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Philadelphia Artist Bri Steves Opens Up About Past Abuse in Music Industry
“I really thought keeping my head down was the safest thing I could do,” Philadelphia-based singer and rapper Bri Steves shared in a recent Instagram post, shedding light on her harrowing experiences during her rise in the music industry.
In her candid social media statement, Steves revealed that she endured “mental and sexual abuse from men nearly 20 years older than me” while navigating her career after signing with a major record label and a production company. “They smiled in my face and called me family while running a cycle of control, fear, and manipulation behind closed doors,” she recounted in her post.
Steves, who was signed to Atlantic Records and an unnamed production company in 2016, expressed the ongoing struggle to free herself from contracts that she believes should have been dissolved long ago. “For years I’ve been fighting to free myself. Trying to break out of contracts I should’ve been released from a long time ago,” she noted emphatically. “Whether they sign those papers or not, I’m done being quiet. I’m standing on truth.”
As of 2023, Steves is no longer affiliated with Atlantic Records, according to sources close to her. Requests for comments from Rolling Stone were not immediately responded to by Steves.
Steves first garnered attention in 2018 with her breakout track “Jealousy,” which has surpassed 2.5 million views on YouTube. Recently, she showcased her talent on YouTube’s performance platform Colors with “Lonely with You/Back Outside,” further solidifying her presence in the music scene.
In her Instagram post, presented against a stark black background, Steves detailed the extent of the control exerted over her life by the individuals she accused. “They controlled every part of my life—my music, my money, where I lived, who I could talk to, what I was allowed to say. They groomed me. Manipulated me. Made me believe I had no other option but to stay in it,” she explained. “They threatened me with blackmail and violence. They made sure I felt trapped. And when my mom passed, they told me they were glad she was gone—so I’d have no one left to run to. I’ll never forget that.”
Moreover, she alleged that other women had been victims of similar abuse and shared the warnings she received, including threats that she would “lose [her] life if [she] spoke up.” Steves reflected on her silence, stating that she “thought being silent would protect [her].”
“Honestly, I’m tired,” she concluded, asserting the strength and resilience of women. “A woman’s voice is more powerful than any man who tries to silence her.”
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