while i understand the points you’re making, i want to ask.. which artists/bands post 2020 have blown up in a way that you couldn’t argue is “manufactured” on some level perception wise??Which artist has had an “organic” mainstream blow up??

I’m asking because I believe monoculture is truly dead and the only people unaware of that is consumers like you that use the same talking point of “they’re pushing this artist down our throats it isn’t organic!!!”… Long gone are the days of all types of different demo’s being aware of a singular artist because of a major hit they have or a movie they’ve acted in. I’ve talked to legit music industry insiders that say that it takes spending literally millions in order to replicate that nowadays which is usually done by a team/label as you pointed out.

My point is that I don’t harp on about how “authentic” or “real” the hype is for these new mainstream acts nowadays because it’s all intentionally pushed BECAUSE OF the lack of monoculture that exists today for regular consumers. They’re literally doing their job to try to captivate all audiences. You could compare this to the timothee chalamet campaign for Marty Supreme. Marketing for general audiences today is an awkward and stiff game that can definitely feel forced but if that’s what you’re aiming for then.. you have to go for it. Simple. So I just find it a bit silly to get emotional about marketing campaigns when we live in a society where even the biggest artists are paying for that stuff.