wrote it then it gives them a lot more credit than finding out they never wrote it. Sure, you have rarities like Whitney Houston that can sing the phonebook as if it came from the pen in her hand, but I favour an artist that has the ability to write their own songs because It has more meaning. But at the end of the day, Whitney was a singer - not an artist, and as I said before, they're different.
I'm not discrediting the fact that being able to sing can aid in becoming an 'artist', but to me, being an 'artist' is much more than being able to carry a tune. If its 'just music' as you said then that would imply everybody is at the same level of artistry if they're able to sing, which is asinine.
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Well, Shakira may write her songs but she doesn't do it well anymore. I've known her since 'Pies Descalzos', I was a fan for a while, she was great. Was. Songs off Oral Fixation/Fijación Oral/She Wolf/Sale El Sol are pretty mediocre in comparison to her once high standards. 'Hips Don't Lie' wasn't even supposed to exist, she wrote it with Wyclef because she was flopping hard with 'Don't Bother' and needed another lead single for Oral Fixation.
I prefer Rihanna. Which not only has the voice, she has charisma, can dance, stage presence, always sings live (and I like it). Has shown talent at songwriting, maybe not that much as Shakira but she's overall better for me. At least, she has the talent to choose chart-topping songs and make them her own. Rihanna is not the only artist who doesn't write most of her material, but she always seem to choose what's best, I give that credit to her.
Also, Rihanna might not be a full time songwriter but she has credits in:
Birthday Cake
Break It Off
Cockiness (Love It)
Do Ya Thang
Hard
Red Lipstick
Rockstar 101
Rude Boy
Run This Town
Te Amo
Wait Your Turn
Watch n' Learn
You da One
