Moments ago The Chainsmokers threw some red meat out on their twitter and the hungry carnivores came out of the shadows to feed on their juicy defense of “selling out.” If you are just joining the conversation, here is a brief synopsis of recent events that are leading up the rant.
On May 15th The Chainsmokers appeared on FOX’s American Idol, which you can watch here. The performance stirred up the ever present criticism that DJ’s are mere ‘button pushers.’ Certainly, it would appear as much considering the video shows the duo pressing play and then leaving the decks to run around and take selfies with the crowd. Most viewers don’t realize that the skill of DJing comes in mixing tracks and track selection, neither of which were required for the brief performance. 
A few days later, on May 18th, comedian Andy Samberg and SNL Digital Shorts punked the entire EDM industry with a video that showed a David Guetta / Avicii hybrid DJ playing to an overly entertained crowd while DJ Davincii does everything but mix music (you can check out the short here). How is this related to The Chainsmokers on American Idol? In the span of three days, mainstream television viewers witnessed two high profile instances of DJs looking like glorified iPods.
With these two events fresh on the internet’s mind, The Chainsmokers received the blunt end of the criticism with many people claiming that the American Idol appearance marked the DJ’s selling out. They defended these claims by pointing out that in an often financially unrewarding industry, getting paid provides them with the ability to make more music:
It’s so crazy watching other ppl attack artists claiming they sold out. Do you even know what that means to sell out
@TheChainsmokers NAH MAN NAH ITS ALL ABOUT STAYING UNDERGROUND (and therefore collecting welfare or working a miserable job)
— Jungle BASED Niglio (@VictorNiglio) May 20, 2014
Does anyone realize how hard it is to make a dollar in music let alone a living off of it
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
@sophia333gata77 There’s a lot of people making money off the artists, but the artists get a big chunk, don’t wory ; )
— Laidback Luke (@LaidbackLuke) May 20, 2014
Ppl should chill and not tear down artists who on some level have found that type of financial success.
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
There is most certainly a fine line but ppl need to relax. Quality music is quality music if money changes you then move on to someone else
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
But don’t criticize someone for wanted a better life and maybe getting it. Or doing what they feel is best for themselves and career or fam
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
And being a smart businessman in a capitalistic society that thrives on social Darwinism
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
Is that guy not entitled to do what’s best for him. ESP if he sold you a car that drives well and got you where it needs to go
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
Not saying there aren’t exceptions to the rule but the dance music peanut gallery needs to slow their role
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
And be proud of the artists that are achieving more for their genre and industry.
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
It’s so easy to look and the negative that no one eve bothers to think of the positive anymore… It’s easier just to throw stones
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
And this rant isn’t about us. We are comfortable and know what we are about lots of good music, fireball and yoga pants BUT there is
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
Always this black swan vibe that descends upon dance music producers that finds success.
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
Take a page from bob and don’t worry be happy and sit back and enjoy the show
— The Chainsmokers (@TheChainsmokers) May 20, 2014
The thread of tweets was then met with responses from some familiar faces:
can we take all the hate for selfie/the chainsmokers and more appropriately direct it towards flo-rida/photobomb, thanks
— Jungle BASED Niglio (@VictorNiglio) May 20, 2014
“sell-out” as the kids say, then. do it. Terrible news doe, money doesn’t buy talent, even if it’s on discount at the moment.
— deadmau5 (@deadmau5) May 20, 2014
uuuuurgh i’m trying so hard not to respond to these @thechainsmokers tweets but i honestly just fucking have to
— 【＝◈︿◈＝】ｐｏｒｔｅｒ (@porterrobinson) May 20, 2014
you cannot make every sell-out-y, devoid-of-integrity decision just for the money and then claim you’re being mistreated.
— 【＝◈︿◈＝】ｐｏｒｔｅｒ (@porterrobinson) May 20, 2014
if you only care about “making it”, if you take every shitty commerical opportunity, this is what you end up doing: https://t.co/o0rzb5OutD
— 【＝◈︿◈＝】ｐｏｒｔｅｒ (@porterrobinson) May 20, 2014
Who do you think has the better argument? Is there any shame in getting paid or as a counter culture should EDM avoid mainstream success?
