It’s the music streaming platforms today that become the gatekeepers of the music industry, with their playlists influencing millions of listeners across the world. But what if an artist feels such platforms are biased? That’s the question rapper Bobby Shmurda has ignited with his recent tweet criticizing streaming services for allegedly favoring rappers with a particular aesthetic.
On June 2, 2024, American rapper Bobby Shmurda took to X to express his frustration with music streaming platforms. He claimed the platforms tend to favor rappers with a particular style, suggesting the rest, like himself, are shunned from the playlists. In one tweet, Shmurda said it possibly could have been the “painting fingers” that gave one favor with the service in streams. This has undoubtedly inspired a debate online for and against the role of image in music, whether streaming platforms put so much weight on an artist’s aesthetics rather than the talent itself.
Shmurda added:
“American DSPs don’t allow real Bodman on playlists because I don’t paint my fingers, so it’s pointless until something is done with the people who own, run, and manage these platforms.”
Stop asking me to drop music American DSP don’t allow real Bodman on playlists because I don’t paint my fingers so it’s pointless so until something is done with the people who own, runs, and manages these platforms pic.twitter.com/njPGNyKiIV
— Bobby Shmurda (@Shmurda) June 2, 2024
His words resonate with several fans and fellow artists who commiserate with the same feeling of being sidelined by the industry in favor of producing an image.
This rant, however, has made a point concerning a broader issue in music: image versus talent. People have said that a good image or style can make an artist, in this case, stand out, while others believe that large categorically should be about the talent.
The reactions from Shmurda’s tweet have since sparked a back-and-forth, with many weighing in for and against the call-out.
