Last week Boy George released a controversial song on social media, and the backlash has been swift. “We Will Dance Again” is a pro-Israel reggae song with lyrics like, “You say genocide, I say war/ When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for.”
“The song was created using AI,” the ‘80s pop star wrote. “I call it ‘AI for good.’”
A few days later, he exited a West End production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ — a decision framed as his manager’s so that the controversy would not detract from the musical.
The singer then revealed that he’d fired his “gutless” label manager for refusing to release the song on the BGP (Boy George Presents) label.
Although he promised to leave X a few weeks ago, George has been especially active on the platform lately, clapping back at dozens of critics. He seemed particularly angered by posts from Sean Dickson, the Soup Dragons frontman who DJs as HifiSean.
Over the weekend, George self-released “We Will Dance Again” via Bandcamp and posted another AI-generated song taking aim at Dickson.
Back in 1984, Boy George’s band Culture Club released “The War Song,” in which he came out against war as a general concept. It begins, “War is stupid and people are stupid.”
[📷: Jeff Spicer]
@stereogum Thanks to the idiot that is Boy George, @HifiSean and @TheSoupDragons are now trending. Theres been a spike in Spotify monthly listeners and I'd urge anyone to continue supporting the Soups. Here's a link to Seans bandcamp too https://t.co/p0vAdNRPws
Boy George's AI-generated pro-Israel song continues to spark fallout. After pulling out of 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' he's now parted ways with his indie label manager, Tony Pontius, after a dispute over releasing the track. George has also released a diss track aimed at Soup Dragons singer Sean Dickson.
https://t.co/LbRZgeEtb7
For the record …
I never mentioned Gaza or Israel politics ever regarding @BoyGeorge
I mentioned George supporting a regime that denies the help to AIDS charities and their patients.
And as a gay / queer ‘supposed’ icon he should be ashamed of himself.
So to clear this up this was not as divisive as he making out.
But to block me on Instagram and then rip me to shreds with accusations that are wrong shows you the depth that this person will go to.
Very sad really.
And pathetic.
@AndyBulFor@mmmmwa2@BoyGeorge For the record …
I never mentioned Gaza or Israel politics ever.
I mentioned George supporting a regime that denies help to AIDS charities and victims.
And as a gay / queer supposed icon he should be ashamed of himself.
Let’s clear this up.
I wish that thanks to this drama maybe some people will discover your masterpiece of a track that Clone is. People check it out. It's massive https://t.co/Xo81CCTUA6