System of a Down’s Serj Tankian has openly criticized Imagine Dragons for their decision to perform in Azerbaijan, despite his prior warnings. Tankian had urged the band to reconsider their concert in Baku, citing the country’s ongoing military actions against Armenia, his ancestral homeland.
In August, Tankian took to social media to express his concerns, stating that Imagine Dragons’ performance would “normalize and whitewash” Azerbaijan’s aggressive actions. He highlighted the severe human rights violations and the blockade that has left 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh without essential supplies.
Tankian’s plea fell on deaf ears as Imagine Dragons went ahead with their scheduled concert in September. In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Tankian did not hold back his feelings, stating he has “zero respect” for the band. He criticized them for ignoring the humanitarian crisis and accused them of being motivated solely by financial gain.
Tankian emphasized that while he doesn’t usually dictate where artists should perform, the situation in Azerbaijan is different. He pointed out that the Azerbaijani government is on the brink of committing ethnic cleansing, making it morally unacceptable for artists to perform there. He expressed his disbelief that any artist could ignore such atrocities and still go ahead with their performance.
Tankian’s frustration is palpable. He stated, “I don’t respect them as human beings. F*** their art, they’re not good human beings, as far as I’m concerned.” His strong words reflect his deep disappointment and anger towards Imagine Dragons for their perceived indifference to the suffering in Nagorno-Karabakh.
In a detailed Instagram post, Tankian explained his efforts to reach out to Imagine Dragons. He had sent a letter through representatives, urging them to cancel their show. He included articles and reports from Amnesty International, hoping to make them aware of the dire situation. However, he received no response, which led him to make his plea public.
Tankian’s letter to Imagine Dragons was heartfelt and direct. He congratulated them on their success but urged them to reconsider their performance in Baku. He highlighted the human rights violations carried out by the Azerbaijani government and the ongoing aggression against Armenians. He mentioned that other artists, like Ukrainian pop star Max Barskih, had canceled their concerts in Baku in protest.
Tankian also pointed out that performing in Azerbaijan could negatively impact Imagine Dragons’ brand. He expressed his hope that they would research the situation and make an informed decision. Despite his efforts, the band went ahead with their concert, leading to Tankian’s public condemnation.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is dire, with reports of starvation and lack of medical supplies. Tankian’s frustration is understandable, given his long-standing advocacy for human rights and genocide recognition. His criticism of Imagine Dragons is a call to action for artists to be more aware of the political and humanitarian implications of their performances.
Tankian’s outspokenness has sparked a conversation about the role of artists in political and humanitarian issues. His strong stance against Imagine Dragons’ decision to perform in Azerbaijan highlights the importance of using one’s platform to advocate for justice and human rights.
