Is Bruno Mars Guilty of Cultural Appropriation?

[A Tribe Called Quest ™]

There are white Puerto Ricans. And some Filipinos are dark as African Americans but that doesn't make them black.

Indians and Arabs aren't CACs but they can still appropriate black culture..... Just like the kardashians for example

White Puerto Ricans still have the same culture as the Black ones , would you say that a Black rican would be guilty of culture appropriation ?

 

[DoubleClutch]

White Puerto Ricans still have the same culture as the Black ones , would you say that a Black rican would be guilty of culture appropriation ?

Im not here to argue the differences between Black and White puerto ricans. All I know is Jennifer Lopez can't say Nikka without making the news.

But somehow Bruno Mars says it? And Jennifer Lopez is more Puerto Rican than Bruno

Anyways, lets take for example the fact that Justin Bieber had the number 1 spanish song in the world.

There are white spanish people. Most spanish people probably identify as white.

But still that fact rubbed some spanish people the wrong way (Ive had conversations with a few myself) and some said he was appropriating the culture.... although they dont seem to take the issue as serious as Black people.

Because Justin as a white canadian was singing in Spanish and had crossed over into their market and had success it wasn't necessarily a BAD thing, but it wasn't celebrated. And nobody was really giving Justin a pass. Everyone knows Justin isnt a "Spanish" artist.

So even if someone is the same color/looks like the people who the culture comes from, that doesn't mean they cant appropriate it.

I think the real issue is using elements of a culture and profiting off it while not being fully seen as being a part of that culture.

Can Black singers/rappers realistically profit off their own culture without not be seen as just being a black artist?

Sounds like the reason Michael Jackson bleached his skin.

Makes sense why Bruno gets so many Michael Jackson comparisons

 

[Worthless Loser]

Nah Bruno gave props:

“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."

 

[ucanthandlethetruth]

Bruno Mars Says America Doesn't Give Black Musicians Enough Credit | Genius

 

[Asicz]

Some journalist like Jon Carmonica of NY Times like to play the - but but but Bruno Mars is culturally appropriating card-so why don't y'all complain about that too?

Puerto Ricans don't have a long documented history of decades of culture vulturing like whites artist do.
It is Not the same.

 

[CrimsonTider]

He's not guilty of it but I do believe he knows how to play both sides

How does he play both sides?

I also wanted to say if were talking solo artists (singer/rapper) making real original modern soulful/funk music right now

Anderson Paak > Bruno Mars

What in the fukk

 

[ThiefyPoo]

Nah, Bruno gives props to MJ, Prince, James Brown, and he even gave props to Quik and Suga Free for helping him on the new album and he employs an all black band, not to mention the guy grew up performing MJ and doo wop/motown soul songs in Hawaii. He was even signed to Motown before. The guy is doing everything right and he performs his ass off.

Get at Bieber and the Kardashians for appropriating black culture not the guy actually doing good work.

@Basaglia you right it's not enough lol .

Can't imagine all the good non black singers we wouldn't have .

 

[DoubleClutch]

How does he play both sides


What in the fukk

Bruno is probably the best performer in r&b/soul music right now not named Chris brown. And he can sing better than Paak

But what about Bruno's music is fresh and original?

Yea he's extremely talented but in most of his songs he's making generic modern pop/r&b music or remixing old soul/funk classic songs copying a format that's been done for years before him by legendary artists.

Anderson paak has more soul/unique sound and his artistry is seems to be more respected in the industry.

But that's just my opinion

 

[CrimsonTider]

Bruno is probably the best performer in r&b/soul music right now not named Chris brown. And he can sing better

But what about Bruno's music is fresh and original?

Yea he's extremely talented but in most of his songs he's making generic modern pop/r&b music or remixing old soul/funk classic songs copying a format that's been done for years before him by legendary artists.

Anderson paak has more soul/unique sound and his artistry is seems to be more respected in the industry.

But that's just my opinion

There is nothing unique about Anderson Paak.

He's basically doing what You claim Bruno is dong to old soul/funk to neo soul

 

[DoubleClutch]

There is nothing unique about Anderson Paak.

He's basically doing what You claim Bruno is dong to old soul/funk to neo soul

Except Anderson Paak is black and he grew up in the culture and around that music and learned and cultivated his craft.

Bruno decided around 2014 he'd be a R&b artists/ James brown/micheal Jackson tribute cover band

And he surrounded himself with a lot of talented musicians, singers and dancers to accomplish this.

He puts on an amazing show and is great vocally. But I just like a little more seasoned/creative artists not generic pop ones making songs I've heard countless times before.

Paak is like a nice throwback to old r&b/neo soul/funk/gospel hip hop which doesn't really exist anymore.

I can't get excited off hearing a new Bruno song cause it's very predictable at this point. But I agree it's good music.

 

[Cabbage Patch]

He's alright with me and can gig, but breh does owe Morris Day a check.

Damn

(cuz it's true.)

 

[Pit Bull]

White Puerto Ricans still have the same culture as the Black ones , would you say that a Black rican would be guilty of culture appropriation ?

Yeah, if that black Rican isn't at least half African American or didn't grow up in an African American community than it is cultural appropriation

 

[Tflasha]

 

[Spiritual Stratocaster]

1. that wasnt his song.

2. BOB was about as pop as as it gets back then for a rapper.

And features on rap songs don't matter. All Bruno's early solo songs/hits weren't like uptown funk or the music he's consistently been creating since 2015.

Funk guitar has always been apart of his songs..you can hear it in the riffs.

 

[Illified infinitely]

Unless you expect all soul singers to be black

Then no