Carving The Afterlife

Tuesday is American Idol night. So today, a former American Idol contestant looks back at his experience and offers advice to newcomers in the music industry.

Anwar Robinson plays Tom Collins in the national tour of RENT.

When asked in interviews, "What advice would you offer Idol hopefuls?"  I always say, "know who you are [as an artist], stick to it, and be well-versed in different styles of music."  Well-spoken from a former middle school chorus teacher, right?  Well, retaining and conveying my life's experiences through music is a quality that people often say they are fond of upon meeting me.

Before auditioning for American Idol, I didn't watch the show.  I could count on one hand the number of episodes that I actually watched and really didn't understand that it was a pop culture phenomenon even in 2004 (my audition year).  I knew the top contenders and winners, but I didn't pay much attention.  I found myself doing a lot of research during my ascension to the "Top 24" of 2005.  My life was never the same.

American Idol affects a lot of people.  First, there's the general public that has the chance to be invested and be counted in the decision-making process.  Here's where popularity and empathy with back-stories can make or break an (aspiring) artist.  You then have musicians (which includes singers-the voice is an instrument) who may have the artistic fortitude to make sound decisions before millions and millions of people week after week.  Of course, we can't leave out the decisionmakers in the entertainment industry (who, like me in the interim of Idol, probably don't pay much attention to the show due to its sometimes karaoke nature).

Given all these (and some other) demographics, you still end up with a seemingly invested mass media audience.  This works for the brand of the show itself, but what happens after the season is over and the winner has been chosen?  Well, you have a winner that is represented by an affiliate of the television show brand and then you have other hopefuls you may (or probably may not) hear from again (unless the Idol Tour passes somewhere in your vicinity and you happen to be remotely invested in pop culture or have children).

Add to this formula for the TV juggernaut the fact that there are countless artists who (as said by many musicial associates and myself) possess enough talent to surpass the rigmarole of the audition rounds, yet are not selected in the initial screenings. 

There is an old saying that "cream rises to the top."  I can testify that you must work hard in this business and even harder to prove that you're not just someone who can do karaoke.  Recently, I was having a conversation with my female BFF (I have two, the other being male) and I told her that in the music business you must prove yourself everyday.  You prove your worth not only to directors, producers, and executives, but also to fans and more importantly to yourself.  You must work at the craft (whether it be vocal, acting, writing, producing) daily in order to stay sharp.  Of course, I'm a musical purist who leans towards serving the aesthetic as opposed to conforming to whatever a current trend appears to be.

Here's where the knowing who and what you are comes back into play.  You must know what your purpose is or you will have no direction as an artist.  This is the difference between those who make it after a run on reality television and talent shows or not.  You'll hear people say, "It's not what you know, but who you know".  I can say that if it weren't for being on American Idol, I couldn't depend on "who knows me."  I still believe that hard work and perseverance will always supersede the "here today, gone tomorrow" mentality and faux appearances of fame and success.  Just ask anyone who's been in the entertainment business for more than 10 years and still making a living off of his or her talent.

All of this is to say that I am proud that I can retain my mission and remain connected to education (especially in the arts), artistic integrity, and consciousness in the areas of society and spirituality.  I was given an opportunity that most don't get and I am still respected for what I do and am able to make a living by living my dream.