Since violent and aggressive lyrics in music have been so highly publicized, there have been many reactions to it from other artists in the business. Here is a sampling of what they have said.
- "I don't expect that the middle school boys listening to his lyrics are going to say, 'I note a degree of irony'."
- National Organization of Women president Patricial Ireland in response to rapper Eminem's music
- "We need controversy."
- Jars of Clay (Christian Rock Group) lead singer Dan Hasseltine, in response to Eminem
- "I wanna thank everybody who could look past the controversy and see the album for what it was and also for what it isn't."
- Eminem's Grammy acceptance speech
- "Other nominees have homophobic and misogynist lyrics, but they weren't creating a controversy. His only responsibility as an artist is to be true to himself."
- Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello
- "Especially here — California or Hollywood — they should understand writing in first person, but it not being you. There have been murder ballads since the Middle Ages; this is not new."
- U2 singer Bono
- "You can't censor anyone's music."
- Toni Braxton
- "I think he's very funny. I'm very serious. This is America. He's just not singing 'one for the money.'"
- Taj Mahal
"There is no concrete evidence whatsoever that any rock song or rock album has ever induced a person or group to commit a violent crime -- none whatsoever."- Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine
"Art may reflect what's going on in our time. However, to blame art for somebody committing a violent act is absolutely absurd."
- Billy Joel, singer-songwriter
"It has nothing to do with the musical content of lyrics whatsoever -- it's absolute rubbish."
- Sir Elton John, singer-songwriter
"When you start censoring the books and censoring the video games and censoring the TV and the movies, you're going to still have people with their problems and you're still going to have these situations."
- Ice Cube, rapper
