Selling Out or Buying In?

Local music, sport and culture magazine Mahala recently published an in depth interview with the Parlotones' lead singer Khan, a band who they confess to have derided with glee and abandon for quite some time. Parlotones were recently announced as Coldplay's support during their SA tour.

Kahn is frank and eloquent, and the article has garnered over 100 comments when we last looked.

Why exactly do they take such an exceptional beating? They're undoubtedly talented musicians and equally savvy businessmen to have earned the results they've had, and they put their dues in just like any other success story must.

Despite these accolades they receive vitriol and hate that seems excessive in proportion to the number of fans they collect. Is it jealousy, crab bucket mentality or is the South African music scene's collective psyche so damaged from years of struggling anything that doesn't resemble a starving artist is singled out and torn apart.

It's a long read, but worth it. What's your stand on the flak they get? Valid criticism or bitter abuse?