I really need y'all to stop with this Bruno Mars praise and be more critical about the ways we understand appropriation.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
Bruno Mars does not identify as Black. Let's get that clear at the outset.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
He is a non-Black person of color (POC) who has recently decided that singing Funk music is economically productive.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
These claims that Bruno Mars is "bringing Funk back" are erasive to Black Funk artists who pioneered the tradition. FUNK. NEVER. LEFT.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
Yes, he gives "credit" to Funk artists on occasion. He also has a primarily white audience which has no memory or care for Black artists
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
In Bruno's case, 'bringing Funk back' essentially means, "Funk was a Black thing and now I gave it to white people." That's appropriation.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
I need us to stop relaxing our critical lens to anti-Blackness and appropriation when it is a non-Black POC harming us.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
The Bruno Mars praise is also patriarchal cause some of y'all were giving Eminem, Justin Timberlake, and Robin Thicke passes too. Stop it.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
Taking our shit and repackaging it for white people is not innovation. Even if these non-Black ppl sing well, it's appropriation. Period.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
She certainly raises some valid points. Bruno doesn’t identify as Black, though I’d argue if we swabbed him, he’d present more than a little bit of African ancestry. But be that as it may, he does make his money off of Black music. But I fail to grasp Jackson’s full argument. Is it that non-Black people should never be able to make Black music? What is that she would like Bruno Mars to do to make up for making money of Black folks’ art form? As Jackson mentioned, Bruno has gone out of his way to acknowledge the greats and their Blackness. In Latina, he said:Listen, you can like Bruno Mars's music and still be critical about how his role in the industry erases Black people. Then and now.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
"When you say ‘black music understand that you are talking about rock, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, doo-wop, hip-hop, and Motown. Black people created it all. Being Puerto Rican, even salsa music stems back to the Motherland [Africa]. So, in my world, black music means everything. It’s what gives America its swag."He acknowledges the roots of the music, he employs Black band members, he’s performed with legendary Black artists like Morris Day and the Time and Nile Rodgers, formerly of Chic. He honored the late and great Prince. Aside from vowing never to make anything resembling Black music, what is the answer? Apparently, there are others who share my confusion. And then those who were a bit perturbed by Jackson's analysis.
her whole argument was based around his fan base demographic, which really isn't his fault. Bruno makes music that he's inspired by.
— kaiden (@hypebruno) June 25, 2017
Some of y'all so woke that you need a nap
— bootlegg (@BrooksKr1089) June 25, 2017
Should he be doin traditional Filipino music? Are we all bound in interests & talent based on our lineage? Not allowed 2 deviate from that?
— Brian Esbensen (@udontknowB) June 25, 2017
There were also those who just used the whole conversation as an opportunity to celebrate Bruno.I need to have an in person convo with somebody about Bruno Mars and appropriation because I don't get it
— 008 (@jeauxsef_) June 26, 2017
Yes and I will be sitting there bopping to Versace on the Floor! pic.twitter.com/3V0khRENdp
— €! (@uberheelx) June 25, 2017
Same! I didn't even know he was opening the BET awards. I'm excited now pic.twitter.com/VjleBG5ND7
— Miesharoni (@mimireshee) June 25, 2017
No Bruno Mars slander will happen on my TL Dats Unnecessary hating n u shall be blocked- Management
— Breeze (@BreezeWorld) June 26, 2017
I've said this once but I'm going to say it again. BRUNO MARS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PERFORMERS OF THIS TIME. GIVE HIM EVERYTHING. pic.twitter.com/vBj567Zf24
— maria (@roughkinkniall) June 26, 2017
Random chick: "black twitter, let's be mad at Bruno mars!"
Black twitter: pic.twitter.com/wuA1keEbbL — Black PPl Vines (@blackpplvins) June 26, 2017
The post Writer Argues Bruno Mars Is Appropriating Black Culture…And A Lot Of People Weren’t Here For It appeared first on MadameNoire.