News
Nicki Minaj Responds to Michael B. Jordan ‘J’Ouvert’ Rum Line Controversy
Michael B. Jordan is facing accusations of cultural appropriation over his new rum line, J’Ouvert. The Creole French word refers to the annual indigenous festivities held since the 1800s in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada during Carnival. The…
Michael B. Jordan is facing accusations of cultural appropriation over his new rum line, J’Ouvert.
The Creole French word refers to the annual indigenous festivities held since the 1800s in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada during Carnival. The packaging for J’Ouvert reads, “Derived from the Antellian Creole French term meaning ‘daybreak,’ J’OUVERT originated in the pre-dawn streets of Trinidad, as celebration of emancipation combined with Carnival season to serve as the festival informal commencements. Crafted on those same islands, J’OUVERT Rum is a tribute to the party start.”
Michael B. Jordan owns rum made in Trinidad? (I’m assuming “those same islands” mean Trinidad and Tobago? idk chile) pic.twitter.com/ZGDVIGG01Y
— Cece. (@caribbean_cece) June 20, 2021
But social media has criticized the L.A.-born actor for attempting to trademark the name despite no apparent connection to Caribbean culture.
Additionally, the trademark application claims that “the wording ‘J’OUVERT’ has no meaning in a foreign language.”
I’m curious, what upsets you most about this J’OUVERT Trademark? #JouvertRum https://t.co/82py5GEuaG via @Change
— JAY BLESSED(r)️ (@JAYBLESSED) June 22, 2021
Amid the backlash, over 10,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org demanding that the trademark filing be dismissed.
“We are not a powerless people!” writes the petition organizer, Jay Blessed. “We are a people rich in culture, history and love. It’s time we love ourselves enough to stop the sale of our culture to foreign entities that do not respect or value our global contributions, and who do not support and uphold our countries in respectful, long-lasting, tangible and verifiable ways!”
The petition also calls for Jordan “to do the right thing by calling this a loss!”
You know what I want? A public apology to the people of T& T, and the Caribbean at large, from @michaelb4jordan Scott Williams, @AngosturaHouse, Louis Shaffer and everyone hiding behind the scenes of this #JouvertRum scandal!
— JAY BLESSED(r)️ (@JAYBLESSED) June 22, 2021
Nicki Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, has also weighed in on the controversy by sharing a “history lesson” explaining the true meaning of J’Ouvert, while urging the Creed star to change the name of his rum.
“I’m sure MBJ didn’t intentionally do anything he thought Caribbean ppl would find offensive,” wrote the “Seeing Green” rapper, “but now that you are aware, change the name & continue to flourish & prosper.”
Celebrity
Meek Mill Draws Mixed Reactions With Drill Take on Nico & Vinz’s “Am I Wrong”
Meek Mill has released a couple of songs that leaked online recently, giving fans a proper way to hear the tracks after they popped up over the weekend. “Philly Heathens” has been praised for its attention to street culture and youth affected by violence, but his other new album, “Am I Wrong,” has received a much more divided response.
“Philly Heathens” has been praised for its lyrics about street culture and the young people who get caught up in violence. “Am I Wrong,” however, takes a vastly different approach, remixing the song of the same name by Nico & Vinz as a drill centric interpolation.
“Am I Wrong” is now 12 years old, and its connection to the EDM sound of the time makes it especially recognizable to those who grew up with it. So Meek’s take is built on a familiar musical reference, but the response has been far from universally complimentary. A lot of the criticism has been directed at the hook. The production has also been called dated, but the track was leaked, which may explain its sound. But the strongest reactions have focused on Meek’s chorus vocals.
Read More: Drake Joins Karol G in Houston for First Live Performance of “Ahi”
Some of the responses have been good, though. Some listeners felt the track was a throwback to the blog era, while others thought the criticism targeted almost entirely the hook, not the song as a whole. One Reddit commenter wrote that the track was good, but the chorus was bad, suggesting that Meek’s performance on the rest of the song was better than the reception to the hook may suggest.
The different reactions demonstrate the contrast between Meek’s two new leaks. “Philly Heathens” has resonated with audiences for its subject matter, while “Am I Wrong” has sparked discussion due to its interpolation and vocal approach.
Both songs are now officially available on YouTube so that fans can decide for themselves. The response to “Am I Wrong” shows how difficult it is to reinterpret a well known song, especially when a recognizable hook becomes the centerpiece of the new version
Celebrity
Drake Joins Karol G in Houston for First Live Performance of “Ahi”
Drake made a surprise appearance in Houston this weekend, joining Karol G on stage for the first-ever live performance of their collaboration, “Ahi.”
The surprise appearance took place during Karol G’s show in Houston, where Drake jumped out from the bottom of the stage to perform the song with her. “Ahi” is the latest from Karol G’s project No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, and the Houston show marked the first time the pair had performed the collaboration together on stage.
Drake made his entrance to a loud reception from the crowd. The rapper popped out from under the stage, bowed to Karol G, hugged her, and launched into their collaboration. With “Ahi,” the performance was not over. Drake stayed on stage and carried on with the set, performing “Janice STFU” and “One Dance” and giving the Houston crowd a long set from the Canadian rapper.
The collaboration also sparked speculation about Drake’s upcoming music. A rumor started that Karol G was one of the collaborators on the project, along with Molly Santana and Future, days before ICEMAN is expected to drop. Future and Molly Santana were among the names on the rumored list, and Future ended up on “Run To Atlanta.”
Read More: Cardi B and Kehlani’s “Safe” Takes Best HipHop at the VMAs
Drake’s Houston appearance comes as he continues to promote music outside the traditional album release cycle. He released FOMO, a visual YouTube project featuring visuals for several songs from Habibti and Maid Of Honor nearly two weeks ago. The project also featured a couple of unreleased songs, including new material with Yeat and new unreleased music with Don Toliver.
Drake and Don Toliver have also dropped a remix of Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.” The remix has recently sparked speculation about the artists after re uploaded visuals allegedly erased all footage of Langley.
But the Houston show shifted the focus back to Drake and Karol G. The surprise appearance turned the stop into the first live showcase of “Ahi” for the audience, while Drake’s renditions of “Janice STFU” and “One Dance” extended his surprise time onstage. It also gave fans their first chance to see the two artists perform their collaboration together, adding a live chapter to the release of “Ahi. “
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