Jennifer Lopez will tribute Motown Records at this year’s Grammy Awards. And Black Twitter has already responded with a collective “huh?”
Motown, the machine that contributed The Supremes, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and The Jackson 5 to the culture is iconic in the Black community. And this year, it’s celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Still, after the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences made the announcement, Jemele Hill was one of the first to jump in and express the confusion it seemed many were feeling tweeting: “I have questions.”
Many others on social media questioned why the Academy would choose to honor the legacy of such an important Black record label with Lopez instead of a Black artist, openly questioning who approved the idea.
Tributes performed at the Grammys are often medleys so it is possible that Lopez will be a part of an ensemble honoring Motown, but no matter what her role is Black Twitter remains unexcited about the possibilities.
To all the non-black Latinos defending the Grammys decision to have Jennifer Lopez sing a Motown tribute: picture Ciara singing a Selena tribute. Okay then! #JenniferLopez#GRAMMYSpic.twitter.com/bqF2t5aRGF
Dear #GRAMMYs Out of Anita, Beyonce, Lalah, India, Kelly Rowland, Latoya, Keyshia, Mary, Rihanna, Toni, Mariah, Monica, Brandy, Jill, Thee Diana, Faith, Patti, Gladys, Jennifer Hud, Jasmine Sullivan, Fantasia, Tamar, Kelly Price you get Jennifer Lopez to do Motown? Insulting. pic.twitter.com/Fs0xaN96lO
— As I was saying, #BreonnaTaylor (@2speak_easy) February 6, 2019
