How do I view music today?

The topic during my lunch with colleagues was naming one hit wonder acts from the past. It started with 80s from Men Without Hats, Trio, Fiction Factory, Baltimora to 90s Chumbawamba, Lou Bega, Charles & Eddie, Beats International to now. It was really fun.

With me now stuck in the middle of a Manila traffic (not fun), I was really pondering what %  of acts do go on to make the 2nd record / album (regardless of success). If it was small then, it is even smaller now. Recording an album is now a bonus. Most will settle for EPs, mini album or even single. Digital single is now exploding by the millions. What % of artists go on to make a career in music? Probably in single digit or even less. Monetization of music becoming more difficult as most probably heard about the whole overrated 360 deals w labels. Does it work to the benefit of the artist? That is a totally massive debate altogether and should not be for this blog. Is it happening because music is trying to find a way to survive both for the artists and the industry that supports it? There use to be a system where talent were discovered by talent agents (A&R executive to the industry insiders), trained and recorded in a studio, promoted on mass media (radio, radio, TV and print) yes, radio was that important those days that it needed to be mentioned twice. Then they sell lots of physical products and make millions. They make more millions touring and everyone is happy.  Now with the Internet and social media and pro tools, all has change. Everyone can be a musician. Music is posted online to be discovered at the most incredible pace that it is almost becoming a background music to the Internet users. The freaky and funny ones get re-posted, the others die a slow or fast death. Is this a better way to enjoy music? Would a properly planned career by experience executive a better option? Another huge discussion... So in the past, radio station program directors decide what we need to listen. Now, watch what you want and listen to what you like at anytime without any commercial breaks. Is that experience better for the consumer? Does anyone even remember the first time they fall in love with an artist? Till today I can remember the first time I heard about a band call Depeche Mode (my all time fave act) was when I was tuning in to BBC World service Top 20 and a DJ call Peter Powell counting down to #12 and played a song called "New Life". It was a magic moment in my life. I have to wait till next week before I heard the song again which I did not and then it prompt me to by a bootleg cassette of them "Speak and Spell". Do we even remember any song we heard yesterday? We don't need to as they are easily available by legal (iTunes, YouTube, Spotify) or illegally (too many to name).  Music are not treasured but becoming just a "sound". How does this affect the future of music? How do we consume them? Do they still bring memory, a moment? Will it ever be appreciated for the hardwork put in to make it? Many challenges ahead.  Love to hear your views...