Neutral

40 too old to get a recording contract!? That's simply perposterous! Hang in there Macy someone will pick you up...you've still got a lot recordings in your future. This article needs to get out to right recording exec!

Reply to this Comment | Report This

Neutral

Maybe if she changed her hair she would look younger! The one she has is kinda played out.

Reply to this Comment | Report This

Neutral

That is exactly why the music industry is becoming trash because of the pigheaded decisions of record execs who particularly and truthfully don't know anything about talent. Not hating, but the young studio singers who get exposed during the live show just get exploited and pimped. Longevity is unheard of. You see the industry is no longer interested in intelligent, talented artist like Macy Gray. Truth be told beauty is only skin deep. What the industry fails to realize is Macy is beyond beautiful she is a soul star who will make it in spite of.

Keep it goin Baby Girl !

Reply to this Comment | Report This

Neutral

This is not about age discrimination, this is the way the music industry is: it's a young man/woman's game (always has been) about the young entertainers, that's were where the money is, this is who they will promote, will put their focus, market to those young fans and what "hot" at the moment and through that formula, a young Macy Gray benefitted; had her time in the spotlight in the early 2000's and now she is being placed on the shelf just like the rest of the talented 40+ somethings.


And Macy Grey knew that or should have known.


The corporate music machine have always focused on and wants those pre-family, young family, young teenager and 20/30 year old dollars.


They will make assessments and hesitate or not market & promote a 40+ something entertainer in the prime of her life since the younger fans are not interested. Will not buy those CD's or follow their "mom & dad's" favorite singer(s).


And it does not matter how good that entertainer is. It has happened to the best: George Clinton, Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, Isaac Hayes, Peabo Bryson, Stephanie Mills, Michael Jackson, Sade, Prince, Anita Baker and others who still have the pipes to still blow the roof off every night(may the dead rest in peace) but fell into the same trap: they got old and still survive on their old hits but not from any new material being released.


Prime example: Frankie Beverly & Maze. They have been around since 1976 and have not had a new album/CD release since 1993 but their older fan base is still huge, their fans wil travel hundreds of miles to see them and it still cost 100+ dollars to get tickets.


And for Macy Grey she was not a mega-superstar; had just one major hit and her discography is short & limited, She released four studio albums, one compilation album, and one live album—with her fourth studio album, "Big" released in March 2007. So her short resume hurts her too.


And just like Macy Grey, mega-star Beyonce is gettin' there: has a few years left in her tank before she falls off just like 40 something's Janet Jackson (the person that she replaced), Whitney Houston and others who made $$$ while in the superstar spotlight and when Rehinna and Alicia Keyes and others reach 40+, they too will follow the same fate (someone else will take their place) and the only way that music execs will invest their money and continue to promote these going artists is if YOU, as their long time & dedicated fans, continue to buy their CD's and support them.


YOU have to buy those CD's and YOU have to go to those concerts in order for them to stay revelant and make money, not your kids (who want what they want) who consider your music old school and out of date.


And for old rappers/hiphop artists, it will really be tough since rappers won't fare well into their 40+ years.....50 Cent, Common, Kayne West, Snoop Dog, Eminen, Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, TI, Piles, Young Jeezy, L'il Jon & L'il Wayne at 40+?.....they will need to find something else to do like 40 something LL Cool J.... get into acting.


White artists like Cheryl Crow and Celine Dion still have growing & profitible careers now because their aging fans still buy their CD's, go to the concerts and pass that music on to their children and I hate to say it but Blacks don't relly do that for artists that they grew up listening to, loved and cherished. The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & The Grateful Dead still get major dollars (sold out concerts at Madison Square Garden etc) with their older fans but Parliment Funkadelic, Cameo & the O'Jays gets little or no love at all?


And with the ultimate rise and now decline fall of rap/hip hop music, artists like Macy Gray, D'Angelo, Toni Braxton, Erykah Badu and Raphael Saadiq just got sucked into this massive black hole along with rap/hip hop artists who are extremely talented but the records companies have abandoned them for the younger stars in the game with fans who have either their own pocket money to buy CD's/go to the concerts and mom & daddy's pocketbooks to buy it for them.


Macy Gray, take up acting lessons and get a TV/movie gig because your ship has sailed in the music business.

Reply to this Comment | Report This

Neutral

Artist like Macy Gray have to take some pages of Beyonce's book and jump on any opportunity to get exposure. There is no such thing as being over expose in this business because believe it or not Destiny Child at one point and time was a group that people didn't really believe in. Those girls showed up everywhere and did the smallest shows to the biggest. This even means Macy might have to do a few free gigs, internet concerts you name it and even do the talk show rounds but keep your name, talent and image revelant at all times. Artist like Aretha, Diana and even Cher know that they might not be able to keep up with what's going on with music today but when they were in their prime they kept busy doing smaller shows and that is what builds up an unbreakable fan base. Those legends have fans that no matter what they are doing, they are going, they are watching and they are keeping their names in their mouth during their watercooler conversations and that is either good or bad.
Macy's talent alone should be enough but you have to know that artist like Tina Turner, who hasn't recorded an album or a new single in years but still is revelant because of showing up performing at benefits and concerts like Live Aid and other big shows works.
Janet might be my all-time favorite performer (sorry Macy, your still are up in my top 5)and she is another one that is getting up in age and doesn't have record contract either. She has decided to not record any more albums and it might have alot to do with how many of her incredible albums aren't selling or charting like they used to. Does that suck for an artist to go from being on top to not even charting? Of course but I have to say that Janet is one that like Macy who stays away too long in between projects.
Janet built a create at being a visual artist and an artist that would drop one single after the next. Even if they wouldn't chart high, she still was current doing something but not alot.
Don't let Madonna fool you because when she comes out, she comes out and puts single after single and shows up everywhere on talk shows and etc. Black artist who are up there in age but still possesses the goods, have to take some clues from artist like Beyonce' and Madonna and just over expose themselves to the point of no return.
Think about Patti LaBelle who is hands down one of the greatest voices and talents to ever grace a stage, she had a serious hard time in this business but never gave up. It's funny that songs she recorded wouldn't even chart high and other artist do the exact song and get number one hits and such.
It's no longer about selling out but it's about selling.
From Sesame Street and beyond you got to do everything from the Christmas albums that might not sell but still you have it out there and please don't forget the gay fans and gay dollar because that is something that many overlook but is powerful.
Even jump on the Great White Way/Broadway and Glee bandwagon because anything to have people visit or re-visit your work is a plus.
Allow your music to be used in commericals and ads to keep your name flowing.
Macy, I wish you all the luck and blessings in the world, you deserve it.
"I try but I choke, I try to walk away but I stumble......I can't hide it, it's clear......." How amazing........

Reply to this Comment | Report This

Neutral

I think the industry was more worried about Macy Gray falling down drunk (or otherwise impaired) than her age. Unless she is suffering from some sort of disease that impairs you motor function, then she needs a stint in rehab to reform her career. I've seen her twice (needing assistance down some stairs on the set of a tv production, and again in a very disheveled and unprofessional performance) at times when she was "impaired" and I could tell that those around her were concerned for her performance and her safety. Too bad such a talent won't look in the mirror.

Reply to this Comment | Report This

Neutral

Macy is exactly the kind of artist who does NOT need a Major label. Major label contracts are more of a rip-off than ever and they've already done the job of getting her name out there nationally. everything else she can do herself from recording to touring, so forget about them. afterall, the Major labels are all run by guys Over 40, so what do they know! ;)

Reply to this Comment | Report This