Seal – HuffPost 9.22.10

Mike Ragogna: Do you have any advice for new artists?

Seal: Do I have advice for new artists? Know who you are. Just know who you are and play to your strengths, and don’t try to be something you’re not.

MR: Well, a lot of artists have a choice right now between DIY, using the internet and all of the tools that are available, or really pounding the pavement to try to get on a major label to at least initially further their careers. When you look at the road that you took compared to nowadays, how would Seal have come onto the scene now?

S: It’s impossible to say. It’s just impossible to say. I’ll tell you what I certainly wouldn’t have done is go on American Idol or any of these talent shows.

MR: I’m so glad you said that.

S: I would absolutely not have done that. Now, I do have a lot of, not so much admiration, but respect for people who do choose that route because it’s very difficult. It’s so synthesized, and I don’t relish the idea of standing in front of a group of people who, by the way, know nothing about what it takes to be a star and be judged by them and having my career or future balance in what they say. It’s great TV entertainment, but it actually does nothing in terms of creating a star.

MR: This is music to my ears.

S: You either are a star or you’re not. You’re not created on American Idol or any of those shows.