Abstract
Critique of ideology has been an underlying theme in critical theory dating back to Marx. This chapter provides definitions of key terms that Arditi uses throughout the book including ideology, hegemony, and exploitation. Ideology helps to reproduce the dominant material relations in society. This chapter analyzes the “ideology of getting signed” and theorizes ideology. Because most people are unaware of how record contracts operate at the same time they see celebrity musicians living lavish lifestyles, they believe record contracts result in wealth. Alienation between different musicians, fans, and the broader music industry allows this ideology to function. Part of the functioning of the ideology of record contracts is that musicians possess a different relationship with the product of their labor. Arditi demonstrates that ideology obscures the lived reality of recording artists and it motivates aspiring musicians to sign record contracts.
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Arditi, D. (2020). Record Contracts: Ideology in Action. In: Getting Signed. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44587-4_2
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