Adnan Sami slams music industry for being 'unwelcoming' to outsiders

The singer hopes that the industry becomes more 'empathetic' in future

Sonu Nigam's recent tirade against the lack of fair opportunities in the music industry of India has ignited a debate with artists and producers alike chiming in with their own take on the matter. Singer Adnan Sami is the latest to share his viewpoint on the shortcomings of the industry.

In a lengthy note, on Twitter and Instagram, Sami highlighted how the issue relating to the barriers of entry is often blanketed by using the examples of current industry leaders that were considered "outsiders " at one point.

"Today, after immense retrospection and self-reflection, I have decided to voice my thoughts on some matters plaguing our industry. I see around me, names of industry leaders, veterans who through their talent and hard work have made a timeless place for themselves in this industry, used as mascots to prove the industry's acceptance of outsiders," he said.

Sami went on to note that this cream of artists, of which he himself is a part of, were fortunate enough to have entered at a time when veterans were "secure" in themselves.

"Such people, including myself, came at a time when the seniors in Bollywood were seasoned, secure within and they respected talent and saw the value in developing and nurturing new talent for the growth of the industry," he wrote.

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Adding on, Sami says "There are countless examples of outsiders and insiders in the past competing for positions and roles that were eventually rewarded on merit, whom today you look at as 'stars' were once banked upon by similar individuals who were willing to be fair and take that small risk for the bigger picture."

The Tera Chehra hit-maker then points out that when the time came, this breed of artists became resistant giving back.  "We have all been privy to how in recent times roles and positions have been rewarded and the truth is, we have turned a blind eye towards what impact that may be having on the overall culture of how our industry is looked at and most importantly how unwelcoming it makes someone who may not have a lineage feel," he wrote.

Though he did admit that, at times the public becomes intrigued by the children of artists they love, Sami exclaimed that it is no excuse to sideline newcomers at award functions by ridiculing them through inside jokes.

"To interpret that as a justified place and a right to feel entitled and crack distasteful 'inside' jokes in award functions with incredible new artists, as if they are giving you (the audience) the so-called 'Privilege' (for which they're being paid!!) to ridicule, humiliate and new talent, which by and large is usually far more talented than them," he said.

According to Sami "they use such tactics in order to keep themselves 'insecurely- Secure' only because they are so-called outsiders."

The Bheegi Bheegi Ratoon Mein singer pointed out that such a practice is only common in Bollywood. "Does this happen in the Oscars or BAFTAS?? No! This is Bollywood," he said.

For Sami, in the end, it's the industry's job to give the audience a fair chance to choose for themselves. " It is the audience who chooses who they want to see and it should be the industry's duty to give the audience a chance to explore artists from all walks of life and then they decide who they wish to watch or hear," he said.

"I have nothing against anyone who deserves to be in a position as long as it wasn't snatched away from a more deserving hand based off of privilege."

In conclusion, Sami talked about how he hopes for a better and more equitable tomorrow for the music industry in India.

"I hope and pray that whilst the world is transitioning and evolving in these times, we return back to our respective industries to bind a new, empathetic, open-minded, and welcoming culture," he said.

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