Songs About the Music Industry & Antibalas

Music Industry

What happens when artists take a look inward at the music business? Jim and Greg play the best Songs About the Music Industry. Then, they sit down with the dynamic Antibalas, an Afrobeat orchestra.

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Songs About the Music Industry

Rock ‘n’ roll is all about railing against the "man." And for musicians, there's no bigger man than the record business. Some songs celebrate music's great A&R men and women or label heads. Many more skewer the suits. Here are Jim and Greg's favorites:

Greg

  • Graham Parker, "Mercury Poisoning"
  • Aimee Mann, "Nothing is Good Enough"
  • Blackalicious, "Deception"
  • Sex Pistols, "E.M.I."

Jim

  • Public Enemy, "Caught, Can I Get a Witness"
  • Patti Smith's cover of "So You Wanna Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star"
  • Local H, "Laminate Man"
  • Pink Floyd, "Have a Cigar"

Antibalas

Jim and Greg are joined by Antibalas, a Brooklyn-based afrobeat band. The 12-piece group has specialized in socially aware horn-heavy music inspired by afrobeat artists like Fela Kuti. They've recorded 6 albums, and have also collaborated with other artists like Mark Ronson and The Dap-Kings. The group spoke with Jim and Greg about the messages in their music, notable collaborations, and about how the changing music industry has impacted a band their size.

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