Whether you believe the hype or not, there's no denying that Tyler, the Creator and Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All are one of the most buzzed-about acts thus far in 2011. Considering their controversial lyrics, which include rampant homophobia and references to rape, the group are also the most controversial. After Tegan and Sara's Sara Quin wrote a lengthy blog post decrying the band last month, influential feminist icon and Le Tigre/Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna has entered the discussion.
Speaking with Spinner, Hanna suggested that the best way to put an end to offensive artists is to simply stop drawing attention to them. Here's her statement:
I feel like, if you don't want to listen to them, don't listen to them. If you do want to listen to them, do listen to them. I couldn't really comment about on exactly what their lyrics are about, because I haven't gotten that deep into it. But if people are writing lyrics that piss you off, hurt your feelings and make you feel like shit, don't listen to it. I don't think the best idea is to have a boycott. Just don't talk about them and they'll go away. The more you talk about them, the more attention they get. Tegan and Sara fans probably wouldn't even know this band existed if they weren't talking about them. I find the whole conversation kind of boring. There are so many great artists that are doing interesting things, that I don't want to focus on boring people.
We're guessing that if Odd Future detractors took Hanna's advice, it would be the ultimate punishment for them. Based on the outspoken and over-the-top behaviour Tyler, the Creator demonstrates on his Twitter alone, it's clear that he laps up all the attention he can get.
Speaking with Spinner, Hanna suggested that the best way to put an end to offensive artists is to simply stop drawing attention to them. Here's her statement:
I feel like, if you don't want to listen to them, don't listen to them. If you do want to listen to them, do listen to them. I couldn't really comment about on exactly what their lyrics are about, because I haven't gotten that deep into it. But if people are writing lyrics that piss you off, hurt your feelings and make you feel like shit, don't listen to it. I don't think the best idea is to have a boycott. Just don't talk about them and they'll go away. The more you talk about them, the more attention they get. Tegan and Sara fans probably wouldn't even know this band existed if they weren't talking about them. I find the whole conversation kind of boring. There are so many great artists that are doing interesting things, that I don't want to focus on boring people.
We're guessing that if Odd Future detractors took Hanna's advice, it would be the ultimate punishment for them. Based on the outspoken and over-the-top behaviour Tyler, the Creator demonstrates on his Twitter alone, it's clear that he laps up all the attention he can get.
