Buying and Selling of Music

I think my thoughts on the buying and selling of music are a little undecided. I understand that the artist should be supported in order to keep them around, but sometimes buying their CDs are not really successful. Since they are not really getting a lot of money for selling their albums then why should we buy them? There has to be other ways that we can support them. If the artist’s work can be sold and profit them, then it seems like buying it would not be a problem. When you think about buying the CDs, the label comes to mind. The labels are the ones profiting from the blood, sweat, and tears of the artist. I remember watching a Behind The Scenes episode where they featured TLC. There was a segment in the show where they discussed the fact of selling millions of albums and not being paid for it. How can we, as consumers, look at this and think that we are helping the artist? But then you see the artist in their designer clothes, fancy cars, and other expensive things. They could not have been able to get these things without money. Part of me wants to think that buying their work does profit them.
Whether I buy it or not is another question. I’m sort of picky with the music that I buy. I have to either LOVE the artist or I’ve heard the music previously and wanted to support. I am a huge fan of Brandy. Because of this, I have purchased all five of her studio albums. I did not have a problem with this at all. I was a fan supporting the music. I did not like her last album, but I feel like this is still okay. When I feel this way about an artist, I feel like it is my job to do this. When I find a song I like, I will listen to others by that same artist. I won’t go out and buy their CD though. They have to earn that right from me.