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One of the most dynamic hip hop acts in modern times…

Regardless of all the money, fame and countless perks, being an artist is hard AF. The past year has definitely shown that, with touring and artists’ livelihood put on the one as the music world has suddenly shut down. And making money off records is next to impossible in the streaming age, so artists are definitely in a tough spot.

But Florida-born Denzel Curry’s problems with the music industry and all of its insanity extend back before the COVID-19 era. Specifically, the ‘Black Balloons’ rapper went on a super justified Twitter thread to diagnose his misgivings with the industry, how artists are perceived and even how fans can turn on you over a simple tweet or bad song. Honestly, it’s fucking heartbreaking watching Denzel say these things, since he’s one of the most dynamic and innovative hip hop artists of the last decade, and deserves all the love in the world. But he’s definitely making valid points, and no doubt he’s not the only artists thinking these things.

His first tweet is probably the most heartbreaking of them all, Curry writing “I hate rapping. I watched my hobby that. did in my room become something I can’t even enjoy anymore because everyone has a opinion.”

I hate rapping

I watched my hobby that I did in my room become something I can’t even enjoy anymore because everyone has a opinion

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

But it seems Denzel has a solution to make us realise how hard he actually grinds for the music thing, saying “I’m going make bad music so you can understand how much work it is a making good music.” Honestly, we’d take anything you’d give us Denzel, just don’t stop making music yeah?

I’m going make bad music so you can understand how much work it is a making good music

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

This music industry is bullshit I gotta play a stupid game for me to succeed it’s not about the music anymore if it was you’ll hear a balance of conscious rap along with everything else being played today

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

Perhaps one of the biggest music critics in the world Anthony Fantano (AKA The Melon) weighed in on Denzel’s remarks, saying “Speaking as a melon who does a lot of opinions, nobody’s opinion matters when it comes to you doing your craft. Nobody’s. You’re on the field, and we’re literally just spectating, digesting, contextualizing, understanding among ourselves what’s going on,” to which Denzel replied “And all that comes back to me and creates pressure.”

And all that comes back to me and creates pressure https://t.co/I34836aF4E

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

It’s honestly heart-wrenching to watch, and no doubt fans, critics (Fantano definitely is feeling a bit of guilt right now) as well anyone who has ever disrespected Denzel or his music is definitely feeling a bit of shame right now. Check out the rest of his tweets below.

That spark is dimming https://t.co/0hPgswX7KV

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

People can’t say how they really when it comes down to work and quite frankly I feel unappreciated a lot and I’m sick of it

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

Interviews only talk to me to ask about Jahs life … bro if they really wanted to know him they should’ve asked him when he was here to actually speak for himself

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

I live in a era where you make a few good songs you die then become a legend

In that case

Fuck being legendary

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

I’m just going disappear from y’all ass and do what the fuck I wanna do and say what I wanna say

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

All my feelings are basically not being good enough

That Feeling Vegeta gets when he sees Goku surpassing him

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020

STOP saying I need Imperial Denzel

Or Taboo Denzel or N64 Denzel or Raider Klan Denzel

Those times are no longer with us but the music is still there for you

— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) November 24, 2020