The saying “You never know what you have until it’s gone” is a realistic opinion. More than likely, Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, also known as Future, is feeling that way right now. Recently, Future released the music video for his song “LOVE YOU BETTER.” A single off of his ninth album. Since the video hit the internet, social media has been buzzing with theories about what prompted Future to release it. The video has also sparked some debate about relationships and why a man needs to value the good woman he has.

Clownery?

In a now-viral episode of “Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School,” an even more viral clip shows Monique saying: “See when you do clownery, the clown comes back to bite.” In Future’s “LOVE YOU BETTER” music video, he is wearing very distinct clown makeup, which is poignant since the video pointedly alludes to his ill-treatment of Ciara and how she eventually leveled up to someone who would love her better. One thing no one can ever take away from Future is the fact that he has put music into the world that has blazed trails and lit up clubs, but his history with Ciara and the drama that has ensued is also something worthy of a think piece.

Background

It is refreshing to see Ciara in a beautiful, thriving relationship, but it was not always that way. Long before Russel Wilson came into the picture, Ciara was engaged to Future, and the two were officially confirmed to be in a relationship in 2013. About a year after the ex-couple got engaged and welcomed their son, they called off their wedding due to alleged infidelity on Future’s part. Following the break, a feud ensued between the duo that resulted in Future going on numerous rants on social media and radio stations to speak down on Ciara. Even after Ciara began a relationship with Wilson, the rapper would go out of his way to make demeaning remarks. In his “LOVE YOU BETTER,” Future alludes to the notion that he mistreated Ciara and took her love for granted, hence the breakup. The song and music video are somewhat of a confession and the closest thing to an apology or accountability we have seen from the father of seven.

 

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Toxicity

Toxicity

In a  GQ interview back in April, Future opened up about his seeming toxicity but did not take any accountability for his actions. Instead, he pointed out that he was on the receiving end of the toxic behavior.
“People have their own definition of what toxic is,” he said. “[These women] all were toxic to me. They just don’t want to admit it.”

While some people would see Future’s disposition as humorous and even endearing, others would argue that his behavior mimics that of a textbook narcissist with no accountability and audacity. The nature of toxic ex-partners is to deflect, refuse accountability and play the victim. It is no surprise that Future went on numerous online rants and tirades when it became obvious that Ciara and Wilson were very happy together and deeply committed to each other. In an ever-buzzing online conversation, many women still ask about “Ciara’s Prayer,” which is the phrase that has gained online prominence and refers to the prayer that Ciara prayed before she got into a relationship with Wilson.

 

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Unsurprisingly, because internet culture often endorses behaviors like Future’s, anything outside of that is “boring” or “corny,” so it was unsurprising that some men came out multiple times to bash Ciara and call her new man, Wilson a “square.”

 

 

 

 

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In spite of his online behavior, it is evident that part of Future sees Ciara as “the one who got away,” and he has to live with that. Future’s predicament is a cautionary tale to everyone in a relationship. Although the grass may seem greener on the other side and philandering and carrying on may seem appealing, when a good woman decides that she has had enough of a man’s mistreatment, that is the end of the matter. When she gathers the strength to leave, no pleading song, clown makeup, or online antic can bring her back because, at the end of the day, when a person does clownery by breaking the heart of someone who earnestly loved them, the clown comes back to bite. Hopefully, Nayvadius has learned a lesson or two from this debacle.

 

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