So following up on the do you need sex appeal to be successful thread im gonna ask do you need talent to be successful in the mainstream/pop section of the music industry.

There are obviously some artists who's success depends on their talent for example Mariah (the voice), Eminem (only the good songs he writes are successful e.g crack a bottle flopped) and ON the other hand there are artists who's talents(or lack of) have made no impact on their success.

For example........

Jennifer Lopez: Shes an amazing dancer and everything but she has a limited vocal range and she doesnt have much creative imput in her music. Its safe to say shes not successful because of her talent, more because of her looks and the songs other people have written for her...

Britney Spears: I'm not saying shes not talented, we've all seen that video of her singing Everytime while playing it on piano on the In The Zone tour BUT on her last tour she had over 100 dates and not once did she sing live. Its obvious she can sing (listen to My Baby) but she insists on hiding her talents from the public. Shes gained such a massive fan base because of songs other people have created for her aswell as iconic music videos and outfits which were designed by other people. Her fans stan for her because the whole "its britney bitch" thing that surrounds her..not because of her talent.

So what artists have made it because of their talent and what artists havn't... Is talent necessary to be successful?????

DISCUSS

There's a lot of talented people in the world. You need more than just talent to be successful.

Dancing is a talent.

Oh gawd

Britney sang "You Oughta Know" live and she's been known to sing along live with a loud backing track. She's one of those who can't control her voice live when in motion.

There are artists that are just born with it... Xtina, Beyonce, and Britney. They have the potential to sell of course.

While there are also those that are not naturals but because of training and the right connections they were able to accomplish something, ie. Miley Cyrus

"Crack A Bottle" didn't flopped it was the #47 in the Year End songs of 2009 and was a #1 hit!

On the topic I say NO

It has to be more with how the artists careers are managed and luck, "it" factor, etc... I don't think talent is needed to be successful.

Luck plays a bigger part.

The only needed is the "it" factor.

I think you do need talent....but you also need to know how the industry works.
It's all teamwork IMO......you need hit songs, promo, radio support, etc.

and i totally agree with the it factor

You need a LOOK aswell.

It's really a whole package.

It's more about connections, determination and above all luck.

Sadly, NO! You need a gimmick and follow the illuminati

I know but I'm more reffering to musical talents like singing, playing instruments, song-writing, producing etc.

It's pretty obvious what the answer to this question is anyway but I just wanted to see what people say..

I think you do need SOME amount of talent to make it in the industry, at least in performing in front of crowds(if you took an average people and put them on the VMA stage, they'd most likely **** themselves and run off stage). Also, you need at least somewhat of a good voice, even Britney has a better voice then A LOT of people I know.

But more than talent, you need to be SMART (Gaga and Ke$ha both have near genius IQ's), DETERMINED, and LUCKY. Also it definitely helps to have some connections in the industry..

Oh yeah, and you have to sell your soul to the illuminati.

oh the power of the illuminati

No.
I won't drop any names this time, but a lot of Hot 100 hits are from artists that don't have real talent. It's sad, but true.

Clearly not
and at the people saying 'illuminati'

Ke$ha. MCHammer. Vanilla Ice.

Case closed!

Sadly, no.

No. As long as you have a vagina, you can make it to the top the easy way.

As for men though, yes. You have to have some kind of talent to get famous.