Top Ten Things and People that are Better Received in Other Countries Than in America
I just had to vote for this after seeing the Most Hated Songs of the 21st Century list, especially because most of those songs were hated for mild sexual content that can be seen on TV by every child here. It was kind of frustrating.
In many countries outside the U.S., nudity is not considered rude.
In German-speaking countries, nudity is seen on TV during daytime, and movies rated R only for nudity (and language) are usually rated something between "all ages" and "12 and up" here.
Similarly to the U.S., Canada is also very conservative.
While they don't have as devoted a fanbase as the Juggalos in the U.S., Insane Clown Posse has received positive critical reception in Germany. Most of their albums get fairly good reviews, and "The Amazing Jeckel Brothers" was retrospectively included on laut.de's Milestones list. The review that accompanied this praised the humor, the Dark Carnival concept, and the production.
Even though I actually like ICP, I think this rating is a bit too high. It is a simple and tasteless fun record most of the time, with a few really good songs in between ("Echo Side," "Nothing's Left," "Play With Me"). What also baffles me is that "Jeckel" received so much praise, as they have three albums ("The Great Milenko," "Hell's Pit," and "Mighty Death Pop") that are more ambitious and actually much better than their reputation suggests.
In German-speaking territories, Nickelback doesn't receive any hate. People either like them or simply don't care about them. Their albums usually receive between 3 and 4 out of 5 stars on most websites and in magazines. They are also more accepted by rock fans.
Furries face no hate in German-speaking countries and are not discriminated against. Much like anime fans, they are seen as nerds, but nerds became socially acceptable in the 2010s.
Like Nickelback, Nicki Minaj receives little to no hate. People either like her or are indifferent in German-speaking territories. Reviews are usually positive.
José Feliciano is synonymous with music. He is one of the most underrated musicians on the radio, yet even without much radio support, he has sold millions of records and sold out concerts worldwide. He has collaborated with international stars like DeBarge, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Cat Stevens, Bill Withers, Diane Schuur, John Lennon, José José, Lani Hall, and many others. José has performed with the best symphony orchestras around the globe and has recorded in Spanish, English, Italian, and more. His music has reached hit parades worldwide.
Jerry Lewis is considered the greatest comedian of all time in France.
Much like "It's a Wonderful Life" in the U.S., this is the Christmas movie in German-speaking countries. However, the other installments of the Vacation saga are not that well-known, and many people don't even realize this is a sequel.
He is a music legend in South Africa but was not well-known in the U.S. until a 2012 documentary about him won an Oscar.
Atheism is more accepted because there aren't as many Bible fanatics in German-speaking countries. In fact, it's more socially acceptable to make fun of Christianity than to practice it.
The Newcomers
Prostitution is not only perfectly legal in several countries (including German-speaking countries) but also socially accepted in some of them.
While regular German hip hop often gets criticized for its lack of authenticity, German trap rappers have become the personification of authenticity in hip hop and receive excellent reviews. American trap rappers are often criticized in the U.S. for their lack of meaningful lyrics. However, rappers like Drake and Young Thug receive great reviews in Germany.
Nah, I live in the United States, and I hear trap all the time on the radio.
You won't get criticized for sexual lyrics in German-speaking countries unless the lyrics are particularly stupid or obviously written just to get attention.
In Germany, the combination of rock and hip hop attracted several fans of one genre to the other. I'm not talking about young fanboys or fangirls, but adult music fans. This might also explain why Insane Clown Posse or Lil Wayne's "Rebirth" album received positive reviews or at least critical acclaim here. Nu-Metal and Rap Rock were never truly mainstream, but they definitely aren't regarded as bad.
I didn't add this, but it is kinda true. Linkin Park receives extremely positive reviews (though they don't seem to be hated elsewhere either), and like Nickelback, Limp Bizkit doesn't get any hate here and is mostly listened to by people who are into rock. I think that whenever there isn't a huge hype around a particular style, it is generally more accepted.
Everywhere else in the world besides the United States, they are really popular.
I can't say she is very popular in Canada, but I've somehow heard of her. And guess what? She is one of the few modern pop musicians I like, and this comes from a metalhead. Her voice is amazing. She writes most of her songs, and while they are still pop songs, they are different from the mainstream, which explains 1) why she isn't more popular and 2) why I like her. Songs I like: I'm Outta Love, Left Outside Alone, Heavy On My Heart (which gives me goosebumps, especially a live version that is a duet).
Despite being American, Anastacia is a multi-platinum selling singer everywhere except in the U.S. In Germany, she also receives very positive reviews, though not as much in the U.K.
Rebirth has received positive reviews in Germany. I think the combination of rock and hip hop in general isn't as well-liked in the U.S., at least from what I have read online so far.
Lil Wayne gets no hate and receives critical acclaim in Germany. However, he is not as commercially successful, and many people think his voice is annoying. American hip hop is well known here, but almost no rappers have hit songs - it's more of an album genre, and only fans of the genre buy them. Additionally, American hip hop is considered more authentic than German hip hop, and in recent years, German hip hop has become the mainstream genre in Germany.