NEWS ANCHOR: Dieuson Octave, better known by of course his performing name, Kodak Black.
CHARLAMAGNE: You, are you a registered sex offender?
6IX9INE: Nah, I’m not.
ANGELA: Somebody sent a letter up here actually about you, right?
With charges against you --
ANCHOR: We’re told that Kentreall Gaulden, whose stage name is NBA YoungBoy,
was taken into custody last week.
LETTY: 6ix9ine, Kodak Black, NBA YoungBoy and XXXtentacion each have charges or convictions
of abuse against women.
They also have plenty of chart placements, veteran MC co-signs and fans.
Rappers with rap sheets are nothing new, but it’s easier for today’s fans to know
all of their favorite MC’s gritty criminal history as they watch their videos
and stream their songs.
So why aren’t we cancelling problematic rappers in the wake of the #metoo movement?
LETTY: Most people have an emotional attachment to their favorite song or artist.
We spoke to a few Genius community members about their connections to some of these artists.
WaterGod told us quote,
And Liight said quote,
LETTY: The common theme here is that when there is any room for doubt,
fans often side with the artists they love.
Hip-hop’s been struggling with this issue for years—artists like Biggie, 2Pac, and Dr. Dre
have all been accused or convicted of violence against women,
but they’re each still beloved icons.
LETTY: In 2017, the #MeToo movement empowered people to speak up and cancel white celebrities
like Louis CK, Matt Lauer, and Harvey Weinstein from their positions of power.
But hip-hop is reluctant to cancel its problematic celebrities for a variety of reasons.
Distrust of the criminal justice system runs deep in black and brown communities for good reason.
And hip-hop lyrics have made misogyny the norm.
LETTY: As ethnomusicologist Fredara M. Hadley told Genius,
"Words like trick, thot, and bitch used frequently does us a dangerous disservice."
PROF. HADLEY: Well there’s a difference between a bitch and a woman or whatever,
but we never really problematize that.
And so, I think when we get in situations where men are committing violence against women,
we're already predisposed to believe that those women are disposable.
LETTY: As Cardi B told Cosmopolitan, quote:
LETTY: When faced with the choice to believe an anonymous accuser, or a superstar who makes
great music, many fans will side with the artist—even if they’ve pled guilty.
LETTY: Ultimately, fans have the ability to effect change.
Record labels, streaming services, and radio stations will continue to support these artists
until public pressure forces them to do otherwise.
And it’s not impossible to hold companies accountable for their support of abusers.
When Rihanna called out Snapchat’s offensive ad, asking users if they’d rather slap her
or punch Chris Brown, the company lost nearly $800 million after users deleted the app in droves.
In 2018, Vince Staples also showed the power of speaking out against abusers.
VINCE: Piece of fuckin shit R Kelly didn’t go to jail for being a child molester and
peeing on people and having a human trafficking ring in Atlanta.
LETTY: In the wake of this Coachella interview and the BBC’s documentary entitled
R. Kelly: Sex, Girls, and Videotapes, R. Kelly has reportedly been dropped
by his publicist, lawyer and assistant.
As founder of the #MeToo movement Tarana Burke said quote,
LETTY: I’m Letty for Genius News, bringing you meaning and the knowledge behind the music.