According to merriam-webster’s dictionary to be
underrate is to undervalue one's ability. That is the criteria I have based my decisions on. Just
to clarify, an artist that is still up-and-coming and has not gained any form of
popularity yet, but have supreme talent will not be considered in this list
because they are simply unknown. To be considered underrated you have to be
known. That is why I am focusing on those who have made it to an extent but do
not get fully appreciated for the work they do.
1) Ben affleck
Many know he is a good actor, but when it comes to listing
those on the a-list he is often overlooked. The way he goes about his art is
with diligence, authenticity, and integrity. He has done a great job of
incorporating those values into his movies, and these are qualities that are
very admirable in this line of business.
The biggest reason I believe him to be underrated is he is
more than just an actor but rather an intellectual and an actor. He really
thinks about the angle he wants to take when producing or acting in a film and
portrays it very effectively on screen.
Mr. Affleck has really started to crank up the notch in
these last few years. But it almost feels like no one is noticing. Recently, he
has delved more into producing, writing and directing his own films. No easy
tasks. Ie: Argo, and The Town. These movies are some of
the most breathe-taking movies I’ve seen. In the town he was not only able to
do all three of the aforementioned skills, but also deliver an Oscar worthy
performance on screen in my opinion.
Janelle Monae is a severely underrated
musician. You probably have not heard of her till now. Her music is so unique
that I cannot begin to categorize her into just one genre. She incorporates a
mix of everything including soul, jazz, r and b, rock, and pop. This is how she
has differentiated herself from every other artist. With such diverse songs as
Tight rope and BaBopByeYa, she has shown an admirable amount of musicianship and has
gone the route of producing what she feels regardless of what category people
may think it falls under.
She was signed by Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, and ever since
she has been showcasing her creativity to the world. Not
only does her hair add to her uniqueness, but the fact that she is
an african-american woman that plays several instruments such as the guitar,
piano, and she works with a band as well. All traits you don’t normally see all
put together.
3) Bon Iver
Bon Iver is another artist that almost defines the words unconventional. Their out-of-the box music falls under the category of Indie-folk music. Although they have already won a grammy, they still somehow seem overlooked. When mentioning top bands in the country, they are usually forgotten.
I beg to differ. I believe they are amongst great bands like coldplay. Their unique sounds and killer beats are what attract their fans to them. I first heard of them when they featured some of their talents on kanye west's song Lost In The World. You can hear them providing some background voice notes and enhancing the overall tone of the song.
I'll have to admit their music is not for everyone, but here is a sample for you to judge for yourself.
