Posts

#ForTheMusic

Demanding Accountability, #ForTheMusic Tackles Sexual Abuse

/in /by

2020 has been a year of awakening and for others, it’s also been a reckoning. Artists who felt untouchable have been proven quite otherwise. Bassnectar, Billy Kenny, and the late Erick Morillo are among some of the names that surface when it comes to addressing the pervasive issue of sexual violence within the music industry. They’ve all been “canceled” or at least have helped show why it’s (still) important to continue talking about it to bring the dance music industry back to its roots. #ForTheMusic is the first step to creating a safer environment. Read more

what-is-sexual-assault

What is Sexual Assault? Unpacking Its Definition

/in /by

In light of recent accusations of sexual assault against Erick Morillo, Bassnectar and Billy Kenny, it’s important we all understand the definition of sexual assault and are able to fully contextualize it within the music space. Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence and can be defined in different ways. But first and foremost, the thing to fully grasp is this: it is never the victim’s fault, period. Drugs and alcohol are commonplace in the music industry and nightlife in general, and all too often non-consensual drugging plays a role in sexual assaults. Regardless, whether non-consensual drugging takes place or not, victim-blaming remains commonplace with “responsibility” for the assault levied on the victim’s use of alcohol and drugs, rather than on the perpetrator of the assault. This is not ok and has been used far too long to justify predatory behavior that we must eradicate not just from the music space, but from society at large.

Despite the rampant substance (ab)use in the music space, we, its community members, need to start denormalizing rape culture and violence against our community members, and in particular women and trans.

Read more

Sexual Abuse Billy Kenny

Sexual Abuse & The Entertainment Industry: Billy Kenny, Bassnectar & Others

/in /by

DJs and producers Billy Kenny and Bassnectar (Lorin Ashton), despite playing on opposite spectrums of electronic music, share something in common, and it’s not just the letter “B” in their names. Both have been hit with serious sexual accusations coming from a long string of accusers, all of which are highlighting a troubling pattern of sexual abuse and rape. No court actions have been taken at this point, but these aren’t isolated incidents in the world of electronic music. They join a string of male electronic music artists known for inappropriate behavior. The sexual allegations against Billy Kenny and Bassnectar bring to light not only the music industry’s prevalent issues of sexual abuse and sexism but also the perils of stardom. Read more