It is just a matter of time before an artist who is unable to follow the trend of time is displaced. That notwithstanding, there are great music that can stand the test of time. Thus, understanding music consumption pattern is very important for any true musician.
When I was young, the likes of 2Face, D'banj, MI, and many others were at their peak. These musicians, at the time, were very relevant, and everyone loved their music. Gradually, their style of music has been completely displaced; so much so that people almost do not play these artists any longer. There are many more that are in this list, some of them, at the time, were on the lips of every person in the neighbourhood; but they eventually were displaced.
The most surprising thing about the displacement of these artists and their music is the fact that it is barely noticeable. It is gradual but steady, its characteristics could be likened to that of growth. Somehow, the popular music of the time gradually mutates or grows. While some artists were able to catch up with what is becoming, the others were gradually displaced. It is, for me, all about growth, and growth was most required for these musicians to keep up.
Music has yet to stop its mutation process; it is, in fact, infinitely continuous. At every point in time, musicians must pay close attention to musical trends; and they must learn to advance without losing their uniqueness. It is probably only then that an artist can survive the ever-changing musical industry.
There are, no doubt, exceptions to this. Some music completely fails to follow the trend of time; they are uniquely impactful. Given their nature, music in this category tends to last regardless of the trend. On the one hand, it is about their lyrics; they carry crucial information that is relevant regardless of the generation. On the other, the style of music is something that cannot be resisted regardless of the generation or trend. Songs of this category sound ever new whenever they are being played.
Most music consumers do not pay attention to whether or not the style is changing; they simply listen to whatever the trend offers at the time. It is only by flashing back at what was that most realise how far things have come. Funny enough, the change is never intended nor engineered by music artists. It is a change that occurs as music artists keep improving on their work.
For an artist to remain relevant and maintain the demand of music consumers, then he or she must put in sufficient and consistent work. He or she must meet up with whatever the trend demands, and that comes with constant improvement. In all, it all about being good enough...
