Nobody's perfect, but it's hard to ignore the actions of celebrities, namely musicians, as they (sometimes controversially) rise to fame. In a casual setting, this usually isn't a big deal. But, when becoming a fan of an artist, it's difficult to steer clear of their gritty personal details. Their music may be outstanding, but you don't always find that you support the man or woman behind it.
Two of the more famous cases of questionable characters on the contemporary music scene are Chris Brown and XXXTentacion. Chris Brown has been struck by negative spotlights over the course of his career largely due to his assault of then-girlfriend, Rihanna. This scandal tends to be the crime that is most widely known and discussed. It's reasonable to assume that physically beating such a prominent female figure would be the end of his career and success as an artist. However, his violent tendencies haven't been enough to bring his career to a halt. Despite his personality and aggressive tendencies, there's no denying that he is remarkably talented. For many people, that's enough to forgive his past.
XXXTentacion is a different monster entirely. Even before coming onto the public scene, X had taken domestic abuse to new levels as described in the victim's graphic testimony (warning: contains detailed recollections of violence and psychological abuse). Unlike Chris Brown, a lot of X's music draws from his past experiences, meaning his work is a strong reflection of his character. Separating the two would eliminate any appeal that his music has. But keeping the two together means supporting an abusive psychopath.
Sadly, this phenomenon of brilliant musicians with questionable morals isn't just a modern trend. One of the most beloved artists of the Western trend, John Lennon, used to beat his first wife Cynthia Lennon (on whom he later cheated with Yoko Ono). He ignored his first son, Julian, and blatantly favored his second son, Sean. Is it right to forgive him because of the way he revolutionized music along with the rest of the Beatles? Does he deserve the same scrutiny that modern artists receive?
Eric Clapton was known to be a racist and single-handedly established the Rock Against Racism campaign by going on a tirade against the "coons" that were occupying Britain. He also chanted "keep Britain white," despite attaining fame from his cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff." Is it easier to look past his views if his biggest hits don't actively promote them?
It's questions like these that demonstrate how hard it can be to determine where to draw the line. It wouldn't make sense to drop an artist when you find out they ignored a fan's prom proposal. At the same time, it wouldn't feel right to ignore the way a song resonates with you after discovering the pain an artist has inflicted onto others. Ultimately, it's up to you to figure out whether the quality of a song can overcome the vices of the musician.
