Appearance or content; which sells an artiste?

Arnold Baidoo, an entertainment pundit has expatiated on the issue of whether appearance should be the key focus in selling an artiste or their content.
In a phone interview with NYDJ on the ‘Ryse N Shyne’ Radio Show on Y102.5FM Kumasi, he noted that content and appearance are both very important in selling artistes as they all form part of the branding. However, the content, he said, must take precedence over the appearance.
He further explained that when a patron of an artiste’s music downloads the song and plays it on their phone or in their car, at that moment, they cannot see the appearance of the artiste and it has no influence whatsoever on how the listener hears the song.
Appearances, according to Arnold, are supposed to be a compliment to the content and not the main focus.
“For instance, the first time I saw Amaarae was in a video for M3nsa. Her appearance intrigued me and so it made me go look out for Amaarae to actually connect to her music.
Someone would also be intrigued by AY Poyoo’s appearance and that may connect that patron to the music but at the end of the day, it is the content that takes precedence. If any artiste or label makes appearance priority over content, that artiste might not last because at the end of the day, when I’m streaming, I’m streaming because of that content and because I’m excited about what I’m hearing”, he said.
Arnold again hammered on the fact that appearances are only add-ons and they are only needed to make the artiste stand out from the lot. However, if the appearance does its job of catching the mass’ attention and the artiste’s music content does not interest the people, then he is only selling himself as a fashionista, not an artiste.
By: Maureen Dedei Quaye