Negus - Organic and Synthetic Acts in the Music Industry

Negus' theory:
An organic act is an act that is real. An act that is talented and has creativity within their music. They have been supported by the label to continue doing what they have been doing to make a career out of it. An example of an organic act could be Amy Winehouse, Queen, The Eagles. The type of audience that these acts usually are aimed at are more sophisticated people that are fans purely for the music and not so much their image. The function that these acts have is to provide a long term money revenue stream and as a long term career.
A synthetic act is an act who are not necessarily real musicians but are constructed by a label. An example of a synthetic act could be The Spice Girls, One Direction. The audiences that these acts are usually aimed at are younger more naive audiences who are more of a fans because of the image that they like. The function of these acts are to get a quick injection of cash but aren't for the long term. they do not need that much investment to create their image.


I analysed an album cover by the act Amy MacDonald who is organic. However even though the image of Amy MacDonald is made to look completely organic, it is also constructed to present an image to an audience by the label like it would be in synthetic.

Above is an album cover for Katy Perry. She is an example of a synthetic act. The bright colours in the image show that it is a pop song and gives an indication that she is appealing to a younger audience who is more interested in image. She isn't wearing any clothes which again reiterates the fact that she is promoting her image. there is no indication of her being a musician which shows that she may not be as talented or creative which contrasts to album covers like Amy MacDonald. the bubble writing is less serious and childlike which again appeals to a younger audience. the Candy like font creates a cartoon image. He facial expression shows no indication towards the music but to show sex appeal to the audience as she is quite heavily made up with pink lipstick.