R. Kelly has been a controversial figure for many years now, and the latest in a series of damning criticisms comes from Yeasayer frontman Anand Wilder. In an interview with Pitchfork, he labels the R&B superstar a “piece of sh*t,” while praising Frank Ocean as one of his favorite artists working today. It’s clear that there is no love lost between Wilder and Kelly, but what exactly did he have to say? Let’s take a look at why Wilder felt so strongly about these two artists.
As far as R. Kelly goes, Wilder didn’t mince his words when describing how he felt about him. He calls him an “incredibly awful person” with zero redeeming qualities to speak of, before going on to call him out by name and dubbing him a “piece of sh*t.” This is just the latest in a long line of criticism towards the singer-songwriter who has been accused by multiple women over the years of sexual abuse and misconduct.
On the other hand, Wilder had nothing but praise for fellow artist Frank Ocean. He said that Ocean was one of his favorite performers currently making music, citing his ability to mix genres like rap and r&b together seamlessly as part of what makes him such an interesting artist. Clearly Wilder considers Ocean to be lightyears ahead in terms of both talent and morality than someone like R. Kelly – so much so that it’s easy to understand where he’s coming from when comparing them side by side.
Yeasayer Musician’s Comments
Yeasayer frontman Anand Wilder has recently made some strong statements about R. Kelly and Frank Ocean. In an interview with Pitchfork, he labeled the former a “piece of sh*t” for his alleged sexual misconduct towards women. At the same time, Wilder had nothing but praise for Frank Ocean, calling him a “genius” whose music is “incredible”.
Wilder’s comments on these two musicians reflect a growing shift in public opinion away from R. Kelly and much more towards artists like Frank Ocean who have openly discussed their sexuality and identity. This kind of discourse within popular culture sends a message that it’s okay to be open about yourself—something that wasn’t as accepted just over ten years ago when R. Kelly was at the height of his fame.
By expressing his support for Frank Ocean while condemning R.Kelly, Wilder joins many other prominent figures in condemning any behavior or language that goes against what they believe should be acceptable standards of conduct in society today. It looks like we can expect to see more artists speaking out publicly about issues such as this one going forward – something which could very well shape our collective understanding of societal norms moving into the future.
Artist Reactions To Controversial R&B Singer
In response to Wilder’s comments, many fellow artists have come forward with their own opinions on the matter. Chance the Rapper tweeted that “R Kelly has brought so much pain to so many people but it’s important we don’t forget how he normalised sexual abuse and predatory behaviour.” While other musicians such as Halsey, Sia, and Questlove also expressed similar sentiments towards R.Kelly on social media.
Meanwhile, Frank Ocean has remained relatively silent in regards to these developments—a stark contrast from his peers who are often vocal about their support for him. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; if anything it speaks volumes about Ocean’s character in light of all the attention surrounding him and his work lately.
It is clear that there is an undeniable shift happening within popular culture when it comes to attitudes regarding issues like gender identity, sexuality and sexual misconduct. Artists speaking out against controversial figures like R. Kelly is just one part of this change – a sign that more public discourse will continue to shape our collective understanding of what constitutes acceptable behavior moving into the future.
Conclusion
I, personally, am not a fan of R. Kelly and appreciate the outspokenness of Yeasayer frontman Chris Keating on this issue. His comments give hope that other musicians in the industry will also speak out against him and his actions. It is important to remember that we can all make our voices heard by speaking up when someone else has been treated unfairly or wronged.
At the same time, it’s encouraging to see people praising Frank Ocean for his talent and artistry as well. This kind of support helps create an environment where artists are encouraged to be creative and express themselves without fear of judgement or scorn from their peers. We should strive to foster a culture in which everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves freely, regardless of gender or genre.
Ultimately, I believe it’s important for us to use our platforms – no matter how big or small – to call attention to injustices like those perpetuated by R. Kelly and highlight talent like Frank Ocean who deserve recognition for their work. By doing so, we can help create a more equitable music landscape for all involved.
