08 May 2015
Posted by Cassi Catsaros 
Are labels ignoring so called “talents?” – Discussing Mandy (and respect).
Yesterday one of the biggest hardstyle platforms on the planet, “Dirty Workz” announced their brand-new artist Mandy and oh how it was the day that officially blew up the internet… As I looked at the standard promotional post which contained a young blonde chick, I already knew that some standard sexism “Omg she sucks dick for fame” and “Omg ghostproduced alert” posts were brewing. As I am one of the people that enjoy reading opinions yet still having the personal strength to make up my own mind, I couldn’t resist to scroll down and check what people had to say about this brand-new signing.
Well, to put it shortly, let’s just say I was flabbergasted. It was insanely shocking to see how one girl who had one of the most exciting days in her life getting completely burned to the ground by random internet warriors who jump along the hate bandwagon. People who had probably even liked her page, went off at her calling her names, untalented, worthless and practically a slut. Next to that the self-claimed “hard-working talents” said that they are getting so sick and demotivated by the fact that they spend so much time behind a computer and never got signed anywhere and said it was so disrespectful of Dirty Workz to even consider signing her instead of “DJ Basscontrollerz”(or something).
This whole shit-storm didn’t make any fucking sense to me. I was enraged.
So, before you start bashing at your keyboards and doing your part in hating on Mandy, let’s just get a few things straight.
First of all, Dirty Workz signed a handful of fresh new talents last year such as Cyber, Sylence, Noisecult, Sephyx, Sub Zero Project, Refuzion and the list goes on… It’s impossible to say that Dirty Workz never looks out for fresh new talents because In fact, the label is one of the most open labels to new signings and the last year has proven that. In a male dominated genre, I don’t see any problems with having a girl in the team. If she has passion for music and can get people moving on the dancefloor, then it shouldn’t be a problem at all. In the end, that’s what hardstyle is about, getting people moving on the dancefloor and sharing the passion.
Secondly, you can’t even say she is being ghost-produced at this point and even if she is being ghost-produced, what makes her any different than all the other male artists that are being ghost-produced, receiving help from a (ghost) producer or announced as a ‘project’? Just because she is female, that doesn’t give people a direct right to immediately throw insults at her. Would you do the same to Warface, The Pitcher, Alpha Twins and The Anarchist (and more)? No. So shut up and stop being so sexist, women are allowed to love music and be a DJ too. We’re not 1725 where women are submissive, we are in 2015 – women are allowed to pursue whatever career that they want.
Next to that, I also don’t see how this affects any of the careers of the (self-claimed) talents that commented. Every label is still willing to release amazing music, whether it’s being ghost-produced, made on an Atari or played live on a fucking flute. So if these self-claimed talents were so focused on making amazing music then they would’ve never been ranting over a fresh signing of Dirty Workz, they probably would be too busy working their asses off making music and actually sending demos in and oh, actually getting signed.
This disrespect can only affect one career and that’s their own. In the end, Mandy is still signed to a great label, and these so called ‘bedroom talents’ are still sitting around only getting angry because they haven’t taken the active steps to make something of their own music career. There’s no limit for the number of artists on a label and if you have talent and potential, then a label will not hesitate to sign you – so stop sitting on your ass and whinging on Facebook and get out there and make things happen!
It disgusts me that people can be so extremely disrespectful in a scene that is based on celebrating life, having fun and going wild to great music. If you don’t like an artist and don’t support them, then be a neutral player and don’t be disrespectful. Imagine being in their shoes. If you love an artist then share the music so it’ll be heard. The only way to change the music scene is by loving and sharing music you care about and not paying attention to the stuff that you don’t like. If you don’t like Mandy, then don’t attend her gigs and don’t follow her on social media. It’s as easy as that.
Being a dickhead and getting 100 likes on your hateful comment doesn’t get you anywhere in life, love for good music and a good attitude does.
And yes, there is room for sharing your mind – various artists and labels that I have spoken to are open for proper feedback and some even said that they were even happy to receive critique. So if you want to make a change regarding artists, labels or their opinions, then do it in a respectful way…. You don’t shove your opinions down your loved ones throat either, do you?
We would like to wish Mandy the very best in her career and congratulate her on signing to Dirty Workz. Once this disgusting bout of hate dies down, people will find something else to obsess and rant about… So kids, keep your hate off the keyboard and your feet on the dancefloor!
24 Comments
Thank You for this article. You make some points! Especially when You say what our scene is really about. Hate is not welcome.
Hi, I read those comments yesterday too. Im glad that somebody have responded to them, fucking kids sitting in home and commenting shit. I bet 80% of those “home DJ-s” are lying and just having fun commenting shit on Youtube.
I really liked Mandy’s style and maybe someday she comes to Estonia too 🙂
I completely disagree with you. The song is produced by hard driver so what is her talent? Looking cute? Enough People work their ass off and they can’t have a opportunity like that. She didn’t even produce a song when she was anounced to play at defqon.
A DJ does not have to be a producer!
She went to defqon LAST YEAR aswell, and also performed in the Quontinent without any releases. That’s bs.
To play at Defqon you need to be a DJ not a producer
The scene doesnt need more DJs.
I agree with Jasmijn. I know a lot of awesome producers who spent hour after hour in the studio creating awesome stuff. I’ve never even heard of this ”Mandy”, and now she is playing at defqon?? She doesn’t even produce!! Same with Demi Kanon (yes, guys too!). He bursted out Supersonic out of nowhere, and no-one is that good in their first track. This is just bullshit.
You do realize, that Demi Kanon is 50% of Envine, right?
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I love everyone at Dirtyworkz and I wish Mandy the best! What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger girl. F*** the haters! <3
Wat? You support this?
Bad story and I totally disagree.
Why?
Name 1 thing, that has to do with music, why she deserves this above guys who sit in de studio after their working day and working their asses of 30 or more hours per week in the studio.
Can she produce her own tracks? NO.
Can she play a decent set? NO. (just cue/play and that’s not mixing)
So, why does she deserve this?
Right, she doesn’t. Now remove this absurd article and admit you’re wrong. 😉
Perfect article and hit the nail on the head! Great work!
Wow, now it is about sexism? I guess there’s too much interpretation going on. And by the way, it is not unknown that she’s being ghost produced, it is quite obvious that “her” new track is produced by Hard Driver. I’m sorry, but I think there still has to be more than good looks and money to become popular in the Hardstyle scene. I know that there are more producers out there who are ghost produced as well, but… C’mon, at least try to hide it. Maybe it will be in the future, but nowadays Hardstyle is not on this particular level of commercialism, yet, so that you can’t just jump into the scene without any skills or biography that obviously.
Of course, hating is stupid, but maybe that’s just what you have to expect. It all depends on how you present yourself.
Cheers
I agree with this article.
People need to chill the fuck down, and respect her as an up and coming artist. Way to ruin a new artist’s day.
“…this feisty chick will be the face of Mandy -”
This indicates that she’s part of a project. Much like The Pitcher, where Luc is behind the decks, and Michel does the studio work. I don’t see them getting any hate. (Well, if I look hard enough, I’m sure I’d find some 12 year old kid whining about this on youtube). But anyways ;
Stop being buthurt, if you’re jealous about getting signed, stop spamming soundcloud links, get critical and honest feedback on your tracks, improve your skills, send demos the proper way, get connections. Being a keyboard warrior reflects badly on your “career” anyways.
And btw, who gives two flying shits about what name’s on which track?
It could be AC/DC – Reset Your Mindset for all I care, as long as it’s a good track.
🙂
I’ve seen other DJ’s signed with much less talent and experience DJ’ing so i’m not gonna hate on dirty works. Let’s let her settle in and see what kind if work she produces after awhile. Also it’s nice to finally see some more female talent come out!
Can someone give me a link of her Youtube Channel or atleast a song of hers (I can’t find her on youtube :O), not the one of yesterday…I can’t judge someone after listening to 1 of her songs….
Thanks.
And stop all the hate though, how would you feel if everyone was burning you to the ground when you get a label deal by Dirty workz or where so ever..
Well the stunned guys released a great track about this some years ago called Jealousy Is A M.F.
For fuck sake people!!! Chill the fuck down…. You all just read an article about stop judging people and most of the comments I read here are more or less the same and going on on the subject. Stop hating ‘n being jealous and put your time in something useful!!! Nothing more then love to dirty workz for signing this new DJ.
And remember those who can’t make music will blame it on the record labels
The scene doesnt need more DJs. She just jumped on a moving train without anything special. Now she has 1 track, AFTER playing on Defqon etc.
Thats worthless.
i do believe that all the hate comes from that a DJ came from nothing to the top at like 5 minutes.
you’re not a superstar dj even if u perform at defqon 1 time.
i have never heard the music she’s playing (probably were at another stage if she was there) or never heard of her anywhere else.
Now she’s at one of the top hardstyle-labels worldwide.
It basically has nothing to do (imo) that she’s a girl, no problem for me. i want more girls to get in the scene.
Problem is some of them dont need to work their asses of in the studio (to proof themselves as talents) to get there.
I have posted tracks to DWX without success – though they were accepted at another label, maybe harddriver can ghostproduce my tracks aswell? i know how to use cdj’s………..
= see the problem ^ – in for the fame, and also good promotion for dwx
I do respect mandy as a dj, but i will not accept all her “work” she will “produce”.
its not like anyone else doing my work at my job daytime, and i take all the credits for it.
Great article ! Mandy is a hardstyle lover and we should respect her for that ! Unfortunately, all this Mandy bashing reflects the spirit of mind of a large part of the hardstyle community. You can see all the Headhunterz, Showtek or Wildstylez bashing… This hate didn’t surprise me…
first you had some good points, but i think you missing some points
1 i think that i speak for a hole lot of people if a say it doesn’t matter that she is a woman. look at Deetox she is loved and support by allot of people !!!
2 all the bed room producers are angry because they have the dream to become that, to sign by a label and some exactly work their asses of but after all their energy and all their passion they don’t get the sound right or good enough. and than you see a dj not a producer getting singed for her skills on the decks. imagine what you would feel than . personally i know that dj/producers have ghost nothing wrong whit that but its a different story if you produce nothing yourself that’s why people are so angry. i know how it feels to put so much effort in producing and just don’t get the sound that will helps you to get a contact or to a music academia.
3 i dont hate mandy she is one good dj and no one deserved so much hate. but Dirty workz had to know that this is one of the option that could happen so don’t act so surprised that people don’t like it.
no a hater just trying to let the writer of the article see things in a different point of view
Dleted my comment but okay… I still have no respect for her. Ghostproducing is bad for the scene.