One Direction Stigma

[musicfan134]

So me, being the theorist I am, have a topic of discussion for us to possibly partake in concerning One Direction.

I think we would all agree that there is a bit of a stigma for liking One Direction unless you're a 12 year old girl. However, they are quite obviously doing extremely well for themselves; they consistently sell platinum albums and gold singles, not to mention sell out stadiums and arenas often in a matter of minutes. This is purely off the strength of their own fan base; radio does little to support them and they really don't do that much in terms of promo on TV, etc. (Note: I am talking solely about the United States right now.)

So here is my question to all of you: why is One Direction consistently looked at in a negative way? Is it just the general nature of being in a boy band? "Comes with the territory" kind of thing? But then that doesn't explain why groups such as The Backstreet Boys, NSYNC or Florida Georgia Line being viewed in the same way. Or is it possibly how they presented themselves during the UAN era? I can't think of a single insistence that would make it "uncool" to like them during the UAN era. Or perhaps it was something that happened later on in their careers? I can't think of anything they would've done that would get people to dislike them though. In fact, they are generally well-known for being kind and giving people as far as I can tell.

My theory is perhaps people just dislike them to have someone to dislike. With Justin Bieber starting to fade away, I think One Direction are beginning to take some of the haters from JBiebs and adding them to their collection. And of course, you have the usual people who are just jealous of their success and want to see them fail--which I think is awfully selfish and silly.

(Note: For the purposes of this discussion let's ignore all non-pop music in general fans; of course a hard rock listener or something like that is going to generally dislike pop music in general, not just 1D. But that doesn't explain why even diehard pop music fans dislike 1D.)

So, what is your theory? Why is there such a stigma about liking One Direction?

[Green Baron]

Oct 24, 2014 19:57:52 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

(Note: For the purposes of this discussion let's ignore all non-pop music in general fans; of course a hard rock listener or something like that is going to generally dislike ALL pop music, not just 1D. But that doesn't explain why even diehard pop music fans dislike 1D.)

...I'm a hard rock listener and I don't dislike all pop music...

its not because they're a boy band, it's because they're vapid, soulless musicians who come off as fake and ingenuine.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I think it's mostly because their demographic consists primarily or exclusively of teens, they're a boy band, and they do pop music that doesn't really have much growth from when they first came out. I was listening again today Steal My Girl today and while it doesn't sound like their other singles, mostly due to its heavier deep 80s arena rock sound, it's still clearly a song by a pop-music boyband whose main target is to attract teenager girls. I think having such limiting qualities about them makes them unappealing, and therefore, a target for everyone else to dislike.

I'm trying to think back to when 'N Sync and BSB were in their prime and honestly, I think they had the same experience too. The main difference, of course, is that they had radio support which helped them immensely. But at the time, radio was welcoming and open to bubblegum and teen pop, whether because they helped move it that way or they came around at the right time. Radio right now isn't. It's more tailored to alternative and indie-sounding pop. So 1D can get a pop hit here or there but they aren't going to be a staple because the radio climate isn't in their favour.

[musicfan134]

Oct 24, 2014 20:04:38 GMT -5 Green Baron said:

Oct 24, 2014 19:57:52 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

(Note: For the purposes of this discussion let's ignore all non-pop music in general fans; of course a hard rock listener or something like that is going to generally dislike ALL pop music, not just 1D. But that doesn't explain why even diehard pop music fans dislike 1D.)

...I'm a hard rock listener and I don't dislike all pop music...

its not because they're a boy band, it's because they're vapid, soulless musicians who come off as fake and ingenuine.

I apologize and edited my OP so hopefully it won't make any stereotypical implications. :)

Also, can you give an example of when they come across that way? To me, it honestly seems like their hearts are in the right place and they have a serious love of doing what they do.

[musicfan134]

Oct 24, 2014 20:06:34 GMT -5 Devil Marlena Nylund said:

I think it's mostly because their demographic consists primarily or exclusively of teens, they're a boy band, and they do pop music that doesn't really have much growth from when they first came out. I was listening again today Steal My Girl today and while it doesn't sound like their other singles, mostly due to its heavier deep 80s arena rock sound, it's still clearly a song by a pop-music boyband whose main target is to attract teenager girls. I think having such limiting qualities about them makes them unappealing, and therefore, a target for everyone else to dislike.

I'm trying to think back to when 'N Sync and BSB were in their prime and honestly, I think they had the same experience too. The main difference, of course, is that they had radio support which helped them immensely. But at the time, radio was welcoming and open to bubblegum and teen pop, whether because they helped move it that way or they came around at the right time. Radio right now isn't. It's more tailored to alternative and indie-sounding pop. So 1D can get a pop hit here or there but they aren't going to be a staple because the radio climate isn't in their favour.

I definitely see what you're saying. However, I would argue that there are lots of artists who's main demographic consists of teens. An example of this might be someone like Katy Perry or Ed Sheeran. However, they don't seem to get the hate that One Direction seems to get; quite the opposite in fact. In fact, I would also argue that several pop artists show little growth or development throughout their careers. A perfect example of this would be Kelly Clarkson (who I am a big fan of and I do not mean this in a derogatory way whatsoever) who has consistently produced hits that sounded exactly like one another and continued to do so at least up until the 10 year anniversary of her career. But even Kelly doesn't get the hate and judgments from the GP like One Direction does; in fact, Kelly seems to be fairly respected throughout the industry.

You may be right about 'N Sync and BSB (I was only 6 years old when they were at their prime), but I would argue Midnight Memories was a fairly big departure for One Direction stylistically. While their first two albums were fairly bubblegum pop in nature, their third album showed them taking a more folksy/indie route with SOML and You & I being 2 singles that were released that seem to fit into today's radio climate. In fact, the only song on MM that seems really bubblegum pop would be their film song "Best Song Ever". Songs like "Through the Dark", "Something Great" and "Happily" in particular showcase a more "current climate" pop radio sound.

So I guess a follow up discussion point here might be, is it really the radio climate? Would they perhaps do better with alternate singles choices from their albums?

[Green Baron]

Anyways, this article is hilariously funny and I hope it was satirical.


www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6266636/one-direction-steal-my-girl-four-rock

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Oct 24, 2014 20:22:00 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

I definitely see what you're saying. However, I would argue that there are lots of artists who's main demographic consists of teens. An example of this might be someone like Katy Perry or Ed Sheeran.

Female pop singers are different and I would say Katy's target demographic is definitely older than 1D's, especially with her subject matter, music videos, collaborations, and the fact she's considered one of the hottest women in pop music. Even if her target demo is teens, she is known more for that. 1D's claim to fame, at this point, is still that they're a boyband that teenage girls love. Ed Sheeran is known for being a songwriter who just happens to have a lot of fans who are younger.

Oct 24, 2014 20:22:00 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

I would also argue that several pop artists show little growth or development throughout their careers. A perfect example of this would be Kelly Clarkson (who I am a big fan of and I do not mean this in a derogatory way whatsoever) who has consistently produced hits that sounded exactly like one another and continued to do so at least up until the 10 year anniversary of her career. But even Kelly doesn't get the hate and judgments from the GP like One Direction does; in fact, Kelly seems to be fairly respected throughout the industry.

That's because of her voice and personality. Kelly involves herself in a lot of different areas both inside and outside of music. Collabs with Reba, other relationships, tweets, the way she praises other artists. Plus, she did attempt to do a singer/songwriter-type album that I think went decent but was sabotaged (I believe it was) by her label. I agree that her music leaves SO much to be desired but with Kelly, you just know she has more to offer than what her songs suggest.

Oct 24, 2014 20:22:00 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

You may be right about 'N Sync and BSB (I was only 6 years old when they were at their prime), but I would argue Midnight Memories was a fairly big departure for One Direction stylistically. While their first two albums were fairly bubblegum pop in nature, their third album showed them taking a more folksy/indie route with SOML and You & I being 2 singles that were released that seem to fit into today's radio climate. In fact, the only song on MM that seems really bubblegum pop would be their film song "Best Song Ever". Songs like "Through the Dark", "Something Great" and "Happily" in particular showcase a more "current climate" pop radio sound.

So I guess a follow up discussion point here might be, is it really the radio climate? Would they perhaps do better with alternate singles choices from their albums?

It's an interesting thing to consider because I did think their last album did have a few songs that would have fit better on US radio after Story Of My Life was a hit. I think if they actually do want to expand their audience, they need to work more on adjusting their image. I don't even think it's the music or radio at this point but almost purely their image.

[Green Baron]

I really wouldn't call Story of My Life "indie" - sure, it sounded a bit different from their norm, but the folk elements weren't even THAT prominent, it was just slight.

[Web]

I think it has a lot to do with them coming off of a reality talent show where they were constructed by a group of people and a process meant to create mainstream pop stars. In that way they appear more fake then an artist that got their start through other means. They were perfectly crafted to appeal to 12 year old girls, and some people resent the fact that it worked so well.

I have no problem with them, though their music doesn't appeal to me in any way. I just don't understand how some of their uninspired songs blow up over the world, in the same way that I don't understand it with singers like Justin Bieber. But outright hatred of any artist is harsh, especially one whose music is safely outside of my listening circles/regular radio stations.

[musicfan134]

Oct 24, 2014 20:36:40 GMT -5 Devil Marlena Nylund said:

Oct 24, 2014 20:22:00 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

I definitely see what you're saying. However, I would argue that there are lots of artists who's main demographic consists of teens. An example of this might be someone like Katy Perry or Ed Sheeran.

Female pop singers are different and I would say Katy's target demographic is definitely older than 1D's, especially with her subject matter, music videos, collaborations, and the fact she's considered one of the hottest women in pop music. Even if her target demo is teens, she is known more for that. 1D's claim to fame, at this point, is still that they're a boyband that teenage girls love. Ed Sheeran is known for being a songwriter who just happens to have a lot of fans who are younger.

Oct 24, 2014 20:22:00 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

I would also argue that several pop artists show little growth or development throughout their careers. A perfect example of this would be Kelly Clarkson (who I am a big fan of and I do not mean this in a derogatory way whatsoever) who has consistently produced hits that sounded exactly like one another and continued to do so at least up until the 10 year anniversary of her career. But even Kelly doesn't get the hate and judgments from the GP like One Direction does; in fact, Kelly seems to be fairly respected throughout the industry.

That's because of her voice and personality. Kelly involves herself in a lot of different areas both inside and outside of music. Collabs with Reba, other relationships, tweets, the way she praises other artists. Plus, she did attempt to do a singer/songwriter-type album that I think went decent but was sabotaged (I believe it was) by her label. I agree that her music leaves SO much to be desired but with Kelly, you just know she has more to offer than what her songs suggest.

Oct 24, 2014 20:22:00 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

You may be right about 'N Sync and BSB (I was only 6 years old when they were at their prime), but I would argue Midnight Memories was a fairly big departure for One Direction stylistically. While their first two albums were fairly bubblegum pop in nature, their third album showed them taking a more folksy/indie route with SOML and You & I being 2 singles that were released that seem to fit into today's radio climate. In fact, the only song on MM that seems really bubblegum pop would be their film song "Best Song Ever". Songs like "Through the Dark", "Something Great" and "Happily" in particular showcase a more "current climate" pop radio sound.

So I guess a follow up discussion point here might be, is it really the radio climate? Would they perhaps do better with alternate singles choices from their albums?

It's an interesting thing to consider because I did think their last album did have a few songs that would have fit better on US radio after Story Of My Life was a hit. I think if they actually do want to expand their audience, they need to work more on adjusting their image. I don't even think it's the music or radio at this point but almost purely their image.

I don't have much to add to this awesome post. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

I honestly don't see them changing their image at this point. I feel like they have become a group that is so focused on staying true to themselves that if they abandoned that at this point, they could alienate some of their current fan base. I feel like at this point they are probably being more of themselves and less focused on trying to please everybody. Which I think is a good thing! But people still can't seem to get past some of the issues they have with 1D, and I just don't see how that's fair to the boys. (Or to listeners for that matter as they're missing out on some pretty good music IMO.)

I do wonder though how do they (can they?) change their image while staying true to themselves. I think they're kind of trying to do that in the way they've been dressing and not shaving lately. It obviously doesn't seem to be working too well for them, so I wonder what their next steps are in trying to alter their image. If there will be additional steps.

[musicfan134]

Oct 24, 2014 21:21:30 GMT -5 Web said:

I think it has a lot to do with them coming off of a reality talent show where they were constructed by a group of people and a process meant to create mainstream pop stars. In that way they appear more fake then an artist that got their start through other means. They were perfectly crafted to appeal to 12 year old girls, and some people resent the fact that it worked so well.

I have no problem with them, though their music doesn't appeal to me in any way. I just don't understand how some of their uninspired songs blow up over the world, in the same way that I don't understand it with singers like Justin Bieber. But outright hatred of any artist is harsh, especially one whose music is safely outside of my listening circles/regular radio stations.

I definitely see your point, and I do know that even more established artists like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson get some flack for coming off a reality show. But in 1D's case it seems like it's a lot more prominent, and I never hear about any type of reason other than "their music sucks" or "they're gay AF." I guess I just don't see why people dislike them so much.

Btw, in case you're wondering the reason I started this topic in the first place was because I had suggested to someone earlier today that an artist collaborate with 1D and that person got extremely defensive about it and said that "any artist that collaborates with 1D has their credibility ruined". I had been thinking about that and even if I wasn't a 1D stan (for example, even if it had been say Justin Bieber they were talking about) I would've been thinking about, why do people dislike this artist so much? Especially for an artist like 1D, who are far from overplayed on radio and barely do any promo/appearances in the US anyway. It's not like they suffer from over-saturation.

I do think that changing their image could help, but I do wonder if that will be enough to change peoples opinions of them at this point? Will it ever be socially acceptable for a 30 year old heterosexual male to like One Direction?

[mkarns]

Oct 24, 2014 23:09:58 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

I do think that changing their image could help, but I do wonder if that will be enough to change peoples opinions of them at this point? Will it ever be socially acceptable for a 30 year old heterosexual male to like One Direction?

I'm wondering the same thing, as I fit almost all that description--except I'm nine years older.

I'm certainly not a 1D stan, and probably not even a fan, but I do like their music and they seem like talented and cool guys from all I've read/learned (not really a whole lot.) Yet I feel courageous in admitting to listening to them, though only to close friends; almost anyone else my age that I talk to only admits to listening to One Direction if their kids do (an excuse I don't have.)

[Deleted]

In the case of success (or lack therof), it's almost always a combo of factors, rather than a few.

"Boybands" have always had a stigma, but most aren't finding much success, and they're not at the forefront the way that BSB & N'SYNC used to be.
Radio play and exposure can be a critical step to finding success in the America, but when they don't have that, plus a stigma surrounding them, it won't help matters.

I don't really think personality plays much of a role, unless an artist becomes so unbearable that a large number of people are turned off to them (Beiber).
I can't say I've seen any egos with 1D, but their image and lack of radio support are more the issue. Nothing about them stands out, and I certainly think that only adds to the multiple issues they have working against them.

[musicfan134]

These are all really great points to consider with their image, how they got their start, etc.

So I'm wondering if and when they will be able to overcome these hurdles. Will One Direction eventually get past this stigma surrounding them and their music? Will people eventually give them a fighting chance? Where will they be 5 or 10 years from now?

I just find their situation so fascinating. They got famous in a non-traditional method (using X Factor to get their start in the UK with their small fan base using social media platforms to promote them all around the world.) As a Marketing person, I just can't help but think, will this be the new norm? Will new and upcoming artists look to 1D's marketing campaigns to push themselves into the forefront of people's minds using Twitter and other social media to achieve their "claim to fame"? And how will 1D alter their marketing strategies to appeal to an older male audience?

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

To be honest, I think their time is limited. Even the most successful boy bands experienced success for only about five years or so until they faded and faded fast.
The exception would be the Beatles but obviously that was long before the concept of "boyband" existed and became so limiting, and they were musicians first. Anything labeled "boyband" is automatically going to be limited. One Direction could be musical geniuses but nothing they do would be taken seriously by the people who care about that stuff.
Their only hope of being able to achieve the type of musical credibility I think you're suggesting is as solo artists. If one of them could be the next Robbie Williams or Justin Timberlake...otherwise, their days are numbered.

Oct 25, 2014 12:46:43 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

And how will 1D alter their marketing strategies to appeal to an older male audience?

To answer this question specifically you need to look not at 1D but at the audience you're interested in. What do older make audiences tend to go for in music? It depends. That's a pretty broad category on its own. What do you mean by old? Rural or urban? Race? Straight or gay? These things all matter. If you're looking at white men 30-50, they tend to go for musician-based artists who have a rock edge, write their own songs, and show an appreciation for classic rock. Of course that's a huge generalization but that's the type of thing you'd have to know before knowing how to target them with a musical act.

[Green Baron]

I'm pretty sure 1D gave up on their male audience ever since their first single.

[Luckie Starchild]

They have a somewhat comedic presentation. I haven't seen them discuss their music in a serious way.

I think people think they're fun... that's not so bad though...

[musicfan134]

I do think that being portrayed as "fun" is actually helping them. They're different from other boybands in that they don't seem to take themselves too seriously, and maybe that's working in their favor. Or maybe it's hindering their success.

I dunno...I just think it's a neat topic to think about and discuss. I like 1D but even if I didn't I just think their current situation in the industry is fascinating.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Do you work for them or their management? ;)

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

Part of why theyll never get any serious respect from people outside of the pop world they thrive in is how they were packaged and put together by Simon Cowell off a reality show and perfectly designed to be THE 21st century boyband. Everything about them is designed to sell records to teen girls as fast as possible because their shelf life is short.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Oct 25, 2014 19:04:46 GMT -5 Devil Marlena Nylund said:

Do you work for them or their management? ;)

I'm going to say that's a yes.

[musicfan134]

Oct 25, 2014 19:06:30 GMT -5 YourFaveIsAFlop said:

Part of why theyll never get any serious respect from people outside of the pop world they thrive in is how they were packaged and put together by Simon Cowell off a reality show and perfectly designed to be THE 21st century boyband. Everything about them is designed to sell records to teen girls as fast as possible because their shelf life is short.

But how short can their shelf life truly be? They've been around for 4 years already and they don't show signs of slowing down anytime soon...so my question is, can they make it? And what else can they do to continue to grow their audience?

And no, I don't work for their management. Lol I wish I did though. Tell me where to sign up for that job.

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

They don't have to slow down. BSB and NSync never slowed down, they just fell apart. It's why they've had 4 albums in 4 years. Boy bands as a rule don't last very long, particularly ones coming out of a reality show

[Luckie Starchild]

Oct 26, 2014 19:55:02 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

They've been around for 4 years already and they don't show signs of slowing down anytime soon...so my question is, can they make it?

They can and they will!