The music industry is in such a slump. The internet has made things even more difficult for artists. As a writer I completely understand the impact that it has had. People want things free and fast, they don't want to have to pay for entertainment anymore. I think it has plagued the music industry even more than any other media group, but movies and books have suffered too. Coupled with the internet the news media has played a large factor in music's slump. When artists like Michael Jackson who have been exposed to the media from the time they were in diapers practically say that they don't want to perform anymore because the media has trashed them so badly they don't want to be seen it is a sad day in the music world. Regardless of what anyone thinks about Mr. Jackson personally as an artist there is simply no comparison. He is the one so many emulate now. Look at 90% of the current acts and you will see him mirrored in their music and movements. To know that he himself does not want to perform because of what the media has made him out to be is truly tragic.