The Inconsistency in the “Cancelling” of an Artist

Hip Hop has a new personality taking the world by storm in the form of rainbow colored hair and face tattoos; he goes by Teka$hi 6ix9ine. The twenty-one year old New York City native has been making quite the name for himself recently with his single Gummo currently #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as his song Kooda peaking at #50. He has been interviewed on The Breakfast Club, No Jumper Podcast, and by DJ Akademiks; while collecting 2.2 million followers on Instagram in the process. However, with this new success, he also has legal baggage…

Teka$hi, who’s real name is Daniel Hernandez, pleaded guilty to “the use of a child in a sexual act” on October 20, 2015. The incident of the crime involved Daniel (18 years old at the time), two other male suspects, and a 13 year old girl. They were in an apartment in Harlem smoking and drinking, and multiple videos were recorded with the young girl naked and interacting with the guys. In his interview with Akademiks on his YouTube channel, Tekashi broke down his story involving the case, his feelings of regret, and hope that people would look past his actions. However, in an article written on Jezebel, there were many inaccuracies in 6ix9ine’s statement compared to the official criminal complaint.

With the details of Teka$hi’s criminal case being released, many people are refusing to listen his music; a term commonly known as “cancelling” an artist. Many viral tweets have been posted denouncing his actions, calling for people to not support someone who was sexually involved with an eighth grade-aged girl. However, I have trouble finding the consistency people have with treating artists this way.

It can be difficult to separate the artist from their art. For example, many people still refuse to listen to Chris Brown’s music without thinking about his incident with Rihanna; or watch a Woody Allen movie without thinking of his sexual misconduct cases. However, some people can make this separation with an artist, but are inconsistent when it comes to others.

Kodak Black is another popular up-and-coming artist right now in hip hop. Leading this mumble rap movement, Kodak’s major singles include Skrt, No Flockin’ (Which later became Cardi B’s hit, Bodak Yellow), and Tunnel Vision. Kodak’s rap success has seemed to overshadow the never ending legal troubles he seems to find himself in. Black, real name Dieuson Octave, is currently awaiting trial for a first degree criminal sexual conduct charge he was indicted for back in November.

Another emerging artist who has similar legal troubles is rapper XXXTentacion, who ironically is featured on a Kodak Black song currently climbing the charts called Roll in Peace. XXXTentacion, real name Jahseh Onfroy, is currently awaiting trial for charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness-tampering. The victim in this case also delivered a two and a half hour long testimony of the gruesome acts being accused in her deposition; the 142 page transcript of the testimony was obtained by Pitchfork here.

Though these two artists have their legal troubles, both Kodak Black and XXXTentacion seem to be continuing to prosper. Despite currently being behind bars, Kodak’s song with XXX is currently climbing the billboard charts at #36, while his new album Project Baby 2 peaking at #2 on the charts, and he has collaborated on songs with rap veterans Jeezy, Lil Wayne, and Bun B. XXXTentacion’s album 17 released in August and also climbed to #2 in the country. He has also received co-signs from raps biggest artists such as A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, and J.Cole. He even claims to be working on a collab project with Joey Bada$$. Big name artists are role models to millions of fans out there, so they should be held accountable for co-signing these legally suspect rappers. However, my concern is with the fact that fans somehow continue to support Kodak and XXXTentacion, but will “cancel” Teka$hi 6ix9ine’s music.

Where is the consistency? What is the line that we, as fans, draw when it comes to these artists and the crimes that they commit?

Obviously, if an artist commits any crime, you should not simply write them off. Hip Hop is a genre that was built as a form of expression for many people in low income areas. That expression involved rapping about their lives and what went on around them; often times including crimes like robbery, weapon and drug possession, drug dealing, and assault. For example, rappers like Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, T.I., 50 Cent, DMX, and Rick Ross all have been convicted of one crime or another dealing with weapons or drugs. What does not fly in today’s Hip Hop seems to be any crimes having to do with women and children.

Back in the 90’s and 2000’s, R. Kelly managed a successful career even with his multiple charges of sexual conduct with a minor, child pornography, and assault. Mystikal had hit songs, served time in prison for sexual misconduct, and continued to make music upon his release. However, today, Teka$hi 6ix9ine cannot completely get his feet off the ground with his criminal background.

While it is good that Hip Hop fans have morally evolved to not let someone like 6ix9ine easily get successful given his history, fans need to also keep that same energy when dealing with artists like Kodak Black or XXXTentacion. If you were quick to cancel Freddie Gibbs’ music when he was accused of sexual assault in 2016, it’s hypocritical if you continue to bump Kodak’s No Flockin through your speakers. People should be consistent with the way they treat these artists. It is one thing if allegations come out against an artist you know and have liked for a while, like Nelly fans amidst his now multiple sexual assault accusations.

But when someone steps into the limelight with rape accusations or sexual assault charges, treat them the way you would treat the rest.