The Matty Healy Fallout: 5 Burning Questions About The Rina Sawayama And Charli XCX 'Beef'
The alleged feud between pop titans Rina Sawayama and Charli XCX remains one of the most intriguing and politically charged dramas in the hyperpop and electro-pop world, with speculation reaching a fever pitch following a series of cryptic social media moves and a high-profile industry call-out. The core of the issue, which came to a head around the summer of 2023, appears to be deeply rooted in an artist's relationship with their record label and the controversial figures associated with it, particularly Matty Healy of The 1975.
As of late 2024/early 2025, the dust has somewhat settled, but the public unfollowing on Instagram and a vague statement from Charli XCX confirm that a significant "personal disagreement" occurred between the former "Beg For You" collaborators. This article dives deep into the timeline, the key players, and the current status of the fallout between two of modern pop's most respected and boundary-pushing artists, providing the freshest context based on recent events and statements.
Artist Profiles: Rina Sawayama and Charli XCX
To fully grasp the context of the alleged feud, it is essential to understand the careers and industry positions of the two artists involved, who were once close collaborators and friends.
Rina Sawayama
- Full Name: Rina Sawayama (Japanese: リナ・サワヤマ)
- Born: August 16, 1990, in Niigata, Japan
- Background: Japanese-British singer-songwriter, actress, and model based in London. She moved to London with her family at age five.
- Education: Graduated from Magdalene College, Cambridge, with a degree in Political Science.
- Career Highlights: Rose to prominence with her debut album *SAWAYAMA* (2020), which earned widespread critical acclaim for its genre-blending style (pop, R&B, nu-metal). Her second album, *Hold the Girl* (2022), cemented her status as a mainstream pop force. She is known for her outspoken political and social commentary in her music and public statements.
- Label Affiliation (Key Context): Signed to Dirty Hit Records.
Charli XCX
- Full Name: Charlotte Emma Aitchison
- Born: August 2, 1992, in Cambridge, England
- Background: British singer-songwriter known for her experimental electro-pop and pioneering work in the hyperpop genre. She began making music and posting songs on Myspace in 2008.
- Career Highlights: Achieved early success with hits like "I Love It" (Icona Pop feature) and "Fancy" (Iggy Azalea feature). Her solo work includes critically acclaimed albums like *Pop 2* (2017), *Charli* (2019), *Crash* (2022), and the Grammy-nominated *Brat* (2024).
- Personal Life (Key Context): Engaged to—and rumored to have married in early 2024—George Daniel, the drummer of the band The 1975.
The Matty Healy Connection: The Root of the Controversy
The entire basis for the Rina Sawayama and Charli XCX "beef" is widely believed to stem from a single, powerful moment: Rina Sawayama's public condemnation of Matty Healy, her labelmate and a shareholder at Dirty Hit Records.
The Glastonbury Call-Out (2023)
The controversy exploded during Rina Sawayama's performance at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2023. Before performing her song "STFU!", Rina addressed the crowd directly.
- Rina's Statement: She called out a specific individual—Matty Healy—for his recent controversies, which included allegations of racism and misogyny.
- The Context: Rina stated that she had co-written "STFU!" because she was tired of "microaggressions," but that "some of these microaggressions become just, like, full-on, just, racism." She then pointedly called out Healy, saying, "I wrote this next song because I was sick and tired of these microaggressions. So, tonight, this goes out to a white man who watches Ghetto Gaggers and mocks Asian people on a podcast. He owns my masters. I’ve had enough."
- The Label Conflict: Healy is a prominent figure and shareholder in Dirty Hit, the record label Rina Sawayama is signed to. This call-out was not just a public statement but a direct confrontation with a powerful figure within her own professional structure.
Rina's action was seen as a brave, industry-shaking move, but it immediately placed her in conflict with Healy's inner circle, which includes her former collaborator, Charli XCX.
The Unfollowing and the 'Personal Disagreement'
Following Rina's Glastonbury statement, the alleged feud with Charli XCX moved from industry gossip to public spectacle via social media.
The Charli XCX Connection to The 1975
The key to the drama lies in Charli XCX's close relationship with The 1975. Charli is engaged to George Daniel, the drummer of The 1975 and Matty Healy’s bandmate.
- The Conflict of Interest: Rina was publicly attacking a man who is a close friend and business partner of Charli's fiancé. Fans speculated that Charli was forced to choose a side, and her subsequent actions suggested she sided with her partner and his bandmate.
The Social Media Evidence
In the wake of the Glastonbury incident, fans noticed that Charli XCX had unfollowed Rina Sawayama on Instagram. This action, in the modern pop world, is often seen as a definitive sign of a rift or "beef."
- The "This Hell" Shade: Fans also pointed to a cryptic Instagram caption posted by Charli XCX, which some interpreted as a dig at Rina's single "This Hell." Charli posted a photo with the caption, "I’m going to hell for this," which was seen as a deliberate play on Rina's song title.
Charli XCX’s Official Statement
The speculation grew so intense that Charli XCX eventually broke her silence, though she maintained a level of privacy about the specifics.
- Clearing the Air: Charli XCX addressed the situation, confirming that she and Rina were experiencing a "personal disagreement."
- The Private Nature: While she acknowledged the rift, she refused to elaborate on the details of the disagreement, effectively shutting down the public debate while confirming that a falling out had indeed occurred.
The Lingering Effects: Label Drama and Future Collaborations
The fallout between Rina and Charli highlights deeper tensions within the music industry, particularly concerning artist contracts and powerful figures like Matty Healy.
Rina Sawayama's Dirty Hit Contract Status
The call-out of Matty Healy was not just a moral statement; it was a professional risk. Following the incident, Rina Sawayama told fans that she felt "trapped" by her current deal with Dirty Hit Records, stating she "can't release another album under my current contract."
- Feeling Trapped: This statement implies a difficult and potentially restrictive contractual situation, compounded by the fact that the person she publicly criticized is a shareholder in the label.
- Industry Impact: Rina's predicament shines a light on the complex, often non-transparent relationships between artists, their labels, and the influential figures who hold stakes in their careers.
The Fate of the 'Beg For You' Collaboration
Before the drama, Rina Sawayama and Charli XCX were seen as two of the most exciting forces in pop, with their collaboration on the 2022 single "Beg For You" being a major moment for both fanbases.
- A Broken Bridge: Given the public unfollowing and Charli XCX's confirmation of a "personal disagreement," the likelihood of a future collaboration between the two artists appears to be nonexistent for the foreseeable future. The personal and professional ties have seemingly been severed by the Matty Healy controversy.
The Broader Pop Landscape
The Rina Sawayama-Charli XCX situation is a microcosm of a larger conversation in the music world about accountability. Rina's choice to speak out at a major festival put her career on the line to stand on principle, while Charli's position—caught between a friend/collaborator and her fiancé’s bandmate—highlights the difficult personal compromises that often occur behind the scenes in the closely connected pop industry. The "beef" serves as a reminder that even in the world of celebratory hyperpop, real-world political and personal issues can cause significant, lasting rifts.
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