*Note: This article mentions child abuse and murder.
Art is one of humanity’s most revered forms of self-expression. Through it, we are able to document, release, and share our experiences. Through it, we prove that we are not alone; our joys and suffering are not isolated experiences. Because of the immense impact art can make on our lives, discourse around it is never-ending. Humans are generally multifaceted beings – a cruel individual can be capable of making beautiful and relatable art. However, does this make their art less resonant? This is the question that humanity can never seem to come to a general consensus for. Can we ever truly separate the art from the artist?
From the “simple” drawings in ancient caves to the intricate double entendres from your favourite rapper, art IS humanity. It is a window into the artist’s mind and the society they are born from. James Baldwin asserted that art acts as a bridge between humans: “… you read something, you hear something, and you realise that your suffering does not isolate you.” As a result, many people see themselves in their favourite artists.
To create meaningful art, one etches pieces of themself into their artform. Even the reductive belief that art can purely be for aesthetic value is a way of revealing your internal beliefs. What you create is a reflection of how you view the world, what your experiences look like, and what is acceptable in your society. Without having met me, one could easily deduce my interests and political beliefs from a quick reading of at least three of my articles. This is where separating the artist from their art becomes murky.
D4VD, legally known as David Burke, is an American singer/songwriter who rose to fame after his song “Romantic Homicide” went viral on TikTok in 2022. He is currently in hot water as he is on trial for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl who was found dead and dismembered in the trunk of Burke’s impounded car. He has been charged with “first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age, and unlawful mutilation of human remains”. Court proceedings show that the pair met in 2022 when D4VD was 16 and Hernandez was 11. They then began a sexual relationship when Burke was 18 and Hernandez was 13. Shockingly, they had matching tattoos and spent holiday trips together (to the knowledge of both of their families), among other “normal” relationship activities despite the immoral nature of their “relationship”.
D4VD’s music typically details topics about dark romance and love. The court of public opinion is fully convinced that D4VD is guilty of what he is charged with, especially with the extra scrutiny being placed on his song lyrics. An unreleased demo of his titled “Celeste” has been a topic of discussion. The song includes the lyrics, “ Oh, Celeste / The girl with my name tattooed on her chest.” Furthermore, the accompanying music video for his hit “Romantic Homicide” features the lifeless body of a Hispanic woman covered in blood, and many have noted her resemblance to the late Hernandez.
How can the artist be separated from their art when this is what we are dealing with? This is not a new phenomenon. We have seen it before when then 27-year-old R. Kelly wrote the song “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number” for a 15-year-old Aaliyah, whom he had illegally married. Supporting an artist’s work is not a passive endeavour. Each stream for a song results in an artist accruing profit. This allows an artist to profit from their behaviour and offers them the platform to continue in their ways.
Two things can be true at once: people can be immoral and make entertaining art. An acknowledgement of this may be the cure to the deification of celebrities and excellent artists. They are also human and are capable of doing both good and bad. A desire to separate the artist from their art may be an attempt to absolve ourselves of the guilt of supporting a bad person. Art is a tool to communicate and reveal our inner workings – even the bad parts.
Visual: Daniel Green
