Boosie Badazz is no stranger to airing his controversial opinions on the internet, and evidently, it earns him quite a bit of backlash. He just recently blasted The Color Purple for its LGBTQ+ themes, which resulted in a full-blown Twitter war with trans actress Ts Madison. Late last year, he even revealed that he once turned down $250K to perform at an LGBTQ+ event. He’s also gone off on queer hitmaker Lil Nas X, and more.
The Louisiana-born performer took to Instagram Live recently to speak on some of the pushback he’s received for his take on the LGBTQ+ community. He calls it nothing short of “bullying.” Apparently, users have been speculating that his strong stance could indicate that he himself is part of the community, and simply keeping it under wraps. According to Boosie, however, he’s just trying to stick up for straight people, which he thinks makes him a target.
“Y’all bullies, bruh,” he begins in a clip from the Live. “I guess I’m the only one [to] speak up for straight people so I’m gay. Anybody who speak up for straight people y’all say is gay. That sh*t cr*zy.” Boosie went on, claiming that the “whole world” has become “scared to say they’re straight” except for him. “So many of y’all coming on my Live and calling me gay just because I don’t like d*ck,” he added. “Sh*t’s cr*zy.”
Despite Boosie’s ongoing criticism of the LGBTQ+ community, he insists that he’s not homophobic. “People have to understand that it’s not the same stroke for the same folk,” he said on My Expert Opinion last year. “I trust gay people more than I trust regular people.” What do you think of Boosie Badazz’s response to the backlash he’s received for his controversial comments? Do you think he’s being bullied? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Kanye West is well-acquainted with controversy. The prominent figure has a long history of making antisemitic comments against the Jewish community. Just two weeks ago, the artist went on a rant in Las Vegas while promoting his upcoming album Vultures. During his tirade, he implied sinister connections to Jewish influence and drew parallels between himself, Jesus Christ, and Adolf Hitler. Now, the rapper seems to have suddenly turned a new leaf, and Ye has apologized for his past antisemitic remarks. However, it’s safe to say that many haven’t held their breath. With a long history of controversy attached to his legacy, it’s enough to wonder if this newfound apology by Kanye is enough to mend his reputation.
Kanye recently took to Instagram to issue an apology to the Jewish community for his past antisemitic words and actions. Translated from Hebrew, the post read: “I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions. It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused. I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
Crucial Steps Towards Reconciliation
First and foremost, acknowledging mistakes and apologizing are crucial steps towards reconciliation. Kanye West’s public apology demonstrates that he recognizes his previous words and actions may have impacted the Jewish community. However, the effectiveness of an apology depends on its sincerity and the actions that follow. Therefore, on the surface, a one-time apology might not be enough. To fully mend the damage caused by years of hate speech, Kanye has to show that this is more than a mere apology. He must make continuous efforts to educate himself, engage with the affected community, and actively work towards promoting understanding.
The Public’s Perspective On Kanye West’s Apology
Another factor to be considered is the Jewish community’s perspective on the matter. Kanye West’s apology isn’t intended for everyone, and the targeted audience remains split. Antisemitism has a long and troubling history, and many public figures have made remarks that hurt the Jewish people. Therefore, the extent to which Ye is accepted will depend on how the affected community perceives his sincerity. And honestly, it is not looking good.
The public’s perception also plays a pivotal role in the entertainment industry, and reputations are fragile. While the apology posted by Kanye was written in Hebrew, many have since pointed out that it was merely a blanket apology. Notably, it did not allude to any specific action or statement that Kanye had made in the past. Furthermore, the way the apology was written made many wonder whether it was, in fact, really written by Kanye.
The post’s comment section is filled with many claiming that the apology is the work of Kanye’s publicity team. Due to his recent livestream of his Vultures album, there’s also the assumption that the artist is after a quick buck. These suspicions, although uncertain, are some of the reasons why some remain unconvinced. Whether or not Kanye meant his apology cannot truly be determined, except with time.
Time Will Tell
While Ye’s apology is a step in the right direction, the journey towards rebuilding trust requires consistency. Moreover, it requires a sustained commitment to change. Kanye must demonstrate through his future behavior that he has indeed learned from his past. Sincere efforts to learn and grow will be crucial in repairing his severely damaged reputation. Overall, only time can tell whether Ye is truly seeking to foster peace and unity moving forward. Several incidents have left even his most die-hard fans flustered. Nonetheless, nobody is above unlearning and re-learning, and a more enlightened and responsible Kanye West just might be here. However, it’s way too soon to tell.
It’s no secret that NBA YoungBoy has quite the following, with countless fans rallying behind the 24-year-old as he navigates beef, legal issues, and more. Unfortunately, however, one man has been going viral for seemingly taking his support entirely too far. In a new clip, the man’s 38th birthday celebration is underway, complete with a variety of YB-themed decorations.
His party appears to have taken place in a public park, with the Baton Rouge native’s music on full blast. A large table displaying cupcakes and other treats with the rapper’s face on them takes center stage. The man even went the extra mile, recruiting a cardboard cutout of NBA YoungBoy to join him at the event.
The man’s birthday celebration has prompted quite a bit of controversy, with several social media users sharing their thoughts on the party theme. According to many, 38 is much too old to have a party centered around YB. “The cardboard cutout at a 38th bday is INS*NE,” one commenter claims. “Who agreed to help him set this up?” another wonders.
While plenty of users are roasting the man for the party, others are coming to his defense, noting how he has the right to celebrate turning 38 however he chooses. “Everyone just needs to live their own life wtf do people care about this for,” one commenter says. “Let people do what makes them happy even if you find it weird,” someone else writes. Others are calling cap, speculating that the clip was actually taken at a child’s party. What do you think of a 38-year-old man celebrating his birthday with an NBA YoungBoy-themed party? Do you think he’s too old to ring in another year with his favorite rapper? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
MC Lyte is one of hip-hop’s premier legends, and few femcees have reached her level of acclaim and influence since. However, as every other rapper under the sun, her lyrics– especially early ones– often fell under much scrutiny with differing or shifting societal standards of what can and can’t appear in a rap song. To explain, Ray Daniels of the Culture Report podcast recently brought up lines from the New York rapper’s 1991 cut “2 Young 4 What,” which she released when she was 21 years of age. In them, she makes some worrisome remarks on the age gap between her and a potential male partner.
“It may sound nasty and it may sound mean, but I’m into little boys that are about seventeen,” the 53-year-old rapped back in the day. “I don’t know why, but they put up a fight, and hot damn that excites the MC Lyte.” “I gotta ask: why are we not up in arms about the MC Lyte line?” Ray Daniels inquired about these lines. When asked what to do about them, the host said that folks should hold her to the same standards of– in his words– the likes of Bill Cosby and Russell Simmons. “I want the same thing everyone else got, I want the same anger, and the same vigor, and the same grooming, that they talked about… I want the same anger for this!” he expressed.
Of course, this prompted a lot of debate on social media surrounding double standards and how seriously folks should take lyrics like these. Some defended MC Lyte’s very young age when writing these lines, whereas others believe that folks don’t make these excuses for men. What many did agree on is that these lyrics aged quite poorly. Still, four bars don’t invalidate decades of hard work, and the Lyte as a Rock artist is still a leading figure for hip-hop these days.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if she responds to this discussion or her lyrics in any way. A lot changed since 1991, including the wider acceptance of rap by society. With that evolution came more perspectives than ever, ones that we must continually learn from to understand why bars like these aged as such. For more news and the latest updates on MC Lyte, check back in with HNHH.
When in love, it can be pretty difficult to refrain from sharing one’s feelings with the world, and it looks like Mario is no exception. Earlier this week, the R&B icon took to Instagram to show off his new love interest, whose identity has not been made public at the time of writing. She’s seen wearing a big smile in the passenger seat of his car, the clip proudly accompanied by a set of heart emojis.
Mario clearly isn’t afraid to flaunt his new boo. Some social media users have less than complimentary things to say about the gesture, however. Countless commenters are tearing into the performer for appearing to date outside of his race. The racial background of his new girlfriend remains unconfirmed.
“Of course, and he be out here, pretending like he love black women,” one critical commenter writes. “Lol I never seen Mario with a black woman. I don’t know why ya’ll are surprised [laughing emoji]. He seems like he only likes beckys,” another adds. While plenty of social media users have been critical of the artist’s decision, others have stood up for him, defending his right to date whoever he wants. “Why do everyone make it about color damn do we not care about personality anymore,” one fan wonders. “I love seeing love,” another notes. Mario has yet to address the responses to his dating choices.
This isn’t the first time Mario sparked controversy, as his “R&B Mount Rushmore” prompted quite a bit of debate earlier this year. He claimed that he deserves a spot, along with Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Usher, and Whitney Houston. What do you think of Mario showing off his new girlfriend on social media? Are you happy for him? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Earlier this year, Benny The Butchersparked quite a bit of controversy with just one tweet. The post simply read “I’m votin Trump 2024,” and sparked a major debate among his fanbase. Many in rap have taken the opportunity to speak out against Donald Trump for what they view as racist policies he’s often championed. In a recent appearance on Juan Ep Is Life, Benny reflected on the tweet. In the interview he claims to have “learned a lesson,” but it isn’t the one most fans were expecting.
The conversation starts when the show’s host Cipha Sounds asks Benny about the tweet saying “tell me someone broke into your account that day.” Benny responds in a very indirect way. “Well, this is what I’m gonna say about that. Celebrities aren’t supposed to share their public opinion. And I learned that lesson that day. Their political opinion, I mean,” his response begins. Later in the interview, he was given the chance to clarify whether or not he still supported Trump, but dodged the question. “Celebrities aren’t supposed to share their public opinion,” he reiterated. Check out the full interview below.
Benny The Butcher was supposed to release a new album earlier this year. Just before the originally announced release date, Benny confirmed that the project was being delayed. He explained that he fully intended to release the project on its original release date but it needed more time to be fully finished.
Last month, he teased fans with a countdown clock promising news on the project. Ultimately, the clock revealed that the project will arrive in early 2024. Fans are expecting big things from Benny in 2024 as he’s also planning on dropping a collaborative project with Conway The Machine. What do you think of Benny The Butcher refusing to clarify if he still supports Donald Trump? Do you agree with him that celebrities should keep their political opinions to themselves? Let us know in the comment section below.
In the fast-paced world of entertainment, celebrity breakups are often inevitable. Whether the couple don’t really make the best match, or they just aren’t happy together anymore, parting ways is a regular part of life, famous or not. However, some celebrity breakups completely catch you off guard. After all, how can one predict that a seemingly happy couple would ever separate?
Well, fans and the media have been caught unaware quite a few times in 2023. Admittedly, in celebrity culture, breakups are a dime a dozen. However, there are some couples you can’t help but envision together for a long time. Even if they would eventually go their separate ways, 2023 wasn’t the year we thought it would happen. Between the adorable pairing of Damson Idris and Lori Harvey and the shocking revelations about Keke Palmer’s relationship with Darius Jackson, here are seven of the most surprising celebrity breakups of 2023.
Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner have been sweethearts since they started dating in 2017. However, as most people know, their relationship was far from perfect, and they experienced a few bumps along the way. The couple first broke up in October 2019, after about two years of dating and welcoming their first child, Stormi. Despite their time apart, the flames of their love still burned brightly. This was aided by the fact that they remained friendly and saw each other often because of their daughter.
Subsequently, they got back together in 2021 and soon after, welcomed their second child. Evidently, things seemed to be back on track for the two. This is why it was particularly shocking when it was revealed that they had separated once again. It is unknown when the pair actually split, but the news didn’t make it to the public until January 2023. As a result, it marked one of the first celebrity breakups of the year. Both stars have since moved on to other people.
6. Eva Marcille & Michael Sterling
Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Eva Marcille and her now-former husband, Michael Sterling, were married for over four years. The couple tied the knot in October 2018 and have built a family since then, with two sons shared by them and a daughter from Marcille’s last marriage. Surprisingly, in March 2023, the actress and model filed for a divorce. Following her decision, Marcille shared with People, “This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but sometimes life takes your journey in a direction you were not expecting. Our children remain our biggest priority and the eight and half years we have spent together will always be cherished. We ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
5. Jodie Turner-Smith & Joshua Jackson
After meeting at Jackson’s birthday bash in 2018, these two became a couple just a few months later. By late 2019, they were married, welcoming their son in April 2020. Afterward, the couple seemed to be doing just fine, and they were often seen together. While there were rumors of a breakup in 2022, it proved to be unfounded. The duo remained together, even attending the Oscars as a couple in March 2023. However, some months later, those rumors may have held some truth after all. On October 2, 2023, TMZ shared that Turner-Smith had filed for divorce, and the couple separated on September 13. As far as unsuspecting celebrity breakups go, this one takes the cake.
4. Drew Sidora & Ralph Pittman
This year has seen the end of a few relationships from RHOA alumni, but this is arguably the most surprising. After eight years of marriage, Drew Sidora and Ralph Pittman split up in February 2023. When a couple stays together as long as these two did, it’s only natural to expect them to go all the way together. However, time is not a measure of happiness, and there must have been valid reasons for their separation.
While speaking with Us Weekly, a rep for Sidora shared, “For three years, the Pittmans’ welcomed millions of viewers into their home as they struggled to repair their marriage. Despite undeniable differences, they agree that their marriage is irretrievably broken and are going their separate ways.” This is one of those celebrity breakups that resulted despite both parties trying to save their relationship.
3. Damson Idris & Lori Harvey
One of the most desirable couples in recent memory, Damson Idris and Lori Harvey started dating in late 2022. While they only lasted a year, their split comes as a massive surprise because all year long, they were all over each other. As such, there were absolutely no signs of an impending breakup. However, in a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter in November, the two shared, “We are at a point in our lives where our individual paths require our full attention and dedication. We part ways remaining friends with nothing but love and respect for each other and the time we shared together.”
On September 17, 2023, Teyana Taylor shared that she and her now-former husband Iman Shumpert had been separated for months. The reason for the post was so the model and coach could put an end to several baseless rumors that were flying around. Evidently, even while certifying that they are indeed no longer a couple, Taylor made it clear that she and Shumpert are still a family, no matter what. “Not too much on my bestie!” she began.
“In all fairness, Iman and I are separated and have been for a while. To be 1000% clear, “infidelity” ain’t one of the reasons for our departure. We are still the best of friends, great business partners and are one hell of a team when it comes to co-parenting our 2 beautiful children. Most importantly we are FAMILY & in the 10yrs together, 7yrs married we ain’t ever played with or about THAT.”
From Taylor’s words, it’s clear that the two still love each other and maintain a cordial relationship. However, their separation is still a heavy blow for fans who have followed their relationship since 2014. Along with being one of the most surprising, this is among the most painful celebrity breakups of the year.
1. Keke Palmer & Darius Jackson
While things started out sweetly between Palmer and Jackson in 2023, their relationship has slowly devolved to a point of no return. The pair found love in each other when they met in 2021. Two years later, in February 2023, they welcomed their child, and all seemed right with the world. Unfortunately, that was the highest point in their relationship, and it all went downhill from there. Following the Usher debacle in July, the two subsequently separated.
Seeing it all unfold in real time was pretty surprising, and in the aftermath, it was unbelievable how far it went. When Palmer and Jackson were reunited in an Instagram livestream on Palmer’s birthday, it seemed like their relationship was healing. On the contrary, recent reports have proven that the opposite has happened. Following allegations of abuse, Palmer has filed a restraining order against Jackson and has since been granted full custody of their son. There’s no way anyone could have seen any of this coming, and social media was left aghast. As far as celebrity breakups go, this has turned out to be one of the most shocking ones this year.
DJ Akademiks has been making commentary on Hip Hop culture for years. As a result, he’s ruffled more than a few feathers in the rap industry. He frequently makes headlines for his controversies and is now widely known for that as well. Moreover, DJ Akademiks has picked beef with multiple artists, typically leading to heated exchanges and negative publicity.
Now, Saucy Santana is the latest artist to pick a bone with the media personality. Santana is beefing with DJ Akademiks over comments the latter dropped about Yung Miami. It is a still-developing story, but the two have taken shots at each other non-stop over the past 24 hours. This particular beef may grow to become one of Akademiks’ most prominent feuds. In the meantime, however, here is a list of seven of the biggest beefs he has been involved in so far.
NAV
Akademiks hop on and off dick so much he prolly got STDs
DJ Akademiks and NAV got into a heated online fight on the last day of 2019. Seemingly unprovoked, NAV tweeted, “Akademiks hop on and off d**k so much he prolly got STDs.” In no time, DJ Akademiks responded, taking rapid-fire shots at the rapper on X (formerly Twitter). “Imagine being rich asf driving to where paparazzi is at in a half a million dollar car and a million in jewelry and catching feelings cuz no one noticed u,” he said, addressing NAV.
Ak wrote further, “Seems like you d**k riding the media. U hid ya face for the first year u blew up now u desperately want attention. Answer that.” The exchange continued for a while, with DJ Akademiks calling NAV a “cold” rapper and saying he’s only interested in “covering who is hot.” Over a year later, in March 2021, the two ended their beef on a Twitch livestream where they were both present. Subsequently, in September 2022, NAV was featured as a guest on an episode of Akademiks’ podcast, and they hashed things out completely.
DJ Akademiks began his beef with Erykah Badu in 2017 when the singer appeared as a guest in an episode of Everyday Struggle. Although he didn’t show it then, the podcast host did not like being likened to Jerry the Mouse by Badu. In August 2023, years after Badu made the hilarious comparison, Akademiks finally let the words off his chest. Unfortunately, he did not do so in a very dignified way, going on a distasteful, misogynistic rant.
While addressing her and telling her to keep his name out of her mouth, Ak further stated, “I never f***ed with Erykah Badu after she came on my show and she was trying to be funny.” He insulted her, and Badu, in turn, responded to him via a video she posted on her social media accounts. In the video, Badu sarcastically apologized for vexing Akademiks.
Furthermore, she acknowledged that the words she said to him hurt him and had him “out in the streets acting real p***y.” Finally, she advertised her new incense, which featured a photo of Jerry the Mouse wearing a gold chain that reads “Livingston.” Livingston is Ak’s first name, so that’s a very direct jab at the media personality. Badu captioned the post, “Badu P***y on sale today!”
Yung Miami
The City Girl and DJ Akademiks have never really seen eye to eye. Moreover, the two have been at each other’s necks at every opportunity since 2022, when Akademiks referred to Miami as Diddy’s side chick. That comment from the podcast host set off a viral social media exchange between the two. It probably wouldn’t have stopped at all if Diddy didn’t step in.
Subsequently, Akademiks retracted his statement, and for a while, there was a period of peace between the two. However, that is no longer the case, as things have recently heated up between them. In May 2023, Akademiks told Diddy to “check ya gyal,” referring to Yung Miami. Earlier, during an interview on The Jason Lee Show, Miami used the f-slur to refer to Akademiks as a gay man. Following AK’s clapback, the duo has continually fired shots at each other, and Miami’s BFF Saucy Santana has joined in to diss Akademiks.
Happy 41st Birthday to my former Opp @FreddieGibbs … I aint know they had a whole shirt selling of u showing ur a**hole to ur ex before u got PEGGED.. Yall go cop a t shirt of Spreadie Gibbs…go help suppport his BABY… them records aint finna do ithttps://t.co/2TcIj4WDsK
Freddie Gibbs and Ak began their beef in 2020 when the rapper called Ak a “b*tch.” The insult came following DJ Akademiks’ criticism of Gibbs’ comment, where he indirectly called Gunna a snitch. It all went downhill from there, and their relationship has progressively deteriorated since then. In 2020, when Gibbs appeared on Bootleg Kev, he called Jeezy “musically irrelevant.” Akademiks disagreed with that comment and clapped back at the rapper, saying, “If Jeezy is irrelevant, Freddie Gibbs, you’re absolutely irrelevant as well.” Afterward, a viral war of words on Twitter (now X) ensued between the two.
Vic Mensa
On June 19, 2017, Vic Mensa appeared as a guest on an episode of Everyday Struggle. The rapper wasted no time in expressing his displeasure with DJ Akademiks’ War in Chiraq YouTube series, which covers the Chicago rap scene. Mensa openly criticized both the show and Akademiks. Additionally, he said he wanted to slap Akademiks in the face but refrained from doing so. For the most part, Ak handled the situation without aggravating Mensa. As a result, things did not escalate any further. The two decided to clear things up in September 2023. Following their decision, they documented their reconciliation on episode 209 of Off the Record.
In 2020, Megan Thee Stallion was involved in the infamous shooting incident. DJ Akademiks, an avid supporter of Tory Lanez, was very vocal about his support for the rapper. In an interview with Vlad TV, Akademiks shared that he was still “kinda a little doubtful” about Lanez shooting Megan. Subsequently, AK faced backlash from fans of Megan, and he and the rapper are not on speaking terms.
When Eminem released Revival in December 2017, Akademiks was not a fan of the album, and he made it very clear. He gave the album a negative review, and Eminem did not appreciate that. Months passed without Eminem addressing it, and DJ Akademiks had probably even forgotten he reviewed the album. That is, of course, until the lead single from Kamikaze dropped on September 14, 2018. On “Fall,” Eminem name-dropped Akademiks, rapping the lyrics, “Don’t make me have to give it back to Akademiks. Say this sh*t is trash again, I’ll have you twisted.” Evidently, Eminem did not take the criticism of his ninth album very well. While Akademiks was surprised by Em’s lyrical attack, he stood by his word, calling Revival “light sauce.”
Recently, Tiffany Haddish took to social media to comment on one of her previous controversies. A commenter had brought up a sketch she filmed with Aries Spears in 2014, Through a Pedophile’s Eyes. The video included shots of Spears touching one of the children suggestively, and ultimately landed on the website Funny or Die. It later resulted in a 2022 lawsuit from a woman who appeared in the video as a child alongside her younger brother. The lawsuit alleged that the two of them were coerced into “filming sexually explicit child pornography skits.”
The former accuser shared a statement when the lawsuit was eventually dropped. The woman claimed that her family had “known Tiffany Haddish for many years.” She added, “we now know that she would never harm me or my brother or help anyone else do anything that could harm us. We wish Tiffany the best and are glad that we can all put this behind us.”
While the lawsuit was dropped, the controversy has lingered, as some fans find it difficult to move past. “Tiffany we ain’t forget about was you did with them kids in that video,” one social media user wrote recently. Their comment prompted a response from Haddish, who hinted at more footage surfacing eventually. “I didn’t pay any kids any thing one day that unedited footage will come out and you will see. What was really going on. If anyone cares by then,” she said.
Following the dismissal of the lawsuit, Haddish shared a statement expressing remorse for her involvement. “Clearly while this sketch was intended to be comedic, it wasn’t funny at all, and I deeply regret having agreed to act in it,” she said at the time. What do you think of Tiffany Haddish’s recent claim about the controversy? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Tiffany Haddish.
For decades, music videos have contributed to the overall listening experience of songs and albums. Artists often use them as an effective medium to make strong statements, pass important messages, or explicitly express themselves. However, these music videos sometimes cross the thresholds of what is deemed fit for television consumption and ultimately end up banned. Over the years, upon their release, several music videos have sparked controversy. Some reasons for their bans include explicit sexual content, obscenity, violence, or disturbing messages. From Madonna’s “Justify My Love” to Rihanna’s “S&M,” here are seven such music videos that have been deemed unfit for television.
Duran Duran – “Girls On Film” (1981)
The controversial music video for Duran Duran’s third single was directed by Godley & Creme. The uncensored version of the “Girls on Film” music video contained provocative imagery. It featured scenes of scantily clad women engaging in activities, often of a sexual nature, including mud wrestling and pillow fighting. Upon its release, the video faced heavy controversy and was subsequently banned. Evidently, the original version of the video was considered too risqué for mainstream television. Following the ban, Duran Duran submitted a new and heavily edited video version for airplay.
Nine Inch Nails – “Closer” (1994)
The “Closer” music video is widely regarded as one of Nine Inch Nails’ most iconic and controversial visuals. It is characterized by its dark and provocative visual style. In addition, the video combines surreal and disturbing imagery with industrial and gothic aesthetics, exploring themes of mortality, sexuality, and religion. As a result, although it complements the song’s themes, the music video is quite unsettling. The music video for “Closer” is certainly one of the most iconic banned music videos out there. Due to its explicit content and provocative imagery, it stirred up more than enough controversy after it dropped in 1994.
Upon its release, the “Blurred Lines” music video faced widespread criticism for its objectification of women. The video was perceived as promoting a disrespectful, non-consensual, and misogynistic message. Additionally, many argued that the song’s NSFW lyrics promoted rape culture. YouTube took down the uncensored version of the video soon after it was uploaded. The censored video featuring the models in clothes stayed up on the platform. Despite the controversy, or perhaps partially due to it, “Blurred Lines” became a massive commercial success.
Rihanna – “S&M” (2011)
Rihanna’s music video for “S&M,” like many other banned music videos, was wildly popular when it premiered in 2011. The video presents a visually striking world where Rihanna embraces her sexuality while critiquing the media’s obsession with scandal. It is characterized by bold colors, avant-garde fashion, and provocative imagery. Furthermore, the video is filled with sexual innuendos and contains sadomasochistic imagery. Soon after its premiere, the music video for “S&M” was banned in 11 countries. Despite the backlash it received, the video’s bold style significantly contributed to the singer’s image as an artist.
M.I.A. – “Born Free” (2010)
The “Born Free” music video is a highly controversial and provocative piece directed by Roman Gavras. It explores themes of violence, discrimination, and persecution. The video was shot as a nine-minute short film featuring graphic content, including disturbing and violent images. While the video was intended to make a powerful statement against the brutality faced by marginalized groups, it was met with much criticism. “Born Free” is one of several music videos banned in multiple countries. It was also removed from YouTube within its first 24 hours of being on the platform.
Kanye West is one of the most controversial artists around. However, when he dropped the iconic music video for “Monster” in 2010, the dark themes it contained still came as a shock to many. Upon its release, the horror-themed video proved too much to handle for many viewers. Subsequently, it was banned from YouTube, and West took it off his YouTube channel entirely soon after. Nicki Minaj’s verse on the song and appearance in the music video received widespread praise, but it was not enough to save the video.
Madonna – “Justify My Love” (1990)
Throughout her career, the Queen of Pop, Madonna, has been closely affiliated with controversy, and the singer embraces it wholly. The music video for “Justify My Love” was so provocative that MTV outrightly refused to broadcast it on the day it was set to premiere. Featuring passionate and intimate sensual scenes shot in black and white, the video explores themes of sexuality and desire. Despite all the flack she received for making such a video, Madonna defended it, calling it a celebration of sex. MTV banned it from being broadcast on their channel, but “Justify My Love” was shown successfully on other cable networks. Over the years, it has come to be regarded as one of Madonna’s most iconic music videos.