A closer look at the connection between scandal and success in the modern music industry.
The link between scandals and streaming numbers baffles many, but it has become a strange norm in today’s music industry.
Take Sean “Diddy” Combs, for instance. Despite facing federal sex trafficking charges and more, his music streams surged by almost double following his arrest.
It seems that in the age of streaming, bad publicity really is good publicity.
Scandals as a Curiosity Driver
When high-profile scandals hit, the instinct to look deeper kicks in. This often drives people to an artist’s catalog to revisit their work or understand who they are.
For Diddy, the scandals clearly piqued public interest, as evidenced by his streams jumping from 3.2 million to 4.8 million in a matter of days.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such a spike after a controversy, though.
Take R. Kelly, for instance. Despite his sex crimes conviction, his streaming numbers surged by 76% after the explosive “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary aired.
Similarly, country star Morgan Wallen saw his streams spike despite massive industry backlash after being caught on video using a racial slur. His music was pulled from major radio stations and playlists, but his digital album sales shot up by over 1,200%, and his on-demand streams also grew by 6% in the immediate aftermath.
In more recent news, the tragic death of Liam Payne of One Direction helped the band achieve their biggest streaming day ever, as fans worldwide flocked to reminisce over their past hits.
That said, strong public sentiment may cut an artist off from certain platforms, but the very same sentiment often leads to a streaming windfall as people revisit their old favorites or scrutinize their lyrics in light of the news.
Nostalgia, Fan Loyalty, and an Emotional Escape
Die-hard fans are a powerful force that can protect artists from the fallout of even the worst scandals. These superfans remain committed to the music, even when their favorite artist’s reputation takes a hit.
For example, BIGBANG’s Seungri was embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of sexual assault, prostitution, and embezzlement. Yet, a big portion of his fanbase not only continued to support him but actively defended him online.
So, why do these fans stay so loyal?
At its core, fandom triggers the brain’s reward system. When we enjoy something (like a favorite song) it activates the brain’s pathways that control both “liking” and “wanting.” For some fans, this creates a strong need to keep coming back for more.
Nostalgia also plays a big role. Fans often become attached to an artist during important moments in their lives when music is linked to their sense of self.
There’s also the aspect of an emotional escape.
According to Samantha Smithstein, cofounder of the Pathways Institute for Impulse Control, music, and fandom offer a way to avoid problems or connect with others who share the same passion.
For these fans, a scandal doesn’t erase the comfort they find in the music.
Basically, die-hard fans stay loyal because their connection to the music goes beyond the artist. For some,it’s tied to personal identity, memories, and emotional support, making it difficult to break—even when controversy hits.
Do Streaming Platforms Have a Responsibility?
The question of whether streaming platforms should take action when an artist faces controversy is a complex one.
Should services like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube ban or limit access to music from artists involved in serious scandals? So far, their responses have been inconsistent.
Going back to Morgan Wallen’s case, his music was briefly removed from curated playlists, but never fully banned. Kanye West’s album Vultures 1 was also taken down due to offensive content and copyright issues, only to return with the problematic tracks removed.
In contrast, Taylor Swift remained untouched after public outcry over her private jet use.
Her music remained fully accessible, and her streaming numbers stayed strong. Similarly, after the tragic Astroworld festival, where ten people died during Travis Scott’s performance, his music remained on all platforms.
Some fans also blamed the event organizers rather than Scott himself.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is another clear example.
Despite facing severe allegations, his music remains on all major streaming platforms, and there is no sign that platforms will act. The gravity of Combs’ cases would seem to garner some sort of response, but so far, there’s been no outcry for his music to be taken down, unlike what other artists have faced.
It’s evident that there’s no clear policy across platforms on how to handle artists who face scandals. Artists may lose endorsements, radio play, or awards, but for the most part, streaming services have avoided making tough decisions.
In some cases, the size of the artist’s following might influence whether action is taken.
The more popular an artist is, it seems the less likely they are to face serious consequences. Streaming platforms may fear upsetting a large fanbase or losing the revenue they generate.
The nature of the controversy is another point.
While cases of offensive language may lead to temporary removals, more severe scandals, such as violence or sexual misconduct, might prompt tougher actions. Although, even in these cases, platforms seem to hesitate when dealing with hugely successful artists.
That said, should these platforms remain neutral, leaving it up to listeners? Or do they have a responsibility to act when an artist’s behavior crosses a moral line?
Some argue that platforms should take a stand and decide which content is too controversial to support. Others worry that banning music because of an artist’s actions sets a dangerous precedent for censorship.
Without a clear answer, the inconsistency will continue. And as long as scandals drive public attention, controversial artists will likely see their streams surge.