James Arthur won X Factor UK in 2012, and he hasn’t been able to stay out of trouble since. Now, there are reports that boss, Simon Cowell, has sacked him altogether, after the singer released a mixtape that supposedly glorifies terrorism.
The song in question is called “Follow The Leader,” and in it, James raps:
Look at what you do to me, I’m crying over stupid s***, you’re such a f***ing homophobe, wish I’d never let you in, to think that I was thinking maybe I should let you live, I’m gonna blow up your family like I’m a terrorist
“It seems James is self-destructing,” a source told The Sun, which broke the story. “He has done himself no favors with his outbursts. It’s as if he’s almost willing Syco to drop him. Simon and Syco have been extremely loyal to James throughout his problems but there’s only so much they are prepared to put up with.”
James shenanigans since he won the title are documented by The Mirror and include sex scandals, twitter feuds and charges of homophobia.
James defended the lyric on twitter, describing the song as a snapshot of a crazy fan, a la Eminem’s “Stan”
The song “follow the leader” from the mixtape is not promoting terrorism, it’s a story, a reciting of a Stan Esc letter from a demented fan.
— James Arthur (@JamesArthur23) April 6, 2014
He also claims he’s still with Syco. Well, as far as he knows.
As far as I know I am still with syco but I am exclusively signed to Sony. People look too deeply into the media circus. It’s about music.
— James Arthur (@JamesArthur23) April 6, 2014
