Many successful music artists often face accusations of being manufactured industry talents and are labelled as ‘Industry Plants’, find out more about the meaning behind the term and examples of such people
Success in any field is often accompanied by a lot of speculation and suspicion, and the same goes for the music industry.
What is an “Industry Plant”, meaning and example of such artists in music
Jack Harlow tackles the dreaded “industry plant” label:
“I did open mics, I did SXSW, I did A3C. I did showcases with no one there. My first tour, I went to Madison, Wisconsin, did a bar, with 8 people … If people didn’t see any of that, they’re like, ‘Where’d he come from?’” pic.twitter.com/XvIeyPMygc
— Z (@BrianZisook) May 10, 2022
Cardi B defends Ice Spice after people begin calling her an industry plant. pic.twitter.com/9hvj1K98Cs
— Cuntology 🤷🏽♀️ #TheReporter (@Bardiology_) May 7, 2023
Many music artists like Jack Harlow, Cardi B, Latto, and Ice Spice seemingly gained fame through social media and other platforms before signing a record deal.
However, their sudden success and rise to fame often leave fans suspicious and believe that they are “industry plants.”
Industry Plant
An industry plant generally refers to an artist who seemingly emerges out of nowhere and gained rapid fame and success. The sudden rise of fame and success leaves many critics questioning the authenticity of their rise to stardom. Notably, accusations of such industry plants are common, as fans and critics often like scrutinizing artists’ backgrounds. Given below are seven music artists accused of being industry plants.
Jack Harlow
American rapper Jack Harlow seemingly gained fame and huge success after the release of his 2020 single, “What’s Poppin.” As such, many critics started to believe he was an industry plant who had more help than just TikTok. However, fans quickly pointed out how Jack has been putting music out for years since his first mixtape in 2015.
Cardi B
While Cardi B enjoys herself as a sensation for her daring and eccentric personality and connection with fans, she has also faced her fair share of accusations of being an industry plant. Many critics have gone on to question her seemingly overnight success of her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow.” In fact, American rapper and singer-songwriter Azealia Banks, once responded to a fan on X, saying:
She was an industry plant lmao. But sis took advantage of the opportunity and rode that b—h the f–k out, assembled the right team, seized the moment, and made herself a cultural mainstay. U have to respect it.”
However, Cardi denied all allegations, writing:
You can’t buy the general public, no machine, no money can buy that … you can’t buy the people.”
H.E.R.
Despite being a multi-talented R&B singer-songwriter, H.E.R. has faced multiple accusations of being an industry plant during her career rise. Many critics have gone out to question the mysterious nature of her persona, and some have suggested that the music industry carefully crafted it to create intrigue and buzz around her. However, H.E.R. once took to Instagram to address on the industry plant theory around her. The famous singer wrote on the platform:
I’ve seen so many bands and artists with a ‘small’ amount of followers sell out MSG and headline some huge festivals. Y’all think everybody’s underrated or an ‘industry plant’ with massive success outside of Instagram.”
Ice Spice
Ice Spice is arguably one of the biggest rap sensations in recent years and has taken the internet by storm. The 24-year-old went viral with her TikToks, which soon helped her grow a successful music career. She also received a highly-coveted invitation to the Met Gala thanks to her new-found success. However, Ice Spice’s dramatic rise in the music industry has made her the victim of various accusations. In fact, many individuals have gone out to label the famous Bronx rapper as:
one of the biggest industry plants of our lifetime.”
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is currently one of the biggest names in the music industry, with a huge fanbase. And all that success came with a lot of industry plant accusations, which Billie quickly shut down. While speaking to the British magazine Loud and Quiet about being an industry plant, she shared:
I just want to hear the reasons why that’s said. I don’t believe in the industry plant bullshit because it’s actually impossible to make someone genuinely successful and it be fake. You can get famous and be fake but not have people cherish you and make art that is really good.”
Latto
Latto is a famous rapper who got her breakout moment on the reality show “The Rap Game.” Once the rapper gained fame, she came out and rebranded herself with a whole new aesthetic and intriguing lyrics. However, despite her rebrand and new-found success, critics have always remained skeptical about her brand and commercial success. As a result, many have gone on to label her as another industry plant.
Chance the Rapper
While Chance the Rapper is quite a successful music artist with a known talent, many people, including rapper and producer Russ, believe that is just another industry plant.
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