'Star theory'

Star theory

Stars as constructions:

This is when artists are changed and funnelled into a personality/ character that they are usually not, this is usually done thorough a record label that wants to make as much money as possible so will alter the artist to appeal to a wider target audience as possible in order to make money, This then builds up the artist be to in a certain manner, This then makes the artist 'feel' uncomfortable in most situations as they are not represented as they would like to be. they cannot be their selves and often leads them to either leaving the record label, or having to suffer by listening to what the record label says all the time. Stars are constructed / made  they are artificial images of what the record label wants them to be even if they are represented as being 'real people'. It helps if their image contains a unique selling point, this will then mean the record label will use this USP to make even more money to show to the audience and promote that in all ways possible.

An example is

Stars as personalities:

This is when the artist relates to their target audience through their lyrics and relates to them through their actions and speech. The personality and character of the artist allows them to appeal to a specific target audience and relate to them on a personal level, through their culture and their beliefs that they may share with the fans, this allows them to be who they are and express their emotions and feelings more freely without being constricted by a record label, or in anyway that would constrict them, they are free to do what they want.

An example of this is Skepta, he is free to do what he wants as he has his own record label, and so can act the way he wants, he chooses when he wants to go on tour and does not conform to what people will want, He makes music that talks about the gang culture in London, he appeals to young males of London, and he talks about his past experiences, about how he was tied into the gang culture of London as well, however he talks about the negatives of it and does not try to promote it as a good thing, he often talks about how it is a bad road to go through and how it will end up with you being hurt. Through his actions and lyrics he makes him self likeable, as he does not care about what people think, he does what he wants and make songs about what he has strong beliefs about and draws on past experiences to back up his points.

Boy better know the roads ain't nice
So many gunshots, too many knives

These lyrics are from his song Shape Shifting. This shows that he does not endorse or promote the gang life, however talks about how he was dragged into it, and tries to express his emotions about this topic through his music.

Stars as products:

This is when the record label, uses the artists to be able to sell more merchandise, the artists are used as a 'product' to fill a gap in the market, so that the audience that can enjoy the artist for a while as there is a need for them in the music industry. If the artists are successful then the record label will promote them in all ways possible and make merchandise with the artists label or faces on them to make money by selling them. This may make the artist more famous and popular due to them being seen everywhere and creates more fandom for them. However the sole purpose of the record label is to make more money, and if the artist lose popularity or cause a scandal that makes them lose fans, they will cut the contract with the artist, as they would not want to be associated with a dieng artists or one that has shocked many people.

An example of This is the music group, One direction. They appeal to a target audience of primarily females, aged 7-16. They have a lot of merchandise for the fans to buy and endorse and support them.
The merchandise allows them to show that they are a fan, and so therefore allows them to be more involved in the artist life and music.

Stars as embodiment's of cultures:

This is when the artist also endorses or promotes a certain culture or ideology that the fans agree with and support them in to it. The star shows their part of their culture and will usually be in their music video's that show that they are a part of it, the culture that they promote will also reflect on the fans.

Stars represent shared cultural points and ideas, and they use their fame to promote their opinion or ideology that they follow, the interest that they show in the culture enhances their popularity and they show their opinions outside their music particularly through social media and create a 'self image' for them selves. They start a trend or ideology that their fans will follow and attract more people who have same ideas or opinions, and they often comment on current trending topics in the world to be able to fit into that culture as well, and portray their opinion on that particular culture/ idea.

An example of this is