"DEAR BILLBOARD MAGAZINE..."
London-based artist manager, producer and music entrepreneur Hugo Vereker posted the following note on his Facebook page, and it caught our eye.We pass it along in the spirit of promoting dialogue in the music community.
Dear Billboard Magazine,
I just went through the last 48 hours' Trash folder in my email server. Look what I found under your banner "headlines":
- Chris Brown to Release New Album in Fall: Exclusive
- YG Speaks Out for First Time Since Being Shot: 'I'm Hard to Kill' (Exclusive)
- Bobbi Kristina Moved to Hospice as 'Condition Continues to Deteriorate'
- Donald Trump Responds to Univision Ending Relationship With Miss Universe, Says 'I Love Mexico'
- Courtney Love Attacked in Paris, Uber Driver Held Hostage by 'Mob of Taxi Drivers'
- Selena Gomez: I Knew 'I Wouldn't Be the Greatest Singer in the World'
- Kanye West Backtracks on Beck Diss: 'I'm Fine to Apologize For Inaccuracies'
- Diddy Releases Statement About Arrest, Calling His Actions 'Solely Defensive'
- Rick Ross Arrested on Kidnapping, Assault Charges
- Janet Jackson Releases New Song, 'No Sleep'
You are supposed to be the trade magazine of the U.S. music industry. Not one of these "stories" is relevant or interesting music news. You have become a weakly (sic) TMZ urban gossip and lowest common denominator magazine.
Wtf happened? I know we all have to survive but this is just a most depressing sign of the times. And don't even get us started on the relevance of your charts. Unsubscribing. Now. I gifted an industry friend a subscription, and am writing him an apology.
Sincerely,
People who make, follow, promote, support, nurture, release, manage, market, play and love Music.
You can find out more about some of Hugo's projects here, here and here.
