I think some people are confused by the vague definition of the term industry plant.
This is usually used to refer to someone who was made to seem as if they came through a natural grassroots movement, when in reality they were backed by a label the whole time.
The reason a label wouldn't want to reveal their involvement is because that would turn off fans to the artist. For example, Wiz Khalifa is often mentioned as a possible industry plant. The reason is because he was promoted as an artist that "went back to his roots after a failed relationship with a major" and through hard work and doing shows around the country he than gained many fans. By 2010 he released Kush & OJ independently to great critical praise and internet hype. Only after Kush & OJ did he "resign" with a major. This is the story we are told but many people believe that it's not true and he was signed to Atlantic the whole time.
So basically the people saying, "industry plant just sounds like good management to me" aren't necessarily correct.
No one hides the fact that they are being managed, promoted and so on. It's when you act as if you are doing it yourself, through independent means but in reality you are backed by a much "higher power". That's what people have a problem with.
That's part of the reason Odd Future is considered an industry plant by so many, because a large part of their gimmick originally was that they were very DIY.
who is that?
