March 19, 2025
By Rayan Yamout
Editor
It is difficult to avoid the moral question of whether or not to support an artist after a scandal. Some people try to “separate the art from the artist,” but this is impossible.
Artists have the power not only to entertain fans but to shape their values and perceptions of the world. Therefore, one should not consume their art without considering their behavior, as every purchase, stream and view amplifies the artist’s wealth and influence, legitimizing harmful behaviors and ideologies.
Additionally, an artist’s social media presence reinforces the connection between their work and their identity. This extends beyond entertainment, as their opinions on political and social issues can sway their followers.
The entertainment industry has a long history of figures whose actions have caused harm. For example, rapper Kanye West continues to create controversy in the music industry.
At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, West’s and his wife Bianca Censori’s disappearance was speculated to be an attention grab to add to the publicity stunt involving Censori’s transparent dress worn without undergarments. Five days later, West repeatedly posted antisemitic and dehumanizing rhetoric on X. On Feb. 10, West’s X account was deactivated, abruptly ending his rant.
West also aired a commercial during Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in which he encouraged viewers to visit his Yeezy clothing brand website. The website was cleared of all products other than a solid white shirt with a swastika. As a result, West’s talent agency dropped him, and the e-commerce company Shopify removed his Yeezy products for violating its authentic commerce policies.
West is notorious for including misogynistic and degrading messages in his music such as the 2019 song “I Love It” featuring Lil Pump, where he raps lyrics that objectify women, and the 2016 track “Famous,” whose music video included nude wax figures of female celebrities.
The entertainment industry has a long history of figures whose actions have caused harm. For example, rapper Kanye West continues to create controversy in the music industry.
Additionally, in the entertainment industry, former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider faced allegations in 2024 of fostering a toxic work environment and inappropriate behavior following the release of the documentary “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” on discovery+ and Max. Former child actors and crew members have accused him of favoritism, verbal abuse and creating an uncomfortable atmosphere on set. His shows, “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat,” released in 2010 and 2013, respectively, sexualize young actors with suggestive jokes and scenes that many now view as inappropriate.
Although West’s older music and Schneider’s nostalgic Nickelodeon productions remain fan favorites, it is crucial to recognize the problematic tendencies of their makers.
As these examples illustrate, separating artists from their art is unrealistic. Art does not exist in isolation. It is an extension of the person who creates it. While accountability and cancel culture remain complex and nuanced, consuming an artist’s work is never a neutral act.
