Rita Ora is at # 1 onn the UK Singles Charts this week, and signed to Jay-Z's label in the States, Karmin is the name to drop for middlebrow music fans who want to prove they are hip (when they're not). SO what the hell are they doing battling it out in Rolling Stone's Women Who Rock contest. "Next stop: an onstage showdown at the Rolling Stone Rock Room…" Grand Prize? "A starring role in a special issue of RS"?
What the hell is this?
Well, it is RS overreaching and making complete asses of themselves. It is one thing, and maybe a commendable thing, to have a battle of unsigned bands, though who can remember last years winners?, something else again to randomly pick established stars and have a battle of the women. There is something all very topless mudwrestling about it. And I could get it, but this also has the stench of a PR company and RS sticking their ugly mushes into other people's business.
What it boils down, is free publicity for musicians willing to downgrade themselves for the puffed out egotism of a rock mag that overreaches as a rule. Both of these women should refuse to participate. Just say, "no, I don't think so", and walk it off.
As for RS, the complete corruptness of RS and PF is mindboggling. It is just… you can't trust a word they say. Their tentacles are so deep into music, everything they say has added value to the owners.