(www.BlackPressRadio.com) – It’s the age-old question: How to have an awards show featuring mostly Black-inspired music without having Black people at the show or to perform their own music. From Elvis’ face on Black singers music to Justin Timberlake and Iggy Azelea snatching up Black culture without giving homeage to Robin Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. stealing Marvin Gaye’s music then suing his family for the pleasure, America is pretty sick of seeing the same old trickery.
That’s why the 2015 Grammys is trending hard and creating Twitterstorms across the world. No one is buying its foolishness. Not that we don’t all love Sam Smith’s impersonation of Black music. He’s done good at his version of Blue-eyed soul. It’s refreshing to hear and watch Sam Smith sing. And just about everyone agrees that we’re all about that bass even if the singer isn’t.
But the final straw came for many Americans – and Black music lovers worldwide – on February 8, 2015 when The Grammys made the ill-fated decision to snub its nose at #BlackLifeMatters protests and the success of the movie, “Selma” and allow Beyonce sing the song that Grammy winner Ledisi made famous. The white washing of American music needed a face so Beyonce ignored what she should have known was right and took credit – AGAIN – for another woman’s work.
We’ve seen her do this before. Who can forget how she hijacked Etta James’ song and performed at the Barack Obama’s 2009 Presidential Inauguration instead of the woman who should have had the honor. Beyonce – whose whitened skin and hair weave pokes fun at the hard work that it took to accomplish the civil rights – should have simply said no and made sure that Ledisi got her due. Instead, Beyonce took to the stage wearing a long blond weave, white flowing dress and sang – not nearly as good as Ledisi could have – her version of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Black Twitter sounded off immediately. Beyonce – who spends little time in the Black community – could probably care less. But now the truth is tumbling out: John Legend says he was approached by Beyonce herself to sing the song.
Despite the fact that songstress Ledisi played Mahalia Jackson in the movie “Selma,” Legend bowed down to Beyonce.
John Legend revealed to Entertainment Tonight correspondent Kevin Fraiser that Beyonce approached him. “You don’t say no to Beyonce,” Legend said.
Eight days into Black History Month during the era of #BlackLivesMatter regarding a movie that showcased the struggles of Black Americans in the United States was the worse possible time to make the call to side with the wannabe over the jiggaboo.
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Well said DC Livers, smh at this display, good evening.
I think the fact that Iggy Azalea is popular makes me sick to my stomach. She blatantly ripped her name from Azalea Banks (a real talent), and is about as fake as it gets… But – people are buying her tracks and she is “playing the game” well.
Not surprised that these award shows are becoming watered down though, so many things like the examples you mentioned are happening, all to the dismay of real artists.