RBC Bluesfest divided the nation’s capital on March 30, as festival’s organizers announced on Facebook that Kanye West will headline the festival. The announcement was met with both praise and derision by the public, with some of those in disapproval voicing their anger aggressively.
Some, including Amy Lamothe, are trying to get Kanye’s performance cancelled by signing petitions and starting Facebook groups.
“We are simply protesting the fact that the money that has been spent to attract Kanye could have been used to bring in other artists who respect the music community,” Lamothe said. “Others also feel that his reputation will tarnish a great festival.”
Ottawa resident Melanie Brown said she’s surprised by how much West is upsetting people.
“They don’t understand. They live in a bubble where they think that Kanye is so hated and vilified that he doesn’t have any fans at and that’s not the case at all,” Brown said.
Brown said people are acting angry over his interruption of Taylor Swift and Beck. She said in both cases Kanye was not interrupting either artist to promote himself, he was doing it to stand up for Beyonce.
“Taylor Swift and Beck are over that. Taylor and him are working together, they’re taking photos together. They respect each other,” she said.
She added that white celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, who gave a “douchey” Oscar speech did not get dragged through the mud the same way West has been.
“I care about the rights of others, I care about white privilege. It makes me wonder if he is dragged through the media as much as he is because he’s black,” Brown said.
West’s fans have expressed approval across social media as well with more than 1,000 people liking the announcement.
“Kanye is somebody I always picture performing in huge cities at fancy venues,” first-year Carleton student Megan Sibley said. “It’s crazy that somebody that talented, that’s so big right now could be coming here to Ottawa.”
Sibley said West can deter some with his attitude.
“He comes across as very condescending in public, and his lack of respect for other artists could definitely rub some music people the wrong way,” Sibley said.
Second-year Carleton student Jason Fahandazh took exception to the anti-Kanye crowd’s aggression. He said the movement formed around a subtle form of racism.
“Most of the anti-Kanye crowd is white, middle-aged folks, who want to bring in an all-white band like Foo Fighters,” explained Fahandazh. “There’s some subtle racism there, as the whole point of the group is to not allow Kanye speak, because he’s so outspoken.”
Fahandazh, as well as many commenters on Facebook, said it is childish to try to bar him from Bluesfest.
Brown said the petition is disrespectful to Kanye’s fans.
“Who is the bigger asshole, Kanye or the people who are starting the petition?” she said.
— with files from Joe Ryan
