Hottest 100: Chet Faker Backtracks On Twitter Response Against Feminist Writer
Restored to legendary status, Chet Faker has backtracked after an altercation online over a tweet that seemingly attacked himself and Vance Joy.
Yesterday as Triple J rolled out their Hottest 100 for the year, a tweet by writer Erin Riley spectacularly demonstrating the alarming lack of women commonly present did the rounds. The tweet referred to Chet Faker and Vance Joy- two artists that have recently dominated the yearly charts.
Vance Joy and Chet Faker went to school together, which means the Hottest 100 has had more winners from St Kevin's Toorak than women
— Erin Riley (@erinrileyau) January 25, 2016
Referring to the above tweet, Faker replied (which has now been deleted):
“I skipped school every Wednesday yr12 to go 2 swinburne sec & sit in on audio class my school wouldn’t offer.”
And:
“Studied at RMIT tafe audio engineering for 3 yes paid myself while busking in the city and working bar jobs.”
While Faker obviously has a point, indeed he worked hard for what he achieved both in Australia and abroad. But he is missing the point of her original tweet; showing the shocking disparities between genders in the Hottest 100 and the wider Triple J listener demographic.
His knee-jerk response was not received particularly well on Twitter, especially from those celebrating Riley’s tweet’s significance.
Because female musicians don't work hard or study their craft or busk for a crust. Christ mate, it's not about YOU.
— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) January 26, 2016
Feminist writer calls out gender bias in music listenership, male musician immediately cries about how hard he works. Wah wah.
— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) January 26, 2016
Faker tweeted this morning, clearing up the situation and supporting the worthy cause for more equal representation.
(1/3)
Id like to go on record and mention that these tweets circling round were deleted for a reason.
I completely missed the point.— Nick Murphy (@nick_murphy) January 26, 2016
(2/3)
I mistakenly took it personally. I realise now the tweet was referencing a much larger issue entrenched in our society.— Nick Murphy (@nick_murphy) January 26, 2016
(3/3)
I want to acknowledge the larger issue of gender inequality. Im sorry for derailing the conversation. I believe in equality.— Nick Murphy (@nick_murphy) January 26, 2016
Nice one, mate.
Sadly, as usual after posting her tweet, Riley was the subject of abuse from trolls attacking her for daring to speak out. Drawing attention to larger issues, that if a man had said this rather then a woman – i.e Matt Okine Aria’s speech- they would have been celebrated, rather than challenged. Double standards are alive and well.
Header image via Instagram