Erykah Badu may be regretting her decision to allude to John F. Kennedy's assassination — while disrobing — for her "Window Seat" music video. Days after the clip's release, Dallas police have charged the singer with disorderly conduct and fined her $500 for failing to secure permits before she filmed the "guerrilla-style" video in Dealey Plaza, site of the JFK tragedy. This somewhat sluggish response was reportedly triggered by a witness who says she found Badu's public disrobing "offensive." Is Badu's punishment justified?
The punishment is totally valid: Had Badu gotten "permission from the city of Dallas" to shoot "such a video," says blogger Outsanity in Chicago Now, she'd have reason to complain. As it stands, pulling this stunt was "no brighter" than the decision "stupid criminals" make to post YouTube videos that help police catch them.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It's not right, but Badu saw this coming: Seeing "an artist" charged for something "that no one evidently complained about until well after her video had become a topic of discussion" is "somewhat stunning," says pop culture blog Idolator. "But Badu was in fact prepared" for arrest. According to the video's directors, Chilke and Coodie, Badu "knew she might face criminal charges," but "wanted to proceed anyway." Talk about being devoted to your art.
Justified or not, it's good for Badu: "The disorderly conduct charge is an amazing public-relations coup," says Randall Roberts in the Los Angeles Times. While the episode might have tainted the reputation of younger, family friendly artists like "Taylor Swift...or Justin Bieber, there's "no downside" for Badu. Authorities have ensured that her name will stay in the news cycle longer — increasing public curiosity about the video.
"In an amazing PR coup, Erykah Badu charged with disorderly conduct"
-
10 concert tours to see this winterThe Week Recommends Keep cozy this winter with a series of concerts from big-name artists
-
What are portable mortgages and how do they work?the explainer Homeowners can transfer their old rates to a new property in the UK and Canada. The Trump administration is considering making it possible in the US.
-
What’s the best way to use your year-end bonus?the explainer Pay down debt, add it to an emergency fund or put it toward retirement
