Controversial Kanye West Comments and Antics Spark Important Conversations

Article By: Joaquin D. Valle, Writer | BCS Chronicle

As one of the most popular artists in the world, Kanye West still maintains a fanbase in the millions, even after his off-color comments regarding persons of the Jewish faith. These statements have sparked a lot of controversy regarding whether or not his music should be listened to when he is openly promoting hate against a certain group of people. 

The main question facing Mr. West’s fans is whether or not people should separate an artist from their art in order to stop promoting someone who may be morally flawed or politically incorrect. Unfortunately, the list of famous artists who have engaged in such behaviors is extensive, ranging from Michael Jackson to Elvis Presley to Justin Bieber, with new rappers and artists joining this group every day.  

Texas A&M Junior Oceanography major Mason Kraus commented on this pivotal question, stat believes people should not let the reputation of an artist taint the art they produce.

“Art is something people create out of their heart, desires, wants, needs and their envisions,” said Kraus. 

Kraus said art is important in society, especially in certain cultures where art can be seen as central to one’s identity or where it can be used to convey historical relevance to the younger generations in a more tangible way. Kraus later emphasized that since each artist has their own flow and uniqueness that is evident in their work, so it is hard to separate the artist from their work.

“A lot of times artists put their own ideologies and creativities into their art, so I feel like you can't really take out the artist,” said Kraus.

Similarly, Texas A&M Junior Political Science major Matthew Perez emphasized that there are times when you cannot separate the artist from what they have created. 

“I think that is dependent on this factor, the factor is what is that artist asking from us through their art,” said Perez.

“Before he got into politics, Adolf Hitler was a painter and attended art school where he created paintings of landscapes,” said Perez. 

“It’s a picture of a building and some sidewalks, not necessarily the greatest art in the world, that's why he failed art school,” said Perez. “I could look at that building and say this is good art, the art is not asking me to take up any of Hitler’s ideals.”

To further his point, Perez said you do not have to make any excuses about viewing and appreciating his landscape paintings since it does not promote any of his beliefs.

In this case Perez said you would be able to separate the art from the artist. 

“A more recent example is someone like Kanye West, someone who people would say they have backlash towards,” said Perez. “Personally I can still listen to alot of Kanye West songs because I don't feel like they are asking me to match his ideals or anything like that.”

Perez said, for instance, if Kanye was to put out a song right now titled “I Hate Jewish People” then at that point there is no way a person could separate the song from him.

“At that point I no longer have the ability to separate the art from the artist,” said Perez. “Because what the artist is asking from me through his art is to take up his ideals.”

Perez said people get defensive when their favorite artist does something wrong because they feel the need to try and justify why they do not think similarly to the artist.

“Art can push a moral ground that we have all together and can also push certain ideas into the mainstream,” said Perez. “Overall you can definitely separate art from the artist depending on what the artist is asking from you through their art.”

Tom Burton, an Associate Professor of the Practice at Texas A&M’s Department of Communication and Journalism, who specializes in journalism and media practices, described his ideas regarding

“My father was a painter so I grew up around that culture so I have a little bit of an idea of what I see [art] as,’’ said Burton. “The purpose of art generally is for the artist to communicate a feeling, an emotion, a perspective on their world.”

Burton emphasized the importance of how art can coincide with its creator’s ideals and beliefs. 

“What it gets down to is whether or not you feel their art is a direct result of their pathology,” said Burton. “If it's R. Kelly, [and] the song’s about, ‘Hey girl you're only 13 but come into my house,’ that kinda thing, if [art] directly connects to it.”

All of these interviews point toward a celebrity’s worth being determined on the quality of their art. Unfortunately, this means that their personas behind the scenes and their questionable actions can often go unchecked. Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide if their favorite artists' questionable opinions and past actions are enough to make them turn away for good, regardless of their affinity for their art.