March 13, 2018by CheatsMovementNo CommentsCulture

READ ALL OF 9TH WONDER’S TWEETS ABOUT BRUNO MARS & CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

Well, it turns out that Twitter is still good for something. Yesterday, super-producer, record executive, college professor (Duke and N.C. Central), Harvard University Fellow, and recently named a founding member of the Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council – also my favorite producer – 9th Wonder weighed in heavy on cultural appropriation and it relates to the recent Bruno Mars debate that was ignited by The Grapevine.

9th breaks down his argument that cultural appropriation goes way beyond color and into nuance that is not normally built for Twitter such as the background of the artist, popularity of their music, their exposure and influences.

What stands out to me is that the Bruno Mars debate centers around other people’s personal definition of popularity and validation. And the current mainstream system that people are placing their value in, Grammy Awards and things of that nature. The debate is centered on Bruno Mars because he is wildly successful and he is lifted up by a lot of people, not from the black culture but wants to hear “black sounds” from non-black people (that is the best way I can describe it). That seems to rub those that dislike Bruno Mars the wrong way. However, there are plenty of artists, who are not black, that have done hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, and other genres of music that are never even in the cultural appropriation debate because their name was never thrust into pop culture in a way such and Bruno Mars, or Eminem, or even Macklemore. 9th names Bobby Caldwell, Jon B, and MC Search in his twitter case.

9th breaks down his thoughts on Twitter. Check them out and let me know what you think. I’ve also posted the Grapevine debate, which I think is excellent. It’s a must-watch.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. #WESEEIT

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Written by CheatsMovement
The intersection of hip-hop culture, politics, and community activity.