Shirley Manson of the band Garbage has been reported by many news sources to have written an email to Kanye West, telling the rapper to “go f#*k [himself]” in a glorified mini essay. A post on Manson’s Facebook read:
“I would just like to state for the record that my post from a few days ago which has been heisted today by US Weekly and then consequently glommed onto by a variety of so called news sources had absolutely NOTHING to do with Kanye West whatsoever.
It was directed towards a completely unknown industry insider who had in my opinion been rather offensive in his dealings with me last week. I take great exception to US Weekly rushing to assume who this aforementioned post was directed towards.
Instead of doing their due diligence, which in my opinion is their journalistic duty, they have instead made lazy, potentially libelous assumptions which I find completely offensive and entirely inaccurate. Modern journalism in most cases these days barely resembles the craft that was once practiced with such care, skill and integrity.
Instead we are stuck with provocative scandal mongers who will stoop at nothing in an effort to drive people to their web sites. Ignore all the stupidity and get on with your lives my friends. I fully intend to do the same. Be well. Sx.”
However, we think it is assumable that the acclaimed mini essay was indeed about Kanye, as Manson had previously labelled him “petty” and a “tw*t” because of his treatment of Beck at The Grammy’s. Though – who didn’t honestly think that about Kanye? He is notorious for intruding artists special moments (ding a ling to the famous “im’ma let you finish” interruption of 2009 in the midst of Taylor Swift’s speech.)
I’m not sticking up for bad reporting but to be honest and fair, the misinformation does look like it could have been aimed at Kanye. So many people got on board with believing it was, and Manson’s speech directed to “he who shall not be named” could be aimed at anyone – my first thought was Voldemort.
For those who want all of the insider goss, here’s the full transcript of the e-mail (it’s pretty juicy):
“It is with great sadness that I read your email today. Clearly you have forgotten or are just generally unaware that in business it is always wise to be kind and respectful in your day-to-day dealings with other people. Especially those you have never met.
You just never know when you might meet that person who has been at the receiving end of your disrespect for indeed you may have to come on bended knee to that person later on down the line because they hold on to something of value that you need to get your greasy hands on.
What alarms me more than anything about your nasty little barbs is that you are in the business of representing artists’ interests and yet you are clearly unaware that not all musicians are obsessed with the charts or being famous – that some of us do not value ourselves by the number of mainstream ‘hits’ we have enjoyed .
That some of us just enjoy making music and having a long lifespan of a career without having to dance as fast as we can, or be the loudest clown in town or be having to hitch ourselves to the latest, greatest, freshest sound in order to remain ‘on top.’
There are some of us who just like to live the way WE see fit. Make the music WE feel passionate about. Music that feels authentic to who we are and where we are in our lives. There are even some of us who do not believe that being famous is the holy grail or the answer to a beautiful, meaningful and rewarding life.
Clearly you are unable to wrap your head around the idea that some musicians actually prefer NOT having to perform on children’s TV shows. Who do NOT want to be gossiped about in the popularity contest columns. Who most definitively do NOT want to be chased by paparazzi and who do NOT want to put their family name to some sh**ty, poorly made product in order to build a ‘brand’ – and who most definitely do NOT want to go out every night, dressed up to the nines to the opening of an envelope.
So allow me to make my choices as I see fit without having to endure your childish and un-evolved criticism. As you so rightly pointed out, there are plenty of talented people in the world who will sell their grannies to serve your desires. So now then sir, that all said… go f#*k yourself.”
Well, let it be known forevermore that Manson would not actually waste valuable time trying to tell Kanye to f*#k anything.
Well done Internet, always keen to produce more garbage than needed.