Music critic and YouTube character Anthony Fantano has issued a public apology after outdated video clips resurfaced displaying him utilizing racial slurs and fascinating in content material that some viewers discovered racially insensitive.
Fantano, who runs the favored assessment channel The Needle Drop with over 3 million subscribers, addressed the backlash in a video posted to his secondary channel and on X (previously Twitter). The resurfaced clips stem from his now-defunct aspect channel thatistheplan, which featured surreal, meme-based content material standard within the mid-2010s. That channel and its content material have been beforehand the topic of a 2018 Fader article that linked Fantano to the alt-right, an allegation he later challenged in courtroom. The article was ultimately taken down following a settlement.
In his latest video, Fantano acknowledged two particular clips drawing criticism. One options him quoting each the N-word and the F-slur. He admitted it was a poor choice, explaining, “Early on in my YouTube profession, I had some fairly lax views when it got here to quoting the language of others… My viewpoint was, ‘what does it matter?’ However I now notice it was in unhealthy kind and pointless.”
He added, “All I can do is take possession of getting quoted these phrases on this approach. And clearly say that I’m sorry. Which, I’m, in truth, sorry about this.”
The second clip suggests he laughed on the demise of Trayvon Martin. Fantano strongly denied that accusation, stating the clip was closely edited. He clarified that he was reacting to a viewer’s tremendous chat, and performed the total model of the clip, the place he calls a co-host a “moron” for complicated Trayvon Martin with YouTuber Tre Melvin.
Fantano concluded his assertion by addressing DJ Akademiks, whose fan-operated AkademiksTV web page helped recirculate the clips. Fantano distanced himself from any platform or narrative selling offensive or dangerous content material.
“I’m going to proceed doing my finest to guarantee that I’m not sending throughout the incorrect thought,” he mentioned. “Particularly contemplating lots of the music I assessment offers in heavy, severe subjects—subjects I firmly stand in opposition to as somebody who is just not a bigoted weirdo.”
