Jay-Z has branded Dave Chappelle a “genius” amid the ongoing controversy surrounding The Closer. Chappelle's Netflix comedy special made its debut on the platform in October and was met by fierce criticism for its perceived transphobic material. Despite the backlash, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has remained steadfast in his decision not to remove The Closer from the platform.
Much of the current controversy stems from specific segments of Chappelle’s performance, in which the 48-year-old referred to the LGBTQ+ community as “alphabet people” and commented that hurting “a gay person’s feelings” was worse than killing a person. Protests have since been held outside the official Netflix headquarters, with employees staging a walkout in solidarity. In response, Chappelle stated that he would not be “summoned” by protestors but was willing to discuss their concerns on his terms. High profile figures have also spoken out against the special, including comedian Hannah Gadsby and producer Jaclyn Moore. More recently, however, Chappelle has received support from Caitlyn Jenner, who accused cancel culture of trying to “silence free speech.”
Now, in comments to Twitter Spaces (via Uproxx), rapper Jay-Z has also voiced his support of Chappelle. Calling the comedian “super brave and super genius,” Jay-Z said that “true art” needed to cause conversation. Admitting that The Closer caused him some personal discomfort, he maintained that it was important to be “fearless” when creating things you believed in. Check out the full comments below:
“He’s super brave and super genius. If you spend time with him, he’s brilliant. I think he pushed a lot of buttons, I mean I watched it sometimes like ‘ugh’, but I think that what happens with true art is it has to cause conversation and sometimes it's going to be abrasive and sometimes it's going to be off-putting to folks. But I think it opens up an opportunity to have a dialogue about whatever the issue is. These algorithms and things on these sites allow you to talk to people who agree with you. I think, you know, we have to speak with one another when we disagree ... I think great art is divisive. You know it is. Some people like it, some people hate it, and some people, you know, whatever. When you're making great art you have to be fearless and create something that you believe in. That’s what it’s about.”
Regardless of public opinion, the viewership of The Closer remains significant. While both sides of the argument continue to draw in new support, neither seems close to backing down. As Chappelle has vocally refused to give in to the “demands” of protestors, it appears both he and Netflix are set on weathering the storm of criticism. With support trickling in from prominent celebrities like Jenner and Jay-Z, it's possible that the frenzy surrounding The Closer will dissipate quicker, particularly as Chappelle fixes his attention upon his new documentary film.
Jay-Z’s voice joins the ongoing debate over how comedians should approach comedy while remaining sensitive to their subject material and audience. Indeed, the decision to allow The Closer to remain on Netflix was apparently an effort to support freedom of speech, though Sarandos has since admitted his handling of the situation was poor. The backing of figures like Jay-Z and Jenner also appears to support this message, and may ease some of the pressure the streaming giant has been experiencing. While some of the heat from this latest controversy dwindles, it remains to be seen if or how Netflix intends to address the concerns of protestors and their so-called "demands" going forward. In the meantime, both Chappelle and Jay-Z's comments prove that statements made by celebrities will always be the subject of close scrutiny by the wider public, and those with a large platform need to be careful about what they choose to say.
Source: Twitter Spaces (via Uproxx)