Aimee Walker
Kesha’s mother has apologised for writing ‘insensitive’ Jeffrey Dahmer lyrics in her daughter’s 2010 song, ‘Cannibal’.
Pebe Sebert took to TikTok on October 2 and addressed the criticism surrounding the track in the pop star’s first EP following the release of Netflix’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story series.
She captioned the post: “Some context on the lyric that’s bothering people 12 years later. All opinions are valid. Not meant to shut anyone down, just more info.”
Sebert said in the video: “The whole Jeffrey Dahmer lyric in ‘Cannibal’ is a big controversy right now.
“I thought I’d just say a few things about it because that was my line that I wrote in ‘Cannibal’.”
Related Article: Evan Peters Praised As One Of The Most ‘Talented Actors Of Our Generation’ After Jeffrey Dahmer Netflix Series
Sebert went on to explain: “At the time, Kesha and the other writer were too young to even know who Jeffrey Dahmer was.
“Literally, the way it happened is I have this rhyming program called Master Writer for Songwriters. We were looking for a rhyme for ‘goner’, at the very end of the widest rhymes was Jeffrey Dahmer. I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s a perfect lyric’.
“Not to be insensitive to anybody whose families were involved in this and lost loved ones.
“At the time, it was a song that we were writing about Kesha. It was a tongue-in-cheek funny song. It was not actually about cannibalism. It was just a title.”
She added: “I’m sorry for anyone who’s lost a family member in this tragedy.
“We certainly never meant to hurt anybody or make anybody feel bad. There’s a [series] out right now that’s kind of bringing attention back. The song’s been out for more than 10 years, probably almost 12 years.
“This is not something that we’ve recently written.”
Sebert went on to add that Dahmer ‘was just part of the culture back then’ and that the serial killer, who killed 17 men and boys, has been talked about for many years.
@pebesebert Some context on the lyric that’s bothering people 12 years later. All opinions are valid. Not meant to shut anyone down, just more info #jeffreydahmer #kesha #cannibal #dahmer ♬ Cannibal – Ke$ha
In the 2010 song, Kesha sings: “Your little heart goes pitter-patter, I want your liver on a platter.
“Be too sweet and you’ll be a goner, yeah, I’ll pull a Jeffrey Dahmer.
“I eat boys up, breakfast and lunch, then when I’m thirsty, I drink their blood.
“Carnivore, animal, I am a cannibal. I eat boys up, you better run.”
Following the popular Netflix series, which stars Evan Peters as its titular character, the horrific crimes Dahmer committed have been brought back to attention and people have slammed the lyrics as ‘insensitive’ on Twitter.
“I never noticed, but using his name like some token in a song is insensitive to the victims and their families,” one tweeted.
Another added: “I used to vibe to this song but then I heard Jeffery Dahmer and I was shocked because I’m watching the show right now.”
While a third said: “Has anyone looked up the lyrics to this song? So insensitive to Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims.”
Related Article: Evan Peters Fans Urged Not To ‘Romanticise’ Jeffrey Dahmer After Watching Netflix Show
But Kesha isn’t the only musician to have mentioned Dahmer in a track.
Recently, Katy Perry and Juicy J have faced a backlash over the lyrics in their 2013 song ‘Dark Horse’.
The specific rapping part (sung by Juicy J) says: “She eats your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer (whoa!).”
Referencing this particular song, one penned on Twitter: “It still upsets me when I hear the line in the song ‘Dark Horse’: ‘She eats your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer’, I always make my daughter turn the station.
“It’s so disrespectful to the victims’ families. I hope people remember them while watching Netflix. Sorry for their losses.”
“Knowing the depths of what Jeffrey Dahmer did… Juicy J [is] wrong for what he said in that Katy Perry song,” added another.
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