Artists are the puppets for and of the masses. Whatever is trending, they try to adhere to and jump on that wave. We look to our favorite artists to capture our feelings, viewpoints, and overall vibe in their songs. So, what happens when we catch them lying? When we start to suspect there is some “cap in the rap”? This draws us to the question: Should artists stop portraying a life they are not living?
Artists should be honest in what they say because authenticity is what makes them relatable and helps build a genuine fan base. When artists “lie” or try to “ride the wave,” it introduces a sense of inauthenticity, forcing listeners to question their credibility. A current example of this can be seen with Latto. To understand her image, it is helpful to compare her to Megan Thee Stallion, who has built her brand around confidence, sexual freedom, and body positivity. Megan’s public persona consistently aligns with her music, reinforcing her authenticity.
Similarly, Latto has cultivated a brand centered on independence and not taking men seriously unless they meet her standards. However, she faced backlash after going viral for the lyric, “Big mama, no kids, waiting on the right man, right time,” while reports surfaced about her pregnancy with 21 Savage. This contradiction caused fans to question whether her image truly reflects her reality. As a result, situations like this weaken the trust between artists and their audience, showing why authenticity plays such an important role in maintaining credibility.
However, some may argue that artists often create personas and produce music through the lens of these “characters,” rather than their real lives. Well-known examples include “Roman,” created by Nicki Minaj, “Hannah Montana,” portrayed by Miley Cyrus, “Sasha Fierce,” created by Beyoncé, and “Slim Shady,” created by Eminem. These personas allow artists to explore different identities, emotions, and narratives, often pushing creative boundaries beyond their personal reality.
The difference, however, is transparency. Fans know when something is a persona. The issue arises when artists market themselves as authentic and relatable yet contradict that image in real life. At that point, it is no longer just performance, it becomes misrepresentation. Ultimately, artists do not have to live every lyric they create, but when they build their brand on authenticity, they should be prepared to live up to it.
