For years, Bruno Mars has been accused of using his racial ambiguity to cross into musical genres that are traditionally Black with much success. Oftentimes, this has been to the detriment of Black artists who struggle in these areas to even have their records get played. According to a report by Complex, the multitalented, Grammy-winning musician answered to these claims in an interview with his Silk Sonic partner Anderson .Paak.
At 21:50, host Charlamagne Tha God asks, “People love to accuse you of being a cultural thief, which I find interesting because you are a person of color. What would you say to those people?”
Bruno Mars explains that he has always credited the Black artists who made the music that inspired him and that everything he does is out of love.
“I would say: You can’t look at an interview, you can’t find an interview where I’m not talking about the entertainers that’ve come before me. And the only reason why I’m here is because of James Brown, is because of Prince, Michael [Jackson]—that’s the only reason why I’m here.
“I’m growing up as a kid, watching Bobby Brown [and] saying, ‘OK, if that’s what it takes to make it, then I’ve got to learn how to do the running man, I’ve got to learn how to do the moon walk.’ That’s it. And this music comes from love, and if you can’t hear that, then I don’t know what to tell you,” Bruno said.
Charlamagne asked him if the questions about cultural appropriation were upsetting. Bruno responded that it was part of the job, but there is something to what people are saying about the lack of acknowledgment paid to Black entertainers who paved the way.
“It comes with the gig. And there’s real merit to what people are saying about Black entertainers not getting their flowers, and I’m championing with that, I’m with that … I understand, but it’s just Twitter.”
