Can you enjoy a song that was made by someone you can’t stand? Say you’re vibing to a love song at a party, then someone whispers that it’s by R. Kelly. Or Naira Marley. Suddenly, the mood shifts. Do you keep dancing, or do you sit down in protest?
The debate about separating art from the artist is complex. Some argue that art can exist independently of the person behind it. Others believe consuming it directly supports someone whose actions are harmful.
We asked 12 Nigerians how they navigate this moral grey area.
“I’m not oblivious to the hypocrisy, but I just feel like the art is more important” — Enny, 26
My judgment depends on the degree of the depravity. But if the art resonates with me, there’s not much stopping me from appreciating it, even though this also depends on the degree of controversy.
I’m not oblivious to the hypocrisy, but I just feel like the art is more important. Again, it also depends on who it is. I can’t play R. Kelly’s music because I watched the documentary in tears. I don’t like OdumoduBlvck as a person, but I play his music. I just cannot come online to discuss how great his track “Gasoline” is to avoid being mobbed or marked.
“If in your art or life, you preach one thing and contradict it in either what you create or what you do in real life, I cannot take you seriously” — Ijabila, 23
I get turned off by a lot of music because I think about the thought process that went into creating the art, and imagine that at some point, that part of you must have seeped through to influence the art. An artist who falls into this category for me is OdumoduBlvck.
If in your art or life, you preach one thing and contradict it in either what you create or what you do in real life, then your work loses any solid ground to stand on. This also applies to regular people, including listeners.
It’s like listening to an R. Kelly song, despite having the knowledge that he touched little girls. Art is an extension of the artist who creates it. Whatever you create is a revelation of your worldview or philosophy. I determine a cancellable offence by my moral compass, as well as that of the artist. What I mean by the artist’s moral compass is what they preach. Everyone has different values, and I recognise and respect that.
“I derive utility from the art, and don’t care as much from what vessel it’s made from” — Moyo, 35
Every human should have the liberty to choose where on the moral spectrum they want to reside, in terms of who to listen to.
I suppose my gripe is with cancellation, rather than separating art from the artist. In the end, as long as the art isn’t propagating a message that’s injurious to humanity, like the Nazi chants of the 1930s, humans should be free to indulge in whatever.
Also, what do you do with uplifting art from a depraved soul? For example, R. Kelly’s Pentecostal worship songs? See, I derive utility from the art, and don’t care as much about what vessel it’s made from.
“They’re just there to entertain you and express art in its finest form” — Solomon Obi, 28
We need to establish a boundary between the art and the artist, as these are two distinct entities that happen to work together. There are countless artists who, on a personal level, could be regarded as controversial or a bag of issues, but they excel at their crafts, which is what, by all intents, is their contribution to society.
Lizzo, R. Kelly and Ye serve as prime examples. Don’t take their personal lives that seriously; they’re just there to entertain you and express art in its finest form. Like hip-hop legend Nelly hinted, you have no business getting life advice from entertainers.
“If the character of the artist is horrible, I can’t support it no matter how enjoyably good I find it” — Dafe, 43
My thoughts on separating the art from the artist are tied to two distinct things: critique and support. In my critique, I must admit that, despite the artist’s character being flawed, he can still produce good art. But will they have my support? No.
Music is an entertainment service, and the people who provide it get paid through your support. A horrible brand can offer good service. An example is R. Kelly, who is obviously a terrible person behind the brand.
Separating the artist from the art is admitting that R. Kelly made good songs. I can critique art on the merit of the artist’s performance, whether it is enjoyably good or bad, regardless of who it is. But if the character of the artist is horrible, I can’t support it, regardless of how enjoyable or good I find the work. Supporting the brand by streaming or buying his records is a different matter altogether.
There should be zero support for artists who are terrible people. Anything that makes them relevant is a no in my books. In Nigeria, fuck that Marlian Records for what they did to the boy Mohbad. Even down to Brymo, who I didn’t have anything against, than being a nonsensical lyricist. His Simi episode and the latter anti-Igbo tirade during the election period put the final nail in the coffin of any consideration I may have had of him as a person.
I also believe that a person who has been cancelled can be uncancelled if they show a willingness to own up to their wrongdoings and demonstrate growth. It’s all part of the human experience.
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“I find it pretty easy to separate the art from the artist” — Kingpells*, 26
Separating art from the artist is a tricky thing, as some art is a direct reflection of who the artist is in real time. I believe it offers a lot more freedom for the artist to experience life at his or her own pace while still in control of the direction of the art.
I find it pretty easy to separate the art from the artist, though. As long as the music is good, I never stop listening, no matter what personal problems I have with the artist. And on the other hand, I have very good friends that I don’t listen to the music they put out just because I don’t fuck with the sound.
“I’d focus on the art and leave the human aspect behind” — Sola, 30*
I hold the belief that art should be separated from the artist. Burna Boy influenced this decision significantly. I’ve been a fan of his since “Like to Party”, which my cousin featured in its music video. I have followed his musical journey all through. The song “20.20.2020” cemented his place, for me, as a social voice. Then, in 2024, he performed for the same government he sang against and went to chill with the first son of the President, Seyi Tinubu, in France.
I attended Command alongside Abbas “Hushpuppi” Ramon and always knew him to be a fraudulent person since junior secondary school. I was shocked by how “successful” he became. But I’m not surprised that Davido called him his friend. Even though I hate fraud, Davido’s association with a fraudster wouldn’t make me cancel him. There’s no cancellation from me. As long as the art resonates, I’d focus on the art and leave the human aspect behind.
Only Fela Anikulapo-Kuti encapsulated these good virtues. Onyeka Onwenu came close but still went on to dine with the government. Humans are insatiable. What if the world or government offers them much more? I wouldn’t stop listening to their music. I would rather enjoy the art in peace.
“You can savour a product and still be against the creator” — Joe, 36
If we had to strictly adhere to a code of avoiding anything done by problematic people, then we could produce everything we use. You can savour a product and still be against the creator. However, it’s a tough one when your enjoyment of it benefits the artist.
I hate Kanye’s persona and antics, but I still appreciate his art. I won’t defend or make excuses for his misbehaviours, but I also won’t stop listening to his art. Same with Brymo and Burna Boy. I definitely won’t pay to go to their concerts.
“I didn’t start liking the artist for their person, so why would that affect my judgment?” — Abiodun Awodele, 47
I’ll always bump R. Kelly’s music. He’s a scumbag and is being punished for his sins, but that will not undo his musical genius in my ears. I think social media has mainstreamed groupthink so much that people want you to hate whoever they hate. It’s your choice, why can’t the opposite be mine?
I didn’t start liking the artist for their person, so why would that affect my judgment?
Furthermore, the artist strives to create music that I enjoy. Why should I not pay for it? Especially when there is a chain of other “innocent” people involved. People dislike Elon Musk, yet they still buy Tesla. I don’t do drugs or encourage their use. Too many Afrobeats artists have or are currently high-profile signposts for substance abuse. Do I cancel Afrobeats?
My choice of music isn’t based on morals, so I don’t cancel.
“People like R. Kelly, Naira Marley, and Diddy will never get one second of playtime from me ever again” — Olumide, 25
I’m 50/50 on separating the art from the artist. Take Tory Lanez or DaBaby, for example; they both are facing some level of “canceling,” but in my opinion, their music isn’t terrible. So, if I come across it, I’m bopping to their music regardless. In that case, I can comfortably separate the art from the artist.
In other cases, some artists clown a lot, and that makes it difficult for them to amass public favour. Portable is a good example of this. Though if I come across his music, I’ll listen because I hold nothing against him. In some cases, I’ll vehemently judge the artist according to the crime and misdemeanour he’s charged with. People like R. Kelly, Naira Marley, and Diddy will never get one second of playtime from me ever again.
“Listening to their music is like supporting the person. I’m currently struggling with this” — Tomori, 28
If the artist did something really bad, listening to their music might feel wrong or uncomfortable. It’s like supporting the person, even if that’s not what you mean to do. I’m currently struggling with this.
I was once one of the forerunners of Brymo’s fan-base, which made waves from February 2022 to July 2023. Despite his political differences with some of his fans and his lateness to his show in 2022, we still supported him until July 1, 2023, when he publicly announced on Twitter that he was no longer affiliated with the fanbase. I’ve had a hard time intentionally playing his songs myself, except when they’re played at a party and I have to sing along or dance to them.
And no, I’m not angry because he shits on his fans, I’m just angry at myself (I think) because I invested my time and energy into that fanbase only for one of us to go behind our backs to tell Brymo that we were making money off it. In contrast, we were the ones spending our personal money and time. This has made me stop associating myself with artists, and I even had to quit another community management job for another artist because, “What if he moves like Brymo in the future?”
Separating the art from the artist is, to some extent, a personal choice. I think there’s no one correct answer.
“To be caught on camera dancing to the music that you’ve sworn to hate is kind of embarrassing.” – Grace, 24
I’m conflicted about this topic because I sometimes separate the art from the artist, and at other times, I don’t.
I’ll listen to Chris Brown, but you’d never catch me listening to YNW Melly or King Von’s music. I’ll listen to Burna Boy’s songs but definitely not his new ones, at least not intentionally. I’ll also listen to old Ruger, but not his new music. A lot of it has to do with the seasons, I guess. Their attitudes towards controversies, and whether I can stomach relating to an abuser or something.
People might call this sadistic, but it’s not. You’re here for a purpose — to listen to music and have a good time. Why do you want to make it bigger than it needs to be? When you move through life not caring what a person does in their free time, you’ll have less of a burden to carry. But policing music and who to listen to, just to be caught on camera dancing to the music that you’ve sworn to hate, is kind of embarrassing.
