Future is one of the hardest working artists in music. Period. He had a hell of a run back in 2015, dropping five projects — all critically acclaimed by the way — followed by two more records in 2016, while simultaneously accompanying Drake on the highly esteemed Summer Sixteen tour.
On February 17, the "Dirty Sprite" rapper dropped the self-titled album Future, sending the Twittersphere, and the interwebs alike, in complete disarray. And just like the workaholic he is, he came back an unprecedented seven days later to release yet another studio album titled Hndrxx.
Like I said, he doesn't stop.
To help promote both bodies of work, Future sat down with Zane Lowe on the Beats 1 radio program to discuss the album and life in general. The first half of the interview premiered before Future, and the second half dropped a day before Hndrxx.
In part two of the interview, the functional lean addict, who has had a pretty nasty and public divorce with singer Ciara, admitted that his relentless dedication to the studio comes with a price.
According to Future, he was able to make so much music in such a short time span because he’s “obsessed with making music” and “addicted to the studio.” In turn, it has kept him away from his children, Prince, Londyn and Future Zahir.
While disturbing and saddening, the Atlanta rapper was honest.
Ironic enough, honesty has been the smoking gun for many celebrities of late. It seems that we abandon our heroes the second we catch wind of their mortality.
It's instances like these — when a chink is found in the A-lister's armor — that we forget about the skeletons of our own.
I personally wasn't alarmed by Future's confession — I was too busy crying myself to sleep to bangers "Hallucinating" and "Selfish" — but it did point out a reoccurring problem that fans wrestle with when it comes to celebrities: how to separate the art from the artist.
The Separation of Artist and Art
I don't think I can fully trust anyone who isn't compelled to dance to R. Kelly's 2003 classic "Step in the Name of Love". I'll be cordial, I'll even share a laugh or two, but in terms of leaving them in my home alone or letting them cook for me? Nah, can't do it.
I feel the same way about Michael Jackson, Nate Parker, Bill Cosby and Chris Brown. Yes, even Chris Brown. ("New Flame", "Take You Down" and "Loyal" will get infinite spin-backs from me, no matter what the kid does.) Do you know why? Because I know how to separate the artist from the art.
When Nate Parker was gearing up to release Birth of A Nation — a monumental film documenting the life Nat Turner and how he led one of the largest slave rebellions of all-time — America decided to bring up a rape case he beat years ago.
Every demographic you could imagine expressed high disgust and deemed Parker, and his film, undeserving of anyone's money. While sensitivity to the delicacy of his past can be understandably triggering, disregarding the fact that the film was independently funded and produced by a black man, a feat in itself, is a blindside that is troubling at the least.
A film that celebrates black life and the trials endured to preserve it was somehow overshadowed by an outrage that ultimately accomplished nothing.
If this isn't throwing the baby away with the bathwater, what is?
The same people that jumped on Bill Cosby's back were the same people who leaped for joy when A Different World was announced on Netflix. And the same people who tuned in to watch The New Edition Story on BET, are the same who accused Bobby Brown of turning Whitney on to drugs and breaking her heart.
Your favorite is most likely problematic, you just don't know it.
The Outrage Is Innocent
Don't get me wrong — there's credence to the outrage. I'm sure half of the think pieces and enraged tweets are spurred from shock. Who wants their favorite celebrity to be a woman beater or an alcoholic father?
Future's superstardom shouldn't be an excuse to be an absentee father. Whether you're a stockbroker or a regular joe with two jobs, you should always be in the life you help bring into existence.
A problem only arises when certain information is divulged and a perception of a celebrity is tainted. The feeling of betrayal becomes unshakable, and when you stop to think about how much you supported them — buying their albums, watching their movies or framing their poster — the betrayal you feel turns into guilt, making them easy to slander.
It's a classic case of romanticizing celebrities beyond the work they do, and that's where the root of the problem lies.
Support and Speak Out
I think the answer is balance. Speak out, but don't lie to others and yourself about not consuming their content anymore.
Cosby still gave us A Different World. Kobe still gave us 81. Michael's moonwalk will live forever. And unless you're fast forwarding past Stacy Dash's scenes in Clueless, you still have art from her, too.
At the end of the day, it's a matter of asking yourself where you draw your moralistic line, because no artist is perfect.
You can't campaign boycotting Kodak Black's music for his treatment for women, then turn around and rock a pair of Beats by Dre headphones. Just like you can't criticize Nate Parker's dismissed case while rocking a Kobe jersey.
This higher ground and moral pretentiousness should come with consistency – for every celebrity that has done something out of line.
It's okay to speak out and say that you are completely against the actions of celebrity in question, but don't fool yourself into thinking you're going to hold that code across the board for every artist.
Our gifts are different than our character. How well Michael Jordan puts a ball through a hoop does not reflect his sentiments on kids dying over his overpriced shoes, and Brady's five Superbowl wins do not speak to his political prowess.
It's time we address these scandals level headedly, learn the lesson at hand, then make a decision of if you want to continually support.
As I listen to Future's new heat, will I think about his willful negligence to his children? No, I won't. Does that make me an advocate for bad parenting? No, it doesn't.
When you separate the artist from the content, you'll be able to appreciate their gifts and chastise them at the same time. It's much more fun than pretending their music isn't addicting.
In the meanwhile, I'm on standby for another Future album.
