Should this matter to metal fans if she rocks Judas, Krokus, and Motley and doesn’t listen to their music? I actually saw this conversation unfold virally in a Facebook group I’m no longer in. I couldn’t take the hypocrisy, but that’s a story for another day.

Let’s move on.

One of the members put a picture up of Rihanna rocking the Judas Tee shirt at one of her shows and said he didn’t think she should be wearing this because she isn’t a Judas Priest fan. I’m sorry, let me step up on my ever growing soapbox for one second. How the fuck do you know? Are you friends with her? Are you her man? Obviously not since she can’t get enough of trouble maker, Chris Brown. And even if she’s not, why should we care? I believe she is able to wear whatever the fuck she wants without your permission. She’s making bank, playing her music and making her fans happy with her tunes so why should she care about what you think?

You may ask why do I even bring this up? Well, because this group was supposed to be a place where people of color like metal and talk about music, not gripping about what Rihanna wears. What’s the point? Blacks who are into metal have always been called poseurs or they’ve been questioned about their knowledge of the music. Some artists and fans don’t believe blacks should because metal is still predominately straight male and white. My point is, this person was doing the same thing that me, E, and Karma have faced ever since we started attending metal shows; why the fuck are you here? What do you know about metal?

My friends, this is what’s wrong with the world today. Everyone has a freaking opinion and doesn’t realize how truly hypocritical they are when they spew their hatred. This man doesn’t know Rihanna nor what her tastes are and the same applies to people who’ve approached us over the years. You don’t know me, you have no idea that I’ve been a metalhead since 19…erm, when I was in high school. And actually, I attended a predominately black school on the south side of Chicago where I met a few friends who were getting into GNR and singing the praises of Ozzy Osbourne.

Now you know how old I am.

*chuckles*

While my classmates listened to Rap and R&B, I was rocking GNR, DRI, and Death Angel. Those fucks were looking at Hip Hop mags or Essence while I was reading Metal Edge and Hit Parader. Don’t get me started! This shit has gone on for a long time and even into adulthood, I am still questioned about the music I like by blacks and whites. Why are you here at the Testament show? Well, I’m not here to clean the bathrooms and no, I’m not the token black chick in the “groupie” crew. I’m a reporter, I’m a fan of Testament, I’m here to cover the show. Fuck off.

*Off my soapbox*

We have no idea if Rihanna listens to Judas, Motley, or Krokus but I’m sure none of the aforementioned bands give a damn if she’s wearing their merch. She’s giving them free pub. People need to get over themselves and stop being assholes. You’re no better than any of those bigoted fucks who still duck step at metal shows.

Leave her alone and let her wear that shirt with pride.

****

You may or may not know about the book Laina Dawes did regarding this very topic. Click this link to find out more!