Although The Flaming Lips have reputation for testing the boundaries, their recent video for their collaboration with Erykah Badu in “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” seemed to redefine NSFW. Now, as the story continues to unravel with the polarized public reception of the taboo video, Erykah Badu has gone on record condemning The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne for some of the decisions he made regarding the video. Check out their full on Twitter-war after the jump.
Judging from Badu’s original tweet, it appears that she was originally excited about the video.
Those nude photos posted by Wayne (flaming lips) are of the beautiful Nayrok my lil sister and bestee.We do look alike.Video looks cosmic.
But Badu’s tone shifted drastically when she saw the final cut that was apparently hastily revealed to the public. Not only did she call Coyne out for being self-serving and tasteless, but she also attacked Coyne for creating an artless video for the sole purpose of shock-inspired publicity.
I never would have approved that tasteless, meaningless, shock motivated video. […] When asked what the concept
meant after u explained it , u replied ,”it doesn’t mean anything , I just want to make a great video that everyone is going to watch. “
Although some of Coyne’s original responses were apologetic when he was artistically attacked in Badu’s TwitLonger message, he started fanning the flames quickly yesterday.
Dang!!!!! @fatbellybella you really know how to do it!!!! You hatin on me has gotten the video 100,000 more views !!!LOVE LOVE LOVE
Just minutes ago, Coyne has established that he’s not quite ready to let this one go. Rather, judging by his most recent three-tweet response to the allegations presented by Badu, it appears that Coyne is loving the publicity.
she didn’t know we, six white dudes with lights and cameras, were there. While she played in a tub of semen we secretly filmed it..
And then went to her sisters house and did the same thing!!!! But she had 3 tubs .. A glitter.. a blood and semen filled..we snuck in
Well yeah!! We obviously barged into Erykahs house while she was taking a bath and made her sing the song while we filmed it!! It was wrong
Watch the video below that inspired the controversy. Also, Badu’s TwitLonger message is included in full below.
Erykah Badu’s full letter is included below:
@waynecoyne then… perhaps, next time u get an occasion to work with an artist who respects your mind/art, you should send at least a ROUGh version of the video u PLAN to release b4 u manipulate or compromise the artist’s brand by desperately releasing a poor excuse for shock and nudity that sends a convoluted message that passes as art( to some).
Even with Window Seat there was a method and thought process involved. I have not one need for publicity . I just love artistic dialogue . And just because an image is shocking does not make it art.
You obviously have a misconception of who I am artistically. I don’t mind that but…
By the way you are an ass.
Yu did everything wrong from the on set .
First:
You showed me a concept of beautiful tasteful imagery( by way of vid text messages) .
I trusted that. I was mistaken.
Then u release an unedited, unapproved version within the next few days.
That all spells 1 thing ,
Self Serving .
When asked what the concept
meant after u explained it , u replied ,”it doesn’t mean anything , I just want to make a great video that everyone is going to watch. ”
I understood , because as an artist we all desire that. But we don’t all do it at another artist’s expense .
I attempted to resolve this respectfully by having conversations with u after the release but that too proved to be a poor excuse for art.
From jump,
You begged me to sit in a tub of that other shit and I said naw. I refused to sit in any liquid that was not water. But Out of RESPECT for you and the artist you ‘appear’ to be, I Didn’t wanna kill your concept , wanted u to at least get it out of your head . After all, u spent your dough on studio , trip to Dallas etc.. Sooo, I invited Nayrok , my lil sis and artist, who is much more liberal ,to be subject of those other disturbing (to me ) scenes . I told u from jump that I believed your concept to be disturbing. But would give your edit a chance.
You then said u would take my shots ( in clear water/ fully covered parts -seemed harmless enough) and Nayrok’s part ( which I was not present for but saw the photos and a sample scene of cornstarch dripping ) and edit them together along with cosmic, green screen images ( which no one saw) then would show me the edit. .
Instead, U disrespected me by releasing pics and rough vid on the internet without my approval. (Contract breech )
That is equivalent to putting out a security camera’s images of me changing in the fitting room.
I never would have approved that tasteless, meaningless, shock motivated video .
Our art is a reflection of who we are . I have no connection to those images shot in their raw version. I was interested in seeing an amazing edit that would perhaps change or alter my thoughts . Never happened .
You also did the same thing with the song itself which displays crappy “rough “vocals by me . I let it go , perhaps iiiii was missing something, I thought.
I Should have followed my first mind back in studio when recording the vocals “your way”.
( Red flag.) It was uncomfortable.
For that I am at fault .
Consequently, brother, As a human I am disgusted with your what appears to be desperation and poor execution. And disregard for others . As a director I am unimpressed . As a sociologist I understand your type. As your fellow artist I am uninspired. As a woman I feel violated and underestimated.
Hope it works out for ya ,Wayne.
Really i could give a shit less.
Still love your live show tho.
And , you’re welcomed.
Lesson learned .
By the way I have guested in very few videos. But I have always been given the opportunity to see the edit and contribute to it when my roll is substantial. Not this time .
I guess u feel it better to apologize than ask for permission and be refused . Hey, Love u man, but your ways are not very nice .
O, And on behalf of all the artists u have manipulated or plan to manipulate, find another way .
These things have been said out of necessity.
And if you don’t like it
you can KiSS MY Glittery ASS .
O and Nayrok told me to tell u to kiss her ass too .
Almost forgot.
PeaceMs. Badu
Coyne’s response: “Hey @fatbellybella I kissed it!!!! Thanks!!!!!!”
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