System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian Fine With Losing Some Fans Due To Activism

System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian has been an outspoken political activist throughout his music career. He realizes that sharing his beliefs may have cost him some fans along the way. During a recent NPR interview, Tankian said he made the decision a while ago to be an artist as opposed to a mere entertainer, and that might have alienated some fans. “I’m okay with that because an artist isn’t supposed to please everyone,” Tankian shared. “An artist is supposed to basically try to receive through the collective consciousness whatever truths that we’re trying to live by, the truths of our times. If we can’t do that as artists, then we’re entertainers. From day one, you have to make that choice: Are you an entertainer only or are you going to be an artist?” Tankian’s NPR interview was promoting the singer’s new memoir, Down with the System, which came out last week. (Consequence of Sound)