The "Problematic Fave" Dilemma

If you know me (which you probably don't), then you know I am OBSESSED with the band AJR. What I like most about them is that they aren't afraid to make songs about topics other artists usually avoid. Who else would write a song that takes place in a therapy session ("Karma") or ban racists from coming to their concerts ("Three O'Clock Things")? Their song "Role Models" from their second studio album, The Click, is no exception. "Role Models," was released during the height of the #MeToo movement. The song depicts the internal struggle of whether or not it's okay to continue to consume art from artists who may be terrible people, which I could relate to all too well.

Let's start with the queen of rap herself, Nicki Minaj. Now, I in no way, shape or form condone sexual assault, pedophilia, or gun violence. However, staining Nicki Minaj may make me a hypocrite. First, it's no secret that Nicki collaborates with controversial artists. I honestly can't find a single explanation as to why she graced that rainbow-haired troll (6ix9ine) with not one, not two, but three features, including one of her best to date. 6ix9ine has committed numerous offences, including sexual activity with a minor, assault with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to murder. Not to mention, he's also anti-Black. You may be wondering, if this man is so terrible, why do you still listen to those songs? Does she not have 138429349 other songs? Well, yes, but as Kenya Wilson (AKA astoldbykenya), once said, "I can't make the music not a bop."

Though working with 6ix9ine was already enough embarrassment for the Barbz (Nicki Minaj stans) it gets even worse than that. On October 21st, 2019, Nicki announced her marriage to Kenneth Petty, a registered sex offender. Though there have been several ups and downs, at the end of the day, there's no way I would be the person I am today without Nicki's music. On her song "Want Some More," she raps, "who the f*ck came in the game, made her own column?" To answer her question, there may have been other female rappers before her, but absolutely NO ONE has ever done it like Nicki and no one ever will. The wordplay, the alter egos, the stage presence; she really is the blueprint, no, The Pinkprint.

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade, then you know that Kanye West is the literal definition of problematic. In case you forgot just how disruptive he is, here's a quick recap. I think "Imma let you finish but," was the beginning of the end for Kanye. His opinion wasn't wrong, but how he expressed it wasn't the best. He should've just kept it to himself or tweeted it off a burner account like the rest of us. Following that incident, he got into countless Twitter beefs for reasons deemed unimportant to the general public. 2016 was a disastrous year for Kanye. He released his song "Famous," which includes the infamous line, "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b*tch famous." Though Kim Kardashian, Kanye's wife at the time, cleared up the Taylor consent controversy with a phone call recording r, this would not be the last time Kanye would have to address the lyric.

Later that same year, he had to cancel his Saint Pablo tour as he was put on psychiatric hold due to his sporadic rants throughout his concerts. Such rants included praising Donald Trump and bashing Jay Z. After the tour cancellation, Kanye continued to support the Trump campaign, which was the final straw for several of his fans. Oh, and how could I forget about when he said slavery was a choice in a TMZ interview? As you can see, the list goes on forever and it seems to worsen each year. I'm aware that Kanye suffers from Bipolar Disorder. However, that does not excuse the numerous times he misused his platform. Though I wouldn't consider myself a Kanye stan, that doesn't change the fact that he was my most listened-to artist of 2020. Kanye West may be misogynistic, anti-Black, and everything else in between, but his discography is one of the best, and I just can't bring myself to abandon it. I don't engage in whatever mess he brings to the timeline, but when "Good Life" plays, I shamelessly turn it up.

There are several other artists that bring me to the same crossroads. Doja Cat may be a regular in racist chat rooms, but I would see her in concert in a heartbeat. It also extends to artists across different mediums as well. Armie Hammer may or may not be an abusive cannibal, but even if he were, that wouldn't stop me from buying the Call Me By Your Name Blu-Ray DVD or paying to watch the sequel film in theatres. So, does consuming art from these artists make me terrible by association? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't, but I'll leave that up to you to decide.