The 'What Was I Made For?' songstress claims she wasn't 'singling anyone out' and that she was referring to 'industry-wide systemic issues' when she spoke out against the release of albums with multiple versions.
- Apr 1, 2024
AceShowbiz - In a recent interview with Billboard, Billie Eilish spoke out against the common practice in the music industry of releasing multiple vinyl variants of albums to boost sales. While Eilish didn't mention any specific artists, her comments sparked speculation that she was referring to Taylor Swift, who is known for releasing numerous variants of her albums.
Eilish clarified her position on social media, stating that she wasn't "singling anyone out" and that she was referring to "industry-wide systemic issues." She acknowledged that she herself had released variants of her own album, "Happier Than Ever", but emphasized that her variants were made from recycled materials.
Eilish expressed frustration with artists who prioritize sales over sustainability, saying, "I can't even express to you how wasteful it is. I find it really frustrating as somebody who really goes out of my way to be sustainable."
Eilish's comments sparked a backlash from some Taylor Swift fans, who accused her of "clocking Taylor." However, Eilish stressed that she was not pointing fingers at any specific artist.
Swift has released numerous vinyl variants of her albums, including several different versions of her 2023 album "Hackney Diamonds" and four different-colored variants of her 2022 album "Midnights". Some fans have criticized Swift for releasing so many variants, arguing that it exploits their loyalty.
In the interview, Eilish also discussed her efforts to promote sustainability in her career, including powering her festival sets with solar energy and using plant-based materials in her merchandise. She suggested that Billboard could impose limits on the number of variants artists can release, but emphasized that she doesn't blame artists for participating in the sales-driven industry system.
