Written By: Jon Gauster
Juice WRLD Drops Two New Singles — But Did He Really?
Juice WRLD recently released two new singles: “World Tour” featuring Aquafina and “Lightyears” featuring Young Thug. But did he though?
The artist’s natural talent shines once again. His addictive pop melodies wrapped in lovelorn lyricism remind us why fans fell in love with his sound. Almost five years have passed since his untimely death. Yet his music still resonates with old and new fans alike.
Fans Are Split on Posthumous Releases
Some fans feel grateful for new Juice WRLD music. Others aren’t as thrilled.
Many believe the distribution of Juice’s unreleased music is merely a cash grab. They call it an insult to the artist. A number of devotees argue that if Juice didn’t release the music himself, no one has the right to.
This begs the question:
Is it cool to release an artist’s music after they’ve died?
The Posthumous Music Landscape
Plenty of deceased artists still release new music today. Labels have taken a variety of approaches in response to an artist’s early demise.
Some labels release posthumous work with the family and fans in mind. Distributing this music can keep an artist’s legacy alive and help revive their sound. Lil Peep’s “Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2” is a great example. Fans pushed hard for the album’s release knowing it was nearly finished. Peep’s mom, Liza Womack, also helped produce it. She even spoke at a Columbia-hosted listening party to promote the album.
Other companies haven’t shown as much sincerity.
When Labels Get It Wrong
When Whitney Houston passed, David Joseph, CEO of Universal Music UK, stated he had destroyed demos for Houston’s third album. He didn’t want them “Frankensteined.” Houston had apparently felt hesitant and uneasy about releasing them before she passed.
Joseph claimed he wanted to respect Whitney’s reservations about dropping the tracks. Yet the album was still pieced together and eventually released as “Lioness: Hidden Treasures.” This happened despite Houston’s reluctance. It surely isn’t the decision she would’ve made.
I can’t pass judgment on something this personal. But we can create a pros and cons list weighing the facts.
Pros of Releasing Posthumous Music
It can boost sales. Aeron Davies of Medium conducted great research into artists’ album sales after death. Researchers concluded that “album sales increased on average by 54.1% after death.” This could work for or against the artist depending on where the money goes.
It can carry on an artist’s legacy. Computer science major Quinn Correll (a big Mac Miller fan) said it best in an interview with The Crimson White: “I’m a fan of it as a way to continue someone’s legacy, to remember their contributions to the music industry.”
Some artists want their music released. Freddy Mercury of Queen reportedly insisted on recording as many vocals as possible. He told the rest of the band he wanted them to complete and release the songs once he was gone. Sounds like Freddy.
It can’t hurt them. Though vain, the fact remains: the artist has passed on. They can’t worry over how fans will take to the posthumous music.
It’s good for society. When Prince’s vault finally opened, folks were torn. Ultimately, letting years of work from such a prolific player go unpublished would’ve been a waste.
Cons of Releasing Posthumous Music
The artist never signed off on it. Fans see this as disrespectful to the artist. It can also lead to quality control issues. The music might contain outdated references, unwanted lyrics, and unfinished melodies. Prince was known for his perfectionism and meticulousness in his sound. He would’ve never allowed any music to be shared without his say-so.
Many posthumous songs and albums lack quality. John Trammel of Oz Records said in an interview: “There’s a fine line between pleasing the fans and scraping the bottom of the barrel.” Some labels pay no regard to a piece’s state or quality. They hope only to reap its rewards.
It’s just a cash grab by labels. After reading responses on Reddit’s r/LetsTalkMusic subreddit, a number of Pop Smoke and XXX fans state that multiple tracks released posthumously were “embarrassing” and “disingenuous” to their legacy and art. They believe labels released them solely for profit, with no regard for the artist or their work.
The wrong people could gain control. Producers and other creators that an artist would’ve never wanted to work with could potentially gain access and control over the pieces.
The family may not receive money. In some instances, labels continue to release a creator’s work without compensating their family. Although legally doable, we can all agree this isn’t right morally.
Verdict: Is It Cool to Release an Artist’s Work After They’ve Died?
After reviewing, it really seems to be a case-by-case situation. It depends on several factors:
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The artist and family’s consent
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Who the money goes to
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How completed the work is
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Its significance
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Why it’s being released
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Who truly owns it
Some fans can’t get enough of an artist. They’re thrilled whenever any piece of material is shared, no matter the quality. Other fans would rather let the artist’s legacy be solidified with their passing.
It really boils down to the specific case. So far, most of Juice WRLD’s posthumous music has been of quality and completion. What do you think?
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