We all have a past. We are human after all and, remarkably, this broad category of humans includes artists. While some may argue that supporting a song is the equivalent of supporting the corresponding artist, this is simply false. As long as we have been alive, there have been artists. Writers, singers, painters, you name it. However, many of the impressive artists we are sufficiently familiar with have suspicious or tragic backgrounds. Take Fitzgerald and Hemingway, the two “greats” of the writing industry in the 1920s: their work historically and presently carry a legacy and is praised for uniqueness and swiftness. However, both of these authors heavily abused alcohol throughout their writing careers and Hemingway in particular had a complex family life with a total of four wives. Is it still okay to support the work of a known substance abuser and, as some would say, “womanizer”? Ask any Roosevelt English teacher and they would most likely say yes, and in fact, some may even be reading them in their classes. This is not because they are supporting the writers’ personal habits but because they are supporting the writing, the passion, and the influence that the writer has created and meaningful perspectives they have offered the world.
Another sector of artists, one that has been recently controversial and relevant is the content and support of modern rappers. Objectively, many people like rap music for its beats and rhythms, exclusive from the lyrics. One rapper that has particularly been in the headlights recently is Tekashi 6ix 9ine. 6ix 9ine’s music has made a boom throughout the world as his songs have steadily climbed the top 50 Billboard. However, he raps heavily about drugs and substance abuse as well as gang activity and presents themes of often toxic masculinity. With 6ix 9ine’s recent arrest and upcoming sentencing, many have spoken against listening to his music and argue that it is impossible to respect his music when he has done horrible things. This is simply untrue. Just because an artist has done wrong does not mean their music cannot be good. Music is a form of expression which often does not come from a squeaky clean background. Even though 6ix 9ine and many other artists have done unreputable things, their music can be good. For many artists and rappers, their music is actually one of the good things that comes from their life. Music does not have to tie into an artist’s personal life. It should be separated from the person and their music should be enjoyed separately as art.
So, for all you 6ix 9ine listeners out there: yes, it is okay to listen to him. Listening to his beats and rhythm because you like it does in no way mean you support his personal actions outside of his art. For all you XXX Tentacion fans out there; I bet you know he died but did you know that just before his death, he was accused of domestically/physically abusing his pregnant wife with a coat hanger? Along with those accusations, X also abused drugs heavily. However, for the fans that already knew that you’re obviously still listening to him and the ones that didn’t: objectively you would agree that his music is good. X’s music appealed to many across the globe and still does regardless of his suspicious personal life and there is nothing wrong with that. People were simply separately enjoying the work he created for what it was, which is completely separate from supporting him as a person. Enjoying good music is not an ultimatum. It is not simply you either support the artist and his music or you don’t. It is taking their art for what it is and enjoying that individual components of an artist’s life. It is taking their expressions and liking what they have produced, not who they are. Like any person or personal relationship, you obviously will not like everything about them. You take the good and are grateful for the positive components they have contributed and this known logic for people, their actions, and their precautions should not fall short of extending to artists and their music as well.
