[huntertwo]

I think it’s a little bit more complicated (and perhaps more “authentic” too) than you’re making it out to be. Labels definitely have strong influence in what gets played on the radio, but in your Cardi B example, Bodak Yellow was extremely popular on SoundCloud before it got any radio plays.

For your other questions, you can see in the credits of a song how many people are involved in radio hits. Labels invest money in creating hits so they can make money. The involvement and talent of artists varies from label to label and artist to artist but it’s generally not the organic process you seem to be hopeful about. At the end of the day, these artists have to perform not only in the studio but while touring, so they can’t be talentless hacks since some talent is required to be a profitable artist.

[trash_panda]

I agree completely, but what you say about my comment does not reflect the spirit of it, I'm sure I expressed myself wrongly. I understand, because it may seem that I'm criticizing pop music/artists when I'm really not. Also, I'm ignorant on the subject of music production, I just enjoy listening to it a lot.

I'm geniunely curious about the process. Because the level of production behind these songs and artists makes me believe that a lot of it could be orchestrated and pushed to us.

I could be totally overthinking it yes, and probably they follow the same rules as any business: decent product + marketing + a bit of luck.

[Gargoyle]

I'm convinced Bodak Yellow was the result of a bet to see just how bad a "talent" producers could make a star on the basis of one good song.

[maldusiecle]

Then I guess they took the test too far, because she's had two #1s and several very successful features.