The Era of Auto-tune

Death to the Auto-tune.....stated in the song "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune)" by Jay-Z. Auto-tune movement said to have started with Cher's 1998 song "Believe" has been very popular and very prominent in popular music in the last 5 years. The auto-tune for those who might not know is a type of music software or technical name "proprietary audio processor" created by Antares Audio Technology that uses a vocoder phase to correct pitch in vocal or instrumental performances. Initially auto-tune wasn't suppose to be used as a pitch corrector, it was more of an effect. This software has its good points, it allows artists to not have to record as many takes to perfect a recording. It has its evil side though it allows those who have no singing talents or limited singing to be able to record music that is somewhat pleasing to the ear. Especially rappers and normal people. Artists such as T-Pain, Jeremih, Sean Kingston, etc. It was made famous by the artists T-Pain who ironically debuted 5 years ago. T-Pain whose first album and singles "I'm Sprung" and "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper)" were hits. When I first heard these songs I liked them and I thought he was using this electronic feel as an effect. Then his next album came out and the next one and all of the songs were "auto-tuned" Thats when I started researching auto-tune. It can't proven whether T-Pain can sing or not, but it is a very controversial question. Cause if he does not possess the talents of an actual singer, he's making a lot of money and he's not an actual singer. Thats probably what angers alot of musicians and people in the music industry about the auto-tune is that normal people who are not talented at all can produce a record and make millions. After T-Pain many rappers followed the movement such as Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, Gucci Mane, Flavor Flav, Gorrilla Zoe, Soulja Boy, Snoop Dogg, Ron Browz, The Game, and many other rappers who decided they want to try their singing talents with the auto-tune as their best friend. The auto-tune is actually recording the record. Could you say jealousy? In a way yes, but a strong argument to say no. Anyone can be a musician and learn to do something musical. But everyone can't sing or play a specific instrument. There are artists who use auto-tune who actually possess singing talents such as Usher, Miley Cyrus, Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, Lady Gaga, etc. because they have also recorded songs that don't include auto-tune. The auto-tune is being more abused than anything. John Legend has been quoted as saying that “It’s gotten to the point where it’s a bit overdone, but I don’t mind it in certain instances,” Legend says. “But I get the sense that everybody is trying to use it now, because only a few people can actually sing really well. The ones who can’t sing really well, they figure it’s a way to equalize themselves. I think there’s going to be auto-tune fatigue pretty soon.” In a way, auto-tune levels the playing field. But the auto-tune is like steroids to athletes. Its technically cheating its a performance enhancement "drug" or "tool" in this case.

My specific problem with auto-tune is that it takes away from the essence of real music and I believe it robs people of true entertainment. I think it is killing the music industry and people are not getting their moneys worth. People would buy more music if artists were giving authentic music. It allows those with a musical talent, without the voice and the ear to make mediocre music. It takes away from the authentic sound. Auto-tune was even used on the "We Are The World" Remake. I think the auto-tune killed the song. The rapping chant was creative and it added the elements of todays music into the song, but I felt it was disrespectful to use it in the song. I think they thought using it would help the song sell more than trying to live up to the dignity that the song presents. Will we see a close to auto-tune music? Is this really just a phase?