– Rina Sawayama called out The 1975’s Matty Healy during her performance at the Glastonbury Festival, dedicating her song “STFU!” to him without directly mentioning his name.
– Sawayama’s song is about reaching a breaking point with someone who refuses to listen, and she referenced Healy’s controversial comments made on a podcast.
– Healy made derogatory and racist remarks about Ice Spice and apologized to her later, but Sawayama’s comments highlight ongoing concern about his behavior.
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Title: Rina Sawayama Addresses Controversial Comments by Matty Healy at 2023 Glastonbury Festival
Rina Sawayama delivered a powerful and confrontational performance at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival on Saturday night. During her 60-minute set, the singer and actor took a stand against Matty Healy of The 1975, implicitly referencing the controversial remarks he made on “The Adam Friedland Show” podcast earlier this year. Without explicitly naming him, Sawayama dedicated her song “STFU!” to her labelmate and expressed her frustration with his microaggressions. Furthermore, she shed light on the fact that Healy owns her music masters—a point of contention she had finally reached her breaking point with.
“STFU!” serves as an anthem for anyone pushed to the edge by a person who refuses to listen. Its impassioned lyrics resonate with those who yearn for respect and acknowledgment: “How come you don’t expect me to get mad when I’m angry? You’ve never seen it, though I know I’m not the only one. How come you don’t respect me? Expecting fantasies, leave our reality.”
Attempts to obtain comments from both Sawayama and Dirty Hit—the label co-founded by Jamie Oborne, who also manages The 1975—were unsuccessful at the time of publication. This revelation only intensifies the scrutiny surrounding Healy’s behavior, highlighting the growing discourse surrounding his derogatory and racist comments about Ice Spice, including misidentifying her heritage. Healy had also discussed indulging in pornography that promotes the degradation and brutalization of Black women during his ill-fated podcast appearance.
Although Healy did apologize to Ice Spice during a show in New Zealand a few months later, he stressed that his intentions were never to hurt anyone. He expressed regret for any offense caused and reaffirmed his respect and admiration for Ice Spice. Nonetheless, the incident sparked a public conversation about the impact of casual racism and the need for accountability in the music industry.
Sawayama’s bold statement at Glastonbury sheds light on the power dynamics and systemic issues prevalent in the industry, while addressing an artist’s responsibility to call out unacceptable behavior when they witness it within their own circles. This incident further signifies a turning point in the ongoing struggle for equality, representation, and respect in the music world.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on the events that unfolded during Rina Sawayama’s performance at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival.
