Hi everyone. I’m gonna be a little emotional with this because I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently, and I need to reach out.
I’m asking this because of recent exposure regarding a certain artist in the music industry and their producers of a certain album. (I’m sure most of you know who I’m talking about, but I’m gonna keep them anonymous because I don’t want to start a drama thread. I just need advice. So if you think you know the artist I’m talking about, please don’t mention their name). These producers were apparently exposed for unfairly and inaccurately representing a certain region (or community) of people in their dance style, and it brought about a lot of anger out of people. What’s worse is that they’re refusing to apologize about it. Personally, I agree that this isn’t right, but the problem is… I can’t just stop listening to their music because of that. And here’s why:
This artist has been my favorite artist for years. I’ve always gotten this warm feeling from listening to their songs because they give such incredible and positive messages (especially the newer ones) that have helped me through a lot. But ever since I found out what has been going on with them, the feelings I’ve been getting from the songs have been slowly getting worse. It’s because I’m worried that I’m supporting an action or idea that I don’t agree with. And I’m worried what other people might say to me if they were to hear me listening to it out loud.
How I prefer to think of it is that I don’t have to like the singer as a person to like their songs, and I don’t have to agree with everything they do and say, but not all people think this way. I’m afraid that in the future (if it hasn’t happened already), this artist will be “cancelled” by the media and everything would go downhill. And again, this has been my favorite artist for years, and just the idea of this upsets me. I can’t bear to think that everything about this artist will be hated on by this generation.
Another issue I’m having is that I’m tempted to use one of the songs in a trailer for an episode story I might do, because I love the song and I think it would fit the mood perfectly. But I don’t want to trigger anyone and I especially don’t want anyone giving me hate for “supporting them.” (Because we all know how fast cancel culture spreads 
) So I’m scared how people may react.
Anyway, sorry for having to rant about this. I’m just hoping to gather others’ opinions about this topic. I really need help.
If you’re uncomfortable with this topic, I understand. I just appreciate that anyone would read this from top to bottom.
If anyone in the region knows that song and sees those lyrics in an Episode story, they might get offended. If your intention is not to offend anybody, then I think you shouldn’t use the song.
I don’t think I know the artist you’re talking about as I don’t listen to many contemporary artists… However, I’ll just apply basic philosophy and morals to this situation as this is usually what I do.
In the Natural Law Theory, most actions that are usually morally permissible still have bad side effects. This is only allowed because of the Principle of Double Effect (PDE). The PDE states that a permissible act remains permissible with bad side effects if:
- You only intend the good, forseeing the bad.
- The good does not come about as by means of the bad.
- You have a serious enough reason for allowing the bad. (rules of thumb to decide whether your reason is serious enough: the good is proportionate to the bad, the more distant and unlikely an event is to happen the less serious your reason must be, the less control you have the less serious of a reason you need)
So applying this widely used and accepted theory by ethicists and philosophers all around the world, using their music is completely permissible and is also completely moral. You meet all three main criteria with flying colors. Especially with point 3 because you have very little control over whether everyone else stops using this artists music and whether or not someone will get offended. You have no moral obligation to stop using that artists music. A lot of people may feel differently, but morality is objective, and you’re in the clear.
May I ask who it is?..
I did want to keep them anonymous because this is something that’s currently going on and I’m sure people who do know have a lot of opinions about it 
This really relieves me. I appreciate it. 
You’re welcome! Natural Law is pretty cool and helps settle a lot of disagreements with some pretty unarguable facts lol. I’m glad I could help!
Oh I’m not planning on typing the lyrics into a story, I meant that I’d put an animated trailer together and play that song in the background. The song and lyrics itself is not offending anyone, it’s the fact that the motion picture the song belongs to misrepresents a regional group. The only thing I’m worried about is that someone may hear the song and associate it with the misrepresentation.
So I just thought to use that song because of its overall mood, because it ties well with the mood of the trailer too. It’s not the lyrics that are offensive
Hmmm…
If the lyrics aren’t offensive, then I believe you can use the song.
Well I gotta find out this is. I’m so curious.
Just remember, the art is not the artist.
Where can I find info about it??
I basically found out because of a story repost people were doing on Instagram. I read it and was shocked. The only information I know about it was on that post, I’m not sure where else the info could be found 
Ah dang. Maybe news sites and youtubers will get around to talking about this.
I think you should totally use their music, but limit it to the minimum so that both you and
other people who are hating on their music can enjoy it
I also have NO idea who you are talking about as I don’t really listen to music albums these days 
This could honestly be anyone, I mean I heard of someone who is getting “cancelled” and is all of tik tok for their behaviour. But I don’t think this person has been called out for stuff on religion. I only know one person in the music industry who has been called out for that stuff. But it really depends like many celebrities have been called out for reasons that I could hardly believe. I liked some of these people and watching the shows they were in but I found out they were a trmp supporter and I couldn’t watch my old favourite show in the same way. This also happened for a few artists that I listened to and they turned out to be a prvert and stole black music. If you want to listen to the music then do it but I personally can’t. I saw someone who said you need to seperate the character from the actual person and I think this might also be something to go by in this situation. But it depends on the extent of their actions and if they showed any genuine remorse for what they did. If you have an attachment to their music it is understandable why you are unsure.
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.