In music and entertainment
Music
There are three distinct forms of "selling out" in terms of music. First, there is the use of the term "sell-out" to refer to those who sign for major labels or to those who license their music to companies for use in advertising[4] that contradicts their apparent values. Secondly, the expression can refer to those who sacrifice their musical integrity through a change in their musical sound, sometimes due to pressure from major labels[5] or in order to gain profit by making their music more appealing to a mainstream audience. The third form of selling out is simply to sell out a venue, which normally has nothing to do with a lapse of integrity.
Record labels and advertising
Since the time of big band radio shows, there has been an established relationship between musicians and commercialization. There had been some signs of resistance to this model as early as the 1960s, when gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama refused to sign record deals to record secular music.[6] It was not until the punk subculture in the 1970s that the notion that musicians should be completely independent of commercial influences began to increase in popularity.[4][7] This partly manifested itself in the reluctance of bands to sign for major labels, as this would include taking part in activities that were seen as crass and overly commercial.[8] This continued into the 1980s, when bands were scorned by fanzines for signing with major labels as the mainstream success this would bring was symptomatic of the general decay in culture.[4] However, after a number of bands maintained the quality of their records after signing for a major label, by the end of the 1980s the focus on "selling out" shifted to advertising.[4]
The attitude held by those who disliked the idea of "selling out" towards advertising was negative; comedian Bill Hicks claimed that any band who licensed their music for advertising was "off the artistic roll call forever",[4][8] and Neil Young mocked the fact that songs became associated with brands on his 1988 album This Note's for You.[4] However, although it was possible for fans to feel a sense of betrayal due to the relationship they developed with the song and artist, when artists did allow their music to be used for commercials others considered the advertised product to be more appealing.[8] As CD sales fell and record companies became unwilling or unable to afford the push new bands needed to become established, sponsorship of bands by major companies began to be seen as more acceptable, with even minor record labels devoting time and money towards marketing deals with well-known brands.[7]
By the 2010s, the use of licensing of artists in commercials had become an accepted part of the music industry, and even those who would previously have been considered part of the 1970s resistance to "selling out" have been used in advertising products, such as former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon advertising Country Life butter and Iggy Pop endorsing car insurance.[8] Consequently, it has been suggested[7][9] that the acceptance of music in advertising is generational, as younger listeners are comfortable with the relationship to the point of indifference[8][9] whilst those who have seen the industry evolve still reject it.[7][8]
Musical integrity
Another definition of "selling out" refers to putting aside musical quality or original intentions in favor of commercial success,[10] where a distinction is made for those who achieve success without changing their original sound.[5] The difference between the two is often subjective.[10] While artists may change their musical direction for commercial reasons, such as pressure from major labels who require songs to appeal to mass markets,[5] a change in sound may also be part of a natural progression of creative maturity.[8]
An example of artists being accused of "selling out" is the band Metallica, whose 1991 eponymous album has been considered the turning point in the band's musical direction;[11] the band members were called the "poster boys for musical un-integrity" after many incorrectly thought that the band attempted to sue fans who were downloading their music through Napster. The album, known as The Black Album, saw critics[11] and Bob Rock,[12] the album's producer, acknowledge that there was a move away from the band's previous thrash metal sound. Rock claimed that the change stemmed from the band's desire to "make the leap to the big, big leagues",[12] while some fans blamed Rock himself, going as far to eventually create an internet petition demanding the band cut their ties with him.[11] However, other fans did not consider the change in sound to be significant enough to be considered "selling out,"[10] and others accepted the change as part of a natural evolution of the band's style.[13] Ultimately The Black Album became the band's most commercially successful release,[10] going 16× Platinum in the United States.[14] The differing reaction by fans to the album demonstrates the difficulty in labelling an artist as a "sellout" objectively.
"Poseur" is a pejorative term, often used in the punk, heavy metal, hip hop, and goth subcultures, to describe a person who copies the dress, speech, and/or mannerisms of a group or subculture, generally for attaining acceptability within the group or for popularity among various other groups, yet who is deemed not to share or understand the values of the subculture.
While this perceived inauthenticity is viewed with scorn and contempt by members of the subculture, the definition of the term and to whom it should be applied is subjective. While the term is most associated with the 1970s- and 1980s-era punk and hardcore subculture, English use of the term originates in the late 19th century.[15] A hardcore punk band that signed a lucrative contract with a major label would probably be labelled as poseurs.[citation needed]
Film and television
In film and television "selling out" refers to compromising the content of produced media, primarily for financial reasons; for example, introducing product placement.
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is the placement of brands or products in media in order to advertise,[16] and has been in television from almost the very beginning, but has increased with introduction of devices such as DVRs which allow viewers, and therefore consumers, to fast-forward through adverts.[17] It has been suggested that the idea that product placement is a form of selling out is Anglocentric,[18] as American television shows such as American Idol and Celebrity Apprentice recorded over 500 examples of brand integration in 2011 according to Nielsen.[17][18]
Comedy
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Stand-up comedians occasionally face accusations of "selling out." Comedians who start out in comedy clubs might often use foul language and blue humor in their routines. A comic who alters their routine by "sugar-coating" their language and using less-offensive material to obtain mainstream success may be accused of "selling out."
George Carlin was accused of being a "sellout" for appearing in television commercials for MCI's 10-10-220.[19][20][21] Carlin had previously spoken of his dislike for MCI's commercials in his 1996 album Back in Town. In his 1999 album You Are All Diseased, which contains rants against advertising and business, Carlin admits the dichotomy but makes no attempt to explain himself, stating, "You're just gonna have to figure that shit out on your own." In interviews, Carlin revealed he appeared in the advertisements to help pay off a large tax debt to the IRS.[22][23]
Comedian/actress Janeane Garofalo has described herself as a "sellout" based on her participation with the TV show 24 playing Janis Gold. Garofalo initially turned down the role because of the way the show depicted torture scenes;[24] however, she changed her mind later on, saying in an interview, "Being unemployed and being flattered that someone wanted to work with me outweighed my stance [on torture]."[25] Garofalo admitted to "selling out" for losing weight in order to gain more acting work.[26]
