"Don’t duet with the dead"

A great text by Tom Maxwell about duets by the dead (Tupac & Biggie), or with the dead (Robbie Williams and Frank Sinatra; Kanye West's birthday gift to his wife was an inspiration for the article ): "Reflected in this cultural thinking is the fairytale belief that fame is key to immortality, and therefore both are to be devoutly desired. Lurking on a deeper level is the feeling that our celebrities belong to us; that the individual is subservient to the brand; that persona trumps person". A conclusion and a plea: "In some ways, the digital age has diminished us. Recordings are now infinitely reproducible, and thus have no inherent value. Musicians have likewise been devalued — it was far easier to make money playing in a cover band pre-pandemic. It’s up to us to declare what is important and proper, beyond market value, or be forever owned".