NewsBite

Redfoo in X Factor backlash as petition calls for Channel 7 to let judge go

REDFOO has taken to Facebook to apologise for his new track, Literally I Can’t, which he calls “art” and everyone else calls “sexist”.

Debra KillaleaDebra Killalea
@DebKillalea
3 min read
November 13, 2014 - 9:56AM
Redfoo allegedly attacked in violent glassing

UPDATE: Redfoo has apologised to his fans after a massive backlash over his new track, Literally I Can’t, which has been slammed as sexist.

The X-Factor judge took to Facebook this afternoon with a message for his fans, friends and family who, he says, are “one in the same (sic)”.

“I love you all,” he writes.

“Over the years, you’ve connected with me through my music, art and our personal interactions. My greatest joy and mission from day one has been to entertain people from all walks of life: the kids, parents, teens, ladies, gentlemen, cops and even the robbers.

“I get excited to create things that will unite all of us through laughter, dance and celebration. If during that process I offend anyone, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. In the future I will be more mindful of the way I present my art.”

So, there you have it.

EARLIER: It hasn’t been the best few months for X-Factor judge Redfoo.

First, he was glassed in a Sydney hotel attack, and now the knives are out on social media over new song collocation Literally I can’t.

The 39-year-old has found himself the subject of a Change.org petition which calls for him to be sacked from the Channel 7 show amid claims the song is sexist and derogatory to women.

The clip, which was uploaded to YouTube on October 30 by Redfoo’s record label Party Rock, shows a group of seemingly uptight sorority women who enter a frat party.

The girls are asked and pressured into drinking, despite repeating the words “literally, I cant”.

At one point they are asked if they want a bit of “girl on girl” and repeatedly told “shut the f** up” for refusing.

The song features seemingly uptight girls who attend a frat party.
The song features seemingly uptight girls who attend a frat party.

The girls are also pushed into the pool while Redfoo films on RedTube.

The petition, You literally can’t rehire Red Foo #literallyicant, filed by Jas Swilks and picked up by Collective Shout’s Melinda Tankard Reist says there are many issues with the song including the notion that “women will always give in” and that “when a woman says no she is ridiculed and harassed”.

It has amassed more than 13,500 signatures and is aiming to hit 15,000.

Collective Shout say the women are clearly “depicted as killjoys for refusing to conform to the wishes of the male party goer”.

The knives are out for Redfoo on social media.
The knives are out for Redfoo on social media.

The petition his role on X Factor requires him to mentor contestants, often young women, and that his portrayal of girls in this video disqualifies him from such a position.

Watch Literally I Can’t, by production duo Play-N-Skillz, and featuring rappers Lil Jon and Enertia McFly below to make up your own mind (Language warning).

But Redfoo took to Twitter, defending the song and denying it was in any way sexist to women.

The party-going rapper also said the song was clearly satirical and is the victim.

“Fact#1: The word “s***” never appears in the lyrics of #LiterallyICant”,,he posted yesterday.

Ms Swilks told news.com.au that the petition had only gone online on Tuesday and the aim of the petition was to force Channel 7 to take a stand against sexism and misogyny.

She also said if Redfoo really did respect women he shouldn’t have produce a video clip which appeared to show quite the opposite.

Ms Swilks said male objectivity of women and “normalising rape culture” had to stop.

On his claim he’s being victimised, she said it was women and girls who were being sexually harassed everyday.

Ms Tankard Reist said Channel 7 shouldn’t provide a platform for someone who normalised sexism and intimidation of women.

She added as an X Factor judge and celebrity Redfoo had enormous influence and was helping perpetuate the notion that treating women like this was okay.

However, social media remained divided and the thousands of comments below the YouTube clip ranged from sexist and misogynistic to calls for women to lighten up.

That wasn’t enough to keep the Twittersphere quiet as calls grew for more people to sign the petition and saying the song is plain wrong.

But Music review site The Dwarf found itself on the wrong side of Redfoo’s lawyers and posted an open apology to the star who “felt defamed by the article”.

The hilarious apology by reviewer Maddy Thomas crashed the site after music fans logged on to take a squiz.

Either way, it is unlikely Redfoo will return to the judging panel following the outcry.

According to Sydney Confidential, the American rapper won’t be returning for the next series of the show as a shake up of the panel, featuring Redfoo, Dannii Minogue, Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, was already on the cards.

Channel 7 have been contacted for comment regarding the petition but have declined to comment.

What do you think, is the song sexist? Tell us in the comments below?

Redfoo denied his new song was sexist or demeaning. Photo by Stuart Quinn.
Redfoo denied his new song was sexist or demeaning. Photo by Stuart Quinn.

Originally published as Redfoo in X Factor backlash as petition calls for Channel 7 to let judge go

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/music/redfoo-in-x-factor-backlash-as-petition-calls-for-channel-7-to-let-judge-go/news-story/865ea81250194b5aed84ba506bc62af7