Entertainment
Gwen Stefani accused of cultural appropriation in music video
“Gentle My Hearth,” a collaboration with dancehall star Sean Paul and Jamaican singer Shenseea, sees “The Voice” coach sport dreadlocks and a inexperienced and yellow outfit that matches the Jamaican flag whereas singing to a rocksteady beat.
Stefani confronted a barrage of criticism on social media after the track’s premiere on Wednesday, with many commentators accusing her of deliberately appropriating the tradition for her private achieve.
One other agreed, writing: “Y’all. Mom Appropriation is BACK!!!! The place my 2000s No Doubt/Gwen hive at!!!?? ITS TIME!!!”
The No Doubt alum was additionally reminded of earlier claims that she appropriated different cultures to additional her music profession by copying Japanese avenue fashion, sporting a bindi in music movies, and styling her hair in Bantu knots.
Nevertheless, some followers got here to her protection, with one person writing stating that Sean Paul, who appeared with Stefani within the video, is himself Jamaican, including that he “even praised Gwen for embracing the tradition for years.”
CNN has contacted Stefani’s representatives for remark.
In 2006, comic Margaret Cho branded Stefani’s Harajuku Women — a troupe of Japanese and Japanese-American dancers she went round with on the time — a “minstrel present.”
“If we did not purchase and promote and commerce our cultures in, we would not have a lot magnificence, ?” she stated on the time. “We be taught from one another, we share from one another, we develop from one another. And all these guidelines are simply dividing us an increasing number of.”