Music

CeeLo Green Apologises For Tone-Deaf Comments About ‘WAP’ After Massive Backlash

Green had called the song "shameless" and bemoaned its lack of morality.

by Joseph Earp  13 August 2020
Cardi B and CeeLo Green

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CeeLo Green has apologised for comments he made about Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s new song ‘WAP’.

The Gnarls Barkley singer had previously criticised the song and its accompanying video for what he considered its overly sexualised content. Calling the clip “shameless”, Green adopted an ancient conservative talking point, and bemoaned the degradation of the music industry’s morals.

“A lot of music today is very unfortunate and disappointing on a personal and moral level,” he said in an interview with Far Out. “There was once a time when we were savvy enough to code certain things. We could express to those it was meant for with the style of language we used. But now music is shameless, it is sheer savagery.”

In response, the internet was quick to point out that Green is far from the person to be talking about the morality of the industry. Back in 2014, in now deleted Tweets, the musician explained his belief that “It isn’t rape if the victim is unconscious”, as The Guardian reported at the time.

Following the backlash, Green has today clarified his comments somewhat, saying that he was taken out of context.

“Firstly, I am an advocate of artistic freedom and expression as well as a fan of Nicki, Cardi, and Meagan,” he explained through Twitter.

“I know most of them personally and consider Cardi and Offset family. Therefore, I would never disrespect them by any means. I acknowledge them as all powerful, beautiful, and influential women and professionals.

“I wholeheartedly apologize to each of them for the inconvenience they have been caused due to a snippet of my interview being used as a headline, and in turn creating controversy and disconnect between me and these ladies as well as their fans.”

Whether Green’s apology will be accepted remains to be seen.