Our wallets getting Beat by Dre

I came across a funny little article on the Daily Mail a few weeks ago.
They reported that according to multiple headphones experts, "it might cost more to get your haircut" than to make a pair of Dre Beats headphones.

How much exactly? $14. Yep, you read it right. 1-4. Fourteen. 2 x 7.

Yep. The price of Beats range from $200 to $700, and cost MAXIMUM $14 to make.

Now, I have to admit that I'm guilty of buying a pair. When I bought them about 4 years ago, they weren't available in Australia. I had to buy them from the official site, for $500! Ridiculous, right?

I remember the exact reason I wanted a pair. My favourite rapper, 'The Game' had a film clip walking through a subway, rapping, wearing Beats by Dre. It was love at first sight. I had to have them! From then on, pretty much every rapper and American sports star you see would be wearing them. They were a symbol of the elite, of being 'hip' I guess. Who doesn't want to be like their favourite rapper?

On an audio test that Time Magazine did, Dre Beats came second last in their rankings. It shows public perception is everything, with Beats by Dre being worth 3.2 Billion dollars and controlling 57% of the headphone market. It's insane. The headphones I use now are $300 Sony Wireless ones, and they're amazing. I guess the motto of the story is not to get caught up in celebrity fashion - these people get paid to endorse the products and get them free. For the cost of the cheapest Beats by Dre, you could get 2 pairs of better quality headphones.

I guess as long as people see celebrities wearing these products, the money will keep rolling in. I know it won't be mine though.

Why the market isn't working

Did you ever think that Justin Bieber would team up with Jaden Smith? That's ok, no one with half a brain did either. If you didn't hear this song and are curious, I would advise you not to, it is a horrible attempt at a cover of Frank Ocean's song. This song in the movie world would go straight to DVD.

Unfortunately, you would have to admit that Justin Bieber is a very successful musician in his own right and has built up a fortune. Jaden Smith on the other hand, has not, living off his father's success, he has no musical talent, some would argue 'any talent' to warrant him as a recording artist. A song like this for any musician would cripple their career, but this is where some artists flourish.

Justin Bieber's music appeals to a niche market, namely teenage girls who 'are obsessed' and 'in love' with him, yet his popularity has soared seeing him 'earn' a comedy central roast. Ultimately, it does not matter the quality or type of music that he produces, these teenage girls will flock to their stores with their parents money and buy his music. It is a flawed system that is driven purely by lust and does not operate in the same spectrum. You won't see teenage boys go out and by the latest Katy Perry CD because they think she is good looking. Unfortunately, mainstream media will always play his latest hits, promote him as an artist because for them, he brings a large audience and more revenue.