"We're gonna totally sell out and try to dominate the world"
About this Quote
When Wes Borland states they are going to “totally sell out and try to dominate the world,” he draws attention to the complex relationship between artistic authenticity and commercial ambition. The phrase “sell out” typically carries negative connotations in creative circles, implying a willingness to compromise one’s artistic integrity for mainstream acceptance or financial gain. Borland’s use of the term is strikingly candid, perhaps even self-aware or tongue-in-cheek, as he not only acknowledges the possibility but frames it as a deliberate pursuit.
By pairing “sell out” with the grandiose goal to “dominate the world,” Borland underlines the tension between personal expression and the demands of success on a global scale. Artists frequently grapple with the pressure to reach wider audiences, and with that aspiration comes the risk, or the reality, of diluting their original style to accommodate broader tastes. In the music industry in particular, the leap from underground credibility to mass appeal is fraught with accusations of betrayal by earlier fans, yet it also holds the allure of influence, fame, and expanded creative resources.
Borland’s words can also be read as a satirical jab at the industry’s expectations and the public’s cynicism about artistic motivation. The over-the-top ambition to “dominate the world” may not be literal, but rather a wry comment on how bands are often perceived or pressured to chase ever-greater commercial heights. There’s a sense of irony embedded in admitting such aims so bluntly, possibly mocking both the fear of “selling out” and the implicit assumption that commercial success inherently taints the music.
Ultimately, this statement provides insight into the psychological landscape of artists at the precipice of wider recognition, where ambition, authenticity, and outside judgment become inseparably entwined. It suggests an awareness of the criticisms that may come with broader success and an irreverent willingness to meet those critiques head-on.
