Patti LaBelle Says Music Today Lacks "Substance": "There's Still Some Growth"

BY Erika Marie 6.4K Views
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Patti LaBelle
She wants to get "back to when real music was real music."

For those of you who may just be diehard The Masked Singer fans, we're dropping a spoiler here: Patti LaBelle was eliminated from the show. The legendary singer donned a flower costume and belted out songs for the judges, but it wasn't like she was fooling anyone. Ms. Patti has one of the most distinctive, recognizable voices in the music industry, and while fans were sad to see her go, they were happy she took a chance and appeared on the show.

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Following her elimination, Patti chatted with The Hollywood Reporter not only aboutThe Masked Singer but the current state of music. She agreed that the scene has changed drastically in the last 10, 20 years, adding "I've been in it for how long? Sixty years performing, and I see changes all the time. I never know if we're going to ever go back to when real music was real music. Because a lot of things today, they're very — if a song, the title is 'Get It Now' or something, you're going to hear 'get it now' the whole record, no substance. So there's still some growth. And I hope that it goes back to substance."

After saying that songwriting has taken a hit, the singer also stated that there are vocalists who are thought to be talented who use so much processing in their music. "Because some of them can't really sing," she stated. "I'm not saying it to knock anyone because that's their hustle. And if you can get by with 'Get It Now' and say it over and over and over and the record sells, then you did your job. But I'm still looking for substance." Do you agree with Patti?


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.