On September 25, 2016, a public forum titled “Southern Discomfort” took place in Charleston, spurred by outrage over a racially charged artwork posted online. The forum was organized one week after the controversial image, created by artist Tyler Bertges of Hermit’s Victory, was circulated, eliciting strong reactions from the local music community.
Artist Anjali Naik, who performs under the name Diaspoura, was among the first to criticize the artwork and called for accountability on social media, tweeting, “Someone police this!!!”
Charleston hip-hop artist Fitzgerald Wiggins, known as Benny Starr, expressed his disappointment on Facebook, emphasizing the cultural importance of the venue involved, which has hosted renowned Jazz and R&B artists. “There is a level of numbness, and disgust, that one can’t help but feel,” he wrote.
In response to the backlash, several artists associated with the Hearts & Plugs label, which had supported the event and the artwork, voiced their disapproval. Susto frontman Justin Osborne shared his feelings of anger and disappointment, stating, “When this happened it made us really angry and disappointed. So we cut ties with Hearts & Plugs and are now starting our own label called ACID BOYS.” Other artists from the label also distanced themselves after the founder apologized for the incident.
The members of Brave Baby clarified that they had not seen or approved the controversial ad prior to its release. Following the uproar, Bertges acknowledged his role in the creation of the image after remaining silent for over a week.
Since the original Southern Discomfort forum, conversations surrounding race and representation in the local scene have continued. A Facebook group for Southern Discomfort was launched in conjunction with the event, facilitating ongoing discussions that included livestreams in 2017. In 2018, a subsequent forum titled “Tearing at the Seams” addressed disparities in the fashion industry, again triggered by a controversial social media post.
