Gwen Stefani accused of cultural appropriation in Sean Paul’s ‘Light My Fire’ music video
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Credit: Getty Images
The music video for Sean Paul’s most recent song, Light My Fire, which features Gwen Stefani and Shenseea, was made available on Wednesday, July 13. In the music video, dreadlocked singer-songwriter Stefani performed while dancing and singing along to the tune.
52-year-old Stefani is shown in the video sporting a green, yellow, and black attire that appears to have been influenced by Jamaica. Ironically, Shenseea and rapper Sean Paul, both of Jamaican descent, don’t appear to be wearing the national colours of their home nation in the music video.
Many people on Twitter accused Stefani of cultural appropriation as a result of her appearance in the video.
Netizens respond to Gwen Stefani’s participation in the music video for “Light My Fire”
A large number of internet users criticized the singer of Hollaback Girl once the video was released, saying that the dreadlocks were an appropriation of Jamaican culture. On the other hand, several tweets appeared to make fun of the criticism Gwen Stefani got and made light of the charges of cultural appropriation.
There is no such thing as cultural appropriation, one user asserted. Since the beginning of time, cultures have been integrating, combining, adapting, and evolving.
Another commenter noted that Gwen Stefani had been performing ska music with No Doubt for years before going solo, so this wasn’t exactly inappropriate for her or the cultural appropriation that some people were accusing her of.
Someone else said that, unfortunately, no one enjoys cultural appropriation as much as Gwen Stefani.
One person asserted, “No one did cultural appropriation the way Gwen Stefani did, and to be honest, I can’t really criticize because that music is so wonderful for
There is no such thing as cultural appropriation. Cultures have been mixing since the dawn of time, assimilating, merging, adapting and changing.
— consentuality (@consentuality) July 15, 2022
Gwen sang a Reggae song honoring the nation that brought us that music. Ironically in a language which the Jamaicans appropriated
Another stated that Gwen Stefani was guilty of cultural appropriation at the time.
A sizable number of comments also noted that the Grammy Award-winning musician has already faced accusations of cultural appropriation.
Referencing the earlier claims of cultural appropriation made against Gwen Stefani
- Harajuku controversy
Gwen Stefani embraced her adoration for Japan’s Harajuku culture for her first solo studio album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., released in 2004. Four Japanese dancers dressed in Harajuku garb were hired by Stefani to participate in her music videos and live shows. For a few live performances, the singer and rapper herself donned the Harajuku attire.
😈 TOP 15 MOST PROBLEMATIC QUEENS IN J-POP 😈
— brettie boo ♡ TA (@ayuclone) June 26, 2020
#4 Gwen Stefani (74 votes)
🔥 Scandals: Keeping 4 Japanese women as pets for years
👩⚖️ Punhishment: Banned from ever stepping foot in Harajuku pic.twitter.com/doaB0Dlmz2
2. Bantu knots
In the 1990s, Stefani was pictured wearing bantu knots, which were first worn by the Zulu people of Southern Africa. She also had a bindi, a headpiece common to several South Asian cultures, on her forehead in the same picture. Recently, the British singer Adele received flak for wearing bantu knots in a shot.
Gwen Stefani appropriating Bantu knots *AND* bindis at the same freakin' time!! pic.twitter.com/E4qHgYhY79
— • a girl with moxie • (@RadRoopa) September 1, 2014
3. Alleged Chola cultural appropriation
Gwen Stefani appeared in a Chola-inspired outfit in the Luxurious music video from 2005, which recently garnered criticism. Chicano and Latino roots form the foundation of Chola culture. “Cholas had a great influence on me,” Stefani told Latina magazine in 2017.
4. Native American style controversy
Gwen Stefani’s look in the music video for the No Doubt song Looking Hot in 2012 was inspired by Native American fashion. A confrontation between cowboys and Native Americans was also shown in the film. No Doubt withdrew the video after the intense criticism.
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
