Art is one of those difficult subjects. As long as you’re not financially supporting them anymore (including with streaming) there’s no harm in having a relationship with a track that came from someone who had a downfall. I still listen to the Thriller album sometimes, and though it is always freighted with the context of what came later, I am able to separate the art from the artist enough to still enjoy the thing in itself.
I still listen to the Thriller album sometimes, and though it is always freighted with the context of what came later
I’m very much aware of the controversy around MJ, but in the end he was cleared on all the charges. There’s obviously a ton of things which are problematic, to say the least, but in my personal opinion he was a victim of the system too. There’s absolutely things to condem him for, but I don’t think he was a bad person in the end. Just someone who really needed some help which wasn’t there. Britney Spears would be a better comparison than Kanye.
And there’s quite a big gap between being a problematic human being who created (ambiguously) some of the best art around and someone who straight up wants to make a statement of being a bigger natzi than Elon.
You’re right, it was a stretch to generalize between the two. I’m just keen on the point of separating the art from the artist in the context of everything being streamed for money. It’s fine to listen to any old shit that used to hold uncomplicated joy for you, as long as it’s a local copy.
Art is one of those difficult subjects. As long as you’re not financially supporting them anymore (including with streaming) there’s no harm in having a relationship with a track that came from someone who had a downfall. I still listen to the Thriller album sometimes, and though it is always freighted with the context of what came later, I am able to separate the art from the artist enough to still enjoy the thing in itself.
Tell that to people that claim to be allies with trans people, yet can’t help but trip over themselves to hand Joanne money for any and all HP merch.
I’m very much aware of the controversy around MJ, but in the end he was cleared on all the charges. There’s obviously a ton of things which are problematic, to say the least, but in my personal opinion he was a victim of the system too. There’s absolutely things to condem him for, but I don’t think he was a bad person in the end. Just someone who really needed some help which wasn’t there. Britney Spears would be a better comparison than Kanye.
And there’s quite a big gap between being a problematic human being who created (ambiguously) some of the best art around and someone who straight up wants to make a statement of being a bigger natzi than Elon.
You’re right, it was a stretch to generalize between the two. I’m just keen on the point of separating the art from the artist in the context of everything being streamed for money. It’s fine to listen to any old shit that used to hold uncomplicated joy for you, as long as it’s a local copy.