"Supporting" Problematic Artists

[Musicisfreedom 5,837]

So, I've seen a lot of talk lately about supporting people that are seemed problematic (Nicki for example), and I've been seeing a lot of shaming towards people that enjoy her music, so I wanted to talk about something.

Firstly, do you think it's okay to enjoy the music of someone who you consider problematic or dislike as a person? Even if you don't support them for what they say and do?

And also, how far does this go? Poppy, for instance, is getting a lot of new fans now after she dumped Titanic Sinclair, when in fact, by buying, streaming, her new album you are in fact supporting him, quite literally. Or by listening to Kesha's old music you are supporting  Dr. Luke as well. They are getting money from you, at the end of the day, even if your intentions is to support Poppy or Kesha.

So, where is the line drawn? Isn't it a little hypocritical to shame fans for listening to Nicki if its okay by you to literally give your money away to people who are worse, even if it's not the intention?

My personal opinion, is that its always up to you where you wish to put your money. And I think that if you are going to shame someone for liking someone's songs, you need to make sure you know who you support.

Sorry for the messy wording BTW, i haven't slept all week and my mind is all kinds of jumbled. 

[Floppy 7,951]

I mean I listen to Azealia.... Artists personal lives don't change how I feel about their artistry Tbh.

[bloody g 31,741]

I also have this issue. Nicki is extremely problematic, but Good Form is Good Form 

I don't know what to do

I have to say that if she was a good person, I'd definitely stream her music WAY WAY more

[ARTPOPSTER 4,246]

In my opinion, I feel you can separate the artist from the music. I wouldn't not listen to Kesha just because of the people she has worked with. It's unfortunate that it happened, but that music is just as much hers as it is Dr. Lukes. Even more so. Kesha still enjoys playing those songs, and I can't imagine the memories that are associated with them. 

Same thing with Gaga and DWUW. R Kelly has done horrible things, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't listen to a song.

Listen to whoever you want. It's just music and listening to it does not mean I support those behind it.  

[Guest]

These are the same people who buy cloths made by foreign slave labor. If you bring it up, it will make them feel uncomfortable and change the subject. They are just privileged shallow brats who want to use these none issues and make it a big deal to justify their attacks and hate.

[WhoAskedOpinions 658]

I think it depends on the extent you support the artist. If I stream "I Disagree" once or twice a year and listen to a Nicki song here or there, the amount going into their pocket is so minimal compared to buying the album, buying merchandise, buying concert tickets, etc.. I also tend to watch YouTube videos more when I dislike the artist or their collaborators because I believe they make less off a view and/or none if the video isn't published or claimed by their official account. 

[Musicisfreedom 5,837]

3 minutes ago, Bloody Grammys said:

I also have this issue. Nicki is extremely problematic, but Good Form is Good Form 

I don't know what to do

I have to say that if she was a good person, I'd definitely stream her music WAY WAY more

Just download her music illegally girl lol 

[River 114,928]

I tried to stay way from Luke's productions and I realized that it's like half of the songs that I like.. I can't say no to Britney's Circus for example.

So unfortunately, what I do is to listen to the illegally, so Luke is not getting money from me.

And for example, Kelly Clarkson hates him so much but still singing the songs the she did with him.

It's unavoidable in some sense, he gets the money.

 

[LaLa 19,591]

I'm not out here doing a wiki search for every artist/producer/writer who comes up on a shuffled playlist, but if I know someone has done or said something I find truly problematic or upsetting, I usually can't enjoy their work any longer and avoid it. 

On the off chance I still want to listen to someone and not support them financially, I know what to do and how to do it 

[huttont 5,228]

7 minutes ago, LaLa said:

On the off chance I still want to listen to someone and not support them financially, I know what to do and how to do it 

[misunderstood 8,736]

I think it's up to the listener.

I for one can't let someone's personal life affect me listening to their music because at the end of the day we're all ****ed up in our own ways...

[HoneyB 27,675]

I share a similar problem, love Nicki’s music and I love Doja Cat but her songs are produced by Dr. Luke. I don’t purchase or stream their songs through “legitimate” means so that way I don’t give them coin or streams

[lgsbchac 273]

Everyone has to draw the line themselves and make the decisions for themselves based on their own morals and preferences.

I, for one, made an ARTPOP playlist without R.K*lly's version of DWUW on Spotify a long time ago, not only because I didn't want to support him but also because he changed the entire message of the song with his bullsh*t lyrics and knowing what he did makes it even more gross to me. Like with that knowledge I simply can't enjoy his art anymore, even if I wanted to.

With artists where I don't know the full story or extent of how problematic they are, such as Nicki and Cardi, I just listen to the songs I like from time to time and that's it. Ignorance is bliss in those cases but you also can't know about every problematic thing every person did ever.

So you have to make these decisions on a case by case basis. And depending on the severity and context of what the person in question has done, I also don't think it's right to judge people on what they wanna listen to, since it is a personal choice and everyone has different reasons to make said choice.

[Musicisfreedom 5,837]

8 minutes ago, lgsbchac said:

Everyone has to draw the line themselves and make the decisions for themselves based on their own morals and preferences.

I, for one, made an ARTPOP playlist without R.K*lly's version of DWUW on Spotify a long time ago, not only because I didn't want to support him but also because he changed the entire message of the song with his bullsh*t lyrics and knowing what he did makes it even more gross to me. Like with that knowledge I simply can't enjoy his art anymore, even if I wanted to.

With artists where I don't know the full story or extent of how problematic they are, such as Nicki and Cardi, I just listen to the songs I like from time to time and that's it. Ignorance is bliss in those cases but you also can't know about every problematic thing every person did ever.

So you have to make these decisions on a case by case basis. And depending on the severity and context of what the person in question has done, I also don't think it's right to judge people on what they wanna listen to, since it is a personal choice and everyone has different reasons to make said choice.

Exactly. I agree 100% with this

[Guest]

As a Britney fan, I would never support anything her team releases until her conservatorship ends. But that does not mean I would attack or shame people who do. I can spread awareness on whats happening, but I wont tell them what to do.