Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"I think he's using black people like, we decide to check. You know what I mean? Yes. Yo, the sides should get more attention when you and your main chick, Ethan. You decide to get more attention when, like, you and your main girl has like an off week or you have break up for a while." — AKA Big Act (referring to Kanye West's perceived use of cultural attention)
"The music industry actually survives the piracy. They were like, 'Well, we're just going to enrich the experience.' And people aren't just going to keep download movies illegally and watch it at home. We're still going to survive. Reclining seats and all of that. What the music industry did, they were like, 'Well, we can't battle this shit. Let's just go to streaming.'" — Andrew Schulz (discussing the music industry's response to piracy and the rise of streaming)
"If you want to be salacious, if you want to be crazy, make it art and make it enjoyable, make it entertaining, and nobody will say a fucking thing." — Andrew Schulz (advising on how to navigate provocative content creation)
The episode features a dynamic conversation between Andrew Schulz and AKA Big Act, exploring a range of contemporary cultural topics. Early in the discussion, they touch upon the perceived motives of public figures like Kanye West, with AKA Big Act suggesting a strategic use of cultural attention for increased visibility. Andrew Schulz then offers an analogy to the film industry's response to piracy, highlighting how the music industry adapted to streaming services, and later emphasizes the importance of artistic framing when discussing provocative themes, stating that "If you want to be salacious, if you want to be crazy, make it art."
The conversation pivots to the business of music, with Taylor Swift being cited as a model for artist-driven success through innovative fan engagement and ownership of master recordings, contrasting this with the more traditional streaming-reliant model. They discuss how artists can leverage their fan bases and creative control to establish value beyond mere streams. Later, the discourse touches upon the challenges faced by rappers in Atlanta due to increased legal scrutiny on lyrics, forcing a shift away from overtly "gangster" themes.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to navigating the complexities of online influence and "cancel culture." The speakers discuss how public figures, particularly musicians, use confrontational tactics to build and maintain relevance, often by engaging in feuds and provocative statements that can become memorable cultural touchstones. They differentiate between music as a powerful cultural force and YouTube content, suggesting that while the latter can be influential, it lacks the same innate cultural resonance as music. The conversation also touches upon the strategies of navigating public perception, the risks of being mischaracterized online, and the importance of controlling one's narrative.