Why is Flying Lotus so popular?

2 weeks ago I checked on last.fm and he is in the top 3 Warp Artists by plays:

Boards of Canada: 53,598,950 plays (930,588 listeners)

Aphex Twin: 39,178,188 plays (1,021,620 listeners)

Flying Lotus: 17,528,934 plays (355,010 listeners)

Autechre: 12,371,497 plays (394,102 listeners)

Venetian Snares: 10,056,627 plays (309,867 listeners)

Squarepusher: 9,913,777 plays (453,524 listeners)

The Future Sound of London: 7,708,124 plays (466,521 listeners)

Bibio: 6,503,106 plays (202,061 listeners)

Plaid: 5,799,088 plays (289,858 listeners)

AFX: 4,238,860 plays (206,265 listeners)

Clark: 3,470,121 plays (155,842 listeners)

µ-Ziq: 2,627,690 plays (166,335 listeners)

The Black Dog: 1,608,895 plays (104,488 listeners)

Bola: 1,426,390 plays (131,079 listeners)

Lorn: 835,244 plays (48,794 listeners)

Cylob: 377,113 plays (50,604 listeners)

VHS Head: 170,372 plays (8,655 listeners)

He is good and I like some of his releases but I would have put him next to Bibio or so but not on top in front of Autechre who do this much longer. I have heard his shows are not even that good?

He is post-Dilla and not some wanky IDMz. Basically the cool kids like FlyLo.

He is a great musician but overhyped to excessive proportions. But he is a great musician

I think it's because he is popular with the hip hop crowd as well

  On 5/2/2012 at 9:17 PM, zkreso said:

I think it's because he is popular with the hip hop crowd as well

i bought cosmogramma and it hasn't clicked with me yet. kinda jazzy sounding

I think it's because it's good.

  On 5/2/2012 at 9:13 PM, azatoth said:

He is post-Dilla and not some wanky IDMz. Basically the cool kids like FlyLo.

thats a good point. currently listening to - The Shining Instrumental which is quite similar

Mmmm yes, perhaps he has a wide crossover appeal.

Electronic, jazz and hiphop fans appreciate his music. I am yet to be convinced, but I doubt he looses sleep over that.

Honestly I think it's because he is doing some truly innovative work. Do I think he is "the Hendrix of our generation" like some article I've read on him claims? No way in hell. But, I think what he does is very interesting and like some of the replys above state, appeals to more than just one type of listener. To me, Flying Lotus' music sounds like Aphex Twin, Miles Davis, Warren G, and an NES got shoved into a rocket and got shot to some moon in another galaxy. That's a little overboard, but you get the idea. He's got elemnts of jazz, hip hop, heavy electronics, 8 bit video game shit, and throws it all together in a way that for the most part is pretty dance/party friendly. I think I get why he's so popular. That's why I like him anyway...and I don't dance.

  On 5/2/2012 at 9:28 PM, beerwolf said:

Mmmm yes, perhaps he has a wide crossover appeal.

 

Electronic, jazz and hiphop fans appreciate his music. I am yet to be convinced, but I doubt he looses sleep over that.

Quoted for motherfucking truth!

suburban/wannabe urban hipster white guilt?

that's the answer to the question why is he so popular

he's popular at all because he makes good music

  On 5/2/2012 at 10:13 PM, Awepittance said:

suburban/wannabe urban hipster white guilt?

Why does this shit come up in every flying lotus thread?

  On 5/2/2012 at 10:14 PM, Kanakori said:

  On 5/2/2012 at 10:13 PM, Awepittance said:

suburban/wannabe urban hipster white guilt?

 

Why does this shit come up in every flying lotus thread?

because i reside on this forum

It's sad that you can't just appreciate music for what it is without those mind-numbing questions popping in your head

also...

oh wait...already mentioned?

  On 5/2/2012 at 10:14 PM, Kanakori said:

  On 5/2/2012 at 10:13 PM, Awepittance said:

suburban/wannabe urban hipster white guilt?

 

Why does this shit come up in every flying lotus thread?

The real question is why are Boards still so popular despite being lazy hippies

i tried cossmograma (whatever it is) i could get into except one tune, table tennis. that tune is astounding melancholic and beautiful. tea leaf dancers is a beast aswell

  On 5/2/2012 at 10:44 PM, baph said:

The real question is why are Boards still so popular despite being lazy hippies

Quoted for the motherfucking truth!!

Heheh

Because he was part of the reason for the whole "kind of like Hip Hop but not really IDM, sample based wonky Glitch beat" movement, and now he's not even a part of that movement. He's also popular because of Adult Swim.

Shlohmo > FlyLo

You should think twice about making some of your threads.

ShLolLmo Is good too. I just think threads like this are stupid as F-

I'm going to make one about chocolate. Why is chocolate so popular? And is it overrated? I'll add a poll

MRS. CHRISTOPHERSON

1ST GRADE MUSIC

June 17 1989

The question presented is why is Flying Lotus so poplar.

You guys have to realize that he can fly and he's a fucking lotus, which is pretty weird and awesome. I mean, Lotus makes fast cars, but most of them can't fucking fly. Not even the Elise! Therefore Flying Lotus should be popular.

In conclusion, I like things that are awesome. Today my cat fell off the bed and he landed on his feet, which is awesome. This is similar to Flying Lotus.

  On 5/2/2012 at 11:53 PM, baph said:

MRS. CHRISTOPHERSON

1ST GRADE MUSIC

June 17 1989

 

The question presented is why is Flying Lotus so poplar.

 

You guys have to realize that he can fly and he's a fucking lotus, which is pretty weird and awesome. I mean, Lotus makes fast cars, but most of them can't fucking fly. Not even the Elise! Therefore Flying Lotus should be popular.

 

In conclusion, I like things that are awesome. Today my cat fell off the bed and he landed on his feet, which is awesome. This is similar to Flying Lotus.

I don't hold Flying Lotus in such high regards... But you are winning me over with this line of arguments...