Matt Healy, lead singer of The 1975, is facing criticism after claiming that misogyny “doesn’t happen in rock and roll anymore.”
The statement came during an interview in which Healy was promoting The 1975’s latest album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships. After making this initial statement, he followed by saying that misogyny “still exists in hip hop.”
“The reason misogyny doesn’t happen in rock and roll anymore is because it’s a vocabulary that existed for so long is that it got weeded out. It still exists in hip hop because [the genre] is so young, but it’ll stop. That’s why you have this moment with young black men–Kanye-aged men, as well–talking about their relationship with themselves, which is a big step forward for hip hop. Drake, for example. But then they [hip hop artists] will be like, ‘But I still got bitches.’ The scene’s relationship with women hasn’t caught up to its relationship with itself, but that’s something that will happen,” Healy continued.
Immediately, social media users voiced their anger over Healy’s blatant disregard of the misogyny that does indeed still exist within rock and roll music.
What’s most interesting about Healy’s comments is that many songs released by The 1975 have been criticized for their shallow portrayal of women. For example, one song titled “Girls” has some questionable lyrics concerning women.
At the beginning of the song, Healy sings, “I said “No!” / ‘Oh give it a rest, I could persuade you / I’m not your typical, stoned 18 year old / Give me a night I’ll make you’.” The song continues with a chorus that isn’t much better: “They’re just girls breaking hearts / Eyes bright, uptight, just girls / But she can’t be what you need if she’s 17 / They’re just girls / They’re just girls.”
Misogyny definitely doesn’t still happen in rock and roll though, right?
The backlash against his statements resulted in Healy issuing an apology via Twitter.
“What I said isn’t correct. And it’s not all a misquote. Just for clarity I said that misogyny wasn’t ALLOWED in rock and roll now days [sic] in a way it is in hip hop–not that it doesn’t exist, maybe that’s a misquote as I’m aware of the misogyny in rock and roll,” he stated. “I would never deny the RAMPANT misogyny that exists in rock and roll. It’s everywhere and has been a weirdly accepted part of it since its inception. BUT now looking at what I said–I was simplifying a complex issue without the right amount of education on the subject.”
Additionally, Healy went on to say he really isn’t educated on feminism and women’s issues. “Think ‘cos I’m so actively trying to support women (not a brag but with the record label etc.) I kinda forget that I’m not very educated on feminism and misogyny and I can’t just ‘figure stuff out’ in public and end up trivializing the complexities of such enormous, experienced issues.”
Considering The 1975 has a fanbase with a large amount of young women, Matty Healy needs to be more aware. More aware of the comments he makes on misogyny, and of the lyrics he incorporates into his music. Misogyny will be alive and well in the music scene until prominent men take a stand against it.
Featured Image by Begoña on Flickr
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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