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Embattled singer Redfoo speaks to Kiis FM's Kyle and Jackie O in a 14-minute interview about his controversial new song Literally I Can't. Courtesy KIIS FM.
- news.com.au
- 14 Nov 2014
- News
Song backlash ... singer Redfoo has copped a heavy stack of criticism over his new song and video “Literally I Can’t”. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube
LESS than 24 hours after issuing an apology over his controversial new song, which some critics say fuels misogyny and a “rape culture”, embattled singer Redfoo has taken to Sydney radio in a 14-minute rant about bloggers, media and ‘women with an agenda’.
The 39-year-old performer and judge on Channel Seven’s singing show The X Factor has endured days of backlash on social media over his new track “Literally I Can’t”.
Not happy ... critics of Redfoo’s song and video say it sends an offensive message about women. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube
Speaking to Kiis FM breakfast hosts Kyle and Jackie O this morning, Redfoo attempted to explain his song by going on a tirade about bloggers.
SCANDAL GROWS: Redfoo in X Factor backlash as petition calls for Channel 7 to let judge go
“The women have gone crazy on me,” he said. “We’re just trying to make a fun song, a party song — having fun ... I don’t know how ‘rape culture’ and ‘Redfoo’ got into the same headline.”
The song and accompanying video clip have sparked a storm of anger online, with many claiming it’s sexist and degrading to women.
Copping it ... during an interview with Kyle and Jackie O, Redfoo spoke about the messages he has received from critics. Source: Supplied
The clip shows a group of college sorority women attending a party, where they’re repeatedly encouraged to drink, dance and party, but refuse with the phrase “literally, I can’t”.
SONG CONTROVERSY: Women should ‘shut the f*** up’: Is this the most offensive song of 2014?
When the women decline, they’re told to “shut the f*** up” in response - and many aren’t happy about that line.
Play-N-Skillz - Literally I Can't featuring Redfoo, Lil Jon, Enertia McFly
Critics have also taken exception to several other references, including “girl on girl” and the line “you’re an annoying b**** ‘cause you’re talking”, among others.
He hit back at initial claims that he said “s****” in the lyrics, saying he had not used the word at all in the song.
Speaking about the online movement his song sparked, including a petition for Channel Seven to sack him from The X Factor, Redfoo mostly blamed blogs for fuelling momentum.
Hitting back ... Redfoo says some of his loudest critics “have an agenda” and are using him to make a point. Source: Supplied
“We live in this society where it’s about the blog … all these blogs are designed to get clicks. That’s the economy of these blogs and negativity gets attention and gets clicks.
“Then what happens is, if you’re a blog writer, you have to do 25 articles a day … and you can’t plagiarise so you have to change it and refine it ... and then it got to the groups, the feminist groups who came in.”
SINGER ATTACKED: Redfoo hit emotionally by being glassed in Sydney hotel
He claims Jas Swilks from anti-objectification organisation Collective Shout, who started the petition that has received more than 17,900 signatures, has “an agenda” and is spreading misinformation.
Group effort ... Redfoo recorded the song with fellow musicians Play-N-Skillz, Lil Jon and Enertia McFly. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube
“The girl, or lady, or the organisation — I believe it’s a woman — that did the petition, she wrote an article before the song ever came out about the S-L-U-T word.
“We’re just trying to make a fun song, a party song — having fun.”
On the petition, Swilks explains that the song sends the message that “women will always give in” and “when a woman says no she is ridiculed and harassed”.
@thexfactor_au will you be reviewing @RedFoo contract for his misogynistic song #LiterallyICant? I think you should #LiterallyFireRedFoo
— Coralie Alison (@CoralieAlison) November 10, 2014 #LiterallyICant imagine how you thought this was a good idea @RedFoo
— Mason McCann (@AhMcCann) November 12, 2014 REDFOO CALLED HIMSELF AN ARTIST HAHAHAHAHAHAHA #LiterallyICant
— Jeremy Lachlan (@jeremylachlan) November 12, 2014 In addition to his other sins, Red Foo should be admonished for the gross misuse of the word "literally" in that song. #LiterallyICant
— Michael Byrnes (@MichaelByrnes) November 12, 2014 During his at times bizarre radio interview today, which went on for nearly 14 minutes, Redfoo also took aim at hackers who vandalised his Wikipedia page.
UNIQUE IMAGE: Redfoo looks unrecognisable without his glasses and fro tied back
While he insists the intent of the song and video had been misconstrued, he admitted some people might reasonably be offended by it.
Mea culpa ... Redfoo took to Facebook to issue an apology for any offence caused by his new song. Picture: Stuart Quinn Source: News Corp Australia
“If anything I’ve done in the past, or this song, or something in the future, if it offends you, that’s not my intent. My intent is to party and to have fun and to help the world and all people become stronger and successful in whatever they do.
CAREER BACKLASH: X Factor tipped to axe Redfoo as judge after Literally I Can’t outcry
“What I realise at the end of the day, I love everyone and I have fans from three to 93.
“I have kids from everywhere, not just Australia, and they want to be like Redfoo. They love Redfoo and I love them. I love the families, I love everybody.”
Today’s appearance follows an apology posted on the singer’s Facebook page yesterday.
