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Bruno Mars’ cultural appropriation debate has been going on for several years with critics accusing the singer of using his racial ambiguity to cross historically black genres. The Grammy-winning artist responded to the claims in a recent Breakfast club interview alongside his Silk Sonic partner, Anderson .Paak.
“People love to accuse you of being a cultural thief, which I find interesting because you are a person of color,” host Charlamagne le Dieu told Bruno (9:50 pm). “What would you say to these people?”
Bruno explained that he always gave credit to the funk, R&B and pop artists who came before him and insisted that there was nothing but love behind his material.
“I would say: you can’t watch an interview, you can’t find an interview where I’m not talking about the artists who came before me. And the only reason I’m here is because of James Brown, is because of the prince, Michael [Jackson]- that’s the only reason I’m here, ”said Bruno. “I grew up as a kid watching Bobby Brown [and] saying, ‘OK, if that’s what it takes to make it happen, then I have to learn to do the running man, I have to learn to do the moon walk. ” That’s all. And this music comes from love, and if you can’t hear it, then I don’t know what to tell you.
He went on to say that he wears his inspiration on his sleeve and hopes future artists will take inspiration from his work as well.
“What’s the point if we, as musicians, can’t learn from the guys who came before us?” What did they do? “He says, before Charlamagne asks him if the critics bother him.”… It comes with the gig. And there is real merit in what people say about black artists. who don’t get their flowers, and I’m defending with that, I’m with that… I get it, but it’s just Twitter. “
The sit-down came just hours after Bruno and .Paak released “Leave the Door Open” – the first track from their new band Silk Sonic.
You can check out the full interview above.
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