Bruno Mars shrugs off long-running cultural appropriation allegations: ‘It comes with the gig’
- The entertainer, 35, defended himself against claims that he is a ‘cultural thief’
- ‘The only reason why I’m here is because of James Brown. It’s because of Prince, Michael [Jackson],’ Bruno, who was born to a Filipina mother and a Puerto Rican and Jewish father, said
- He later added: ‘This music comes from love. If you can’t hear that, then I don’t know what to tell ya’
Bruno Mars defended himself from long-running allegations that he engages in cultural appropriation of black music despite not being black himself.
‘It’s just – it’s Twitter, man,’ the 35-year-old said on The Breakfast Club during an appearance with Anderson Paak with whom he formed the group Silk Sonic.
In the interview Bruno, who was born to a Filipina mother and a Puerto Rican and Jewish father, pointed out that he frequently cites his black influences.
His side: Bruno Mars defended himself long-running allegations that he engages in cultural appropriation of black music despite not being black himself
Host Charlamagne Tha God asked Bruno: ‘You know, people love to accuse you of being a cultural thief, which I find interesting because you are a person of color. What would you say to those people?’
Bruno replied: ‘I would say you can’t look at an interview, you can’t find an interview where I am not talking about the entertainers that have come before me.’
He continued: ‘And the only reason why I’m here is because of James Brown. It’s because of Prince, Michael [Jackson]. That’s the only reason why I’m here.’
The Runaway Baby singer recalled ‘growing up as a kid watching Bobby Brown saying: “Okay, if that’s what it takes to make it, then I gotta learn how to do the Running Man. I gotta learn how to do the Moonwalk.”‘
Side by side: ‘It’s just – it’s Twitter, man,’ the 35-year-old said on The Breakfast Club during an appearance with Anderson Paak with whom he formed the group Silk Sonic
Bruno, whose hits include Uptown Funk, said: ‘And this music comes from love. If you can’t hear that, then I don’t know what to tell ya.”‘
Charlamagne appeared to agree, saying that when Bruno paid tribute to New Jack Swing pioneer Teddy Riley at the 2018 Grammys ‘that’s homage.’
As the interview continued Bruno went on to argue that ‘we’re wearing the inspiration on our sleeve. What is the point if we, if us as musicians can’t learn from the guys that came before us? Why did they do it?’
He shared his ‘hope that later on down the road, there’s gonna be a band that’s taking what we did and flipping that and freaking that and putting their own spin on it, because if they don’t then what was the point of us doing this?’
Credit where due: In the interview Bruno, who was born to a Filipina mother and a Puerto Rican and Jewish father, pointed out that he frequently cites his black influences
Bruno said that the criticism he receives ‘comes with the gig and there’s real merit to what people are saying about black entertainers not getting their flowers, you know? And I’m championing with that, I’m with that.’
During his acceptance speech at the 2018 Grammy Awards he cited artists including Teddy Riley, Babyface, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam.
Over the years several of Bruno’s black influences have praised him and some have taken his side amid the mounting allegations of cultural appropriation.
About half a decade ago Jimmy Jam called Bruno ‘a perfect example of hard work and real talent equaling true excellence’ and in 2018 he tweeted a Billboard article siding with Bruno against critics who have called him a culture vulture.
‘What would you say to those people?’: Charlamagne asked Bruno: ‘You know, people love to accuse you of being a cultural thief, which I find interesting because you are a person of color
Three years ago Stevie Wonder also threw himself into the debate, calling the claims against Bruno ‘bulls***’ in an interview with TMZ.
‘God created music for everyone to enjoy so we cannot limit ourselves in different spheres and insecurities,’ said Stevie, calling Bruno ‘a great talent.’
Teddy Riley has expressed his pleasure at the fact Bruno has brought New Jack Swing to a new generation of listeners.
Icon: Several of Bruno’s black influences have praised him and some have taken his side amid the allegations of cultural appropriation including Jimmy Jam (pictured)
‘First of all, it brings our stock up – Babyface, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and myself – and that puts us even more in the game and helps to sustain us,’ he told Essence.
Teddy explained that ‘the most incredible gift to be given, for me, is someone paying homage. So, I feel wonderful about it.’
After Bruno mentioned him at the 2018 Grammy Awards Babyface told Billboard that he was ‘humbled and honored’ by the tribute.
‘I’m very proud of him and his accomplishments. I had the opportunity to go into the studio and work with and write with him, and I had so much respect for his work ethic ’cause it was very close to how I did it, and how I do it. I think he’s genius in his approach and one of the best entertainers we’ve had in a very, very long time.’
As seen onstage: Three years ago Stevie Wonder also threw himself into the debate, calling the claims against Bruno ‘bulls***’ in an interview with TMZ
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