#tatemcrae

Fans of #itsokimok artist Tate McRae are upset over her collab with country artist Morgan Wallen. While some claim that this is yet another example of mainstream media hating on conservatism, others see simply see it as a reasonable reaction to a bait-and-switch, where someone buys into a brand that represents itself as one thing only to reveal itself as something very different different later. Many people also think this has nothing to do with politics and or conservatism in the fist place, but more so a lack of core values that Morgan has demonstrated numerous times with drunk and disorderly conduct, racial slurs, and violent behavior like throwing chairs of buildings endangering others - which in and of themselves do not represent true conservatism. Many would have been more than happy for her to branch out and collaborate with a country artist, just not Morgan Wallen. Some have tried to argue that Post Malone did not face the same backlash when he expanded into country and that this is all an example of misogyny. However, Post Malone did not have the same fanbase as Tate McRae, especially not one consisting of many in the LGBTQIA community which Morgan Wallen does not support. Post Malone was not betraying his fanbase or even really branching out to a totally different audience by going country the way Tate is by collaborating with Morgan. This is not so much about feeling betrayed because he is a country artist or because he is conservative, but because he has demonstrated poor behavior time and again not to mention belief systems which go against the core fanbase of Tate McRae. One could argue this is the same backlash Billy Ray Cyrus faced from fans when he collaborated with Lil Nas X. The point is that its not about whether you like either artist, its about brand consistency and integrity towards authentic representation when building a loyal fanbase. We are all more than allowed to align or not align with whomever we choose. It’s not about the values in question, it is about the honesty of the artist in what they represent as a brand because consumers have a right to know what they are investing in. Are you a fan of either? What do you think?