We’ve Been Asking The Wrong Question.
“Can art be separated from the artist?”
My immediate answer is no. I think I might have mentioned this towards the end of my last post, but I believe that any creative work is a product of one’s mind, self, and values. While the complete work might not be of one’s own accord meaning help from producers, songwriters/ghostwriters, interns, apprentices, etc., I believe if something is even marketed under that person, that’s an image that they are willing to accept as their own. The way people present themselves or allow themselves to be presented is still a reflection of their values.
However, I’ve mulled over this topic for months because I’ve wanted to write this post since May 2022. I needed to see the other side’s opinion, and I finally understand why people could possibly say yes to the question. Saying that art cannot be separated from the artist is almost a refusal of acknowledging the duality of man. Good people can do/create bad things; bad people can do/create good things.
Therefore, why condemn works that are or have been beneficial to the development of society (or at least parts of it) because the creator did or said something shitty?
Those are what I think the two schools of thought on the topic, and I think it’s much easier to settle on one when you don’t take the time to think about the other.
But for those who do take the time, this is where the dreaded
“Well, it depends”
comes in.
My question to that is: what exactly do you mean by that? What does it depend on? Elaborate for me.
“The artist’s influence and contributions to their industry or society?”
I’m going to keep it a buck with you, I hope to God that’s not your answer. For lack of a better way of putting it—that would be fucked up.
“No, not entirely at least—it depends on the severity of the action and how much it’s reflected in their work.”
Okay, that’s a better response.
Kind of like when Tyler, the Creator talked about liking a minor in his song “F***ING YOUNG/PERFECT”. He acknowledges that he shouldn’t be having these feelings for someone who could get him a “ten-year sentence” and that he hasn’t necessarily gone all the way with this girl—but it still feels icky. It’s even more interesting when you find that he is currently or has dated someone 10 years his junior.
Now, I love Tyler, the Creator’s music, and other projects he’s been a part of. I give him my streams. I’ve given him at least 200+ of my own money seeing him in concert. I watch interviews he’s done. I post his music on my stories sometimes. I follow many of his social media outlets. I actively support him.
How about when Daniel Caesar defended YesJulz, who had been known to demean and taunt black women and was labeled a culture appropriator? He asked his audience on Instagram Live in March 2019: “Why are we being so mean to white people right now?”
Mane—what? You’re asking your listeners to excuse someone who has proven time and time again that they don’t respect members of a community that you’re a part of? One who dogs the most disrespected group in the world???? Think critically for me, please!
He’s got the voice of an angel, and I truly think if he hadn’t said this back in 2019, he’d be as large as Giveon or Brent Faiyez. The black community swiftly and effectively canceled him. Case Study 01 flopped hard not just because it followed Freudian, one of the best debut albums of the 2010s, but because of the situation I mentioned above.
But guess what? I still listened to him during it. Quietly. But I listened.
(He’s apologized for this situation in an interview a few days ago with the release of his third album. It seemed genuine, which I liked. Would y’all like an album review of it? I haven’t listened to it fully yet.)
What about Kendrick dropping the f-slur out of nowhere SEVERAL TIMES while I was listening to Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers on my way back home from Fayetteville last summer? Y’all, I didn’t know how to feel. I think that song tells a beautifully tragic story, but how necessary was it to say it? The word cut so deep.
I’ll admit, despite feeling conflicted, I still considered dropping a bag to see him perform in Tulsa last summer.
Don’t get me started on who I like to call, the white Walmart dupe of Frank Ocean, Rex Orange County, being charged with sexual assault in October of 2022. I couldn’t listen to him in those few months between then and when the cases were dropped in December. I would skip his songs when they came up. Sometimes, I still have trouble listening to him now.
Yet, I still kept “Pluto Projector” on my wedding day playlist. I mean, it’s a classic, right?
Do you see what the real question of this debate should be?
You can have a discussion of “Can art be separated from the artist?” all day long. It’s fun debating with someone who disagrees with you because eventually, you concede that the other person has a point. Yet, I don’t think the question itself is really all that important. Mainly because that question relies on the introduction of real-life situations or make hypotheticals to make it actually interesting.
The real question should be
“Can you support art without supporting the artists?”
Because this requires the individual to reflect on their own values.
To answer this new question: I don’t think you can.
Whether you watch, listen, read, or buy products/services from an individual, no matter how insignificant the action might be, you are still supporting them. Even if you start badmouthing them, you can still be a vessel for their exposure. That’s why they say love and hate are two sides of the same coin. It’s apathy—which in this case would be completely blocking out anything related to the artist, that would completely withdraw any type of support from them.
But who wants to deprive themselves of music, movies, books, shows, art, and whatever else that they cherish once they find out that their favorite celebrity, artist, creative, hero, or whatever had done something ugly? No one.
Maybe that’s a lack of self-control, and we shouldn’t give in to temptations or indulge in the products of “bad” people, but we are human. That’s what we do.
“Well, where do we go from here Taylor?”
I’m not sure what to tell you. What I can tell you is that I think we should try to avoid bashing others for their decision on this new question, especially if the individual has made clear they do not share, condone, or follow in the footsteps of the action or values of the creative. Mainly because 9 times out of 10, you probably have someone you support that has a storied past or has done said some shitty things too.
—
Happy Easter Sunday everyone. I’m not sure where you’re at right now, but it’s been a beautiful day in Fayetteville.
I hope you all enjoyed my take on this topic. I think at some point I might talk about how cancel culture and forgiveness relate to all of this, but I’m not sure. What did y’all think of this post? Do you agree, disagree, or you’re not sure? What should I talk about next? I’m open to anything really.
As always, thank you so much for reading. You guys are epic. The support I received a few weeks ago from you all was actually insane, and it made me feel so loved.
Side note: I’m in the process of redesigning my website, so if you see some changes every now and then, the website isn’t tweaking, I’m playing around with it. If you haven’t noticed, I got my own domain! I literally had to verify my email address with ICANN, which was something I had only heard about in Business Law class.
Also, I have an Instagram account for this website. I’ll be posting different takes and stuff on there too. It’s called @galaxygats so follow it for updates and stuff <3.
Have a great day!
