News : Controversy RAINN'S Down On Maroon 5's Animals
News : Controversy RAINN'S Down On Maroon 5's Animals
The largest anti-sexual assault group in the US has condemned Maroon 5’s new video as “a dangerous depiction of a stalker’s fantasy”. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (Rainn) has accused the rock band of “trivialising” sex crimes with their clip for Animals.
“Maroon 5’s video for Animals is a dangerous depiction of a stalker’s fantasy – and no one should ever confuse the criminal act of stalking with romance,” Rainn said in a statement provided to Billboard. “The trivialisation of these serious crimes, like stalking, should have no place in the entertainment industry.”
The Animals video was released on 29 September. Directed by Sam Meyer, it stars Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine as a butcher who stalks one of his customers. He follows the client, breaks into her home, and imagines having sex with her amid a cascade of pouring blood. The victim is portrayed by Levine’s new wife, Behati Prinsloo.
Besides the violent imagery of the video, Animals’ lyrics read like the diary of a sex criminal. “You can’t deny/ That beast inside,” Levine sings. “Baby, I’m preying on you tonight/ Hunt you down … We’re enemies/ But we get along when I’m inside you.” The tone is particularly startling given that Maroon 5 usually play banal songs about love, loss and dancing like Mick Jagger.
Critics have been unsparing in their condemnation of Animals. “This is what rape culture looks like,” tweeted @AmendaHeeld. “I am deeply upset that Adam Levine did this song/video,” commented YouTube user Elizabeth Young. “There are far too many women beaten, butchered and killed in the name of love as it is, and stalkerish behavior is not ok to portray as a symbol of love.” Writing in the Guardian, Jessica Valenti accused the band of “[trying] to make terrorising women seem ‘sexy’”.
Although contacted by Billboard, Maroon 5 have yet to respond to critics, or to Rainn’s statement. “I’m so excited about [the Animals video],” Levine told Access Hollywood last month. “I had this crazy idea … [and] it’s really dark … and weird and cool … It’s really crazy.”
Contact Maroon 5
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Flickr | YouTube | MySpace | Last.fm
Contact The Guardian
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Sources : Maroon 5's Animals Photo | Maroon 5's Animals Article
The largest anti-sexual assault group in the US has condemned Maroon 5’s new video as “a dangerous depiction of a stalker’s fantasy”. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (Rainn) has accused the rock band of “trivialising” sex crimes with their clip for Animals.
“Maroon 5’s video for Animals is a dangerous depiction of a stalker’s fantasy – and no one should ever confuse the criminal act of stalking with romance,” Rainn said in a statement provided to Billboard. “The trivialisation of these serious crimes, like stalking, should have no place in the entertainment industry.”
The Animals video was released on 29 September. Directed by Sam Meyer, it stars Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine as a butcher who stalks one of his customers. He follows the client, breaks into her home, and imagines having sex with her amid a cascade of pouring blood. The victim is portrayed by Levine’s new wife, Behati Prinsloo.
Besides the violent imagery of the video, Animals’ lyrics read like the diary of a sex criminal. “You can’t deny/ That beast inside,” Levine sings. “Baby, I’m preying on you tonight/ Hunt you down … We’re enemies/ But we get along when I’m inside you.” The tone is particularly startling given that Maroon 5 usually play banal songs about love, loss and dancing like Mick Jagger.
Critics have been unsparing in their condemnation of Animals. “This is what rape culture looks like,” tweeted @AmendaHeeld. “I am deeply upset that Adam Levine did this song/video,” commented YouTube user Elizabeth Young. “There are far too many women beaten, butchered and killed in the name of love as it is, and stalkerish behavior is not ok to portray as a symbol of love.” Writing in the Guardian, Jessica Valenti accused the band of “[trying] to make terrorising women seem ‘sexy’”.
Although contacted by Billboard, Maroon 5 have yet to respond to critics, or to Rainn’s statement. “I’m so excited about [the Animals video],” Levine told Access Hollywood last month. “I had this crazy idea … [and] it’s really dark … and weird and cool … It’s really crazy.”
Contact Maroon 5
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Flickr | YouTube | MySpace | Last.fm
Contact The Guardian
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Sources : Maroon 5's Animals Photo | Maroon 5's Animals Article
0 comments: