Over the years, many controversial artists have taken the stage, delivering lyrics that have left audiences feeling both empowered and uncomfortable. From Ozzy Osbourne and Marilyn Manson to Kanye West and Tupac Shakur, music has long served as a form of self-expression.
But what makes music controversial? And has that definition changed over time, or are debates simply louder now?
Emily Abrams Ansari/western University.com
Emily Abrams Ansari, a professor of music history at Western University, said controversy in music is not new and has evolved across generations.
“Certainly, controversy has changed over time. There are some very ancient disagreements about musical style, going all the way back hundreds of years to debates in the church around polyphony — music with many independent lines — versus homophony, which moves more like a hymn, where everyone sings together in chords and progresses through the text at the same time,” she said. “There were significant disagreements about those sorts of things.”
She said modern controversies often extend beyond style.
“Up until today, we’re looking at music being used for a whole host of different political ends. We have white nationalist music, fascist music. We have music being used as a tool for protest in many different contexts. That’s a very different type of controversy,” she said.
When asked which historical musical controversy most closely mirrors modern debates, Abrahams Ansari pointed to the reaction to Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring at its 1913 premiere in Paris.
“Historians like to say there was a riot at the premiere. It wasn’t really a riot,” she said. “It was somewhat sensationalized in the press, which we can relate to. But people were very upset during the performance, and they talked about it for months afterward.”
She said comparisons can be drawn to modern reactions, but the scale and setting have shifted.
“Today, performances happen on a very different scale, or they’re happening through a release on Spotify. That’s very different from a controversy in a concert setting. I think we probably have fewer of those now because when people go to concerts, they know what they’re signing up for. You don’t spend that kind of money to see someone you don’t like.”
2Divine
2 Divine, a local artist in London, said controversy has always been part of music culture.
“Looking back, I remember my grandma telling me how controversial Elvis was at the time for his dance moves,” he said. “You look back at those videos, and it’s just him wiggling. At some point, that was unheard of. That was a crazy statement.”
He believes the threshold for controversy continues to rise.
“As music culture grows and time goes on, the bar for controversy will continue to rise,” he said. “A lot of artists use controversy to their benefit. Eminem is a textbook example — the things he would say on The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP.”
When asked whether today’s industry is more accepting of artists pushing boundaries, 2 Divine said the landscape has changed dramatically.
“We’re in what I like to call the disposable music era,” he said. “It’s never been easier to put out music. Back in the day, to get your record on the shelf, it had to go through major labels, and they had the final say.”
He said the rise of social media has also shifted power to audiences, raising questions about cancel culture.
“I think it’s fair to say cancel culture can feel like a modern form of censorship,” he said. “We’re so connected through the internet. People have more choice than ever about what they want to listen to.”
He added that accountability may look different for politicians than for artists.
“I understand if a politician does something nobody likes — people can come together and say that person shouldn’t be around anymore,” he said. “But with art, are we putting restrictions on what you can create? Should you be scared to create? You shouldn’t have fear if you’re trying to create something.”
When asked who he considers the most controversial artist today, 2 Divine pointed to West.
“I’m going to have to go with Kanye West,” he said. “Since 2004, he’s been famous for over 20 years. You can almost see the line of what upset people back then versus now, and how far you have to go to upset people. Kanye is definitely at that line.
“Not to say I’m all for it, but he’s the most controversial artist. The scale of the things he’s said has gone so far.”
Controversy in music is not new — it has evolved. From church debates over polyphony to the uproar surrounding The Rite of Spring, from Elvis Presley’s dance moves to Eminem’s lyrics and West’s headlines, music has consistently challenged audiences’ comfort levels.
Perhaps the question is not whether music has become more controversial, but whether society’s reaction has changed. In an era where songs are released instantly, opinions spread within minutes and backlash can trend worldwide, the stage may look different — but the tension between art and outrage remains.
