While many carry the title of artist because they are part of the music industry, very few can claim to be entitled to the golden crown that makes them true artists.

From what I can look back, music has always been a part of my life. Growing up with classical music with some openings towards jazz and pop music, I have expanded my interest in black music, including gospel, soul, blues, and of course hip hop. I’m generally open-minded when it comes to music, as long as it pleases my ear. However, I am very demanding when it comes to defining someone as a real artist. Only the Greats who influenced the history of music deserve to be classified as true artists.

Johann Sebastian Bach is one of those true musicians. His music is an example of hard work. His incessant search for perfection and harmony characterizes his music. Among the Greats, you can count the likes of John Lennon, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Eazy E, Nas, and yes, Eminem, whatever their enemies may have to object to. (This list of artists that I mentioned here is of course not exhaustive)

Although RIP Proof was less known to the public than other famous artists, it had all the qualities that make a true artist.

So what is the definition of a real artist?

A true artist, a simple artist is a person who makes music out of love for her, not just for money, even if he is perfectly aware that he has a family to feed. A true artist must inspire listeners. Whatever its message, people must be able to feel the music and recognize the feelings expressed through voice, lyrics, and instrumental.

A true artist generally has high requirements regarding the quality of their rhythms, instrumentals, and recorded voice. Never satisfied with himself, he continues to work hard over the years to satisfy his audience.

A true artist will always put his passion for music first, the will to share it and satisfy his audience with the material aspect of show business.

A true artist definitely manages to generate genuine enthusiasm among his audience.

While on stage, it becomes the music. He and the audience are one and that is the total beauty of the musical fusion created by dedicated artists and a very receptive audience.

When you listen to the song, you should be able to feel the feelings of the artists and forget about yourself, because in those moments there is only room for the music. Yes, this can happen if the artist is a real person and dedicated to his art.

When you hear a person like James Brown tell his audience, “I feel so good I want to scream,” you know perfectly well that his words were not made up. There is a wonderful chemistry between these artists and the public. Good vibes are in the air and penetrate mesmerized audiences.

True artists are usually humble in front of other great artists. Not only do they have a good musical culture, but they won’t mind citing other legends. I heard James Brown paying tribute to Ray Charles, for example. Nas too.

I regard Eminem as a simple artist, because he changed the face of the rap game. He dared to use different themes than those commonly used in hip hop and proved to be a crafty word acrobat, playing with syllables and foolishly putting words together that you would never see side by side in real life. Furthermore, his music touched many people of different origins all over the world.

RIP Proof never failed to name its great influences like Kurt Cobain, Jerry Garcia and John Lennon on numerous occasions. D12’s Proof can also be considered a rhyming genius. He had an incredible sense of reality and, more importantly, a great passion for hip hop that will not be extinguished since his

murder on April 11, 2006.

Music greats have the power to influence generations and generally make history. Even their deaths will never erase their contribution to music history.

Entire artists are the ones who deserve your respect, because you know, deep down inside you, that they are the ones who live and breathe music for the greatest pleasure of your ears. Only those guys will live through their music throughout the centuries.

Copyright © 2007 by Isabelle Esling

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