Bruno Mars Accused Of Cultural Appropriation
JaMonet Rice
JaMonet Rice
As pop culture continues to evolve, it turns the world around into a more understanding and respectful place. Thanks to social media, it is never been easier for people to become socially aware of problems in America. Which means if you are being insensitive about an important issue, people will call you out. One major social issue: cultural appropriation.
Oxford dictionary defines cultural appropriation as, “The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of customs, practices, ideas, etc of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society. Prime examples of cultural appropriation include the Kardashians, who often take popular hairstyles from African-American/ African cultures and exploit them without giving them their proper names or recognition.
However in this instance singer Bruno Mars is being accused of cultural appropriation by Seren Sensei, a writer for the “ The Grapevine.” Sensei says, “ Bruno Mars 100% is a cultural appropriator. He is not black, at all, and he plays up his racial ambiguity to cross genres.” Bruno Mars has yet to respond to these allegations. However many black artists and activists have come to Mars’ defense including the rapper Rapsody and Black Lives Matter writer Shaun King.
“I just want to be practical here. Are people saying that Bruno Mars shouldn't sing? Or that when he sings he needs to somehow whiten that (expletive) up and sound more like Rod Stewart. I'm dead serious. What type of music is this man "allowed" to do?” says Shaun King.
“So is it Bruno Mars’ fault that...he was influenced by BabyFace, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis...around the same time from a hip-hop side I was influenced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and The Beatminerz? This is a Sociology study on influence and exposure..”, says hip-hop producer 9th wonder.
Bruno Mars has yet to respond to the allegation. However the debate is alive and well with most people siding with Mars. Although this accusation has opened up a bigger question: Do people understand what cultural appropriation actually is?” Well whether or not Bruno Mars is culturally appropriating, hopefully it serves as a reminder to people that you should always respect another person’s culture.
Oxford dictionary defines cultural appropriation as, “The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of customs, practices, ideas, etc of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society. Prime examples of cultural appropriation include the Kardashians, who often take popular hairstyles from African-American/ African cultures and exploit them without giving them their proper names or recognition.
However in this instance singer Bruno Mars is being accused of cultural appropriation by Seren Sensei, a writer for the “ The Grapevine.” Sensei says, “ Bruno Mars 100% is a cultural appropriator. He is not black, at all, and he plays up his racial ambiguity to cross genres.” Bruno Mars has yet to respond to these allegations. However many black artists and activists have come to Mars’ defense including the rapper Rapsody and Black Lives Matter writer Shaun King.
“I just want to be practical here. Are people saying that Bruno Mars shouldn't sing? Or that when he sings he needs to somehow whiten that (expletive) up and sound more like Rod Stewart. I'm dead serious. What type of music is this man "allowed" to do?” says Shaun King.
“So is it Bruno Mars’ fault that...he was influenced by BabyFace, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis...around the same time from a hip-hop side I was influenced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and The Beatminerz? This is a Sociology study on influence and exposure..”, says hip-hop producer 9th wonder.
Bruno Mars has yet to respond to the allegation. However the debate is alive and well with most people siding with Mars. Although this accusation has opened up a bigger question: Do people understand what cultural appropriation actually is?” Well whether or not Bruno Mars is culturally appropriating, hopefully it serves as a reminder to people that you should always respect another person’s culture.