It’s nice to see artists sticking to their moral guns in 2016, in a time when the market is flooded with music and promotion is key to success.
Last night, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! While there, he discussed debating Bernie Sanders (he’d do it!) and read from a children’s book. He also talked briefly about how easy it would be for him to defeat Bernie, and did his part to continue the belief that the democratic process in the United States is broken. It was all very, hm, convincing, if you find Donald Trump’s asinine act to be convincing.
On the same night, the Weeknd was supposed to appear alongside rapper Belly to perform the song “Might Not.” Pleasantly, Belly refused to appear. He gave a statement to the Associated Press, which read,
“I feel like the way I was raised was to be able to see through all the titles in this world — from religion to race. I just didn’t want to feel like I was a part of a celebration for somebody who has beliefs that majority of us don’t agree with.”
Missing out on this exposure is a bigger deal for Belly than the Weeknd, as the up-and-coming Canadian rapper has a new mixtape, Another Day In Paradise, out on Friday. But, as a Muslim entertainer who would like to continue working in the U.S., he clearly has his priorities straight. (You’ll recall that Trump has said he hopes to ban Muslims from entering the country.) Chances are, he’s making more headlines for this than he would have for his performance. Read a further piece of his statement below.
“I create songs people go to sleep and wake up to, songs that they fall in love to. For me, being Muslim and being somebody that appreciates my access here in America, I love the fact that I’m able to be here. To play my part in this business is a privilege and a beautiful thing. The fact that I could lose that ability through the actions of someone such as Donald Trump isn’t right to me. At all.”
Watch part of Trump’s appearance below.