‘This is pure and simple pedophilia’: NYC-based musician known as the ‘The Dare’ is facing backlash for using children on the disturbing cover of new album ‘The Sex’ with lyrics about girls, sex and drugs
- Harrison Patrick Smith, 27, launched his first EP, The Sex, on May 12 with a provocative cover featuring what appeared to be children in sexual poses
- Smith, who records as The Dare, produces music known as “indie sleaze”: he was signed in April by Taylor Swift and Drake’s label, Republic Records
- Critics accused Smith, who was a substitute teacher at a private school in Manhattan’s West Village until December, of promoting pedophilia
A New York indie sleaze musician is accused of glorifying pedophilia with a provocative album cover that shows models resembling children in sexual poses.
Harrison Patrick Smith, 27, records as The Dare.
As late as December, he was working as a substitute teacher at a West Village private school: in April, he signed with Taylor Swift and Drake’s label Republic Records – a division of Universal Music Group.
Smith’s debut EP, The Sex, came out on May 12 and features two young girls on the cover, who appear to be children.
Both are dressed in girlish clothing: one, in what appears to be a school sports uniform, is bent over by a man, while the other in a school-style gray pleated skirt straddles a man lying on his back.
Harrison Patrick Smith, 27, who records as The Dare, released his first album this month and the cover instantly sparked ire
Smith was a teacher in Manhattan until December: in April he signed with Taylor Swift and Drake’s label Republic Records
The record label embraced the controversy, tweeting, “Have a good time to ‘the sex ep’ by @itsthedare – we dare you.”
They accompanied the tweet with the album cover and a winking emoji.
“This is pure and simple pedophilia,” one commenter wrote.
‘Awful. I hope all adults involved are shamed and held accountable,” said another.
One commented, “I’m sure they just look like kids, but the inference is disgusting and I’m sure they’re meant to get publicity through notoriety.”
Another said, “This is not going the way you think. Why do you promote the sexual exploitation of young girls?
“It is not acceptable, child abuse is not tense. Pedophilia is not acceptable.’
On the Instagram post, a child psychotherapist said the image was deeply disturbing.
“This depicts pedophilia, I repeat it is a pedophile image,” she said.
‘It’s terrible. “If someone tells you who they are, believe them.” You told us who you are.
‘I am a child psychotherapist, well trained in child protection. This must be broken down.’
Another commented, “This image is child abuse and not art! I don’t understand how this was approved.
“This is pedophilia hiding in plain sight.
‘I’m also worried about the police officers/parents of the girls, are they happy with this image? Disgusted and shocked.’
The photo was taken by Leander Capuozzo, a Staten Island-born photographer and artist.
“The sex ep art by me,” he tweeted — and was met with a barrage of condemnation.
Smith has recently been hailed as a new prodigy, with W magazine on May 17 called him a “New York star” whose “career has already eclipsed that of many of his ancestors,” and GQ magazine branding him as “an inner-city celebrity and budding rock star.”
He DJs at club nights in Lower Manhattan and has played an after-party after Celine’s fashion launch: in January he sat front row at a Gucci show in Milan, next to Nick Cave.
Neither Capuozzo, Smith nor Republic Records have responded to DailyMail.com’s requests for comment.