In the music world, there have always been two different kinds of music: mainstream and underground. Mainstream music is highly popular music that is put out by many record producers and it’s usually what you hear on television. Underground music is music that the artists’ have put out by themselves and you only hear the music from friends and Myspace. Now, many listeners are stereotyping mainstream music only because it is solely mainstream. I’ve talked to many people who only like underground music because it is not popular and not many people have heard of it. But I think mainstream music is, in many ways, better than underground music. Many mainstream artists have been singing for years to get where they are, yet many underground artists have been through the same number of years but have not had much success. If mainstream music isn’t good, then why is it popular? If underground artists were nearly as good as mainstream artists, they would be called mainstream. Artists’ such as Britney Spears and Rihanna, were instantly popular because their talent was found by record producers. Underground artists may not have much or any talent to get signed or turned into mainstream. Don’t stop listening to mainstream music just because it’s better and more successful than underground music.

Mainstream music brings unheard of artists to light. This happened with a now famous band called Maroon 5. Maroon 5 had released their first album, Songs About Jane, in June 2002. But they weren’t fully recognized until 2004 when they released their single, “This Love,” and later, they won Best New Artist at the Grammy’s in 2005. Their second album, Won’t Be Soon Before Long, debuted at number one first week of release. Maroon 5 is currently my favorite band. If it hadn’t become popular, I wouldn’t have heard their amazing songs.

That’s another reason why mainstream music is good. It separates the good music from the bad music. Most of mainstream music is something everyone will hear. Bands such as My Chemical Romance and Fallout Boy used to be underground. But now, they are the most popular bands in the country. Their popularity may have changed but their music certainly hasn’t. Yet, the old fans decide that since the band is now “mainstream,” it isn’t any good any more. The band sold out. I’ve been told, “I used to love My Chemical Romance but then everybody else did, so I stopped” and “I hate the song ‘Hey There Delilah’; it was better no one heard of it.” If these “underground” bands wanted to remain underground and unheard of, why do they even make music? Isn’t that Rolling Stones international type of fame and glory the reason why bands start? Don’t they want their music and their message to be heard?

It is easier to find mainstream music than underground. It gives more variety because you can hear more artists. If you look for popular music on iTunes, you’re bound to find it, but if you search for underground artists, you’re out of luck. The only real way to find underground music is thorugh a friend or through Myspace. Though you find underground artists’ name it may not be so easy getting it into to your mp3 player. Even downloading applications such as Limewire will not have such songs.

Another good reason why mainstream music is better is that people will not judge you because everyone will be listening to basically the same music. Almost everyone likes the recent popular hits of “Crank That” and “Gimme More.” People love those songs so it creates a better feeling when others besides you like it.

I think people should stop judging artists because of their fame and popularity. Mainstream music deserves more recognition than underground music because it’s a lot better and it brings people with the same tastes together.