Tegan and Sara Vs Odd Future
Mon 16th May, 2011 in International News
Few acts have been hyped as much as Odd Future in 2011. The group has been releasing free mixtapes for several years, but burst thorough to a more mainstream audience this year with notable appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and at SXSW and the first ‘official’ album released by the a member of the group – Tyler the Creator’s Goblin.
The group quickly sold out shows at Vivid LIVE and sideshows in Melbourne and Brisbane and Kanye West, Diddy, Mos Def, Pitchfork and a parade of other musicians and writers have lined up bestow the collective with the title – ‘the future of rap’.
However, along with the hype there has also been a rival thread of analysis and criticism that focuses on the group’s violent lyrics, which overflow with violent rape scenes and homophobic slurs. Sara Quin from the Canadian duo Tegan and Sara has joined the chorus of Odd Future criticism, bemoaning the praise heaped on the controversial hip hop crew by issuing a “A Call for Change” on their website .
Quin’s Call for Change:
“When will misogynistic and homophobic ranting and raving result in meaningful repercussions in the entertainment industry? When will they be treated with the same seriousness as racist and anti-Semitic offenses? While an artist who can barely get a sentence fragment out without using homophobic slurs is celebrated on the cover of every magazine, blog and newspaper, I’m disheartened that any self-respecting human being could stand in support with a message so vile.
As journalists and colleagues defend, excuse and congratulate ‘Tyler, the Creator,’ I find it impossible not to comment. In any other industry would I be expected to tolerate, overlook and find deeper meaning in this kid’s sickening rhetoric? Why should I care about this music or its “brilliance” when the message is so repulsive and irresponsible? There is much that upsets me in this world, and this certainly isn’t the first time I’ve drafted an open letter or complaint, but in the past I’ve found an opinion – some like-minded commentary – that let me rest assured that my outrage, my voice, had been accounted for. Not this time.
If any of the bands whose records are held in similar esteem as Goblin had lyrics littered with rape fantasies and slurs, would they be labeled hate mongers? I realize I could ask that question of DOZENS of other artists, but is Tyler exempt because people are afraid of the backlash? The inevitable claim that detractors are being racist, or the brush-off that not “getting it” would indicate that you’re “old” (or a faggot)? Because, the more I think about it, the more I think people don’t actually want to go up against this particular bully because he’s popular. Who sticks up for women and gay people now? It seems entirely uncool to do so in the indie rock world, and I’ll argue that point with ANYONE.
No genre is without its controversial and offensive characters- I’m not naive. I’ve asked myself a thousand times why this is pushing me over the edge. Maybe it’s the access to him (his grotesque twitter, etc). Maybe it’s because I’m a human being, both a girl and a lesbian. Maybe it’s because my mom has spent her whole adult life working with teenage girls who were victims of sexual assault. Maybe it’s because in this case I don’t think race or class actually has anything to do with his hateful message but has EVERYTHING to do with why everyone refuses to admonish him for that message.
It is not without great hesitation and hand wringing that I enter into the discourse about Tyler, the media who glorifies and excuses misogyny and homophobia, and the community of artists that doesn’t seem remotely bothered by it. I can only hope that someone reading this might be inspired to speak out. At the very least, I will know that my voice is on record.”
Showing typical restraint, Tyler has responded on Twitter “If Tegan And Sara Need Some Hard Dick, Hit Me Up!”. Odd Future are due to play their first Australian show later this month… we’re counting down the days until the tabloids realise.
To post a comment, you need to be logged in.
If you've already registered login now, otherwise create a new account now.
Facebook member?
You can use your Facebook account to sign up and log in to FasterLouder.