Action Bronson is continuing to tour in support of Mr. Wonderful with several festival dates this summer, but some festival-goers have other plans. Yesterday, a woman named Erica Shiner began a petition to keep the Queens MC from performing at Toronto's NXNE festival, on the grounds that he "glorifies gang-raping and murdering women." Today, a rep for the festival has responded, defending Bronson.
Shiner quotes lyrics from Bam Bam's 2011 song "Consensual Rape" to hammer home her point, and also singles out his "Brunch" video, in which Bronson (in her words) "cooks a meal over a woman's dead body, rolls her up in a carpet, throws her in his trunk, and proceeds to violently stab her when he discovers she's still alive."
NXNE's full statement is below.
"On Tuesday, May 26 a group of concerned Torontonians created a petition to remove Action Bronson from NXNE’s lineup on Sunday, June 21 at Yonge-Dundas Square. The petition has spawned a passionate online discussion. The Festival would like to address this topic.
Action Bronson performed at Yonge-Dundas Square as part of NXNE in 2012 with Killer Mike, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. It was a positive concert that was described by reviewers as “laid back”, “a lot of fun” and a “world class hip-hop showcase”. NXNE is confident the lineup on June 21 at Yonge-Dundas Square will make for another enjoyable day of music in a public space.
“NXNE will also present a number of rap artists at various venues, such as Tink and Kate Tempest, who have be lauded for the undisguised feminist viewpoints in their music.” says Sara Peel, Managing Director of NXNE. ” “That being said, in the interest of moving forward in a positive manner, we are engaging in discussion with our community about this important issue, and looking to provide opportunities for concerned voices to be heard.”
NXNE believes each and every one of these artists have the right to express their views through music, but those views belong to them and them alone. Those who are offended by an artist are invited to check out other Festival showcases, as NXNE will present hundreds of artists this June – some may be considered controversial, but most are just plain fun."
As Bronson notes, "Consensual Rape" has never even been performed live.
[via]
