Miley Cyrus Responds to YouTuber’s Cultural Appropriation Criticism
Miley Cyrus left a heartfelt comment under a YouTube video after a fan criticized her music, classifying it as cultural appropriation and claiming she stereotyped the hip-hop genre.
YouTube user "As Told By Kenya" posted an almost 30-minute video diving into Cyrus' time in hip-hop music, exploring how the singer borrowed elements from the genre and inserted them into her own brand of pop music. Kenya argued that Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift wouldn't be making the music they are now without Cyrus' initial foray into hip-hop and how she translated the genre into pop music.
However, the YouTuber also said that Cyrus "did some very racially insensitive things as far as cultural appropriation," adding that Cyrus took the heat so others could do it freely, citing Grande's "7 rings" song and video.
Kenya also referenced Cyrus' "problematic" interview with Billboard where the pop star claimed she left the hip-hop genre due to the negative stereotypes surrounding the genre. As Cyrus told Billboard, "That's what pushed me out of the hip-hop scene a little. It was too much 'Lamborghini, got my Rolex, got a girl on my c---' — I am so not that."
Cyrus left a comment on Kenya's video, responding to her criticism.
"Just watched your video. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak up. Being silent is not like me at all. I am aware of my platform and have always used it the best way I know how and to shine a light on injustice," she wrote.
"I want to start with saying I am sorry," Cyrus continued. "I own the fact that saying 'this pushed me out of the hip hop scene a little' was insensitive as it is a privilege to have the ability to dip in and out of 'the scene.' There are decades of inequality that I am aware of, but still have a lot learn about."
The singer added that she refuses "to be quiet anymore" as "silence is apart [sic] of the problem."
"My words became a divider in a time where togetherness and unity is crucial. I can not change what I said at that time, but I can say I am deeply sorry for the disconnect my words caused. Simply said; I f---ed up and I sincerely apologize. I’m committed to using my voice for healing, change, and standing up for what’s right."
Watch Kenya's full video, below: