For decades, artists have gotten themselves into controversy, causing them to lose massive amounts of fans. Nirvana’s hit song “Rape Me,” Kendrick Lamar dissing Drake and Michael Jackson dealing with sexual assault allegations are all examples of controversy in the music industry.
Recently, two artists, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and Travis Scott, have both been embroiled in controversies, leading the public to wonder if they should be supported any longer.
Ye, an American rapper, producer, fashion designer and entrepreneur, is known for his groundbreaking contributions to the hip-hop industry, with releases like “The College Dropout,” “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” “Yeezus,” and “Donda.” He also took over the fashion industry with his brand, Yeezy, stylized YZY. However, Ye is also one of the most controversial figures of the current generation with his outspoken personality, raunchy public statements and personal life choices, becoming a hot topic for debate over whether or not he should have a platform.
“Art is something that is supposed to be appreciated; it’s important to understand there can be a separation of art from the artist,” mentions Junior Hayden Francis.
Art, being something that will stand the test of time, is important in today’s culture. However, cancel culture has prevented some of the world’s most famous people from continuing on their path. But, considering the following examples, Pablo Picasso, one of the world’s most decorated and praised artists, was a known violent and abusive person. Dr. Seuss, in recent years, has come under much heat for accusations of racist cartoons and bad narratives in his early career. However, people still read Seuss’ works to their children, and people still admire Picasso’s art. If art is judged solely on the artist’s actions or words, then many feel the beauty of their works, like Picasso’s or Dr. Seuss’s, would be missed.
On Dec 1, 2022, Ye went on InfoWars with Alex Jones and Nick Fuentes (a known white nationalist). During the rants, Ye openly praised Hitler and Nazism, but since has personally apologized to those he has hurt with his past statements, stating that his recent diagnosis of BDB can make him act irrationally. He has taken down all songs with references to antisemetism from DSPS. This is leaving his fans with a strong hope that Bully will be a generational album.
Sophomore Gibson Goff comments on why he feels not supporting artists just because of their personal opinions and actions is a mistake: “You should still be able to support an artist if you like their music; if that is not spilling into their work, who cares?”
While Ye’s actions reflect the complex interplay of mental health and public persona, they directly contrast with the trajectory of other artists in the industry, such as Travis Scott, who managed to get himself in controversy due to a tragedy.
Scott is one of the highest-selling and most influential artists of the mid-2010s to the current 2020s. He is a credited fashion designer for Nike, with his new sounds featured in record-breaking albums like “Rodeo,” “ASTROWORLD” and “UTOPIA.” He has brought with him a new wave of fans and helped introduce rage rap to the mainstream music scene.
He has had five number-one songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, is Grammy-nominated and is the owner and creator of Cactus Jack Records, but with such high success, controversy tends to follow. Accusations of devil worship and sacrifices during concerts have circulated among fan circles and news outlets primarily since the 2021 ASTROWORLD festival tragedy.
On November 5, 2021, approximately 50,000 people attended the concert at the ASTROWORLD festival in Houston, Texas, at NRG Park. When Scott’s set started, the crowd surged toward the stage and broke down barriers and gates, crushing the concert-goers at the front. Many were unable to breathe; it turned into a mass casualty crowd rush. Some who attended claim Scott should have been able to hear the audience members who were screaming for help and should have stopped the show.
“100% Travis [Scott] should still be supported. He apologized for everything that happened and it wasn’t his fault. So many people, along with LiveNation, failed him as an artist and he took the fall for it. LiveNation let the barriers fall, not Travis Scott,” said Francis.
There were 10 documented casualties, ages nine to 27, and hundreds of reported injuries. Over 2,500 civil suits were filed against Scott, LiveNation and others. In 2023, a grand jury declined to criminally prosecute Scott, but civil cases continued until this year.
As the two continue to produce music and leave their mark on the worlds of music and fashion, these artists will likely carry the controversies they have faced throughout their careers, shaping their legacy for years to come. So, should the art be separated for the artist? It comes down to personal choice.
