The ongoing conflict between Ronnie Radke and The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano has escalated, with the Falling in Reverse frontman publicly critiquing one of the YouTuber’s videos during a live concert performance. This incident occurred while the band was on their God Is a Weapon tour, which showcases their latest music and engages fans across various cities.

Last night on August 12, at a concert in Dallas, Texas, the band displayed a clip of Fantano playing bass on the massive LED screen positioned at the back of the stage. This moment served as a backdrop for Radke’s comments, which were both spontaneous and provocative.

Radke recorded part of the video being shown on stage from his smartphone and shouted over it, “What the fuck is this shit? How are you a fucking music critic? This guy’s a fucking music critic, guys!” These remarks not only entertained the audience but also highlighted the tension between the two personalities within the music industry.

Following the performance, Radke shared the footage on his TikTok account and also posted it on X (formerly known as Twitter) with a caption that read, “I critiqued Anthony Fantano’s music untuned bass playing in front of 10,000 people in Dallas. Needless to say, they also hated it.” This post further fueled the ongoing feud, showcasing his disdain for Fantano’s criticism of his work.

In addition to the video, Radke’s post on X included a provocative graphic displayed on the screen that read, “I critique black music so I can say the N word with a hard R,” referencing a controversial incident where Fantano used a racial slur. In response to the backlash, Fantano later released an accountability video in which he apologized for his use of the offensive word, attempting to address the concerns raised by his audience.

You can see Radke’s entire post linked here, and don’t miss checking out the TikTok video embedded below.

What Is the Root of the Conflict Between Radke and Fantano?

The rivalry ignited in February 2023 when Fantano released a scathing review of Falling in Reverse’s single “Watch the World Burn” on his YouTube channel. He provocatively titled the video “One of the WORST songs of the year…,” which compelled Radke to respond on X, creating a public spectacle that captured the attention of their respective fanbases.

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Radke described Fantano as “like the Perez Hilton of music critics, looks 25 years older than he is, and nobody will care about him in three years.” This harsh assessment of Fantano’s credibility and future prospects in the music critique space set the stage for an escalating series of exchanges between the two.

Fantano retaliated with his own post, stating, “Over the past decade, I objectively look like I’ve put on fewer years than Mr. Radke. And I’ve had fewer trips through the legal system as well. I think I’m winning.” This witty comeback not only underscored the personal nature of their feud but also demonstrated how social media can amplify disputes in the public eye.

Thus, the animosity was officially born. Since that initial exchange, Fantano has produced several more videos addressing Radke, while the singer retaliated by filing a defamation lawsuit against the creator in August 2024, escalating the conflict into legal territory.

What Were the Results of Radke’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Fantano?

As of August 2024, the outcome was unfavorable for Radke, who lost the defamation case. In response, he uploaded a video to his YouTube channel where he expressed his thoughts on the ruling and justified his decision to file the lawsuit based on Fantano labeling him as a transphobic racist in his videos. This statement pointed to the serious implications of public accusations in the music industry.

“So if you’re watching this and you’re not a fan and you hate my guts, I really hope that even if you’re not a fan, you can really understand where I’m coming from, because it’s really messed up, and I don’t think anybody should ever do that. I would never make a video about how Anthony Fantano was racist, allegedly, you know what I mean I would never do that,” Radke articulated passionately, emphasizing the personal impact of such allegations.

He further elaborated, “I think Anthony is a pretentious, insecure little baby that utilizes people for money so he can pay his rent in a negative way. That’s what I think. And that’s what his YouTube has become. It’s one of those things.” This sentiment reflects the deep-seated frustrations that can arise in public disputes and the complexities of their interactions.

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