Jay Park posted a statement in response to the reaction H1GHER MUSIC's newest song 'DNA Remix' has received in relation to allegations of offending multiple cultures.
Jay Park posted a statement in response to the backlash H1GHER MUSIC's newest song "DNA Remix" has received in relation to allegations of offending multiple cultures. As is well known the music video for “DNA Remix” was not well received by many international fans,
Fans have called it out for wearing black people's hair and are concerned that it could perpetuate negative stereotypes about black people and black culture. In response to an outpouring of fan concerns, Jay Park posted a response in the YouTube comments of the video addressing the criticism. In it, he acknowledges the origins and impact of Hip-Hop.
"Hip-Hop makes us feel liberated and empowered. It gives us an outlet for our voices to be heard and for expressing ourselves in ways that society might consider inappropriate. We don't get the best grades or go to college and we're not doctors or lawyer so it gave us a sense of belonging and value. It gave us hope and motivation that we could change our situation if we put our hearts and minds to it and could make something from scratch, "said Jay Park.
He shared that they admire many black rappers by stating, "not just for the aesthetics but their mindset for overcoming obstacles and being goal-oriented regardless of what other people think and who might doubt you." As a result, according to him, it is only natural that they aspire to be like them.
"Having a certain hairstyle or appearance gives us confidence and inspiration and makes us feel like rock stars and that's because what we see and hear feels natural to us. Also because we think deeply about Hip-Hop and the characters in Hip-Hopefully. we are very influenced by them and some of us grew up in black circles or black friends overseas, so being inspired and influenced is natural."
Jay Park also made sure to emphasize that he and his artists support Hip-Hop and black culture. "Do we support and value Hip-Hop and Black culture? Yes, the majority of hip hop artists here have spoken and made donations about BLM issues and have spoken to our parents," he continued.
“We are the ones who listen to music and go to concerts when people cross and we are the ones who make sure rappers who come from the states no matter how big or small feel at home and show them what hospitality really is. . We don't see color. We feel like we're brothers in Hip-Hop which I think is a universal language that transcends race, color and religion."
On the particular issue regarding Asian artist dreadlocks, he stated that he doesn't necessarily agree with it, but doesn't believe he's in a place to comment on or control it either. He asserts that H1GHER MUSIC is not the enemy, as they are not trying to belittle Black culture and the Black agenda, but rather to spread love and uplift those around us with what Black culture has created.
"If you can fangirl young Korean men with dyed hair, I don't understand why we can't fanboy rappers with facial tattoos and dreadlocks. Everyone likes what they like. Let's love each other and be kind either on the Internet or online. right away," said Jay Park.
"This is what Hip-Hop kids look like in Korea and I wanted to show it and tackle it to the best of my ability to tell the world where we came from. I've traveled the world and hung out with everyone from criminals to billionaires and realized that everyone has different perspectives and we can learn to disagree." (wk/putr)