Just a day after George Washington University removed Action Bronson from his position as headlining position at the school’s “Spring Fling” concert, the New York rapper took to Facebook to attempt to clear the air about what he represents as an artist.
“I’m writing this letter to hopefully bring clarity to some misconceptions about who I am as an artist and as a person,” he says. “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.”
The university kicked Bronson off the bill for the show, which is set to take place tomorrow (April 2), after students started a petition decrying his work for promoting violence against women, specifically citing his song, “Consensual Rape.” The petition garnered 249 signatures.
Bronson says that “Consensual Rape” is a song he wrote in 2011 and that his work from five years ago should not define him as an artist. He also details the creative process of storytelling in his raps that don’t necessarily reflect actions that he would carry out in real life.
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“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,” he says. “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.”
He apologizes to his audience for any misconceptions his music has caused. He says that contrary to the claims of the petition, he does not condone violence against women or disrespect towards the LGBT community.
“Please let me make this very clear: I think rape and acts of violence toward woman are DISGUSTING,” he says. “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.”
A counter-petition has been started, asking the school to reinstate Bronson at the show, saying that dismissing him is “limiting free speech and free artistic expression.” The plea asks the program to not “allow a vocal minority to ruin Spring Fling for the majority of students.” This petition has 661 signees at the time of publication.
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The school has not made any further comment since announcing Bronson’s dismissal.
Read Action Bronson’s full statement regarding being kicked off the headlining spot for George Washington University’s headlining concert below:
“To the Students at George Washington University and the public at large:
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.
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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.
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-Action Bronson”
(This article was first published March 31, 2016 and is as follows.)
George Washington University has dismissed Action Bronson from headlining its “Spring Fling” concert, which is scheduled to take place Saturday (April 2).
Students at the school started a petition to remove the Blue Chips rapper, whom they decry for being “violently transphobic and misogynistic.” The document cites “Consensual Rape” and the video for “Brunch,” which depicts Bronson eating next to the body of a dead woman, as reason for his dismissal. In the video, the rapper puts the woman’s body in the back of a truck, puts her on a boat and tosses her into the ocean. The petition garnered 349 signatures.
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The university released a statement via Twitter today (March 31) to announce that it has removed Bronson from the concert. GoldLink will now serve as the headlining act. Student deejay Lean Quatifah will also perform.
In May, Bronson was kicked off the bill at the North by Northeast Festivals and Conference in Toronto after a petition citing the same song and video captured 5,000 signatures to have the New York rapper removed.
Read George Washington University’s full statement below:
“The Program Board has decided to remove Action Bronson from Saturday’s setlist. We apologize to the GW community for causing distress over the past few days and for attempting to bring an artist who is not consistent with our values of diversity and inclusion. Spring Fling is intended to be an event for all students to enjoy and including Action Bronson in the day would go against this. GoldLink will headline Spring Fling this year, and we are looking to fill the remaining time with a local act alongside Lean Quatifah.
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“We have learned important lessons from our mistakes in this situation and are eager to grow as an organization so that we can continue to offer the study body fun and welcoming concerts in the future. We have already begun discussions to ensure that the Program Board will have a more structured and formal system to screen artists and will work to incorporate a greater level of student input so that in the future we invite only those who live up to GWs values.”
For additional Action Bronson coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
