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{{Short description|Compromising of one's morality, integrity, or principles for personal gain}}
: ''"Sold Out" redirects here; this article is about the slang phrase. For the computer games label, see ].''
{{other uses|The Sellout (disambiguation)|Sold Out (disambiguation)|Sell Out (disambiguation)|Selling Out (disambiguation)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=August 2014}}
{{original research|date=September 2007}}
}}


"'''Selling out'''", or "'''sold out'''" in the past tense, is a common expression for the compromising of a person's ], ], ], or ] by forgoing the long-term benefits of a collective or group in exchange for personal gain, such as money or power.<ref>{{cite web|title=sellout|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sellout|publisher=Dictionary.com|access-date=21 February 2012|date=21 February 2012}}</ref> In terms of music or art, selling out is associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream or commercial audience. For example, a musician who ], and in turn generates greater revenue, may be labeled by fans who pre-date the change as a "sellout". "Sellout" also refers to someone who gives up, or disregards someone or something for some other thing or person.
{{POV}}


== In sports ==
'''''Selling out''''' is a common slang phrase. Broadly speaking, it refers to the compromising of one's integrity in exchange for ] or other personal gain. It is commonly associated with attempts to increase mass appeal or acceptability to ] society. A person who does this is labelled a '''sellout'''.
In sports franchises, a "sellout" is a person or group claiming to adhere to the ideology of putting the collective interests of the team, franchise or fans above their own individual accomplishments or financial gain, only to follow these claims up with actions contradicting them, such as an athlete or coach pledging to stay with a team until a specific goal is accomplished, but immediately deciding to leave the team for financial gain.


==In politics==
Many people see nothing wrong with tailoring a product to the tastes of its audience, or with taking practical and financial considerations into account when making art. And, in regard to theater shows, musicals, etc, a "sell out" show is simply a show so popular that all tickets are sold out, and is generally considered as a milestone in terms of success. Selling out may be then gaining success at the cost of ]. Though generally associated with the entertainment industry, regular individuals who similarly compromise their ideals (e.g. a ] individual who suddenly switches to a socially conservative lifestyle) could also be considered sellouts.
In political movements, a "sellout" is a person or group claiming to adhere to one ideology, only to follow these claims up with actions contradicting them, such as a revolutionary group claiming to fight for a particular cause, but failing to continue this upon obtaining power.


An example of political "selling out" is a political party who has formed a coalition with another party it had historically opposed, such as the ]' leader ]'s coalition with the ] after the ] in the United Kingdom, during which he reneged on his pledge to oppose any increase in student tuition fees.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clegg sold out to get power, say voters|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-sold-out-to-get-power-say-voters-2083293.html|newspaper=Independent|first=Matt|last=Chorley|date=19 September 2010|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/09/lib-dem-clegg-poll-principles|title=Clegg "sold out" for power|first=Sophie|last=Elmhirst|publisher=New Statesman|date=19 September 2010|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref>
==History of terms associated with selling out==
] and ] were often created around ] ] musicians in the early ] to add to the artist's mystique. One popular myth was that the blues musician ] sold his soul to the ] in order to become successful. It's thought that the modern idea of selling out is a natural progression of this idea.


==In music and entertainment==
In the ]s, comedian ] coined the term "sucking ]'s cock", which he used to describe musical acts who make bland music to maximise sales, or allow their music to be used in advertising. This phrase has since become a widely used ], and is commonly used to describe the act of selling out.


===Criticism of the term=== ===Music===
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY UNSOURCED CONTENT! NOT LIKING AN ARTISTS LATEST SONG IS SUBJECTIVE, NOT INDICATIVE OF SELLING OUT! -->
Selling out has frequently become used to describe anyone who changes artistic direction, as many fans assume that this must be done in an attempt to attain wider commercial appeal. This may fail to account for natural artistic ], which may lead an artist in directions that their original fans disliked. Also, it can result in the artist(s) being afraid to ''show'' artistic evolution out of fear of alienating existing fans, which many argue is a prime example of going against one's beliefs or values in the pursuit of monetary gain (ie: selling out).
There are three distinct forms of "selling out" in terms of music. First, there is the use of the term "sell-out" to refer to those who sign for ] or to those who license their music to companies for use in ]<ref name=GreatSellOut>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/30/rocknroll-sellout|title=The great rock'n'roll sellout|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey|work=The Guardian|date=30 June 2011|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> that contradicts their apparent values. Secondly, the expression can refer to those who sacrifice their musical integrity through a change in their musical sound, sometimes due to pressure from major labels<ref name=InDefense>{{cite web|url=http://nyulocal.com/entertainment/2012/03/20/in-defense-of-sell-out-musicians/|title=In Defense of "Sell Out" Musicians|first=Lizzie|last=Azran|publisher=NYU Local|date=20 March 2012|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> or in order to gain profit by making their music more appealing to a mainstream audience. The third form of selling out is simply to sell out a venue, which normally has nothing to do with a lapse of integrity.


====Record labels and advertising====
In addition, "selling out" has very literal roots. For example, selling out of a company means selling all the stock one holds in a corporation. Selling out of an investment brings direct financial gain with a relinquish of responsibility for the content or service provided by the
company.


Since the time of ] radio shows, there has been an established relationship between musicians and commercialization. There had been some signs of resistance to this model as early as the 1960s, when gospel group ] refused to sign record deals to record secular music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ktep.org/post/clarence-fountain-leader-and-founding-member-blind-boys-alabama-dies-88|title = Clarence Fountain, Leader and Founding Member of Blind Boys of Alabama, Dies at 88| date=4 June 2018 }}</ref> It was not until the ] in the 1970s that the notion that musicians should be completely independent of commercial influences began to increase in popularity.<ref name=GreatSellOut /><ref name=Cnet>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13526_3-20002543-27.html|title=Can bands sell out anymore?|first=Matt|last=Rosoff|publisher=Cnet|date=14 April 2010|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> This partly manifested itself in the reluctance of bands to sign for major labels, as this would include taking part in activities that were seen as crass and overly commercial.<ref name=Science>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7901003.stm|title=The science of selling out|first=Stephen|last=Dowling|publisher=BBC|date=20 February 2009|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> This continued into the 1980s, when bands were scorned by ] for signing with major labels as the mainstream success this would bring was symptomatic of the general decay in culture.<ref name=GreatSellOut /> However, after a number of bands maintained the quality of their records after signing for a major label, by the end of the 1980s the focus on "selling out" shifted to advertising.<ref name=GreatSellOut />
==Comedy==
Although rare, stand-up comics face criticism of selling out. Most comedians who start out in comedy clubs often use foul language and blue humor in their routines. A comic who alters his routine by "sugar-coating" his language and using less-offensive material to obtain mainstream success may be accused of selling out. Some would also argue that comedians who decide to enter the film industry with comedy movies are selling out, depending on the quality and content of their movies. For example, some may accuse ] of selling out by making movies in his now-trademark "goofball" style (though his starring role in ] is a striking exception).


The attitude held by those who disliked the idea of "selling out" towards advertising was negative; comedian ] claimed that any band who licensed their music for advertising was "off the artistic roll call forever",<ref name=GreatSellOut /><ref name=Science /> and ] mocked the fact that songs became associated with brands on his 1988 album '']''.<ref name=GreatSellOut /> However, although it was possible for fans to feel a sense of betrayal due to the relationship they developed with the song and artist, when artists did allow their music to be used for commercials others considered the advertised product to be more appealing.<ref name=Science /> As CD sales fell and record companies became unwilling or unable to afford the push new bands needed to become established, sponsorship of bands by major companies began to be seen as more acceptable, with even minor record labels devoting time and money towards marketing deals with well-known brands.<ref name=Cnet />
One comic who has been (falsely) labeled a sell-out is the ground-breaking ], who had changed the original title of his album and special, "Complaints and Grievances". The original title was "I like it when People Die". In light of the September 11th attacks in NYC, he changed the name, out of respect for those who were lost.


By the 2010s, the use of licensing of artists in commercials had become an accepted part of the music industry, and even those who would previously have been considered part of the 1970s resistance to "selling out" have been used in advertising products, such as former ] frontman ] advertising Country Life ] and ] endorsing car insurance.<ref name= Science /> Consequently, it has been suggested<ref name=Cnet /><ref name=Risk>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/monitormix/2009/11/risk_management_can_an_artist.html|title=Risk Management: Can An Artist Sell Out When There Are No Boundaries?|first=Carrie|last=Brownstein|publisher=NPR Music|date=11 November 2009|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> that the acceptance of music in advertising is generational, as younger listeners are comfortable with the relationship to the point of indifference<ref name=Science /><ref name=Risk /> whilst those who have seen the industry evolve still reject it.<ref name=Cnet /><ref name=Science />
==Music==
The phrase is often heard in the ]al community, where it is used to imply that an artist has compromised their artistic integrity in order to gain ] airplay or obtain a ], especially with a ], the classic example of this being when ] signed to ] after years of viciously attacking the organisation. Often, the label will force the style of a particular ] on the performer, or insist on inclusion of songs by commercial songwriters; or the label may refuse to release an album, deeming it uncommercial, though this indicates that the artist or group maintained their standards or values.


===Heavy metal=== ====Musical integrity====
]
The term “sell-out” in metal circles is attached to almost any band who gain some level of mainstream success. The term is mostly used by fans of more extreme versions of Metal such as ] and ], who ironically themselves compromise the hard rock roots of the original metal (], ], ]) in favour of a louder more aggressive sound.
Another definition of "selling out" refers to putting aside musical quality or original intentions in favor of commercial success,<ref name=Anti>{{cite web|url=http://www.antimusic.com/lowdown/05/integrity.shtml|title=The Art of Selling Out: Compromising the Music|first=Trent|last=McMartin|publisher=antimusic|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> where a distinction is made for those who achieve success without changing their original sound.<ref name=InDefense /> The difference between the two is often subjective.<ref name=Anti /> While artists may change their musical direction for commercial reasons, such as pressure from major labels who require songs to appeal to mass markets,<ref name=InDefense /> a change in sound may also be part of a natural progression of creative maturity.<ref name=Science />


An example of artists being accused of "selling out" is the band ], whose ] has been considered the turning point in the band's musical direction;<ref name=Review>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/8b8c|title=Metallica (The Black Album) Review|first=Sid|last=Smith|publisher=BBC|date=18 April 2007|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> the band members were called the "poster boys for musical un-integrity" after many incorrectly thought that the band attempted to sue fans who were downloading their music through ]. The album, known as ''The Black Album'', saw critics<ref name=Review /> and ],<ref name=Rock>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/metallicas-black-album-track-by-track-485030#!1|title=Metallica's Black Album track-by-track|first=Joe|last=Bosso|publisher=MusicRadar|date=1 August 2011|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> the album's ], acknowledge that there was a move away from the band's previous ] sound. Rock claimed that the change stemmed from the band's desire to "make the leap to the big, big leagues",<ref name=Rock /> while some fans blamed Rock himself, going as far to eventually create an internet petition demanding the band cut their ties with him.<ref name=Review /> However, other fans did not consider the change in sound to be significant enough to be considered "selling out",<ref name=Anti /> and others accepted the change as part of a natural evolution of the band's style.<ref name=Geeks>{{cite web|url=http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/13/metallica-20th-anniversary-of-the-black-album/|title=Metallica: 20th Anniversary Of The 'Black Album'|publisher=Geeks of Doom|date=13 August 2011|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> Ultimately ''The Black Album'' became the band's most commercially successful release,<ref name=Anti /> going ].<ref name=Lulu >{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/metallicas-lulu-problem-why-dont-they-just-sell-out-again/247295/|title=Metallica's 'Lulu' Problem: Why Don't They Just Sell Out Again?|first=Daniel|last=Snyder|publisher=The Atlantic|date=25 October 2011|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> The differing reaction by fans to the album demonstrates the difficulty in labelling an artist as a "sellout" objectively.
====Thrash Metal and Black Metal====
Perhaps the most (in)famous example of selling out often cited by thrash metal fans is that of ]. During the ], the band played fast, aggressive ] and repeatedly stated that they would never record a music video. Eventually they yielded, recording a video for the song '']'' from the album '']''. Many feel that every album the band have recorded since this point has been more accessible and radio friendly than the one that preceded it. It is also worth mentioning that the documentary '']'', which covers the lengthy process of creating the '']'' album, shows the band recording an endorsment for a radio contest against their wishes in order to secure airplay for their new material. The band also received criticism and accusations of selling out after filing a lawsuit that brought about the downfall of ] pioneer ].


"]" is a pejorative term, often used in the ], ], ], and ] ]s, to describe a person who copies the dress, speech, and/or mannerisms of a group or subculture, generally for attaining acceptability within the group or for popularity among various other groups, yet who is deemed not to share or understand the values of the subculture.
Though the particulars may vary, the usage of it is used often once a band changes musical direction for a "softer" sound, and associating themselves with more commercial or non-metal acts, such as Dimmu Borgir playing the main stage at Ozzfest.
While this perceived ] is viewed with scorn and contempt by members of the subculture, the definition of the term and to whom it should be applied is subjective. While the term is most associated with the 1970s- and 1980s-era punk and ] subculture, English use of the term originates in the late 19th century.<ref name="dictionary"> at Dictionary.com</ref> A hardcore punk band that signed a lucrative contract with a major label would probably be labelled as poseurs.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}


====Nu-Metal==== ===Film and television===
In film and television "selling out" refers to compromising the content of produced media, primarily for financial reasons; for example, introducing ].
With the increased popularity of ] bands in the late ] and early ], the placement of a band into the nu metal genre has largely become a ] of selling out among metal fans. Bands that change their musical style are often accused of "jumping onto the nu metal ]" for the sole purpose of gaining more airplay on radio and ]. Metallica themselves have been accused of this upon the release of '']'', with which they jettisoned guitar solos for the first time in their history. Another example of this is the ] band ]. Some of their fans claim that the band's most recent albums are no longer "metal", but are more in the vein of bands such as ]. It should be noted that the term ] itself is used mainly as an insult, and most bands who are placed under the nu-metal category by fans would not consider themselves nu-metal, such as ].


Product placement, or embedded marketing, is the placement of brands or products in media in order to advertise,<ref name=Chron>{{cite web|url=http://smallbusiness.chron.com/concept-embedded-marketing-product-placement-20278.html|title=Concept of Embedded Marketing & Product Placement|first=Neil|last=Kokemuller|date=26 August 2011 |publisher=Chron|access-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> and has been in television from almost the very beginning, but has increased with introduction of devices such as ]s which allow viewers, and therefore consumers, to fast-forward through adverts.<ref name=tvg>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/product-placement-tv-1042607.aspx|title=Product Placement: Is TV Selling Out?|first=Michael|last=Schneider|publisher=TVguide.com|date=31 January 2012|access-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> It has been suggested that the idea that product placement is a form of selling out is ],<ref name=Pisfor>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/p-is-for-product-placement-as-tv-shows-sell-out-to-advertisers-2213863.html|title=P is for product placement as TV shows sell out to advertisers|first=Ian|last=Burrell|work=The Independent|date=14 February 2011|access-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> as American television shows such as '']'' and '']'' recorded over 500 examples of brand integration in 2011 according to ].<ref name=tvg /><ref name=Pisfor />
====Metalcore====
The welsh band ] have been accused of selling out after they re-recorded the song "Juno" for their first studio album. The new version, named "Juneau" is much more melodic and easier to listen to for a more mainstream audience. ] have denied this, and say it is showing that the band have matured. Ironically, the version they play live more closely resembles the original. This is most likely due to their large fanbase.


===Comedy===
In more recent years, however, there has been a significant decline in the influence of nu metal on mainstream rock. This has been coupled with a tremendous rise in popularity of ] groups such as ], ], ], and ]. This, in effect, has caused many fans to shift their accusations of "selling out" away from nu metal (no longer considering it to be important) and directing it instead towards ] bands (see ]).
]
] occasionally face accusations of "selling out". Comedians who start out in comedy clubs might often use foul language and ] in their routines. A comic who alters their routine by "sugar-coating" their language and using less-offensive material to obtain mainstream success may be accused of "selling out".


] was accused of being a "sellout" for appearing in television commercials for ]'s ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gettingit.com/article/394 |work=Gettingit.com |title=The Happy Pessimist |access-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530071427/http://www.gettingit.com/article/394 |archive-date=30 May 2015 |author=RU Sirius |date=30 November 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shadowculture.com/adman/admn1129.html |title=The adMan - A Knee-Jerk to the Groin of American Advertising |access-date=15 June 2015 |work=Shadow Culture |date=29 November 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teevee.org/archive/1999/01/18/index.html |title=1-800-SELL-OUT |access-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704090058/http://www.teevee.org/archive/1999/01/18/index.html |archive-date=4 July 2007 |work=teevee.org |first=Gregg |last=Wrenn |date=18 January 1999 |publisher=Vidiot Syndicate LLC.}}</ref> Carlin had previously spoken of his dislike for MCI's commercials in his 1996 album '']''. In his 1999 album '']'', which contains rants against advertising and business, Carlin admits the dichotomy but makes no attempt to explain himself, stating, "You're just gonna have to figure that shit out on your own." In interviews, Carlin revealed he appeared in the advertisements to help pay off a large tax debt to the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/22917 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010135213/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/22917 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |title=Interviews: George Carlin |first=Stephen |last=Thompson |date=10 November 1999 |access-date=20 March 2019 |publisher=] |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bankrate.com/csites/news/investing/20010316a.asp |title=Carlin's got his act together, on stage and off |work=] |last=Getlen |first=Larry |date=16 March 2001 |access-date=13 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114073954/https://www.bankrate.com/csites/news/investing/20010316a.asp |archive-date=14 January 2018}}</ref>
===Punk===
The accusation of selling out is often made against ] bands who sign to major labels (e.g., ], ], ]), since punk has a cultural tradition of ] and ]. Similarly, it is often heard in the ] and ] communities, which like punk have a tradition of mainstream rejection and/or ]. The most famous indie rock sellout band would probably be ], who discarded their punk roots to adopt a mainstream rock sound in the early ]. Some of the early influential punk bands released records on major labels (] (Virgin / Warner) and ] (CBS)); some Sex Pistols fans argue that Virgin was still an independent company when the group signed to it and that Warner was the "sister" company of Virgin (like ] and ] with ]). In the early 90's ] was signed with an independent punk record company called Lookout! Records, but in 1994 they signed with Reprise Records and released ]. The album drew scorn from the band's earliest fans. More recently and more commonly, ] was accused of selling out with ], since songs like ], ], and ] are believed to be too pop-oriented, and receive airplay on top 40 radio stations, in spite of the fact that Green Day are not considered "punk" at all by most ] fans. Some of these artists have defended these actions as a necessary evil in order to achieve widespread distribution of their records and messages, and argue that selling out only occurs when the artist compromises the music in order to appeal to the broadest mainstream audience.


Comedian/actress ] has described herself as a "sellout" based on her participation with the TV show '']'' playing ]. Garofalo initially turned down the role because of the way the show depicted torture scenes;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/24/24-its-a-chloejanis-rivalryor-26069.aspx |title=24: It's A Chloe-Janis Rivalry--Or Not, As It Seems |date=February 2, 2009 |work=] |access-date=29 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316235329/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/24/24-its-a-chloejanis-rivalryor-26069.aspx |archive-date=16 March 2018 |first=Henrik |last=Batallones }}</ref> however, she changed her mind later on, saying in an interview, "Being unemployed and being flattered that someone wanted to work with me outweighed my stance ."<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/arts/television/16twen.html |title=Deep Inside the Grim '24,' Two Comics' Inside Joke |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Itzkoff |date=February 15, 2009 |newspaper=] |access-date=29 March 2009 |page=C1}}</ref> Garofalo admitted to "selling out" for losing weight in order to gain more acting work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Janeane Garofalo on Botox, Spanx, and the Troubles of Finding Work As a 45-Year-Old Former Slacker Icon&#124; |work=] |publisher=New York Media, LLC |last=Yuan |first=Jada |date=19 February 2010 |access-date=23 November 2012 |url=http://www.vulture.com/2010/02/janeane_garofalo_on_botox_span.html}}</ref>
===Hip hop===
Selling out is a controversial topic within both ] and ], with two wholly opposite views on the matter. Traditional "underground" hip hop artists and fans decry "selling out", and heavily criticize artists who change their style just to reach the top. They also heavily protest an emphasis on material things, gloss, and other such ornamentation. The hip-hop community also considers a performer to be a "sell-out" when they shun hip-hop's traditonal ] and ] communities and appear to be pandering to a mainstream (usually white) audience. For example, ] was considered a sell-out in the ], and ] was accused as being a sell-out during the ].


==In the brewing industry==
Mainstream hip-hop music, on the other hand, embraces materialism and a "]" mentality. Such visual representations of wealth are seen as status symbols and things to be aspired to, as opposed to the attitude of traditional "hip hop heads" and punk or metal artists that states that these are things that artists should in some way feel ashamed of. Mainstream artists such as ] and ] have achieved vast personal fortunes and business empires, and often revel in their affluence in their music.
The term has been used amongst fans of ] to describe when an independent brewery signs a deal with a big brewery, with the latter seen much as big record labels in the music industry. An example is when the ] signed a distribution deal with ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vinepair.com/articles/craft-beer-cultural-comedown/|title=Death of the Craft Beer 'Sellout': The Next Wave of Acquisitions Marks a New Era of Drinker Indifference|first=Dave|last=Infante|access-date=8 May 2024|date=7 February 2022|publisher=Vinepair}}</ref>


==Criticism of the term==
Hip-hop's lyrical content has changed very much as well, as mentioned in the above paragraph, new hip-hop is now much more popular and the artists are wealthier. Today the lyrics in hip-hop seem to refrence more the wealth and "high life" of the rappers, where as in older hip-hop the lyrical content was more about "the ghetto" and were anti-establishment. Long time hip-hop fans express dissatisfaction with this change.
An artist may also be accused of "selling out" after changes in artistic direction. This conclusion is often due to the perception that the reason for the artist changing artistic style or direction was simply potential material gain. This ignores other causes of artistic ], which may lead an artist in new directions from those that attracted their original fans. Artists' improvements in musical skill or change in taste may also account for the change.


Other times, artists (including those with politically oriented messages) resent the term on the grounds that the perceived desire for material gain is simply a result of the band seeking to expand its message. To such artists, ''not'' going mainstream or signing to a bigger label to avoid "selling out" prevents them from addressing a wider audience, regardless of whether or not there is any real artistic change, and arbitrarily hampers the artists' course of mainstream success. Such an accusation, then, assumes that mainstream success must be against the artists' original intentions. For example, when questioned about signing to a major label, ] answered "We're not interested in preaching to just the converted. It's great to play abandoned squats run by anarchists, but it's also great to be able to reach people with a revolutionary message, people from ] to ]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ratm.de/faq/ragefaq.html#1_9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526032423/http://www.ratm.de/faq/ragefaq.html#1_9 |title=Rage Against The Machine Online : F.A.Q. |author=RinO |archive-date=26 May 2006 |access-date=15 June 2015 |work=Rage Against the Machine}}</ref> Similarly, when confronted with the accusation of "selling out" in 2001, ] of ] said:
Mainstream ]'s fixation on bling bling and other material and ] goods has led to much criticism from media pundits, musical critics, and the non-mainstream hip-hop community. They charge that the phenomenon promotes ] and ], and strengthens ] arguments that young ] men are incapable of higher or more virtuous or spiritual goals than material gain.


<blockquote>
Some of the most vocal critics of "bling bling"-oriented music are ] artists. An example of this is the group ], from "Hip Hop" :
"If there's a formula to selling out, I think every band in the world would be doing it. The fact that you write good songs and you sell too many of them, if everybody in the world knew how to do that they'd do it. It's not something we chose to do...The fact was we got to a point that we were so big that tons of people were showing up at punk-rock clubs, and some clubs were even getting shut down because too many were showing up. We had to make a decision: either break up or remove ourselves from that element. And I'll be damned if I was going to flip fucking burgers. I do what I do best. Selling out is compromising your musical intention and I don't even know how to do that."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2001/jul/20/512106831.html?%22green+day%22 |title='Warning' -- Don't call Green Day a sellout |access-date=7 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031510/http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2001/jul/20/512106831.html?%22green+day%22 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |date=20 July 2001 |first=Kirk |last=Baird |newspaper=] |publisher=]}}</ref>
</blockquote>


==See also==
:All y'all records sound the same
* ]
:I'm sick of that fake thug, R&B-rap scenario, all day on the radio
* ]
:Same scenes in the video, monotonous material
* ]
:Y'all don't hear me though
* ]
:These record labels slang our tapes like dope
* ]
:You can be next in line and signed; and still be writing rhymes and broke
* ]
:You would rather have a Lexus? or justice? a dream? or some substance?
* ]
:A ]? a necklace? or freedom?
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


===Other=== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
] outraged ] purists by, in their view, selling out their favorite music for ] when he first played an ] at the ] (1965). However, Dylan has changed direction repeatedly throughout his career.

===References to selling out===
====Songs====
Many songs have been written about selling out, including:

*"Hooker with a Penis" by ]
*"As I am" by ]
*"Tinsel Town Rebellion" by ]
*"Selling Out" by ]
*"All Men Play On 10" by ]
*"Cashing in" by ]
*"Cherub Rock" by ]
*"Corridor Of Chameleons" by ]
*"Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)" by ]
*"Have a Cigar" by ]
*"Pull My Strings" by ]
*"I'm Not Allowed to Like A.C. Anymore Since They Signed to ]" by ]
*"] Thinks We're Sellouts" by ]
*"Never Sell Out" by ]
*"Radio Stars" by ]
*"Sell Out" by ]
*"Sell Out" by ]
*"Selling Out" by ]
*"Our Broken Hearts (Scene from Top Gun 2)" by ]
*"Two Tabs of ]" by ]
*"]" by ]
*"]" by ]
*"I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am" by ]
*"Bliss" by ]
*"Walking Contradiction" by ]
*"Rock for Sustainable Capitalism" by ]
*"I Disappear" by ]
*"]" by ]
*"]" by ]
*"Gone" by ]
*"Mediocrity Gets You Pears (The Shaker)" by ] (who subsequently signed to a major label.)
*""you sold your rock 'n'roll" by ]
*"Handbook for the Sellout" by ]

These songs range in approach to the term "selling out"; from declarations that the band will never sell out, to aggressive messages towards fans accusing bands of "selling out".

====Nirvana====
] made repeated references to the act of selling out (including, clearly ironically, thanking his audiences for "pretending we're still punks"). One popular T-shirt produced by the band features the slogan "Flower Sniffin', Kitty Pettin', Baby Kissin' Corporate Rock Whores". Frontman ] also proposed the titles ''Verse Chorus Verse'' (in reference to the formulaic structure fans had come to expect of their songs) and ''Radio Friendly Unit Shifters'' as possible titles for the album that eventually became '']''. Cobain further lampooned ideas of Nirvana's new commercial appeal by appearing on the cover of ] magazine wearing a T-shirt reading "Corporate Magazines Still Suck". The first Nirvana item to be released following Cobain's death was the perhaps sarcastically titled VHS tape '']''.

====The Who====
'']'' is an album by ] with mock endorsement advertisements on the cover. The album pretends to represent a radio station that plays nothing but Who music, including mock commercials and radio-station promotions. The Who became very prolific at selling their work by the end of the 1990s, including "Love Reign O'er Me" for 7-Up, "Bargain" for Nissan, "Overture" for Claritin, "Happy Jack" for Hummer, "Baba O'Riley" for Hewlett Packard, and "I Can See for Miles" for Sylvania Silverstar headlights. More recently, their songs have been used as themes for all three '']'' series.

==Movies==
The term selling out is used in a similar sense when discussing the ], in particular its directors.

===Kevin Smith===
] achieved a cult following with his ultra-low budget ] '']'', but has subsequently been labelled a sellout on numerous occasions, particularly by people who saw the cheaply-made style of ''Clerks.'' as a mark of artistic integrity, rather than a financial decision. The accusations began with his second film, '']'', in which he made many changes to the ] to appease studio executives. Renowned film critic ] recalled, in his review of the movie , acting as chairman for a discussion panel of independent filmmakers at the ]. One of the filmmakers was Smith, and whilst the other filmmakers discussed measures they could take to avoid excessive studio interference with their work, Smith said that he would do anything to get the movie greenlit. At the time Ebert thought he was joking, but in his opinion with ''Mallrats'', Smith did just that.

For his part, Smith has taken to applying the phrase to himself with self-deprecating enthusiasm, for example, saying in an interview, "I've been saying I sold out for years. When ] bought the first movie (''Clerks.''), that was a sellout. And you know, we followed up with ''Mallrats''. We sell so much damn merchandise on our Web site that it's kind of become a joke that I like to make money." . Smith has also mocked this by wearing shirts that jokingly say "SELL-OUT" and "INDIE" on them, as seen in .


==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*
*
* (article about musicians "Selling Out")
* (article about musicians "selling out")
* (article explaining why 'selling out' is so confusing)
* (article explaining why "selling out" can be confusing)
* (commentary)
* (commentary) * (commentary)
* (commentary)

* (commentary)
==See also==
* {{Cite news |last= Albini |first= Steve |author-link= Steve Albini |year= 1993 |title= The Problem with Music |periodical= ] |publication-place= Chicago |publisher= ] |issue= 5 |url= http://www.negativland.com/albini.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070928182458/http://www.negativland.com/albini.html |archive-date= 2007-09-28 |issn= 1059-9789 |oclc= 24838556 }}, also . (Legendary producer Albini's take on "going major". Reprinted in '']'' #133 (June 1994) and later various websites.)
* ]
* ]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Selling Out}}
]
] ]
] ]


] ]

Latest revision as of 15:55, 8 January 2025

Compromising of one's morality, integrity, or principles for personal gain For other uses, see The Sellout (disambiguation), Sold Out (disambiguation), Sell Out (disambiguation), and Selling Out (disambiguation).
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"Selling out", or "sold out" in the past tense, is a common expression for the compromising of a person's integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles by forgoing the long-term benefits of a collective or group in exchange for personal gain, such as money or power. In terms of music or art, selling out is associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream or commercial audience. For example, a musician who alters their material to encompass a wider audience, and in turn generates greater revenue, may be labeled by fans who pre-date the change as a "sellout". "Sellout" also refers to someone who gives up, or disregards someone or something for some other thing or person.

In sports

In sports franchises, a "sellout" is a person or group claiming to adhere to the ideology of putting the collective interests of the team, franchise or fans above their own individual accomplishments or financial gain, only to follow these claims up with actions contradicting them, such as an athlete or coach pledging to stay with a team until a specific goal is accomplished, but immediately deciding to leave the team for financial gain.

In politics

In political movements, a "sellout" is a person or group claiming to adhere to one ideology, only to follow these claims up with actions contradicting them, such as a revolutionary group claiming to fight for a particular cause, but failing to continue this upon obtaining power.

An example of political "selling out" is a political party who has formed a coalition with another party it had historically opposed, such as the Liberal Democrats' leader Nick Clegg's coalition with the Conservative Party after the 2010 general election in the United Kingdom, during which he reneged on his pledge to oppose any increase in student tuition fees.

In music and entertainment

Music

There are three distinct forms of "selling out" in terms of music. First, there is the use of the term "sell-out" to refer to those who sign for major labels or to those who license their music to companies for use in advertising that contradicts their apparent values. Secondly, the expression can refer to those who sacrifice their musical integrity through a change in their musical sound, sometimes due to pressure from major labels or in order to gain profit by making their music more appealing to a mainstream audience. The third form of selling out is simply to sell out a venue, which normally has nothing to do with a lapse of integrity.

Record labels and advertising

Since the time of big band radio shows, there has been an established relationship between musicians and commercialization. There had been some signs of resistance to this model as early as the 1960s, when gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama refused to sign record deals to record secular music. It was not until the punk subculture in the 1970s that the notion that musicians should be completely independent of commercial influences began to increase in popularity. This partly manifested itself in the reluctance of bands to sign for major labels, as this would include taking part in activities that were seen as crass and overly commercial. This continued into the 1980s, when bands were scorned by fanzines for signing with major labels as the mainstream success this would bring was symptomatic of the general decay in culture. However, after a number of bands maintained the quality of their records after signing for a major label, by the end of the 1980s the focus on "selling out" shifted to advertising.

The attitude held by those who disliked the idea of "selling out" towards advertising was negative; comedian Bill Hicks claimed that any band who licensed their music for advertising was "off the artistic roll call forever", and Neil Young mocked the fact that songs became associated with brands on his 1988 album This Note's for You. However, although it was possible for fans to feel a sense of betrayal due to the relationship they developed with the song and artist, when artists did allow their music to be used for commercials others considered the advertised product to be more appealing. As CD sales fell and record companies became unwilling or unable to afford the push new bands needed to become established, sponsorship of bands by major companies began to be seen as more acceptable, with even minor record labels devoting time and money towards marketing deals with well-known brands.

By the 2010s, the use of licensing of artists in commercials had become an accepted part of the music industry, and even those who would previously have been considered part of the 1970s resistance to "selling out" have been used in advertising products, such as former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon advertising Country Life butter and Iggy Pop endorsing car insurance. Consequently, it has been suggested that the acceptance of music in advertising is generational, as younger listeners are comfortable with the relationship to the point of indifference whilst those who have seen the industry evolve still reject it.

Musical integrity

Metallica playing live at Illinois in 2004.

Another definition of "selling out" refers to putting aside musical quality or original intentions in favor of commercial success, where a distinction is made for those who achieve success without changing their original sound. The difference between the two is often subjective. While artists may change their musical direction for commercial reasons, such as pressure from major labels who require songs to appeal to mass markets, a change in sound may also be part of a natural progression of creative maturity.

An example of artists being accused of "selling out" is the band Metallica, whose 1991 eponymous album has been considered the turning point in the band's musical direction; the band members were called the "poster boys for musical un-integrity" after many incorrectly thought that the band attempted to sue fans who were downloading their music through Napster. The album, known as The Black Album, saw critics and Bob Rock, the album's producer, acknowledge that there was a move away from the band's previous thrash metal sound. Rock claimed that the change stemmed from the band's desire to "make the leap to the big, big leagues", while some fans blamed Rock himself, going as far to eventually create an internet petition demanding the band cut their ties with him. However, other fans did not consider the change in sound to be significant enough to be considered "selling out", and others accepted the change as part of a natural evolution of the band's style. Ultimately The Black Album became the band's most commercially successful release, going 16× Platinum in the United States. The differing reaction by fans to the album demonstrates the difficulty in labelling an artist as a "sellout" objectively.

"Poseur" is a pejorative term, often used in the punk, heavy metal, hip hop, and goth subcultures, to describe a person who copies the dress, speech, and/or mannerisms of a group or subculture, generally for attaining acceptability within the group or for popularity among various other groups, yet who is deemed not to share or understand the values of the subculture.

While this perceived inauthenticity is viewed with scorn and contempt by members of the subculture, the definition of the term and to whom it should be applied is subjective. While the term is most associated with the 1970s- and 1980s-era punk and hardcore subculture, English use of the term originates in the late 19th century. A hardcore punk band that signed a lucrative contract with a major label would probably be labelled as poseurs.

Film and television

In film and television "selling out" refers to compromising the content of produced media, primarily for financial reasons; for example, introducing product placement.

Product placement, or embedded marketing, is the placement of brands or products in media in order to advertise, and has been in television from almost the very beginning, but has increased with introduction of devices such as DVRs which allow viewers, and therefore consumers, to fast-forward through adverts. It has been suggested that the idea that product placement is a form of selling out is Anglocentric, as American television shows such as American Idol and Celebrity Apprentice recorded over 500 examples of brand integration in 2011 according to Nielsen.

Comedy

George Carlin has been accused of being a sellout for appearing in commercials for MCI, a company he had previously criticized.

Stand-up comedians occasionally face accusations of "selling out". Comedians who start out in comedy clubs might often use foul language and blue humor in their routines. A comic who alters their routine by "sugar-coating" their language and using less-offensive material to obtain mainstream success may be accused of "selling out".

George Carlin was accused of being a "sellout" for appearing in television commercials for MCI's 10-10-220. Carlin had previously spoken of his dislike for MCI's commercials in his 1996 album Back in Town. In his 1999 album You Are All Diseased, which contains rants against advertising and business, Carlin admits the dichotomy but makes no attempt to explain himself, stating, "You're just gonna have to figure that shit out on your own." In interviews, Carlin revealed he appeared in the advertisements to help pay off a large tax debt to the IRS.

Comedian/actress Janeane Garofalo has described herself as a "sellout" based on her participation with the TV show 24 playing Janis Gold. Garofalo initially turned down the role because of the way the show depicted torture scenes; however, she changed her mind later on, saying in an interview, "Being unemployed and being flattered that someone wanted to work with me outweighed my stance ." Garofalo admitted to "selling out" for losing weight in order to gain more acting work.

In the brewing industry

The term has been used amongst fans of craft beer to describe when an independent brewery signs a deal with a big brewery, with the latter seen much as big record labels in the music industry. An example is when the Elysian Brewing Company signed a distribution deal with Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Criticism of the term

An artist may also be accused of "selling out" after changes in artistic direction. This conclusion is often due to the perception that the reason for the artist changing artistic style or direction was simply potential material gain. This ignores other causes of artistic development, which may lead an artist in new directions from those that attracted their original fans. Artists' improvements in musical skill or change in taste may also account for the change.

Other times, artists (including those with politically oriented messages) resent the term on the grounds that the perceived desire for material gain is simply a result of the band seeking to expand its message. To such artists, not going mainstream or signing to a bigger label to avoid "selling out" prevents them from addressing a wider audience, regardless of whether or not there is any real artistic change, and arbitrarily hampers the artists' course of mainstream success. Such an accusation, then, assumes that mainstream success must be against the artists' original intentions. For example, when questioned about signing to a major label, Rage Against the Machine answered "We're not interested in preaching to just the converted. It's great to play abandoned squats run by anarchists, but it's also great to be able to reach people with a revolutionary message, people from Granada Hills to Stuttgart." Similarly, when confronted with the accusation of "selling out" in 2001, Mike Dirnt of Green Day said:

"If there's a formula to selling out, I think every band in the world would be doing it. The fact that you write good songs and you sell too many of them, if everybody in the world knew how to do that they'd do it. It's not something we chose to do...The fact was we got to a point that we were so big that tons of people were showing up at punk-rock clubs, and some clubs were even getting shut down because too many were showing up. We had to make a decision: either break up or remove ourselves from that element. And I'll be damned if I was going to flip fucking burgers. I do what I do best. Selling out is compromising your musical intention and I don't even know how to do that."

See also

References

  1. "sellout". Dictionary.com. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  2. Chorley, Matt (19 September 2010). "Clegg sold out to get power, say voters". Independent. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  3. Elmhirst, Sophie (19 September 2010). "Clegg "sold out" for power". New Statesman. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  4. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (30 June 2011). "The great rock'n'roll sellout". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  5. ^ Azran, Lizzie (20 March 2012). "In Defense of "Sell Out" Musicians". NYU Local. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  6. "Clarence Fountain, Leader and Founding Member of Blind Boys of Alabama, Dies at 88". 4 June 2018.
  7. ^ Rosoff, Matt (14 April 2010). "Can bands sell out anymore?". Cnet. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  8. ^ Dowling, Stephen (20 February 2009). "The science of selling out". BBC. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  9. ^ Brownstein, Carrie (11 November 2009). "Risk Management: Can An Artist Sell Out When There Are No Boundaries?". NPR Music. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  10. ^ McMartin, Trent. "The Art of Selling Out: Compromising the Music". antimusic. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  11. ^ Smith, Sid (18 April 2007). "Metallica (The Black Album) Review". BBC. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  12. ^ Bosso, Joe (1 August 2011). "Metallica's Black Album track-by-track". MusicRadar. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  13. "Metallica: 20th Anniversary Of The 'Black Album'". Geeks of Doom. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  14. Snyder, Daniel (25 October 2011). "Metallica's 'Lulu' Problem: Why Don't They Just Sell Out Again?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  15. Definition of poseur at Dictionary.com
  16. Kokemuller, Neil (26 August 2011). "Concept of Embedded Marketing & Product Placement". Chron. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  17. ^ Schneider, Michael (31 January 2012). "Product Placement: Is TV Selling Out?". TVguide.com. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  18. ^ Burrell, Ian (14 February 2011). "P is for product placement as TV shows sell out to advertisers". The Independent. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  19. RU Sirius (30 November 1999). "The Happy Pessimist". Gettingit.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  20. "The adMan - A Knee-Jerk to the Groin of American Advertising". Shadow Culture. 29 November 1998. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  21. Wrenn, Gregg (18 January 1999). "1-800-SELL-OUT". teevee.org. Vidiot Syndicate LLC. Archived from the original on 4 July 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  22. Thompson, Stephen (10 November 1999). "Interviews: George Carlin". The A.V. Club. Onion Inc. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  23. Getlen, Larry (16 March 2001). "Carlin's got his act together, on stage and off". Bankrate.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  24. Batallones, Henrik (February 2, 2009). "24: It's A Chloe-Janis Rivalry--Or Not, As It Seems". Buddy TV. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  25. Itzkoff, Dave (February 15, 2009). "Deep Inside the Grim '24,' Two Comics' Inside Joke". New York Times. p. C1. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  26. Yuan, Jada (19 February 2010). "Janeane Garofalo on Botox, Spanx, and the Troubles of Finding Work As a 45-Year-Old Former Slacker Icon|". Vulture.com. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  27. Infante, Dave (7 February 2022). "Death of the Craft Beer 'Sellout': The Next Wave of Acquisitions Marks a New Era of Drinker Indifference". Vinepair. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  28. RinO. "Rage Against The Machine Online : F.A.Q." Rage Against the Machine. Archived from the original on 26 May 2006. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  29. Baird, Kirk (20 July 2001). "'Warning' -- Don't call Green Day a sellout". Las Vegas Sun. Greenspun Media Group. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2007.

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