A scene from Tramp Stamp's "I'd Rather Die." Source: YouTube still

Watch: Queer Band Tramp Stamp's New Video Sparks Outrage on TikTok

Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Nobody likes a poseur. The queer punk band Tramp Stamps is finding that out firsthand after recently becoming a talking point on TikTok, Twitter and Reddit for their alleged exploitation of queer and punk culture.

As reported by Rolling Stone, the girl band has ties to disgraced producer Dr. Luke, and each member was going in a different direction with their music before they suddenly appeared as a group. And for this reason they are accused of being an "industry plant."

"By definition, an industry plant is an artist who has label backing but presents themself as self-made," writes Rolling Stone. "As uncovered by a Reddit user this week, a 2019 report by the trade publication MusicRow shows that the band's guitarist, Caroline Baker, is signed to music publishing house Prescription Songs, owned by producer Lukasz Gottwald, known professionally as Tyson Trax or Dr. Luke."

Then there is the lyrics to their new song "I'd Rather Die," which some say has sexual harassment overtones.

Adding to outrage is one lyric in particular: "I'd rather die than hook up with another straight white guy." The irony being that all three group members are white. Adding fuel to the fire, the group is secretly signed to Dr. Luke, aka Lukasz Gottwald, aka a straight white guy, who was indeed infamously accused of sexual assault by singer Kesha.

Then there is the video. "One top comment on the video describes the song as having "'I'm spicy straight ugh wish I was a lesbian' energy," reports Rolling Stone.

Watch the video below and comment what you think. Is it queer or punk rock?


by Emell Adolphus

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