In 2015, the recording industry brought in just over 15 billion dollars in revenue. The music industry as a whole is constantly updating and shifting to accommodate the latest updates in trends. From vinyl to cassette tapes then cd’s to digital downloads (and a few other developments along the way). The music industry has learned how to adapt with culture and actually play a part in leading it.

Though most don’t want to hear it, humans operate with a herd mentality. New fashion comes out, we rush to buy it. New technology comes out, we wait in line for hours, sometimes days, to get it. It’s kind of like “monkey see, monkey do”. Now this is not meant to be offensive, but to help you break free from one of the things that is holding you back from success in life.

The music industry, in order to stay relevant, must adopt culture into music to keep people engaged. The artists sing about current events, their lives, what distracts them from their lives, and the ups and the downs. During the 60’s the most popular artists were Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Elvis Presley.

The 1960’s was the time of the Vietnam War as well as the fight for Civil Rights. A lot of the music of this era told of drugs, war, and prejudice. Music reflects society and society reflects what we see in the media. We listen to the songs and we sing along, as we do so, we teach our brain to agree with the words we are reciting.

Be careful what you’re feeding your brain

It is a common belief, proved by science, that what you think — you become. Your brain is a web of trees and those trees grow based off of thoughts that you allow yourself to believe and what you choose to not believe.

The damaging thing about the cycle with the media, the music industry, and society is this: The media will set the standard of how we should see the world and society reflects those standards.

Societies standards are picked up by the music industry and the media publishes it. When you sing along to songs like “Billionaire” by Bruno Mars that says, “Toss a couple milli in the air just for the heck of it.” Or “Time Of Our Lives” By Pitbull sings, “I knew my rent was gon’ be late ‘bout a week ago… This is the last $20 I got. But I’mma have a good time ballin’ or out.”

Songs like these, and so many more, depict people being reckless with their money and choosing to go out instead of hustling harder to pay the bills. Song after song on today’s popular channels sing of money — spending it frivolously, of women — in a degrading manner, and of drugs — as a norm.

“Don’t let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you’re crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you’re lucky…Pay no attention. He simply doesn’t understand” – Robert Allen

Singing is good for the soul

An article in Times Magazine describes how healthy it is to sing. “When you sing, musical vibrations move through you, altering your physical and emotional landscape.” Singing along with songs in general can be healthy for you, science proves that songs and what you speak has an impact on how you think.

If you have noticed that you want to change your thoughts, you need to change what you are exposing yourself to. According to Dave Ramsey, “63% of the wealthy listen to audio books during commute to work vs. 5% of poor people.” Why do you think the wealthy listen to audio books whereas only 5% of the poor do? Do you want to act like the poor or do you want to act like the wealthy?

I’ve said this many times, you are what you eat. If you want to be rich and you want to be successful, you have to surround yourself with tools that will get you there. Cut out the negative music, cut out the BS television, the negative friends, and the thoughts that are holding you back.

Listen to podcasts and audiobooks and surround yourself with people that will push you to be successful and grow, not people who will encourage you to stay broke.

“Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.” – Plato

What are you listening to today that is setting you up for a better future? Leave your thoughts below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com