Unmasking the Sabotage: Behind the Curtain of Sound Engineering Tricks #MusicIndustryExposed #Aremuorin #MercyfulGrace

Written by Aremuorin / Contact / Mailing List / Telegram WhatsApp

“When the mic isn’t the only thing being tuned—it’s the competition.”

“I could exhaust myself explaining this until I’m blue in the face, but let me reveal a little-known trick of the trade. From Performing at venues and showcases around Europe to America. I know for a fact some artists will not tour without their own sound engineer.

In the music industry, certain sound engineers, under subtle instructions, have been known to sabotage rival artists by subtly tampering with their microphones—causing them to sound off-ill.

In other cases the musicians distort the chord progressions for their own benefit working against the artist. I know many won’t believe till it happens to them or someone they know.

Meanwhile, the audience assumes it’s the performer who’s out of tune. It’s a cunning move to undercut the competition, and yes, it’s happened to me more times than I care to count.

I’m not suggesting that even the most gifted artists don’t occasionally have an off day or miss a note—after all, even legends are human. But when performance issues stem from external sabotage, whether through technical interference or deliberate undermining, the narrative shifts far deeper than mere imperfection.

Unfortunately, until such tactics are exposed, few will grasp the truth behind these orchestrated ‘mishaps.’” – Aremuorin

There are a few key reasons why some sound engineers might be instructed to sabotage an artist’s performance:

1. Competitive Advantage: In highly competitive industries like music, sabotaging a rival’s sound can make them seem less skilled, giving the competition a boost. If an artist sounds off-key or unprofessional, it can damage their reputation and elevate another performer by comparison.
2. Pressure from Higher-Ups: Engineers may be acting under the direction of managers, producers, or promoters who want to ensure that their preferred artist stands out or wins over the audience. Instructing an engineer to compromise the sound of a rival is a covert but effective way to control the outcome.
3. Undermining Talent: Sabotaging the sound can make a highly talented artist seem less impressive. This can prevent them from outshining others or securing future opportunities, giving less talented competitors more space to succeed.
4. Control and Influence: In some cases, it’s about maintaining power and control. By manipulating sound, certain individuals can gain more influence in determining who succeeds or fails in the industry.

These underhanded tactics exploit the fact that most audiences assume technical issues are just part of the performance rather than deliberate sabotage. It’s a way to undermine someone without appearing to do so openly.

Cases Studies

While direct case studies of sound engineers sabotaging performances may not be widely publicized due to the covert nature of such actions, there are several notable instances and patterns of suspected sabotage or technical manipulation in the music and entertainment industry. Here are a few examples where technical or sound issues have raised suspicions of sabotage:

1. Mariah Carey – New Year’s Eve 2016 Performance

• Incident: During Mariah Carey’s performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 2016, her in-ear monitors failed, and she struggled to stay in sync with the backing track. The performance went viral for the wrong reasons, with Carey visibly frustrated on stage.
• Suspected Sabotage: Carey and her team later claimed that it was a deliberate act of sabotage by the show’s production team. They alleged that the monitors were purposefully disabled to make her look bad, and Carey’s manager said they had notified production about the malfunction before the performance, but nothing was done to fix it.
• Outcome: Though no solid proof of sabotage emerged, the incident left many questioning whether such technical “errors” were accidental or intentional to create a viral moment at the artist’s expense.

2. Britney Spears – 2007 MTV Video Music Awards

• Incident: Britney Spears’ much-anticipated comeback performance at the 2007 MTV VMAs was widely panned. Her microphone failed to properly transmit her vocals, and the lip-syncing appeared off throughout the performance. Coupled with sound issues, her dancing seemed awkward and out of sync.
• Suspected Sabotage: Though there were no direct accusations of sabotage from Spears’ team, many fans and commentators speculated whether technical manipulations were at play to damage her return. The media narrative afterward was harsh and added to the public scrutiny of her personal struggles at the time.
• Outcome: Whether technical issues were to blame or it was simply a bad night for Spears, the performance is remembered as a low point in her career.

3. Jimi Hendrix – The Monkees Tour Incident (1967)

• Incident: Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees on their 1967 tour, which many fans found to be an odd pairing. Hendrix’s sound system and guitar often experienced technical problems during these performances.
• Suspected Sabotage: Some speculated that either Monkees’ management or others within the production may have been behind the technical issues, seeing Hendrix’s rising star as a potential threat or as a mismatch for The Monkees’ teen fanbase.
• Outcome: Hendrix eventually left the tour, but the tour’s sound problems have lingered as a topic of intrigue among fans of rock history.

4. Kanye West – 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards

• Incident: Kanye West stormed the stage at the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards, visibly upset after losing the award for Best Video. However, earlier in the show, West’s performance of “Stronger” was plagued by sound issues that caused him to rap offbeat.
• Suspected Sabotage: While there were no formal accusations of sabotage, Kanye’s team reportedly noted that the sound crew had failed to sync the backing track correctly, and many questioned whether this mistake was intentional, especially given West’s vocal nature and high-profile status.
• Outcome: West’s frustration became part of his larger persona of demanding excellence in production, but the incident highlighted how technical problems could undermine even top performers.

5. Michael Jackson – 1996 World Music Awards

• Incident: During Michael Jackson’s performance at the 1996 World Music Awards, his earpiece malfunctioned, causing him to perform without hearing the music properly. Despite this, Jackson’s performance remained largely impressive, but the technical issue was evident.
• Suspected Sabotage: While not publicly accusing anyone of sabotage, Jackson had experienced multiple technical issues during his live performances throughout his career, leading some fans to speculate whether external forces attempted to undermine him, especially at a time when he was under immense media scrutiny.
  • Outcome: Jackson’s professionalism allowed him to finish the performance, but this and other instances of technical failures during his concerts added fuel to the conspiracy theories about people trying to sabotage his shows.

6. Aremuorin – 2022 MIA Awards: A Cautionary Tale

• The Incident: Aremuorin’s performance at the 2022 Magnified Influencer Awards unraveled due to a catastrophic playback malfunction. Despite this, his remarkable resilience shone through as he transitioned to an acappella performance, showcasing his artistry. Yet, the technical failure was unmistakable, casting a shadow over the moment.
• Whispers of Sabotage: Though Aremuorin has made no direct accusations, whispers of sabotage have only intensified among his loyal fanbase. His career has been marred by inexplicable technical issues, ranging from musicians deliberately playing incorrect chords to sound engineers being caught red-handed tampering with his microphone levels. These incidents have forced him to adapt in real time, adjusting his live vocals so that the front row could still hear him, with or without the mic. Set against the relentless scrutiny of social media regarding his mental health and neurological challenges, the timing of these disruptions—especially after flawless sound checks—appears to many as suspiciously well-timed, rather than mere coincidence.
• The Outcome: In spite of these setbacks, Aremuorin’s unwavering professionalism allowed him to navigate the situation gracefully. However, this latest incident, alongside a history of unexplained technical failures, only serves to stoke the fires of speculation, suggesting that there may be deliberate efforts to undermine his sound with plagiarism and sabotage.

General Industry Patterns

• Festival Sabotage: Artists have occasionally spoken out about facing unexpected sound problems during music festivals or large concerts, where technical issues seem to disproportionately affect certain performers, especially up-and-coming or smaller acts. This can come across as an effort to minimize their success or prevent them from stealing the spotlight from headliners or more established acts.
• Competitions and Reality Shows: In talent shows like The Voice or X Factor, there have been allegations from contestants about technical issues with microphones or sound systems that seem to favor certain competitors. While producers usually claim these incidents are accidental, contestants have speculated about manipulation behind the scenes.

These examples illustrate how technical difficulties in the music industry, whether deliberate or accidental, can significantly impact an artist’s performance and public perception. Sabotage remains a potential factor in some of these incidents, though proving it often proves elusive.

If they do you dirty once, they will do you dirty twice. If they do you dirty twice, they will do you dirty a life time ..’

Àrèmúorin is a distinguished Multi Awardee Conscious Writer and accomplished Holistic Jazz-Soul Singer-Songwriter & Producer, reigning at the No. 1 spot on the Jazz Charts for over 49 weeks. He held the top 10 spot for over 490 weeks.

Aremuorin, a renowned polymath holding dual honorary doctoral degrees and serving as a UN Ambassador, is celebrated for his captivating musical creations and profound literary works.

Originating from Nigeria and currently situated in the United Kingdom, his artistic prowess transcends diverse creative domains, marking him as a truly versatile virtuoso.

Don’t forget to subscribe like, share or comment below. Thank You.

(C) 2024 Aremuorin – All Rights Reserved