Discussion of the Week: Do You Think It's Fair For Artists To Lip Sync During a Live Performance?

Happy Monday, Musicheads! If you aren’t already aware, then let me be the first to inform you….ALL SINGERS LIP-SYNC AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER. Yes, I said it. I can't think of one who can say they have never done it at least once....Even if it is to their own track. You ever notice that when singers performed on live TV shows back in the day, that it always sounded EXACTLY like the recording? Every artist who ever performed on Soul Train (except for James Brown, cause he wasn't tryna hear that)….Lip-Synced! Folks got away with doing that for years….that is until Milli Vanilli came along and “flubbed” the whole thing up for everyone. Since their demise, the concept of lip-syncing has been all but outlawed throughout the music industry. Don't be fooled though, people still do it…..It's just kept alot more "hush-hush," and it's generally done to their own pre-recorded tracks. I know, I know…..but we want to hear our singers actually....uh, you know... SING! Well, just you try doing a bunch of 'uber-complicated' dance steps and sing at the same time….then we’ll see how well YOU get along! Hell, there are a boat load of signed recording artists out there currently that can barely even hold a note while standing still! Let that one sink in...

I do think that there are some instances where lip-syncing is absolutely necessary….. especially in times of inclement weather. Good luck trying to practice proper breathing and vocal techniques in Below-Zero frigid weather. Sorry, but it ain’t gonna happen! Folks got on Beyonce when she lip-synced for the Presidential Inauguration 5 years ago…Come on now.....this is Beyonce we’re talking about! Homegirl has made a career of singing and over-singing since she was old enough to read the alphabet. Why should there be any discussion about whether or not she can hold a note?? The bigger question really should be, "Can she stay on said note without doing unnecessary vocal riffs all over the place?" But that’s an argument for another day....Even the vastly superior, vocally untouchable Whitney Houston lip-snyced The National Anthem during the ’91 Super Bowl….Yes, children…Believe It!....and her version was so popular that people thought that it was her song instead of some dude named Francis Scott Key!

That being said, there’s another side to this argument, where artists just get plain, down-right lazy, and use lip-syncing as a crutch to hide their actual lack of talent….For your consideration, I present Exhibit A:

Just for a minute, can we talk about the fact that she did a damn "Irish Jig" on NATIONAL TV in a saaad attempt to save her performance? But I digress…What’s your take on the subject? Do You Think It’s Fair For Artists to Lip-Sync During a Live Performance?

Sound off in the comments below, or on our Twitter Page, and let us know what you think!