Hm. They have a point but idk.

I take this article with a grain of salt. At first they seem to be defending Adele from cultural appropriation claims or from those who say she sells tons because she's white (which I think to a degree it's true).

Then the issue of genre comes out, Adele is not R&B or soul. The ending of the article is what bothers me. What do they mean she could never? It just sounds.....harsh. She could never what, sing soul? Be as authentic as those other soul singers because she's white?

I really can't stand these terrible writers whose journalism "careers" revolve around race-baiting.

I thought she was a black British singer when I first heard 19 Live At The Hotel Cafe. :shrug:

She is though, she's the same as Iggy and Macklemore. I mean lettuce be real, she's mediocre in lyricism and technique and enjoying the privliage white people get.

k

I disagree. Her vocals are emotionally powerful and very unique.

Her songwriting high points are also fantastic. Rolling In The Deep is a lyrically stunning pop song.

Well if complex says so

I disagree but agree at the same time.

No I do not believe she's a great example of cultural appropriation due to her actually having talent & ability to create great quality music. But I also believe she's overhyped because she's a white lady who appeals to a white audience who normally wouldn't give her folk/soul music a listen.

I agree. Adele is not a soul singer.
she is an amazing vocalist who touches your soul but she does not sing soul music.

being good has nothing to do with appropriation though

it just makes it easier to swallow i guess

OK so basically the problem with this is that the class Motown stars did not write their own material, so to say Adele's songwriting ability doesn't compare is outlandish

But imo, it justifies some of the praise. There's a reason Eminem is respected & that's because he's talented & understands the culture.

Unique timbre =\= talent(See Rihanna), emotionally powerful also =\= technique. She's a weaker singer with a limited range and small resonance. A cute tone is a cute tone


I don't have a problem with "cultural appropriation", as I don't believe anyone really owns anything in a cultural sense but I do believe that your skin colour and sex affects your sales when it shouldn't. Adele is getting the success that is rightfully due to tens of more talented black artists that have come before and after her .Adele is marketed as something original and real but really she's mediocre. Amy winehouse is an example of a talented white soul singer

Thanks.

"Adele could never"

She could never what? Sing soul music because she's white? Outsell soul singers?

Terrible article tbh

If you consider that to be the only kind of soul muzik