Fanbase Backlash

Taylor Swift and Playboi Carti are two sides of the same coin, both trying to maintain fan support as they explore new styles

The release of the long anticipated album, “Reputation,” One of the most prevalent examples of this complex dynamwas dropped on November 10, 2017 and Taylor Swift ic is the artist Kanye West. West is known for his controverwatched her streaming numbers fall at rapid rates. Her sial, often disruptive statements. Paly junior Mathew Signo“Reputation” album, one of her most stylistically diverse al- rello-Katz, has been a listener of West for a few years, but bums, faced escalated criticism. has recently questioned being part of the fanbase because of

This was a revolutionary drop because it strayed from the West’s political outbursts. norm that an artist’s primary goal should be to please their fans; “I was remarkably disappointed to see Kanye’s attemptinstead it offered a personalized, in-depth look into the explo- ed close allyship with former president Donald Trump,” Siration of a new genre. Sophomore gnorello-Katz said. “As someone Bella Daly was initially confused by the dramatic discrepancies in “I’m glad she took a risk with who supports the Democratic Party, I began to rapidly distance styles. “Reputation” because it gave myelf from Kanye. Supporting an “Initially, I wasn’t in love with “Reputation” because it was so dif- her the opportunity to continue artist with such controversial opinions made me question whether ferent from everything she had put out before. I remember listening changing styles and have more or not being a part of this fanbase was in my best interest.” to ‘What You Made Me Do’ and freedom as an artist.” In the modern day world of being so confused about it,” Daly said. “But the more I listened to it, Sophia Krugler, senior music, performers often act in the best interest of their fans because the more it grew on me.” artists are bound by their need to

Senior Sophia Krugler has been a huge Taylor Swift fan since make a living and they rely totally on their fanbase to do that. 4th grade and initially loved “Reputation,” continuing to sup- This often results in the self-censorship of port Swift throughout her genre switching journey. artists on controversial topics and con-

“I’m glad she took a risk with “Reputation” because it gave stantly monitoring and being cauher the opportunity to continue changing styles and have more tious off posts made on social freedom as an artist,” Krugler said. “[Taylor Swift] pretty much media. said, ‘I don’t care what you think,’ which I love.” As well as limited freedom

Although Krugler believes “Reputation” was one of the most of speech, artists are limited daring albums, she continues to support Swift, regardless of the with freedom of expresgenres Swift decided to release. sion. In some cases, artists

People naturally support artists as fans, but this support is of- release albums which they ten constructed off of more than just musical talent. Especially work extremely hard on, recently, musician’s personal lives have been playing a bigger only to be faced with backrole in the strength of their fanbase. lash of fans.