Is Bruno Mars' music cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation? | The Tylt

YouTuber Seren Sensei (Sensei Aishitemasu) called Bruno Mars a cultural appropriator in a video debate, arguing Bruno has co-opted music from black-rooted genres and black artistry. Hollywood Life has the report: 

She went on to point out that comparisons of Bruno to Michael Jackson are a “false equivalency,” because things were so different when the King of Pop was at the height of his career than they are now. “I don’t even think that Michael Jackson, now, in this day in age, would be able to get to the point that he got to previously,” she explained. “And a huge part of that is because people have realized that they prefer their black music and their black culture from a non-black face.” Sensei also slammed Bruno for not being an “original artist,” like MJ and Prince. “What Bruno Mars does, is he takes pre-existing work and he just completely, word-for-word recreates it, extrapolates it,” she went on. “He does not create it, he does not improve upon it, he does not make it better. He’s a karaoke singer, he’s a wedding singer, he’s the person you hire to do Michael Jackson and Prince covers. Yet Bruno Mars has an Album of the Year Grammy and Prince never won an Album of the Year Grammy.”

But others argue that culture is meant to be shared, especially when it's authentic and not offensive. For many, the real issue of cultural appropriation is about privileges and authenticity rather than simply being non-black. Black artists historically have not been acknowledged for their influence. White artists can easily attain mainstream success while performing black-rooted music and adopting black culture, while black artists struggle for the same recognition.

Sometimes, white artists have co-opted black music solely for profit, and to be cool and trendy—like Katy Perry or Miley Cyrus. Other artists, like Iggy Azalea, unauthentically co-opt dialect and sounds in order to "sound black" in their music. She's from Sydney, Australia!

But in the case of Bruno, he's actually influenced by black artistry, was inspired by artists like Michael Jackson and Prince, constantly notes his influences, and credits most musical genres as being rooted in black artistry and black cultures. 

Bruno is Puerto Rican and Filipino, and some argue he's a person of color who gets the importance of giving credit where credit is due. Bruno wouldn't exist without his black influences. He knows that, but many argue he can't and should not have to change who he is because he isn't black. It's problematic to say only other black artists can be inspired by black artists before them. Shouldn't the point be to give black artists credit for influencing today's popular music? Bruno is doing that. 

And many on Black Twitter agree that Bruno is being authentic!

Want to know how ridiculous this sounds to some? Look below! 👇