In the quirky world we now live, social media can make or break.
I’ve recently been observing some interesting stories surrounding how musicians can be condemned and erased for their actions. Of course, if people have done something that is bad to another then they deserve to face the appropriate punishment for this. But, amidst this pragmatic accountability, there seems to be a new accusation every week that consumes the digital space then as if by magic... just disappears into thin air. I find it fascinating how it can almost seem like trial by social media especially in the world of entertainment. While it started with good intentions - calling out problematic behaviour and holding public figures accountable - has morphed into a complex and messy issue. Nowhere is this more evident than in the music industry, where artists can be vaulted to the top one day and find themselves 'cancelled' the next. Perhaps this was always the case but was limited to the red tops. My band were never cancelled in a social media sense but we had a daily kick in for something or another.
So, what exactly is cancel culture? At its core, it’s about collective action: when an artist, celebrity, or public figure is exposed for saying or doing something offensive, harmful, or unethical, there’s a push to boycott their work, remove them from public platforms, and hold them accountable in some way. In the music industry, this often takes the form of boycott actions such as a call to the non-streaming of their songs, concerts being cancelled, or even record labels dropping them.
On the positive side, cancel culture has created a space for real accountability. Think about some of the big names in music that have faced backlash in recent years due to abusive behaviour, misogyny, racism, or other forms of discrimination. In cases where legal systems or traditional media might not have acted, social media has become a platform for marginalised voices to call out these wrongs and demand action. When used responsibly, cancel culture can help bring justice to victims, shine a light on issues, and make it clear that certain behaviours are unacceptable, regardless of your power, fame or fortune.
However, cancel culture also has a darker side. The speed and intensity at which an artist can be 'cancelled' often leave no room for due diligence, objective process, growth, or meaningful discussion. Sometimes, an artist may be cancelled over a past mistake, a misunderstood comment, or even something they’ve already apologised for, years ago. The nuances of situations can easily get lost in the chaos of hashtags, witch-hunts, and social media trends. Very often people can lose the context within the fickle and synthetic world of social media.
It's a messy world and we all do things that were (are) stupid, immature or just plain wrong (with the benefit of hindsight). I often wonder how much this ultra-vulnerability for mistakes contributes to the high levels of anxiety of younger people. We should be allowed to mess up (within reason) without being condemned for life. Should we cancel someone for something they did as an immature kid? Is there room for redemption, or does cancel culture leave people in a state of perpetual punishment?
In some cases, the public piles on an artist without all the facts, and before they can tell their side of the story, their career might already be hanging by a thread. The problem with this 'trial by Twitter' (back then) is that it's often reactionary and doesn't allow for much meaningful conversation. Once someone is 'cancelled', are they forever banished, or should they get a chance to change and grow? Yes, of course it depends on what they have done…its complex.
For artists, cancel culture can be both terrifying and stifling. On the one hand, they want to express themselves freely, but on the other, they know that one wrong move could cost them everything. This climate of fear may lead to artists self-censoring, limiting their creative output, or avoiding topics they fear could be controversial. While accountability is important, there’s a balance to be struck between holding people responsible for their actions and allowing space for redemption and growth.
At the same time, cancel culture impacts the business side of music. Record labels, brands, and venues are all watching the tide of public opinion closely. If an artist becomes too toxic or controversial (in their view), they may quickly distance themselves to avoid being associated with the backlash. While this makes sense from a business standpoint, it can feel like overreach when it happens prematurely, without allowing the full story to come to light. It can seem like a very light trigger finger for some.
As the music industry and society continues to navigate cancel culture, it's crucial that fans, artists, and industry leaders find ways to create room for both accountability and growth. Mistakes should be called out, but there also needs to be a path toward redemption. Artists are humans too - they make mistakes, and they have the capacity to learn and grow. Cancel culture shouldn’t stifle creativity or trap people in their past mistakes forever. Ultimately, the music industry reflects the world we live in. The way we handle cancel culture in music can teach us a lot about how we deal with accountability, redemption, and justice in society at large. If we can learn to balance these things, the industry—and its artists—might come out stronger.
At a fundamental level I’m a psychotherapist working under the assumption of the possibility ‘change’. I could be wrong, we could be wrong, I could be right?
Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.
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