White singers, black industry

Is the black music industry so cutthroat that two of the most premier white R&B singers have to subject themselves to a piano battle, in order to oust the other one from prime position? Is it really that impossible to have two respected white R&B singers in the game at the same time?

These are some of the questions that have sprung to mind after finding news that the late 90's R&B counterpart Robin Thicke to piano themed battle. The ridiculous, not-so-ultimate test of masculinity is a concept which was conceived by B during an interview in which he was quizzed about his feeling on up and coming artists.

We can take the angle that this whole stupid scenario is borne out of Jon B's insecurities. B obviously feels that his legacy as the original soulful white guy is being threatened by Robin Thicke. However, Thicke himself has reacted in a similar way with his early comparisons with Justin Timberlake.

Thicke appeared on DJ Ronnie Herel's BBC 1xtra radio show a few years ago, around the time that he was becoming well-known for his single "Lost without you." Herel attempted to compliment him by suggesting that his type of soul and subsequent success was similar to the likes of Justin Timberlake. This implication was not taken well. Thicke viciously shrugged off the comparison whilst slating the authenticity of Timberlake's style of 'soulful' music in the same breath.

It is understandable that every person needs to be respected as an individual. It is true that the industry spends far too long trying to typecast and define an artist's particular sound. So it's really no wonder why every minority singer in the recording business has to fend off comparisons to the next artist who has a similar profile to them.

The has been best illustrated by just about every white hip-hop artist who has followed into the game after Eminem.

But, do artists really need to bring down their peers in order to break free from typecasting?
Why is it that two talented acclaimed artists feel the need to prove themselves to be better than the next white R&B singer?

Jon B is a classic artist, full stop. His records, "They Don't know", "Cool Relax" and "Lately" have earned him a legion of loyal fans who look back to his glory days in adoration. Robin Thicke is equally as talented. His songs such as "Lost without you", "Magic" and "Sex Therapy" have earned him commercial and critical success.

Both artists have been embraced wholeheartedly by the black music industry. Jon B worked with Tupac on the 90's classic "Are you still down" whilst; Robin Thicke has worked with respected artists such as Jay-Z and Mary J Blige. They were embraced not because they were token white singers but because their talent has transcended all boundaries, including race.

Jon B should have never decided to wage war with Robin Thicke. He should have let his musical credentials speak for themselves rather than challenge a man who is currently more commercially successful than he is. In the end he has made himself look like an artist who is struggling desperately to stay relevant. What he failed to see is that in criticising an artist who is at the top of his game, he may be speeding up his own departure from public consciousness.