So, Monday morning, Kennedy Jones decided to take to twitter to express how he feels about the maturity levels and the attitudes of those who become famous. And let me say, I LOVE IT. Jones gets down and real. He doesn’t want to be someone who is changed by the music. He forever wants to be the person that makes music for the goosebumps that fans get, not for the check that can be cut.
He admits that he is sometimes in the position of being less-than-popular with what he says or posts but that doesn’t change how he feels and what he believes in. He never wants to change, and you have to give him credit for that. Never back down from what you believe, especially if people are trying to put you down. “Hollywood” isn’t the reason people act the way they do, their personality is why they act the way that they do.
He goes on to talk about his career, and how he developed into this mindset. How his interaction with his fans, big labels and other artists resulted in him feeling the way that he does. His experiences helped him learn that just because you look a certain way, have acted a certain way or found in some type of “label” does not mean that others are actually allowed to label you. And I love that. I love that he is admitting that the past isn’t perfect, that no one really knows where they are, and therefore no one else should tell them who or what they are.
He ends with a slight confrontation with Getter. A slight argument based off of the use of a word that Jones felt was unneeded. The full twitter thread was something really interesting to read, and if you have the time, I suggest reading his full thread to get a little motivation. It can be found below or on his twitter account.
Thank you Kennedy Jones, for the Monday Morning motivation while I was at work.
The more I see people change because of the attention they get the more I realize I want less and less to do with that entire ideal.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
That's what NNEVERNNOT is all about. Staying humble, doing REAL things to improve the lives of others, inspiring and being inspired.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
No matter how "famous" anyone gets.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I just want to make music that gives goosebumps and makes people challenge themselves to be real even when no one is lookin.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I know that my cause has usually been the unpopular one because it doesn't involve publicity stunts and attention traps
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
But I'd never change that for the world. People ARE what they DO over a period of time…I'm just building my body of work in a REAL way.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I want no part in perpetuating the idea that if you constantly act like a child, stand for nothing except crave attention you'll blow up.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I hear people talk. I see it all even if y'all think I don't. That's what my new song "I Get It" is, it's sending a message…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
There are SO many other artists that just keep it REAL. They're themselves. They see the oddities in narcissism and refuse to become it.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Don't sacrifice what you believe in to become famous 2017.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Just because this music brings a few tu tu's & lazers doesn't mean you're exempt from acting your age fam. Remember that.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I've worked for 10+ years in an environment that tries to covertly fire shots when I stand up for what's right; because they worried bout $
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
It's a myth when people say "That's just Hollywood". That's what groups of shitty people want u to accept so u feel too small to change it.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I know it's a myth cuz I've met some of my biggest inspirations & such incredible people around the same "Hollywood" some claim to be so bad
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I'm no better than anyone it's actually the opposite. I see good people getting stepped on constantly because the $ machine runs em over.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I just hope that I can help those good people. Hard work, honesty, respect, maturity, discipline, humility & gratitude will ALWAYS win.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I refuse to insult the working brains of my current or future fans by Mickey mousing them to believe I'm some kind of "genius".
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
My effect is different. I want them to use their brains to see that I'm a person JUST LIKE THEM so the see the power that THEY HAVE ALREADY
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I want people to know they have the same exact power and tools that I have to get where they want to go. How they get there is the question
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
If doing the right thing as an artist is "boring to watch" then I don't apologize for that. I'd rather improve this world not manipulate it.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
There's all kinds of weird truths behind the stages that you all love to gather in front of. The way they get told is through courage…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
People have constantly tried to shut me up over the years & I thought by that even taking place that people would see what's goin on but…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I don't fight for my personal agenda…that's secondary to the responsibility I have to all the REAL FANS that support what I do.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I just hope artists can stop acting like spoiled "rich kids" and see that their brand DOES influence the CHOICES their fans make.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
This isn't a movie. The way you act can literally change the way people look at/perceive your fans if they're wearing your merch.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Would artists actually be as egotistical if hundreds of thousands of young people weren't their fans? No they'd have to b humble/normal.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I'm speaking from experience here. When I started out, I appreciate my early platforms, but the beliefs and brand didn't match up to me.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I felt like what I had to pretend to be like was going to sustain my career and I couldn't even sleep at night.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Then I made the unpopular decision to say fuck that I'm going to be me even if it costs me the "hype" because I want to be USEFUL TO MY FANS
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
A few years later, by the grace of god and you wonderful folks, I'm still allowed to make music and travel for a living.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Not making a mockery of anything here because the music scene is real, the people are real individuals and I respect that 100%.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
However, I think it's safe to say that the standard of acceptable behavior & attitude is significantly shittier than it's ever been.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I'm telling my story through music. There's so much I don't say because I respect even those that have wronged me to the fullest.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
If everyone's too afraid they'll lose $ for doing/enforcing the right thing, then I guess someone's gotta set the example.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Everyone's so afraid of "looking bad" because the emphasis of "reputation" that social media has put into our society…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
That it allows people literally to act like tactless, narcissistic, immature spoiled 5 year olds and they get worshipped by fans for it…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I get that representing "chaos" & pretending you're above everyone gives certain fans a sense of escape and that's an art form…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
But at the end of the day if you never break that character because you're trying to milk every $ out of it guess what…that's the REAL you
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Too many people hide behind their role in the industry & blame their actions/words/themes on their "brand". "That's just my brand…"
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
You could say "that's just my brand tho" all you want but I live in the real world…we ain't larping out here…we aren't in a comic book..
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
If ur "brand" requires u to be misogynist, racist, judgemental, offensive, egotistical, entitled…that's not ur brand..that's the REAL YOU.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Getting away with being junk & blaming your brand is like saying "I have to wear that for work my boss sucks"..UR THE BOSS OF UR BRAND IDIOT
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I am just spitballing here but I remember a "brand" with a catchy logo & loud eccentric "leader" who people later found out really sucked…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I just hope that people think before they create a persona just to suck money and influence out of people about who they actually reach.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
"I Get It" is the beginning of my musical story from the rap side of things. It's a rap interpretation of some experience from dance music.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Unfortunately tho, so many people chose to become this fake figure for their "brand" that they're stuck in it now…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Why do u think I didn't choose a made up name rather than use my real name to represent my music? Because everything I do, I want to b REAL.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Art should be true. If it's not true, it's not art.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I want people that wear the NN shirts/Kennedy Jones Merch to know when they walk in a room that no one thinks they're automatically a _____.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
It's my responsibility. As an artist, it's YOURS too to your fans to keep them out of social purgatory just because they're ur fan.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
A habit I've worked hard to break is calling young PEOPLE "kids". You're NOT kids. A lot of artists want you to be thought of as that…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Because "kids" are easily impressionable and will believe any bullshit actions / words spoken by someone with a "K" on their Insta followers
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
What I've told my fellow artists from the start is I don't want to be someone that my fans "grow out of". Don't age date yourself.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Because trust me…life happens and you can't force yourself to believe in someone that acts like a fool forever.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I want my fans that I've made personal connections with to be friends of mine for life. So we can reminisce in 30 years and KJ still replies
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Some musicians pretend to have the "comedian complex" like cmon it's all in good fun…nah fam it's not. Young people idolize you 24/7.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I'm sure some people are reading these tweets worried I might say something. Don't trip this ain't about you, it's about the FANS.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Making up a slang word, being a jokester, making dope music…is all commendable..I guess? But doesn't license u to be a tyrant of wackness
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
If there's no one willing to change anything then nothing will change. I refuse to be a victim of anyone's ego or immaturity.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I got the honor of doing an interview with The Baka Boyz last Friday and it was reassured that I was raised by hip hop and street values…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
This whole made up world of look a certain way and act completely like a kid who's parents are gone for the weekend &a ur golden is trash.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I had a manager once tell me I dressed "too Mexican" because I didn't constantly wear pants that looked like I stole them from my sister…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
After dude had definitely been around me and my family enough to know that we are a part of a Mexican family…
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
My point is that everyone's doing the SAME SHIT right now to band together to take that $$. That's not hustle that's the opposite fam.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
There's a difference between honest admirable hustle and cowardly thievery.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
My point is don't worry bout what the fuck I'm wearing worry bout what the fuck I'm doin. I don't look like ur perfect idea of a "DJ" SO WUT
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Funniest shit is in private, I've had industry folks try to tell me "wear longer shirts and skinny jeans that will help with branding…"
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
"Try not to look so mean". Yo if you're still so young that people "look too mean" to try to communicate with then plz take a seat.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I just hope that the theme of all of this is taken to inspire you to be YOU. Make the art you want to make. YOU are art without an EGO.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Bottom line is people will try to get you to conform so they can include you in their revenue stream not to better YOUR life or fans' lives
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Make sure your team shares your passion and vision for why you're doing what you're doing. It's essentials to the soul of a creator.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
This is about paying all of the music supporters back, fans of mine or not, for constructing something that I love so very much.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Folks need to understand that being a "famous dj" isn't the world. Walk into some of my old hoods w/ that attitude and you'll learn..quick
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I'm just sayin that I'm trying to bring some authenticity as I always have to a work plagued by facade & meaningless trends.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
If y'all even knew who the person was that said I dress "too Mexican" that's why my "female following" is "down" right now…lol STFU
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
My "female following" isn't really a metric I base my artistry on and furthermore no I won't constantly say bitch & hoe to be "edgy" gtfo
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Let's start with HUMAN BEINGS before we try to determine which genital will make you the most money as an artist eh? FANS ARE EQUAL DAMNIT
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Relax on callin anyone a hoe G. Slow that roll up. @GetterOfficial known you a lot of years Tanner but relax on all that. https://t.co/SG78eBPTFv
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
.@GetterOfficial @phiphibb this ain't "your shit". Don't pretend you walk the walk then be all innocent when you get called out. Thats all.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I've BEEN a shithead womanizer and have worked to CHANGE that that's how I know one when I see one and I won't let ANYONE do that to my fam.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I said I've BEEN that and worked to CHANGE it. Not afraid to admit it either. People have seen CHANGE from me where you at? @GetterOfficial https://t.co/xYsaXO1SlL
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Again if u gotta dig thru years you already lost. I changed my ways a long time show and ain't afraid of it. @GetterOfficial https://t.co/720oa20kR2
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
All I know is walk the walk. Stand up for change. Do it respectfully without having to reach for screenshots. Show progress. Repeat.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
I love all y'all including @GetterOfficial known him damn Year 10 yrs now. I'm just not trynna let this scene be ruled by blanket sexism.✌?️
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Dog you still digging in 2014? Just take the feedback and keep the sexism out of here and don't mess with my homegirls. That's all. https://t.co/YgE0kTh41W
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
Aight everyone relax. @GetterOfficial relax. Just think about what I'm sayin is all I ask after knowin u this long my g. Much love fam.
— K£NN£D¥ JØN£$ (@KennedyJonesTHO) January 9, 2017
@GetterOfficial @KennedyJonesTHO 3/ digging for and reposting old news isn't productive for anyone included AND the cause at large
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) January 9, 2017
@GetterOfficial @KennedyJonesTHO at the end of the day I know both people here have the capacity and heart to advocate for all
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) January 9, 2017