Writer Jenn M. Jackson stirred controversy among Black Twitter users when she proclaimed Black people should stop praising Bruno Mars and “be more critical about the ways we understand appropriation.”
Jackson, who also is a doctoral student at the University of Chicago, went on a Twitter spree before Mars’ opening performance at the BET Awards Sunday, June 25.
Bruno Mars does not identify as Black. Let's get that clear at the outset.
— Jenn M. Jackson, PhD (they/them) (@JennMJacksonPhD) 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, PhD (they/them) (@JennMJacksonPhD) June 25, 2017
Jackson acknowledged that Mars credits funk artists occasionally but says the claims that he is responsible for the genre’s resurgence is appropriation.
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, PhD (they/them) (@JennMJacksonPhD) June 25, 2017
She said she hopes acts like Chaka Khan and George Clinton get money from Mars “giving them credit” before delving into Mars’ past influences.
Bruno Mars was "raised on" a range of music growing up including that of many white artists. But, Funk is somehow his calling? ok.
— Jenn M. Jackson, PhD (they/them) (@JennMJacksonPhD) June 25, 2017
Jackson concluded that other artists like Tank and Anderson .Paak were better defined as funk acts over Mars and highlighted his opening performance at a Black music awards show.
But y’all go ahead. Like Bruno as he opens the #BETAwards tonight…the biggest celebration of Black music in the US and probably the world.
— Jenn M. Jackson (@JennMJack) June 25, 2017
The lengthy thread spurred many to voice dissent about Jackson’s argument.
stop talking the man just likes funk how you analyzing his entire childhood like this
— zainab (@the__nigerian) June 25, 2017
#BrunoMars damn black people, we got a lot more shit we could be focusing our energy on …like punk ass cops
— BOIMA (@justboima) June 25, 2017
lmfaoooooo, you just wanna be mad because you can be. bruno mars makes good music, he’s not appropriating anything. goodbye.
— Devil Vagina Magic (@shesILL) June 25, 2017
Many proclaimed they’ll continue to support Mars.
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
I WILL GLADY BOP TO BRUNO MARS WHEN HE OPENS THE #BETAwards17
— Jocy ? (@xylxo) June 25, 2017
And several didn’t tolerate the diss.
https://twitter.com/beingjaytee/status/879118777610371072
We will not bash #BrunoMars he has acknowledged and praised those who inspired him. There are more non black entertainers that appropriate pic.twitter.com/ekgLbMOZpl
— Denise ♥️ (@courtcorey) June 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/cametogiveiove/status/879026325075271680
However, not everyone disagreed with Jackson.
An interesting perspective I never looked at it that way before. It’s very true that if Mars was white many of us would be calling foul
— Chauncey K. Robinson (@MsChaunceyKR) June 25, 2017
No lies detected. Forget what these Bruno birds squawkin’!
— BitchesLoveLibraries (@aliciafiasco_) June 25, 2017
I’ve been saying this about Bruno Mars for YEARS https://t.co/qW6L7oWjV4
— AA™WSS (@seren_sensei) June 25, 2017
