Jennifer Lopez picked to do Grammys’ Motown tribute, but she’s getting side eyes
So JLo is doing the Motown tribute at the Grammys? Twitter, if not exactly thrilled, is offering shade about it
The Black History Month-observing public is wondering why, after years of racial criticisms, the Grammys selected pop singer Jennifer Lopez to sing a tribute to Motown Records as the awards show honors its 60th anniversary.
Complex reports that people anticipating the show on Feb. 10 are confused as to why Lopez, who is from the block but is not African American and is not normally associated with Motown, was picked to honor the groundbreaking record company born in predominantly Black Detroit.
On Twitter, users questioned the logic of using Lopez to express appreciation for an Black-founded institution which gave the world Black music legends like The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder.
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Tweeted comedian Loni Love of TV’s The Real:
https://twitter.com/LoniLove/status/1092907988245917696
Love was referring to actor Liam Neeson’s recent revelation about a violent racist sentiment he had dealt with. She also was referring to last week’s surfacing of blackface images of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.
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Others were confused too.
I have questions. https://t.co/UqkqAZzRV5
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 5, 2019
#Grammys : JLo is doing the #Motown tribute.
Us: pic.twitter.com/LgogBHFgBC
— 💜🍾✨🧜🏾♀️Tai 🧜🏾♀️✨🍾💜 (@mrsjerseybelle5) February 6, 2019
Why would they pick Jlo to tribute Motown, I’m Latina and wouldn’t want a non latina singer pay tribute to Selena, Celia Cruz, or any Latina legends. Plus it’s black history month???? The Grammys needa be more respectful of they decision.
— Isabel Bedoya (@ItsIsabelBedoya) February 6, 2019
The tribute during the event, which is set to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, will be in honor of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Motown.
No word yet from The Recording Academy on the decision. No reaction from Lopez so far on the public outcry or from Motown.
