Richard Dyer's 'Star theory'

Richard Dyer's star theory explains what makes a star, how a star persona is constructed by themselves or via record labels to gain more recognition.

This theory has been split up into four sections:

• Stars as Construction
• Stars as Personalities
• Stars as Products
• Stars as Embodiments of ideologies and culture

Stars as construction

This section explains how record labels mould artists and make them into something they're not to gain more views and more profit which some artists adapt to and some don't. 

An example of this is shown by the story of a Nigerian Afrobeat artist (picture shown)known as 'Rundown' who was signed to Ericmany Entertainment was forced to leave the record label as he was caught attending concerts and shows without the knowledge of the record label due to his personal needs and the fact that the record label hid him as an artist. Leaving the label meant he was bound to make more profit free roaming especially because is quite popular anyway. 

Stars as personalities

This is another theory of what makes a star; connecting to audiences on a personal level with their music and career as a whole. For example, one of my favourite artist is Bryson Tiller who rose as an artist at the end of 2015 through his RnB album 'Trapsoul' which stands up for women who are mistreated by men (makes them feel worthy and advices them) and cheated on which he expresses through his lyrics, "he only fucked you over because you let him". Also, he was homeless before his uprising which motivates audiences that they can make it.  I've attached the link to the debut single "Don't".


Stars as products

Star's tend to sell merchandise that makes them more profit on top of their music profit which essentially is them filling the gap in the market as it's innovative.  An example of a artist who did this and is still popular in 2016 is Bob Marley who's face and Jamaican flag is on mugs, t-shirts, cups, necklaces and etc. This is an example of how stars promote themselves and get their face and music known which was generally about his culture, society and morals.

Stars as embodiments of ideologies and culture

Star embodiment refers to artists starting either a new fashion trend, cultural discourse - what's happening now as well as creating new ideas. Artists that do this tend to make effective changes in society as they are popular and audiences are bound to follow. 

An example of an artists who developed this is Meghan Trainor, especially in the song "All about that Base" which promotes 'thick' and 'big' girls that they are just as good looking or even better than skinny and slim girls. This would've drawn in a lot of that sort of audience and has definitely given people confidence shown by a few stories social media.