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The
X Factor:
What is it and
do YOU have "IT"?
by Gian
M. Fiero
Back to The
Academy
What
exactly is the “X factor?” You
hear professionals in the entertainment
industry referring to it. You
hear artists alluding to it,
but you rarely hear anyone defining
“it.” If you are an aspiring
music artist or an entertainer,
it’s important that you know
what “it” is because in the
mind of the most seasoned and
powerful industry professionals,
having “it” is what determines
if you are worth the investment
of endless amounts of time and
money.
In order to properly
and accurately define what “it”
is, we will approach the subject
from two perspectives: emotional
and visual.
Visually,
it goes beyond good looks. Good
looks are often confused with
the “X factor.” This can be
traced back to the advent and
popularity of music videos in
the 80’s, which created a greater
emphasis and need for artists
that could give “good face”
or in laymen’s terms, were photogenic.
But
good looks only get attention.
People who have “it” can maintain
attention beyond a quick glance,
or even a double take. They
have something called magnetism.
Magnetism is a combination of
personal qualities such as:
a sociable personality; self-confidence;
charm; inner peace; comfort
with one’s sexuality; rebelliousness;
obvious intellect; a unique
viewpoint; intensity or focus;
authority; or sense of humor.
In some instances, it is truly
indescribable, but very recognizable
to those who have seen “it”
before.
Emotionally,
those with the “X factor” have
a way of pushing our buttons
psychologically. They make us
feel good or inspired. Pissed
off or aggravated. Challenged
or validated. Regardless of
how they affect us, they engage
us emotionally and the “X factor”
that lives within them, speaks
to something inside of us, often
times, something that we are
not even in touch with.
Those
who are talented and would like
to pursue a professional career
in the music industry as a commercial
music artist must understand
that for many of you, no matter
how hard you work, your success
and destiny have already been
predetermined by the natural
presence, or tangible amount,
of “X factor” that you were
born with.
If
you have “it,” then it’s a matter
of harnessing and directing
the power of “it” to make “it”
more easily recognizable to
others. For many however, there
is nothing to tap into. It’s
nearly impossible to get “it”
as you get older if you didn’t
have “it” when you were younger.
Maturity is a nice quality to
have, but it will never be mistaken
for magnetism.
In
my opinion, and in accordance
with the laws of the “X factor,”
it is only appropriate that
Michael Jackson is the top selling
music artist of all time. As
a child, he didn’t just have
“it,” he had a whole lot of
“it.” He had so much of “it”
that he was able to infect his
four brothers with “it.”
Throughout
his teen years and well into
adulthood, the immensity of
his talent was intensified by
the high abundance of “X factor”
that his father identified and
helped him to develop. We have
yet to see the level of intensity
and focus that he displayed
as a young star. He was truly
destined to become the King
of Pop. Other star music artists
who have “it” are: Prince, Madonna,
Usher, Justin Timberlake, Cher,
Christina Aguilera, Beyonce,
Bonjovi, Bono, Bruce Springstein,
Barbara Streisand, Faith Hill,
Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Eminem,
Jay-Z, Ludacris, Missy Elliott,
Bow Wow, Bebe & Ce Ce Winans,
and Yolanda Adams to name a
few.
Of
course there are many music
artists who have achieved success
without having “it.” Often times
these individuals are driven
and committed and are able to
achieve their success as a result
of hard work, determination,
sacrifice, good timing, great
marketing, or exceptional talent.
These fine attributes may ignite
attention, but without the “X
factor” working for them, public
interest and attention tends
to diminish over time.
Compare
Prince to Whitney Houston. both
entered the music industry around
the same age (18) and both have
a tremendous amount of talent
(albeit in different ways).
While the world was hypnotized
by Whitney’s talented gospel
like voice that was stored in
a model’s body (a phenomenon
that she helped to usher in),
Prince’s magnetism garnered
interest and attention from
many of those who didn’t know
quite what to make of him.
People
tried to define him: Is he black
or white? Is he straight or
gay? Is he a rocker or an r&b
artist? Is he a Christian or
a freak? It really didn’t matter.
What mattered is that he had
“it,” and “it” is what kept
us intrigued. He, like Michael
Jackson, has so much of “it,”
that “it” tends to overshadow
the immensity of his talents.
Whitney
Houston on the other hand, with
all of the grace and charm that
she learned to fabricate while
at the Wilhelmina Talent Agency,
did a fine job of creating the
illusion of having “it.” She
did however, have a high abundance
of all the other qualities that
are often mistaken for the “X
factor.”
Those
who have “it” carry “it” with
them from the cradle to the
grave. Bad career decisions;
a bad marriage; life’s mishaps;
lack of fame; lack of money
- none of those things can affect
or eradicate “it.” “It” should
not be confused with attitude,
which is often projected. “It”
is not forceful and temporary.
“It” is subtle and consistent.
“It” is a serious advantage
that is afforded to only a small
minority.
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Gian
M. Fiero is a freelance music
business consultant. He can
be reached at gfc@musesmail.com
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