Pharrell recently did an interview discussing the current state of music and how record labels and the music industry continue to control artists. He says that we need get back to finding real talent and not settling for gimmicks...shouts out to SOHH for the story...

"They do still have the power because they have the marketing dollars," he said in an interview. "And while all these great social networking sites have a lot of power, they haven't really figured out what to do with it...The last 12 to 15 years, this whole aesthetic thing has just ruined everything...It's just gotten too far. I mean, look, when I was a kid, you understand how many men were, like, balding but they were like the kings of music? It's not about that, it's not about how good your hair grows or like how strong your cheek bones are...Some of the biggest stars from the '80s and '90s weren't the best looking people in the world but they were where the talent was. Actors, actresses, musicans, artists, we gotta get back to that." (RestInBeats)

"There's a lot of [labels] trying to put a bid in but I refuse to let this album be about politics," Drake recenty said about his forthcoming debut. "A lot of people argue about my buzz, 'Oh it's just the Internet buzz' or 'Oh it's not real, it can't materialize,' so I think if I did put out an album with no label, I think I could really prove a point which is the changing of a generation because we don't have the same marketing tools Roc-A-Fella used years ago." (Semtex TV)-DRAKE

"I love hip-hop," the rapper explained in an interview. "I just always wanted to prove that I was better than another rapper...The focus and direction of artists [has changed.] It's bigger than it's ever been...People [are] making business music as opposed to making good music...Yeah, I don't want a deal right now. I'd rather have my freedom without people over me telling me what to do. If you was ever in the industry, you'd know what I mean." (Rolling Out)-CASSIDY