Trinity College Removes Action Bronson From Spring Weekend Lineup
“Because of his lyrics, music, videos, and the misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia that they promote.”
Trinity College followed in the footsteps of George Washington University and NXNE today by dropping Action Bronson from a previously planned concert. Kehlani is still slated to perform.
The school issued a lengthy statement explaining its decision on Facebook. “In the beginning of March we were made aware of the severity and depth of some of Action Bronson’s lyrics,” the statement notes. “Following news that Action Bronson was being removed as the headlining artist for Spring Weekend at The George Washington University, our executive-board committee voted on March 31st to remove Action Bronson from our Spring Weekend concert because of his lyrics, music, videos, and the misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia that they promote.” After an on-campus petition, a second vote, and some consultation with lawyers, the rapper's appearance was cancelled.
The statement continues, “we do not think that [Bronson's] lyrics are representative of all of Hip-Hop music and Hip-Hop culture.” The document also suggests that the student body found unity in the campaign against Bronson: “Not in recent memory have we seen such a diverse range of students, faculty, administration, alumni, friends of the college, and members of our larger Hartford community unite to promote positive change on this campus.”
Action Bronson recently promoted his show Fuck, That's Delicious on late night TV and announced the imminent arrival of a project titled Blue Chips 7000. When reached for comment, a representative for the rapper shared the same letter he issued after the incident at GW. “I think rape and acts of violence toward woman are DISGUSTING,” Bronson's statement notes. “I would never condone anything remotely close to that type of behavior, and it’s certainly not what I’m about at all. But, the song in question has caused people discomfort and pain and I’m sincerely sorry about it. It was not my intention to hurt people when I made it years ago, and I certainly will be much more sensitive on this matter moving ahead.”
Read the full statements from Trinity and Bronson below.
I’m writing this letter to hopefully bring clarity to some misconceptions about who I am as an artist and as a person. It has become clear to me that things have reached a point which makes me feel the need to address the issues raised so that we can bring some understanding and healing to the table, so to speak. I can’t continue to walk around with the thought that people are thinking these things about me that are far from who I really am.Five years ago in 2011, I wrote a song called “Consensual Rape” that admittedly contains lyrics and a general sentiment of violence towards woman which I never meant to represent who I am but rather to depict a story. I approach my music as other types of artists approach their work, and I don’t always intend the stories that I tell, the characters that I play in them or the lyrics I lay down to be taken literally. The songs I make aren’t any different than a director creating a movie, or an author writing a book meaning they contain scenes or things happen in them that aren’t meant to be anything but an artistic expression- just a song, a book or a film. I’ve never performed “Consensual Rape” at a concert, and I don’t plan to.Regardless, I understand that when it comes to musicians, and more specifically rappers, the lyrics I say are taken to heart many times as a representation of my beliefs or true feelings. SO please let me make this very clear: I think rape and acts of violence toward woman are DISGUSTING. I would never condone anything remotely close to that type of behavior, and it’s certainly not what I’m about at all. But, the song in question has caused people discomfort and pain and I’m sincerely sorry about it. It was not my intention to hurt people when I made it years ago, and I certainly will be much more sensitive on this matter moving ahead.Similarly, there has been some attention placed on a insensitive Instagram post I made years ago regarding me inappropriately labelling someone as transexual and being disrespectful to them in a way that is not ok. I have sat with members of the LGBT community recently in an effort to understand how to avoid being hurtful and insensitive towards these issues moving forward. I have never had any issues with anyone’s sexual orientation or gender transitioning. I’m far, far from perfect and I recognize my flaws and I’m making an effort to grow and be a better human.Thanks for reading this.