Serj Tankian Blasts Imagine Dragons Over Controversial Gig: ‘I Don’t Respect Them as Human Beings’…see more…
System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian has launched a scathing criticism of pop-rock band Imagine Dragons, saying he no longer respects them “as human beings” following their decision to perform in Azerbaijan, a country that has drawn international condemnation for its human rights record and treatment of ethnic Armenians.
Tankian, an Armenian-American musician and outspoken political activist, made the comments in an interview and social media post over the weekend. The remarks come in response to Imagine Dragons’ July 5 concert in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan — an event that Tankian and other human rights advocates had urged the band to cancel.
A Clash Over Ethics and Activism
Tankian has long used his platform to bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide and other human rights issues. Following Azerbaijan’s military aggression toward the ethnic Armenian population in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, many in the Armenian diaspora — including Tankian — have accused the Azerbaijani government of ethnic cleansing.
Tankian previously appealed directly to Imagine Dragons, urging them not to perform in Baku, where President Ilham Aliyev’s government has been accused by organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International of stifling dissent, imprisoning political opponents, and fueling conflict in the Caucasus.
“This is not just about a concert,” Tankian said. “It’s about legitimizing an authoritarian regime that has committed egregious human rights abuses — particularly against Armenians. By performing in Baku, Imagine Dragons sent a message that profit and popularity are more important than principles and lives.”
Imagine Dragons Stay Silent
Despite growing criticism in the weeks leading up to the show, Imagine Dragons did not issue any public response or acknowledgment of the controversy. The band proceeded with the performance as scheduled, playing to a sold-out crowd at the Baku Olympic Stadium.
The silence from the Las Vegas-based quartet — best known for hits like “Radioactive” and “Believer” — has only fueled further backlash from the Armenian community and global human rights organizations.
Tankian, who had taken a diplomatic tone in earlier statements, grew visibly more frustrated in his latest comments. “At this point, I can’t respect them as human beings,” he said. “It’s one thing to be ignorant. It’s another thing to be informed and still choose to perform for a dictatorship.”
Background: Conflict in the Caucasus
The controversy is rooted in decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, known to Armenians as Artsakh. The area, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, has been home to an ethnic Armenian majority for centuries. In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a full-scale assault to reclaim the territory, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacements.
In late 2023, Azerbaijan conducted a rapid military operation that led to the exodus of nearly the entire Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh. Human rights groups have labeled the actions as ethnic cleansing, a charge Baku vehemently denies.
Tankian has been one of the most vocal international figures drawing attention to the issue, using his celebrity status to raise awareness among fans and fellow musicians. He has called on the international community to hold Azerbaijan accountable and has criticized what he views as a general apathy from Western media and entertainers.
A Divided Industry
Tankian’s strong condemnation of Imagine Dragons has divided opinions within the music industry and beyond. Some artists and fans have rallied behind Tankian, praising his courage and consistency in speaking truth to power.
“Serj Tankian has always put ethics before popularity,” said Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, a fellow activist musician. “He’s reminding us that musicians aren’t just entertainers — they can be moral voices in times of injustice.”
Others, however, have defended Imagine Dragons’ decision, suggesting that artists should not be burdened with the responsibility of foreign policy decisions or that performing in a country does not equate to endorsing its government.
Music journalist Alyssa Greene offered a nuanced perspective: “It’s a complex issue. On one hand, there’s a valid concern about legitimizing authoritarian regimes. On the other, there’s the idea that music should be a unifying force. The silence from Imagine Dragons didn’t help — it left them open to interpretation, and in this case, condemnation.”
Cultural Responsibility in a Globalized World
This incident raises broader questions about the responsibilities of artists in an interconnected world. Should musicians boycott countries with questionable human rights records? Is silence complicity, or is it a form of neutrality?
Tankian argues that silence is not an option. “As artists, we have tremendous power and reach,” he said. “When we choose to perform in a place like Baku, we are saying — whether we admit it or not — that we’re okay with what’s happening there. That’s not neutrality. That’s complicity.”
He added that while he understands artists want to reach global audiences, there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed. “I’m not asking them to stop playing around the world. I’m asking them to consider who they’re empowering when they perform. Dictators love using culture to whitewash their crimes.”
The Fallout
The fallout from Tankian’s remarks is ongoing. Armenian advocacy groups have launched online petitions and campaigns urging Imagine Dragons to acknowledge the controversy and issue an apology. So far, the band has remained tight-lipped.
Tankian has said he does not expect a response but believes it’s important to speak out regardless. “They may ignore me,” he said. “But the people suffering under that regime won’t ignore the fact that someone stood up for them.”
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: for Serj Tankian, music and activism are inseparable. And for Imagine Dragons, the decision to play in Baku may have struck a chord far beyond their setlist — one that continues
to reverberate throughout the global music community.
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