The student news site of Whitney High School in Rocklin, Calif.

Whitney Update

The student news site of Whitney High School in Rocklin, Calif.

Whitney Update

The student news site of Whitney High School in Rocklin, Calif.

Whitney Update

Adolescents record music in hopes of achieving fame

Screenshots from Rebecca Black’s music video “Friday” Photo Illustration by Ilaf Esuf

Some say it is a waste of 3 minutes and 48 seconds, others say the tune can be catchy, but no one can disagree that Rebecca Black’s song “Friday” was her quick path to fame, producing millions of dollars along with millions of “dislikes” on YouTube. The 13-year-old Black faced lots of animosity for singing the song “Friday” produced and written by Ark Music Factory, a record label where people interested can pay anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 for a recording session complete with a pre-written song by the company. Though many covers of the song mock Black, some listeners actually support her ambition.

“I just thought it was so pointless and that her voice was terrible, but it’s kinda catchy too,” Anna Agaranova said.

Others agree that her attempt is commendable, but the execution is another story.

“I think it could be good, but the lyrics are so simple and make the song stupid. It’s not her, it’s just the way she sings it; (without autotune), she’s not bad,” freshman Joey Radakovitz said.

Though Black is currently the most famous teen produced by Ark Music Factory, many other teenagers go unnoticed, unscathed by their decision. While Black received angry death threats for her song, other artists such as Madison Bray, Anna Lee, and Abby Victor who were also produced by Ark Music Factory, have not been featured in tabloids and are nowhere near Black’s status of fame.

Self-producing songs seem to be the current trend for youth music as shown by Jenna Rose, a young 12-year-old who also tried to become a star. She wrote and produced the song “My Jeans” and “OMG” with the help of Lunchbox Records, similar to Ark Music Factory.

With higher advances in technology, talent is almost unnecessary in the production of music as proven by these pre-teens — and their audiences can tell.

Though no one can justify the animosity shown towards these young girls, Radakovitz provides an explanation.

“I think since it was on the Internet, a lot more hate was there. People tend to hate a lot more on the Internet because they don’t want to say it in person,” Radakovitz said.

The future of music is left in the hands of young children, trying to auto-tune their way into Billboard Records; only time will tell where these efforts will lead society.

By ILAF ESUF

More to Discover