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Arts·Group Chat

In the age of streaming, do the opinions of music critics still matter?

In light of Ed Sheeran’s recent remarks that music critics are irrelevant in the age of streaming, we talk to music journalist Maura Johnston and writer/rapper Rollie Pemberton (a.k.a. Cadence Weapon) about why music criticism still matters.

Maura Johnston and Rollie Pemberton (a.k.a. Cadence Weapon) talk about why music criticism still matters

Amelia Eqbal · CBC Arts ·
English musician, instrument maker, music critic, producer and artist Paddy Bush sits with his collection of stringed instruments, including banjo, mandolin, autoharp, acoustic guitar, dulcimer balalaika and sitar, UK, 16th November 1976. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English musician, instrument maker, music critic, producer and artist Paddy Bush sits with his collection of stringed instruments, including banjo, mandolin, autoharp, acoustic guitar, dulcimer balalaika and sitar, UK, 16th November 1976. (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
13:57What purpose do music critics serve today?

"Why do you need to read a review? Listen to it. It's freely available!  Make up your own mind. I would never read an album review and go, 'I'm not gonna listen to that now.'"

That's a quote from Ed Sheeran during his recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

With that one line, the musician opened the door to a debate online that's been simmering for a while now: in a world where you can listen to practically anything, anytime, as much or as little as you want — what value can a review from a critic add?

Music journalist Maura Johnston and writer/rapper Rollie Pemberton (a.k.a. Cadence Weapon) join us to talk about why music criticism still matters.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amelia Eqbal

Amelia Eqbal is a digital associate producer, writer and photographer for Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud and Q with Tom Power. Passionate about theatre, desserts, and all things pop culture, she can be found on Twitter @ameliaeqbal.

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