Producer and musician Labrinth is being supported by his fellow creatives – from producer Diplo to pop singer Dove Cameron – as he doubles down on his criticism of the music industry.
Last week, the British artist called out his record label Columbia and the hit TV show Euphoria, for which he composed the score for its first two seasons, announcing that he was “done”.
“IM DONE WITH THIS INDUSTRY [sic],” he wrote in the since-deleted post. “F*** COLUMBIA. DOUBLE F*** EUPHORIA. IM OUT. THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT X.”
Labrinth, real name Timothy Lee McKenzie, has now shared a second post in which he opined that musicians “hover around big stars hoping to be in their place one day like snakes waiting to eat their owners”.
“We walk into this industry as pure creatives that wish to share colour and get turned into wolves of Wall Street dribbling over stocks and shares,” he continued.
“We have meaningful relationships with like-minded people and discard them as soon as a bigger opportunity arrives.
“Who the f*** said this is normal or OK to turn what I call God’s noise (our music) into business transactions. I don’t subscribe.”
In the caption of his post he added: “I want to have meaningful interactions… I don’t want to use anyone I don’t want to be used.
“I hope people stop acting like this is just how it’s done. It doesn’t have to be done that way. Fake ain’t a good business plan.”
In the comments section, a number of other artists applauded Labrinth for expressing his disillusionment with the industry.
“[You’re] the realest creative I have ever met,” producer Diplo, who has worked with stars including Beyoncé, Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears, wrote.
“I genuinely think about this every day,” pop star Dove Cameron wrote.
UK singer Natasha Bedingfield said: “Yes it can be pretty awful what [surrounds] the art. Harmful to the creative child within. Listening to intuition and approaching art with playful innocence and prioritising what we do care about is an antidote.”
“We have felt this!” musician India Arie wrote. “I really feel you!”
UK pop singer Will Young remarked: “Yes yes yes and this has helped me to look in the mirror and see any intentions I have had over the years that haven’t been authentic. This is the BEST post I have read from a musician and I applaud it.
“We are all ‘ranked’ on what ‘use’ we have and what hideous nonsense is that? Thank you.”
Pop-soul artist Victoria Canal simply wrote: “Yes.”
The Independent has contacted Labrinth for comment. Representatives for Columbia, Euphoria and director Sam Levinson did not respond to The Independent’s emails last week.
Labrinth first caught the public’s attention with his Tinie Tempah collaborations, including “Pass Out” and “Frisky” in 2010, and “Earthquake” in 2011, all of which hit the top 10 in the UK. He has released four albums, including his 2012 debut Electronic Earth and his latest work, Cosmic Opera: Act I, which came out in January this year.
Last year, it was announced that Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer had been brought on to score the third season of Euphoria alongside Labrinth.
The coming-of-age drama revolves around a group of teenagers trying to navigate drugs, sex, social media, broken homes, and problems and emotions associated with adolescence.
The third season of Euphoria is due to premiere on HBO on 12 April.
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