Latest news with #RoyelMaddell
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royel Otis Issue Apology Following Allegations of Misogynistic Lyrics in New Single
Australian duo Royel Otis have issued an apology relating to the lyrics of their latest single, 'moody.' The single, which was released on May 9 as the first taste of their new era, was written by the pair (comprising Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic) alongside Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen. More from Billboard Demi Lovato Marries Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes in California Wearing Vivienne Westwood Wedding Gown Billy Ray Cyrus & Elizabeth Hurley Make Red Carpet Debut as a Couple Fans Choose MGK's 'Cliché' as This Week's Favorite New Music However, the track has reportedly attracted criticisms of misogyny, largely due to the chorus line which states, 'My girl's a b–h when she's moody.' In a press release issued alongside the song, Royel Otis remained relatively tight-lipped, simply noting 'It's a song about a girl,' in keeping with the text featured on the single's artwork. In a report from Australian outlet a former school friend of Pavlovic claimed the band were 'deleting [social media] comments that call out the lyrics and video, while only replying to the positive ones.' The friend added, 'In 2025, it's disheartening to hear a local Australian artist – someone I know or I knew – casually refer to women as 'b–hes' in their lyrics.' A statement received from the publication by Kay and Hughes Art and Entertainment Lawyers quoted the track's recent successes while downplaying the lyrical content present within. 'This song is written from a specific perspective, it is not intended to convey a broader view or standpoint about women in general,' Royel Otis said in the statement. 'We apologise if anyone understood those lyrics otherwise.' Royel Otis first formed in 2019, releasing a series of EPs between 2021 and 2023 before issuing their debut album, Pratts & Pain in 2024. Though their 'Sofa King' track reached No. 12 on the Alternative Airplay chart in 2023, the band found widespread fame last year following their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder on the Dancefloor' for Australian radio station triple j's Like a Version series. The cover topped the Alternative Airplay charts and also peaked at No. 41 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The group's penchant for covers was again felt when their SiriusXM session rendition of The Cranberries' 'Linger' was released, giving them their first appearance on the Hot 100 when it reached No. 94. In late 2024, Royel Otis won four ARIA Awards from eight nominations, including best group and best rock album, while producer Chris Collins won best produced release and best engineered release for Pratts & Pain. More recently, the pair performed two sold-out shows at the Troubadour in Los Angeles before announcing an additional run of U.S. dates for September and October as part of their Meet Me in the Car tour. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘My girl's a bitch': Royel Otis face fan backlash after ‘misogynistic' song lyrics
An Aussie band has been forced to issue a grovelling apology after fans hit out at their newest song, alleging it contains 'misogynistic' lyrics and accusing them of deleting online comments calling them out. Royel Otis is a Sydney indie-pop duo made up of band members Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. The duo has more than 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, won four awards at the 2024 ARIAs, and is set to play at some of the biggest festivals in the world this year, including Glastonbury and Mad Cool in Spain. Their latest single Moody released on May 9, has so far amassed almost 80,000 views on YouTube, and is angering some fans, who hit out on social media accusing the song of containing 'misogynistic' lyrics including referencing a former girlfriend as a 'bitch'. Part of the lyrics include: 'I got good intentions She don't see them at all She'd rather mention That I missed her call I'm in the doghouse again … 'She's always givin' it to me Late nights, she always accusin' Last time, she said she would kill me My girl's a bitch when she's moody …' 'Questions are loaded Her face says a lot She's cryptically coated She's home when I'm not It's just big emotions It's not jealousy Most days of the week.' 'In 2025, it's disheartening to hear a local Australian artist- someone I know or I knew- casually refer to women as 'bitches' in their lyrics,' a former school friend of Pavlovic told Pavlovic attended Newtown Performing Arts High School until moving to Waverly College in his later years of secondary education. 'They've been deleting comments that call out the lyrics and video, while only replying to the positive ones. It's dismissive and cowardly, and it says a lot about whose voices they value,' the former school friend said. 'When artists use their platforms to propagate harmful language, they contribute to a culture that devalues women and hinders progress toward equality and safety. It's so important that we hold creators accountable and demand more responsible representation.' The Instagram post announcing the release of the single on May 10 was quickly inundated with unimpressed fans. One comment from @juliawhymusic said 'these lyrics are not only boring they are misogynist which clearly translates to real life behaviour when you're deleting and blocking comments … @triple_j why do you platform this s***? It's 2025 not 1985.' Another from @tullym read: 'Hello! Me again. Nice try deleting comments & blocking women strong enough to call out your misogynistic behaviour. Unfortunately for you both it ain't gonna fly. Try owning your s*** next time, you'll find it's the better route. You might even learn a thing or two about basic decency! Toodaloo! Hope you don't delete this one' The post has so far attracted hundreds of comments. @ said 'multimillion $ record deal, 1 of the biggest platforms in aus music, & this is what you decide to contribute. Shame on you.' @ added 'Otis nah releasing a song with lyrics like this during a femicide epidemic is crazy. Imagine talking about your sis like this. Shame. It's just cheap asf not cute. Whole team should have a think about this.' asked the band's management six specific questions relating to the lyrics and online backlash. In response received an email from Kay and Hughes Art and Entertainment Lawyers, quoting management as saying: 'Moody has been Royel Otis' highest performing release in the first 2 weeks globally both digitally and on radio.' 'This song is written from a specific perspective, it is not intended to convey a broader view or standpoint about women in general,' Pavlovic and Maddell said. 'We apologise if anyone understood those lyrics otherwise.'
