Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Integrity is something that separates someone that makes music and an Artist. When a rapper/singer bunny hops from sound to sound they run the great risk of losing their identity because their music is no longer authentic. A real Artist IN MY OPINION, doesn't care about what's hot they care about what kind of music they love to make.
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most established rappers in the game, since he started he rapping, we've had the trap wave the club wave, and the Chicago and New York wave and guess what, his music will outlast all them. Why? Because his music has deep meaning and concept behind it. He will music always analyse the mind of someone that has come from the black struggle, the style might change but the meaning is forever. His beats contain real instruments; music in its purest form.
Lil Durk started off a drill rapper but he evolved his music when his situation changed, his music reflects where he is at in his life, they might be drill elements in some of his lyrics because he says himself he is "Signed to the Streets" so he lets his fans know what it is from beginning. He represents the streets any where he goes, that's integrity.
Music with no meaning can still chart, and can still shutdown a rave, but you can't keep chasing the charts, in the words of poet "don't invest into the machine, the machine will pick you up and drop you, invest in the culture". Charting a million times or changing a culture, which would you prefer?
Lil Pump was in it for the money, he made smash hits like Gucci Gang with hit a billion views, now he is at Trump rallies, attention seeking. He is still chasing another moment, rather than chasing the self satisfaction from the music he makes.
Some artists are lucky enough to have a hit that represents an era and the minute people hear nostalgia rushes to their brain, for example Fredo "They Aint 100" or C Biz "The Game is Mine". These songs do not come around too often.
J. Cole used make club tracks until 2014 he made "2014 Forest Hill Drive" which focused on his journey and fans still scream about it like it came out yesterday this is because he connected with his fans through his music by telling his story. He stopped chasing the clubs and started being true to himself.
When Artists are honest to themselves and their fans, it's powerful, the gratification may not be instant but his/her fanbase will not leave them.
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