--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I hate genres. I think they're just…" description: "\"I hate genres. I think they're just marketing labels.\" — Rhiannon Giddens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/rhiannon-giddens-6220_hate_i-hate-genres-i-think-they-re-just-marke_1412034.jpg" --- # I hate genres. I think they're just marketing labels. ![“I hate genres. I think they're just marketing labels.” quote by Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/rhiannon-giddens-6220_hate_i-hate-genres-i-think-they-re-just-marke_1412034.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/rhiannon-giddens-6220_hate_i-hate-genres-i-think-they-re-just-marke_1412034.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/rhiannon-giddens-6220_hate_i-hate-genres-i-think-they-re-just-marke_1412034.jpg) > “I hate genres. I think they're just marketing labels.” [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Genres are commercial constructs that limit artistic freedom and listener perception. **In simple terms:** Genres are marketing labels that restrict music. Key Takeaway Question labels, focus on the music itself. Themes creativity industry identity Mood reflective critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - songwriting - music education - playlist curation - artist branding Key Concepts marketing categorization authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How do labels shape your listening habits? - Can music thrive without any genre tags? A Different Perspective Labels can help listeners discover music, so discarding them may reduce exposure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) [Genres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genres/) [Genres Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genres-think-2194588/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Hate Genres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-genres-4978949/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labels/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Marketing Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing-labels-4978950/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) ## Related quotes > [I just want to do as many different genres as I can. I think that's part of it... to not get pigeon-holed because if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-wilson/i-just-want-to-do-as-many-different-genres-as-i-can-i-think-that-s/) [Patrick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-wilson/) > [I want to try different genres. I think I'll still be looking at a strong female character in the center, and identity struggle and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-sciamma/i-want-to-try-different-genres-i-think-i-ll-still-be-looking-at-a/) [Celine Sciamma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-sciamma/) > [Being black, Latino, or Asian is not a genre. Romantic comedies, thrillers, action - those are genres. I think there's a lot of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/being-black-latino-or-asian-is-not-a-genre-romantic-comedies/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I think it's really hard to move between genres, and I think, especially in Britain, we're very judgmental about it - me included. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-riseborough/i-think-it-s-really-hard-to-move-between-genres-and-i-think/) [Andrea Riseborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-riseborough/) > [The internet helps with information exchange in general so it's obviously easier to check out tracks and whatnot from different genres. I think people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/girl-talk/the-internet-helps-with-information-exchange-in-general-so-it-s/) [Girl Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/girl-talk/) > [Among all the music genres, I think hip hop is the most resonant form of music which can stimulate my creative inspiration. I remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-wang/among-all-the-music-genres-i-think-hip-hop-is-the-most-resonant-form/) [Jackson Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-wang/) > [Branching out to other genres - I think it's why people put me apart from other guitar instrumentalists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-5/branching-out-to-other-genres-i-think-it-s-why-people-put-me-apart/) [John 5](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-5/) > [I think I have allowed my voice to experiment with the different genres. And I think that I have just really enjoyed the journey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-d-lang/i-think-i-have-allowed-my-voice-to-experiment-with-the-different/) [K. D. Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-d-lang/) > [I don't have a genre because I play lots of different music that people would say are different genres.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/i-don-t-have-a-genre-because-i-play-lots-of-different-music-that/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [I have the death sentence in seven genres.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/i-have-the-death-sentence-in-seven-genres/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [What genres are good for is being like, 'Here are the parameters. Here's something about the way it's going to make you feel. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-longstreth/what-genres-are-good-for-is-being-like-here-are-the-parameters-here-s/) [David Longstreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-longstreth/) > [Playing with different genres and perspectives and ways of telling stories is one of the perks of being a novelist, but at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linn-ullmann/playing-with-different-genres-and-perspectives-and-ways-of-telling/) [Linn Ullmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linn-ullmann/) > [Music is there for us to explore. To intentionally limit yourself to one, two, or three genres is limitation at its worst. Music is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-anselmo/music-is-there-for-us-to-explore-to-intentionally-limit-yourself-to/) [Phil Anselmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-anselmo/) > [I'm not a fan of any genre but am a fan of movies that are intelligent and/or funny. That goes across all genres: a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-a-fan-of-any-genre-but-am-a-fan-of-movies-that-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The great thing about the arts, and especially popular music, is that it really does cut across genres and races and classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/the-great-thing-about-the-arts-and-especially-popular-music-is-that/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) ## More by Rhiannon Giddens > [My work as a whole is about excavating and shining a light on pieces of history that not only need to be seen and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/my-work-as-a-whole-is-about-excavating-and-shining-a-light-on-pieces/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [I love the U.K. folk scene. In the States, nobody knows what to do with me. There's still a very narrow definition of Americana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/i-love-the-u-k-folk-scene-in-the-states-nobody-knows-what-to-do-with/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [For me the bare feet are grounding. I'm connected to the Earth in a way that I cannot be any other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/for-me-the-bare-feet-are-grounding-i-m-connected-to-the-earth-in-a/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [We have been fed so many false narratives, many of them racialized to deliberately feed a racist agenda. It's important to address and dig…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/we-have-been-fed-so-many-false-narratives-many-of-them-racialized-to/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [I had this dream like years ago. I had this dream - I wanted to be in an all-black string band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/i-had-this-dream-like-years-ago-i-had-this-dream-i-wanted-to-be-in-an/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [I'm not an urban black person. I'm a country black person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/i-m-not-an-urban-black-person-i-m-a-country-black-person/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [To sit in my concert and be uncomfortable is brave. Because you could always leave, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/to-sit-in-my-concert-and-be-uncomfortable-is-brave-because-you-could/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [I'm really interested in history and when I looked into the settlers who came to my home state, North Carolina, I found that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/i-m-really-interested-in-history-and-when-i-looked-into-the-settlers/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [That was the special thing about the Carolina Chocolate Drops. We didn't want to do music full-time. We weren't looking to get rich, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/that-was-the-special-thing-about-the-carolina-chocolate-drops-we-didn/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [There is a black folk music audience. They're just very small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/there-is-a-black-folk-music-audience-they-re-just-very-small/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [When I got into college, I got into operatic vocalists, like Leontyne Price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/when-i-got-into-college-i-got-into-operatic-vocalists-like-leontyne/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [People seem ready for a more in-depth idea of folk music, culture and history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/people-seem-ready-for-a-more-in-depth-idea-of-folk-music-culture-and/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [Know thy history. Let it horrify you; let it inspire you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/know-thy-history-let-it-horrify-you-let-it-inspire-you/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [Othering people is something that humans have done for ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/othering-people-is-something-that-humans-have-done-for-ever/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [When I first heard the minstrel banjo - I played a gourd first - I almost lost my mind. I was like, Oh, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/when-i-first-heard-the-minstrel-banjo-i-played-a-gourd-first-i-almost/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) [Explore all 99 Rhiannon Giddens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) ## More Genre quotes > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [ He \[ the son\]'s grown up listening to all types of music, and the natural form of rebellion is to find the one genre… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-knowles/he-the-son-s-grown-up-listening-to-all-types-of-music-and-the-natural/) [Solange Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-knowles/) > [I don't really think in terms of genre, I think in terms of story and character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rudd/i-don-t-really-think-in-terms-of-genre-i-think-in-terms-of-story-and/) [Paul Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudd/) > [I've just always loved really good projects. The things that draw me into a new project have very little to do with genre and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel-staite/i-ve-just-always-loved-really-good-projects-the-things-that-draw-me/) [Jewel Staite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel-staite/) > [As a rule, I don't worry about genre. I just want to tell a good story, with characters that interest me and my readers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/as-a-rule-i-don-t-worry-about-genre-i-just-want-to-tell-a-good-story/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Trombone virtuoso and innovative composer, Papo combines the best of jazz and Latin music to create a genre that is unique and wild. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brecker/trombone-virtuoso-and-innovative-composer-papo-combines-the-best-of/) [Michael Brecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-brecker/) > [Gothic in its purest sense is actually a very powerful, twisted genre, but the way it was being used by by journalists - 'goff'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siouxsie-sioux/gothic-in-its-purest-sense-is-actually-a-very-powerful-twisted-genre/) [Siouxsie Sioux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siouxsie-sioux/) > [The great thing about the arts, and especially popular music, is that it really does cut across genres and races and classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/the-great-thing-about-the-arts-and-especially-popular-music-is-that/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [“What we've done is make the categories of science fiction and fantasy larger, freer, and more inclusive than any other genre of contemporary literature.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/what-we-ve-done-is-make-the-categories-of-science-fiction-and-fantasy/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [I knew what kind of genre 'Casa de mi Padre' was going for. But my character, specifically, I think is very real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genesis-rodriguez/i-knew-what-kind-of-genre-casa-de-mi-padre-was-going-for-but-my/) [Genesis Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genesis-rodriguez/) > [In television, women can really run anything. It can be a comedy, it can be a drama, it can be genre, it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-michelle-gellar/in-television-women-can-really-run-anything-it-can-be-a-comedy-it-can/) [Sarah Michelle Gellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-michelle-gellar/) > [I'm not a fan of any genre but am a fan of movies that are intelligent and/or funny. That goes across all genres: a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-a-fan-of-any-genre-but-am-a-fan-of-movies-that-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The excellence of this important contribution to genre literature CANNOT be overstated A masterwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-nolan/the-excellence-of-this-important-contribution-to-genre-literature/) [William F. Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-nolan/) > [I have finally become my own genre, and now that's what publishers want. I have a wonderful publisher now, Mulholland, very innovated, very fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/i-have-finally-become-my-own-genre-and-now-that-s-what-publishers/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [There is a real problem with the lack of diversity, specifically in genre films and the superheroes our kids grow up watching and emulating,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djimon-hounsou/there-is-a-real-problem-with-the-lack-of-diversity-specifically-in/) [Djimon Hounsou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djimon-hounsou/) [Browse all 2,187 Genre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I hate genres. 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