Netflix ' s Musical Documentaries : Quick Money Grab or Actual Impact ?
Regina Gamboa
Throughout the history of the music industry , singers and musicians have constantly been the center of attention for the general public because of their looks , their voice , or their music in general . Fans or “ stans ”, a portmanteau of the words " stalker " and " fan ," make an obsession out of their favorite artists and keep tabs on the latest updates regarding new releases , appearances on social media , and music / fashion discussions . Yet , for a very long time , society has continuously ignored the most important thing about the artist : which is what is happening behind the scenes of the stage .
Most recently , Netflix has hopped on the bandwagon of releasing artist documentaries that express the upbringings , growth , and socio-political issues that the most popular artists of this decade have to face . Some of these include Blackpink , which consists of their members Jennie , Lisa , Rosé , and Jisoo , and their documentary Light Up The Sky , Taylor Swift ’ s Miss Americana , and Shawn Mendes ’ In Wonder . All of them are similar in the sense where they present to the audience the artists ’ upbringing , preparation , and background before entering the confusing world that , which is the music industry .
For Taylor Swift it was living under the standard of being perceived as a good person , trying to keep up with other people ’ s expectations , and making herself known to the general public by putting herself out in the world . In the case of Shawn Mendes , it was finding his way into the music industry through social media platforms such as Youtube and the 2013 TikTok-like app called Vine . Finally , for the girls of Blackpink , it was adjusting to a new form of living once they transitioned from their homes in different parts of the world to the harsh and rigorous training they had to endure in YG Entertainment ’ s facilities before “ debuting ” or releasing their first single .
Nonetheless , these documentaries are not a quick money-grab from the artists ’ fandoms , they are intended to leave the audience with a lasting impression about them . Taylor Swift , the members of Blackpink , and Shawn Mendes may try to teach their viewers something different , but they all share one thing in common : letting your voice be heard . They show how the power of music can take a person ’ s life to extraordinary lengths and make an impact in society and the people within it . Most people today see artists as objects without actual emotions , values or interesting elements apart from their musical talents , and these prove otherwise .
Of course , this is not a recommendation to anyone wishing to see something new on Netflix . This is just a reminder that the musical experience goes beyond searching up a song on Spotify or Youtube and ignoring everything else . If you do wish to listen , just know that any of these documentaries are a pleasure to watch , regardless of what your musical tastes are .
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