Why we immortalize artists / musicians who died in their prime
Whatever genre you listen to (Reggae, Hip-hop, Hard Metal, Rock n Roll, Soul, Jazz, Classic, etc.), there is always an Artist (s) who in their heyday revolutionized the industry and inspired a generation. with his Lyrics, Talent, Songs, personality and acting.
They were like demigods in their prime worshiped by legions of fans around the world, captivating us with their songs and lyrics, but their mysterious and untimely death surprised us and left an inedible mark on our lives, making us immortalize them to this day.
But what if they were still alive? Would we keep them in awe? Would their songs, lyrics or compositions be revered? Would his influence and popularity be the same as before he died? What influences our attachment to them when we are dead than alive? Is it something innate or psychological that makes us appreciate them more when they leave?
It is difficult to know what it is that really makes us immortalize such artists, but after reading several articles, I have advanced several theories to help explain it.
“He would try many things because he knew he was going to die soon”, “Now Jimi is gone, he is not alone / His memory still lives”, “Five years, he said this / He has not left, he is simply dead”. “The Ballads of Jimi”, by the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. These lines puzzled fans around the world, as exactly five years later he was found dead in his apartment sucked in by his own vomit while intoxicated. Many believed that he predicted his own death, and from the lines above I lean towards the same, which provided an aspect of my theory why we immortalize them, Artist who predicted his death.
From John Lennon, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, and Tu pac Shakur, they all somehow predicted his death through lyrics or could have hinted during interviews. With an almost prophetic precision of his untimely demise, fans were taken aback by creating conspiracy theories that explain such premonitions. With no rational explanations or reasons, the fanatics refused to let them rest in peace as they continually searched for rational explanations.
Thus, immortalizing those artists by refusing to let them fade, seeking answers to explain how they might have somehow predicted their own deaths, and reverence them as they try to decipher such mysteries.
At age 14, he released his critically acclaimed album, Age is Nothing But a Number, which was certified gold, and two years later his second album, One in a Million, selling 8 million copies worldwide. and double platinum certificate. Aaliyah Dana Haughton also known by her nickname Aaliyah, achieved such a feat while still a teenager, not forgetting her roles in various Blockbusters as Romeo must die.
Just as his star was shining brightly, on August 25, 2001, at the tender age of 22, his life was turned off by a plane crash in the Bahamas, and traces of alcohol and cocaine were found in the system after an autopsy. pilot. Her disappearance shocked everyone, as fans hadn’t had enough of her exceptional talent, they weren’t done with her, and she still had more to offer.
Thus, we provide another aspect of Artist Gone Too Soon, where we immortalize said artists by refusing to let them Rest In Peace, because their disappearance occurred too soon and suddenly and we do not give fans time to understand the situation.
Or it can be something psychological or innate; since they occupy a special place in our hearts, just like our loved ones, therefore, when they die, we keep their memories burning in our hearts, immortalizing ourselves by default.
Whatever reason you have or think, no one denies the fact that their songs and lyrics played a significant role in shaping our lives in one way or another, which is why they are morally obligated to immortalize and keep their memory alive.