Halsey Backs Metro Boomin’s Rant Against Artist Partners Group: ‘F— These People Trying to Bleed Artists Dry’

Ashley Iasimone
·2 min read
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Halsey is echoing the allegations against Atlantic Records/Warner Music Group imprint Artist Partners Group made by Metro Boomin on Wednesday (Oct. 18). In a series of heated tweets, the hip-hop producer had called the group “vultures” who “take advantage of hungry artists/producers/writers who put their whole life into their music just 4 u to rob them.”

Hours later, Halsey tweeted a news article about Metro’s claims to her 6.5 million followers and revealed she penned “Hold Me Down,” which appears on her Badlands album, about her experience with Artist Partners Group, spearheaded by Warner Music Group creative officer Mike Caren.

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“DAMN. This is exactly who I wrote ‘Hold Me Down’ about! ‘Sold my soul to a 3 piece’ SPEAK! PROTECT UR ART,” Halsey wrote Wednesday evening.

“PROTECT YOUR ART,” she repeated. “FUCK THESE PEOPLE TRYING TO BLEED ARTISTS DRY. DONT LET SOMEONE EQUATE THEIR INFLUENCE WITH UR CREATIVITY AND LABOR.”

“My demons are begging me to open up my mouth/ I need them, mechanically make the words come out/ They fight me, vigorous and angry, watch them pounce/ Ignite me, licking up the flames they bring about,” Halsey sings on “Hold Me Down.” The lyrics continue: “I sold my soul to a three-piece/ And he told me I was holy/ He’s got me down on both knees/ But it’s the devil that’s tryna hold me down, hold me down.”

Billboard reached out to WMG for comment earlier in the day, following the initial tweets posted by Metro Boomin’.

Producers Mike WiLL Made-It and London On Da Track also spoke out after Metro tweeted. When Metro alleged that APG “basically just want to slave you and steal your music to make hits.” London On Da Track replied to agree: “That’s all they want to do.”

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