I've never fancied myself to be much of a sell out. Aside from unwisely spreading gossip to the wrong people (a Blockhead family tradition), and not wanting to fist fight random people, I feel like I've had somewhat of a backbone in most things in my life. When dealing with music, the term "sellout" gets thrown around quite a bit. I'm no stranger to calling all sorts of people that very name.

Whether it be Common in the "The Light" video rapping with a mouth full of guava or David Cross (whom I am a huge fan of) acting in some shitty kids movie, it's both a thin and blurry line. The one thing actually making music has taught me is that you can't really judge an artist for the things they do. Well...actually, that's not true at all, you totally can but there are different types of sell outs and there is a big difference between selling out and simply changing. 

Here are some ways people sell out:

1. The Flagrant Sell Out

This is the ultimate turncoat. A formerly artistic artist who does a complete 180 and becomes everything he stood against in the past. Now, I understand people change and grow out of things; If you're 30 and still listening to nothing but the same music you were when you were 17, you need to grow a little. Worse than that, however, is holding onto those 17 year old ideals because no one knows less then a 17 year old...except maybe a 16 year old and so on.

So, yeah, artists grow and become different things but the turncoat sell out doesn't grow as much as he dilapidates under the pressures of those around him and his fan base, that's some hoe shit. As dead as the 17 year old idealist is inside me, that's truly the last remaining thing in artistic politics that I still feel pangs of anger about; Its pretty much is the opposite of art.

Example: "Rapper" Will.i.am going from an underground Californian left field mc to and a dancing clown who makes music for drunk people with tribal band tattoos.

2. The "Get By" Sell Out -

Once you have been able to make being an artist your career the reality of it sets in. First off, it's hard to go back to working a shitty job. You've tasted the freedom and joy of the artist's lifestyle, the idea of stepping behind a bar counter or sitting behind a desk is a grim one. It is then that artists do shit they might not have considered in prior years. These aren't offensive acts against all that is respectable. Nah, these are little bullshit things you do to make money so you can continue with not REALLY working; Things like music for lame commercials or taking small roles in shitty movies or voice over work. Not quite eating shit but also not some high art you can be proud of.

This is typical occurrence amongst artists and it's truly how we get by most of the time. Obviously, I could never take issue with it but, when you step back, it's undeniably selling out on some level. This one is usually a good way to feel out how dedicated a fan you are. If you're the type of person who gets mad at artists doing these kinds of things, chances are you're pretty annoying and still live with your parents. This is some adult, real life type selling out. Gotta pay those bills.

Example: Me. I've had songs in commercials, video games and Korean cell phone ringtones. Some were licensed, others were made specifically for the project, but they were all things I would normally not have created otherwise.

3. The Friend Sell Out -

Beyond just the arts, selling out goes much deeper into everyday life. I'd say the most common sell out that I've come across is the flakey friend. The type of person who says they'll meet you there and never does, empty promise motherfuckers, and while this isn't that big a deal, it's some selfish bullshit. Over time, this kind of person can wear thin on you to the point where it's expected that they will never show up. Passive aggressive douche baggedness was made for people like this. They bring it out of the most temperamental people simply by being consistent...in their sell out ways. "Woah! I can't believe you're here!" Said with an eye roll is pretty much the standard greeting they should receive....and good, cause these people are fucking annoying.

Example: My boy Jer (the other half of Party Fun Action Committee), he's one of my closest friends but he's also the latest person ever. If I could have back the amount of time in my life that I've spent waiting for him, I'd be 7 years younger. It got to the point, when we were recording the Party Fun Action Committee album, the engineer and I would tell him to show up and hour before we actually planned to get to the studio. Without fail, he'd show up 45 minutes after both of us arrived (that's an hour and 45 minutes late) and still find a way to make it seem like we were assholes for even giving him stress about it. With that said, I love jer and he's the best...but he's a prick.

4. Flip Floppers -

You know when you're talking to someone about movies and you ask them;

"Hey, what did you think of the movie "Crash"?" Then they go on a five minute diatribe about how it changed their life.

You respond something to the effect of;"Really? I thought that movie was fucking awful."

To which they respond; "Yeah, I mean...I didn't like it that much..."

These people are water testers, they prefer to ask questions first and get a feel for the room before they divulge any half hearted opinions they may have. To be fair, most people are like this to a point. I'm no stranger to giving a person I don't know very well a litmus test before ranting some ridiculous opinionated shit to them. But when it's actual friends? It's just some flip flopping sell out shit. If there is anyone you can pop shit with, it should be your friends. At least they know you and expect it.

Example: I can't think of anyone in particular but they're everywhere. You know some, I'm sure. Just fill in your own blank on this one.

I think when people are younger and our idealism is not yet decimated that we tend to over analyze artist. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, the thought of an artist I loved doing anything remotely different from what I liked was cause for uproar. It wasn't until I started to actually make music and deal with the business that it started to make more sense.

This in no way means I think people who make music for the financial benefits alone are not total shitbags, oh, I do. In fact, the music and film industry are filled with people who simply wanna make money and could care less about the actual product they are selling (SHOCKING REVELATION ALERT). There's a reason why most music sucks today. There's a reason why 8 out of 10 times that you leave a movie theater you feel a little like your soul has been raped, it's because the people behind the scenes simply do not give a fuck. But you know what? They're not even sell outs. Nope. In order to be a sell out you, at some point, have to have been an artist. If there is one thing these people have never been, it's an artist.

So, next time a new song comes out by a favorite artist of yours and you don't like it, take things into consideration. Is he selling out or does his music simply just kinda suck (in your opinion)? Just remember, there's a difference.

Oh yeah and my next album is gonna be 12 songs with auto-tuned hooks and guests who were only allowed to rap about new dances that they've come up with. The Souldja Boy/ John Maher collabo Hopscotch Wonderworld is gonna blow your minds.

Believe that.