Can you enjoy art when you suspect the person who made it is not a good person?
I struggle with this. I often find myself wanting to love art or music while also desiring to disavow myself from the actions or beliefs of the person who created it.
This is apparently quite a common phenomenom.
The most glaring example of this dichotomy in my own life is J.K. Rowling. I’ve wrestled for years to reconcile my love of all things Harry Potter with my distress and discomfort around the author’s anti-trans rhetoric and actions.
It’s devastating to me that someone with so much hate in her heart created something I loved so much. I finally realized recently that, through her continued behavior, she has ultimately soured it for me. I can no longer call myself a Harry Potter fan. I will no longer spend money on anything HP-related out of fear that it might somehow benefit that awful and misguided woman.
Similarly, there are artists whose music I love that I feel I should give up; Michael Jackson is a prime example. I grew up loving his music and still enjoy it to a degree, but it’s been significantly tainted by the knowledge that he was a pedophile. Ever since watching the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, I’ve had a hard time listening to some of my old favorite MJ songs. I still love the music – and I can’t help but to bop along to MJ if a song comes on the radio – but it’s more out of a sense of childhood nostalgia than an actual appreciation of his artistry or who he was as a person.
A more recent example is Chris Brown. I absolutely adore Breezy’s music and have been a fan since day one. I think he’s an undeniably talented singer, dancer and performer. Similar to Justin Bieber, there’s just something about CB’s singing voice and tone that is one of the most pleasing sounds imaginable to my ears.
That said, ever since the controversy around Brown’s physical fight and turbulent relationship with Rihanna in 2009, I’ve struggled with truly enjoying his music. I love Rihanna and her music, too – and even though she publicly forgave Breezy and he also apologized and took responsibility for his role in their abusive situation, the memory of his violent behavior still lingers in the public consciousness and my own.
But then I wonder, is it really fair to continue judging him based on his actions at the age of 19, especially when he came from an abusive and violent background himself? We’ve all made mistakes. Surely he’s grown and matured since then. Granted, Chris Brown has been embroiled in other legal issues since 2009, similar to those of other male R&B entertainers… but perhaps he’s also a particularly easy target.
It could be said that Chris Brown isn’t a guy I would want my daughter dating. But maybe he’s not the worst person ever, either? He clearly has a great sense of humor, as seen in his Freaky Friday collab with Lil Dicky. Female artists like Jordin Sparks and Kelly Rowland have spoken out on his behalf.
But how to know for sure? I find myself looking to his music and lyrics for answers. Sure, there’s some typical gangster talk and bravado, but there’s also some sensitivity and an apparent obsession with giving women pleasure. That can’t be all bad.
His most recent album, 11:11, was the turning point for me. I love it so much! Thanks to this album, I have finally decided to just relax and let myself be a Chris Brown fan. His music is among my favorite ever. His voice sounds like an angel to me, even if his actions on earth are not quite angelic. Who among us can claim to be perfect?
I still felt a little conflicted about taking my 14-year-old to his live show, but I used it as a teaching opportunity. Which of his songs are inappropriate or possibly a bit demeaning to women? Which ones are uplifting and inspiring because they talk openly about mental health and dealing with stress or anxiety?
The Chris Brown 11:11 concert ended up being one of the friendliest, kindest and most female-centric crowds I’ve ever experienced. The ladies of #TeamBreezy were dressed to the nines and quick to give compliments to friends and strangers alike; the vibes were immaculate that night and vibrations were high. If we can judge an artist based on his fans, then I’d say Chris Brown is doing just fine and I’m proud to count myself a member of Team Breezy.
CB had a rather shouty DJ, but he also featured two female opening acts who were both empowered and lovely. When he finally took the stage, he gave us an inspired performance with gorgeous vocals, acrobatic choreography, pyrotechnics and aerial stunts combined with ethereal, exquisite lighting effects. The energy Chris and his dancers poured into the packed crowd was unmatched by any other artist I’ve seen live. It was an amazing night and we had a magical time!
Bottom line, while some artists may be irredeemable based on their past or continued bad behavior (I’m looking at you, JKR), there’s far too much good here to throw out Chris Brown as an artist and musician, despite his past troubles. Instead, we’ll look at both the man and his music and make the call to find beauty where we can. After seeing him live, I truly believe Breezy will ultimately be remembered for his stellar talent and work ethic rather than his past mistakes.
There was beauty galore at the Chris Brown show we attended in Columbus this month. It was an unforgettable mom and daughter concert experience and I am so glad we decided to go!
