Eminem is facing intense backlash as people dig up an old music video, accusing the rapper of cultural appropriation. Social media is buzzing with debates, as fans and critics alike dissect every detail of the footage.
The 2004 clip has resurfaced after rapper Tyga was forced to apologise to the Mexican community for doing a similar music video.
Eminem is being called out for cultural appropriation for an old music video.
The rapper’s song with D12 titled ‘My Band’ was released back in 2004 and featured a section right at the end that’s now been dubbed inappropriate.
Eminem is seen in a matador outfit while members of D12 are dressed like they’re in a Mariachi band.
The 49-year-old sang about how his ‘salsa makes all the pretty girls want to dance and get in their underpants’.
It was a relic of rap history that has sat in the archives gathering dust for nearly 20 years.
However, rapper Tyga was recently embroiled in a scandal after releasing a music video for his song ‘Ay Caramba’.
It featured the star dressed in an outfit that many called a stereotype of Mexican culture.
There was so much backlash against the clip that Tyga was forced to apologise to the Mexican community.
He told L.A. Leakers and American Cholo podcast host Gil Tejada: “I want to apologise to the Mexican community and my fans that are Mexican.
“I have a lot of Latin fans that are Puerto Rican or Dominican that probably weren’t offended by this video.
“But, my Mexican fans in L.A., there definitely was some that were offended.”
When this furore kicked off, people pointed out how Eminem escaped criticism for doing the same thing, even though it was nearly two decades ago when cultural appropriation was rarely called out.
One person on social media wrote: “How come there’s no outrage in the Latino community for Eminem doing this huh?”
Another added: “I wonder why these folks aren’t demanding an apology from Eminem.”
A third said: “Invent a time machine and travel back and/or forth to whichever era and this s**t will STILL not be funny.”
However, there were several comments from people claiming to be Hispanic who said they didn’t find a problem with Eminem portraying himself as Latino.
One user said: “I loved this ending as a kid! And I’m Puerto Rican! Makes me miss my sister even more.”
A different user added: “As a member of the Hispanic community we really don’t give that much of a s**t enough to cancel someone.”
The music video didn’t seem to ruffle any feathers back when in was released in 2004.
It was even nominated for Video of the Year, Best Group Video, and Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.
