Rihanna Opens Up On Racism Within The Entertainment Industry

Published: Monday 12th Oct 2015 by David
rih-times

Following Azealia Banks‘ headline-making remarks on the matter it seems racism is no longer a no-go area for today’s Pop star.

Once considered a taboo topic for record labels hoping to keep their artists as PC as possible the subject is now one many artists are now expected to address as stories of police brutality against minorities continues to dominate the news cycle.

Now, ‘Man Down‘ chanteuse Rihanna is baring all on her race-related experiences within the supposedly post-racial entertainment industry.

What she said will surprise many.

Find out why below…

In a recent interview with the ‘New York Times’ to promote her new album ‘ANTI’ she revealed:

Everyone’s cool with a young black woman singing, dancing, partying and looking hot, but that when it comes time to negotiate, to broker a deal, she is suddenly made aware of her blackness. ‘And, you know, that never ends, by the way. It’s still a thing. And it’s the thing that makes me want to prove people wrong. It almost excites me; I know what they’re expecting and I can’t wait to show them that I’m here to exceed those expectations. But, I have to bear in mind that those people are judging you because you’re packaged a certain way — they’ve been programmed to think a black man in a hoodie means grab your purse a little tighter. For me, it comes down to smaller issues, scenarios in which people can assume something of me without knowing me, just by my packaging.

 

What do you make of her comments?

 

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  1. DIABETES UNBOTHERED October 12, 2015

    I think rih- s**** means she’s a puppet programmed to fit into the mold of the dark I don’t givafuc image. If she stayed good girl she would have never crossed over in pop star territory. Bey achieved this without selling her soul. Beautiful pic btw…

    • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

      You Beyonce stans swears up & down her success and accomplishments all comes without questions…..yea, okay.

      • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

        With all do respect, have several seats!

      • When RIHsus Says Yes… October 12, 2015

        Tyler Makiavelli – Like Beyonce, you NEED to be original and stop stealing quotes from Wendy Williams without crediting her. Have a seat with your and Beyonce’s maker, Satan.

    • fatusankoh October 12, 2015

      Well said thanks

      • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

        Ya’ girl also sold her soul, she’s the ring leader when it comes to things like that!

    • iSpeakTruthNoFallacy October 12, 2015

      Isn’t there a hot and ready sign at Little Caesars you should be chasing?

      • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

        Funny! But, nope I ‘v never order from them, But yeah…you seem to know your stuff! You’ve been there and done that!

    • Meka October 12, 2015

      SHE IS LOW ON TALENT AND HIGH ON HYPE.

      1. NO VOCAL RANGE
      2. SHE DOES NOT WRITE SONGS
      3. HORRIBLE LIVE PERFORMER
      4. BAD ROLE MODEL – BEING A DRUG ADDICT
      5. HORRIBLE TATTOOS ALL OVER HER HANDS

    • Abdul Aziz October 14, 2015

      Beyoncé did sell her soul remember I am Sasha Fierce lol

  2. Anastasia Beaverhousen (aka T.I.T.S.) October 12, 2015

    Her statement had more to do with sexism than racism, but I get where she was trying to go..

    Sometimes racism is expressed in a more hidden agenda.

    • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

      Random but just wanna let you know damn baby slays my life ????

    • Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

      Fuuck you anastasia I’m not Molly

      • Anastasia Beaverhousen (aka T.I.T.S.) October 12, 2015

        @MoldyPuss

        Take your lithium. You and your other personalities are splintering again. LMAO!

        Bittch no one cares what you think about J. Like I said worry about raising the transition fund for your fave..

        #SlayHisDickOff
        #WashYoPussBitch. 😉

    • bash October 13, 2015

      Did you read it ? She clearly states race…

      • Anastasia Beaverhousen (aka T.I.T.S.) October 13, 2015

        Can you read? I said the majority of what was quoted seems like sexism. I never said exclusively so..

        But thanks for your late, second guessing of my statement.

  3. DIABETES UNBOTHERED October 12, 2015

    Top 5 reasons ANTI will fail:

    5. Flop singles
    4. Flop album title
    3. Flop album cover
    2. 2 years of irrelavance
    1. Taylor Swift

    • rosy October 12, 2015

      Because Your P**** Is Dry B**** No Man Or Woman Want You Because You A Flop In Bed gtfoh With Your Logic Ass Self

    • HailBeysus October 12, 2015

      Didn’t you put Beyonce as #1 reason last time??? Damn you be changing your stan statutes every 2 post lol!

  4. Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

    She was singing cotton-candy pop lyrics in songs about Umbrellas in 07, rude boys in 09, whips and chains in 10, and finding love in 11. She was just being “real” by following the musical trends of the day. . . and now that the dance-pop she’s built her fame on is declining in popularity, she just so happens to suddenly be stripping down her image and her sound? Please. Rihanna is just as plastic and manufactured as any other pop star. She’s just a product – not the brains behind her calculated pop stardom at all.

    • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

      Mr. Know it all!!

      • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

        Rihanna’s an industry puppet whose gained by doing everything half ass, her fans never require more. Thats the f****** problem!

    • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

      No lies told king

      • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

        Hey girl hey!!!

      • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

        Hey babe, how are you?

      • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

        Good! Yourself?

  5. Queen Molly October 12, 2015

    Rihanna is a s**** to the industry tho…

    • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

      Name a celebrity who isn’t??!!

      • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

        Beyonce and Ciara ❤

      • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

        @Queen Molly, ha-ha!! You are most definitely one of those beyond delusional Beyonce’s fans.

      • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

        Please tell me how bey and ciara are slaves to the industry? Last I checked they weren’t the ones releasing albums every damn year.

    • jdek October 12, 2015

      lmao just look at your avi…lmao your an idot

  6. iSpeakTruthNoFallacy October 12, 2015

    Look at Rih trying to sound all conscious and sh*t…She’s doing all of this silent promo to surprise drop Anti, therefore it better live up to the hype

    • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

      You idiot she’s part of the industry of course she’s experienced racism and she’s damn well is entitled to talked about it when she feels like it!

      • HailBeysus October 12, 2015

        But can you explain why she’s speaking about it now? Lets be honest. Its low key promo for ANTi M’Kay

  7. S****** Blonde October 12, 2015

    Everyone’s cool with a young black woman singing, dancing, partying and looking hot, but that when it comes time to negotiate, And it’s the thing that makes me want to prove people wrong. It almost excites me; I know what they’re expecting and I can’t wait to show them that I’m here to exceed those expectations.

    I love this girl but isn’t she a party girl, i can’t with her.

    • Huh October 12, 2015

      so she denied it in this interview?

  8. shakira stan October 12, 2015

    Racism is still a thing ?in 2015?

  9. shakira stan October 12, 2015

    Anyway anti will slay every album beyflopnce has .

    • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

      ANTI-RIHleaseDate

    • Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

      Pink>>> Christina >>> Britney >>> Shakira…….. Your fave returns 2018 next world cup…. Don’t try it

      • shakira stan October 12, 2015

        Lmao all those b****** can’t compare to the queen
        Not in beauty
        Not in popularity

  10. Queen Molly October 12, 2015

    Beyonce has never been a s**** to industry like Rihanna, Ariana, and many others.

    • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

      Do you like Ciara’s approach when it comes to music and management?

      • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

        I dont tbh something is off and it aint the music. Ciaras management is trash smh. Ci should easily be as big as rih and bey.

      • shakira stan October 12, 2015

        Lmao

      • Queen Molly October 12, 2015

        And bitchhh where is Shakiras career? Don’t try it hoeee

    • Natasha3 October 12, 2015

      Keep believing that!

    • shakira stan October 12, 2015

      Just jay z and Mathew Knowles s**** .

  11. DIABETES UNBOTHERED October 12, 2015

    Rihanna damn near has to do a surprise drop… idk why she thinks building all this unessasary anticipation is still gonna work in 2015. Seems all that smoking damaged her competitive side. Even T swift knew to drop immediatly after first singles reached its peak.

    • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

      I told ya’ll that she was going to try to pull a “Beyonce” with this release. AND the pic above is giving me I Am Sasha Fierce vibes.

  12. D October 12, 2015

    In all honesty, I understand where she’s coming from. In the entertainment industry (just like the corporate world) you will be perceived a certain way when you are a person of color — especially if that color is black.

    I am 24, have my BSc, and am 6 months away from completing my MA. I recently worked in finance for a globally prominent banking corporation, as well as smaller private companies and government departments.

    In each of these environments I was usually more qualified than my peers, and in a few instances more qualified than my superiors [education + experience]. On more than one occasion I was passed up for a promotion (on my day off, nonetheless), which was given to a White colleague who had 0 experience in the industry. I was the only black colleague on the team, as well as the most qualified (& honestly, the most professional). Said colleague then made multiple racially charged statements to me in private. I took them to the superior who promoted them, and he told me that I was being sensitive. This is one of many instances.

    When it comes time to tell jokes, liven up a party, or share your knowledge / expertise, people are there for you. But the minute that you, as a person of color, begin to show your business / professional / serious side, people’s egos get hurt and they need to put you ‘back in your place’ to keep their own warped self-image in check.

    Opinions of Rihanna aside; she [arguably] might shuck and jive on stage, and while the general public has become accustomed to that image , I’m sure in business meetings she know’s her stuff and that makes the higher-ups very uncomfortable. ‘Know your place’. Racism, bigotry, prejudice or whatever you will call it is very, very malicious.

    Anyway, feel free to hit me with ‘tl;dr’ — I’m acting like this is buzzfeed ????????

    • Teflon Boy October 12, 2015

      I’m with you a 100%. Tbh it stands to reason that the entertainment industry (as with fashion) would be one of the most racist industries simply because so much is based on aesthetic and what will supposedly sell. The difference is people are more able to justify their racism with statements like ‘we thought this was more appropriate for our target demo’ etc. Rihanna and co. May be successful women of colour but there are likely many jobs they won’t book that say Katy Perry and Taylor would based off of mass mainstream racial appeal. White people in media can represent everything from a homeless vagrant to the Queen of England and all that’s in between.., these days white people can even wear finger wave and rap in Ebonics and still not have their white appeal questioned. PoC in comparison have less range of visibility and hence are more over herded toward stereotypical roles and imaging.

      • D October 12, 2015

        Well stated — I agree with everything you wrote. It’s sad, but it’s the world.

    • shakira stan October 12, 2015

      Aren’t you a f**?

      • D October 12, 2015

        No. I am someone who shared their views concerning an important social issue that was touched on in the above article. I don’t know who you are, but God bless.

  13. xedos October 12, 2015

    its the same with Serena. she dominate the tennis world whipping Sharapova ass 17-2 yet Sharapova makes way more money that Serena on endorsement.

  14. DIABETES UNBOTHERED October 12, 2015

    Lol tyler. Rih has been copying the iasf all year lol with the BIPOLAR singles… ( esp ffs folk sound) no makeup blk&white imagery more reserved fashion choices… darker imagery. its all iasf… failed attempt atleast.

    • ANTI (hives scared of R8) October 12, 2015

      Are you joking? IASF is a complete rip off of GGGB.You Stan for a thief.

  15. Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

    Sometimes I love her……. She aproached it thousand times better than Onika

  16. Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

    Yaaaaas @Unbothered about time I thumb up one of your comments

  17. Bitchdontkillmyvibes October 12, 2015

    A black man in a hoody does meam.grab ur purse a little tighter. Just the same as a white man or Asian man in a hoody… What’s ur point. Have a seat ???? rihanna

    • jdek October 12, 2015

      lmao your reaching stop it loool

  18. Theman October 12, 2015

    She is very well spoken for. She’s learned a lot navigating through this industry. If she’s a puppet then what about B? Rihanna brokers her own deals too. She’s intelligent. Basically, she was saying that being Blk in this industry already comes with certain stereotypes & what not. Shut up about the word flop. It’s highly overused. Appreciate the music or move on..

    • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

      She’s very well spoken for? How would you know?
      When has Rihanna ever been socially conscious? And what about Bey? Please elaborate on that….

    • AnnaliseKeatingsNewWig October 12, 2015

      What about B? @theman don’t start none won’t be none! Beyonce has created basically created an aura of perfection, to the point where people are ready to criticise her whenever she expresses her feelings. In spite of this, Beyonce has shown her support on many social discussions and topics. E.G. Supporting Hilary Clintons presidential run, supporting the Black Lives Matter campaign, showing her support for trayvon and the other deaths, etc. Beyonce expresses her opinion in a diplomatic fashion and does not use topics like ‘racism’ to promote her own music. Get wit it honey!

      • AnnaliseKeatingsNewWig October 12, 2015

        * minus one of the ‘created’, my iPhone is playing up ????

  19. Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

    Pink>>> Christina >>> Britney >>> Shakira…….. Your fave returns 2018 next world cup…. Don’t try it

  20. Mya October 12, 2015

    Rachel just a hero last week, sit down

  21. Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

    When will Bey ever speak up on Race???? As if she’s not married to a man who resembles a c****
    .
    thatgrapejuice.net/2011/02/hot-shot-beyonces-full-lofficiel-shoot/
    .
    She forgets she was born like this

    • Taylor Tori Azalea October 12, 2015

      thatgrapejuice.net/2011/02/hot-shot-beyonces-full-lofficiel-shoot/
      .
      really Samuel the link to your blog????

    • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

      Honkey! Your pale genetically defected ass might want to exit this comment section while you still can.

  22. jdek October 12, 2015

    Absolute truth rih.. Shes sounds so educated and down to earth i love this!!! Unlike beytranny who’s a s**** to the industry with her 20686869695 different blond wigs and 234345355445456 bleaching creams and surgery procedures to please the white massas smh. The hive can’t stand the fact natural rihanna slays there overdone t***** fave smh. Honestly They cannot stand the fact rihannas dethroned their gimmick tiered transgender flop queen. Truth hurts…

    • Tyler Makiavelli October 12, 2015

      You sound so ignorant. The lighter the berry, the dumber the juice!

  23. Blah October 12, 2015

    Lmao this b**** is not slick. She’s only talking all this racism rahrah all of a sudden to prepare for the impending flop. In other words, stay tuned for the “she alienated herself from white buyers who can’t handle/don’t care about the topics of racism and other social issues” excuses.

  24. chanel October 12, 2015

    I get what she saying anyway I wonder if Miley going to say something about it that we all have a right to be expressive though any way I live Rihanna can’t wait for anti

  25. Mr ???? October 12, 2015

    My post is a generalisation…

    There is so much black on black crime in the US and the UK.black kids killing other black kids. Black girls pulling out Blk girl weaves, black boys robbing black boys, black kids stabbing each other. Black families need to ensure that their chilens grow up to be prosocial empathic adults.

    It’s not only white people that have a negative view of black people… Asians. South Asians. White ppl, Europeans etc, all see black ppl in a negative light… Why is that?

    • Yachi October 12, 2015

      Funny you don’t mention white on white crime, mass killings, murder-s****** (wife & kids). White people kill more white people than blacks killing blacks. Wonder why you didn’t bring that up?

      PS. To answer your question it’s this thing called the media. They’ve always portrayed blacks in a negative light.

      • Mr ???? October 14, 2015

        In the UK, we generally don’t have mass murders.what happens on a daily basis is black on black crimes especially the the young generation.

        The amount of white mass murders in comparison to stabbings by black youths is just not comparable.

        I agree, it is the media, but even so, I’m talking about violence against eachother.

        Rosa parks and Martin Luther didn’t take a stand just for us black folks to kill eachother.

  26. ❤Queen Molly❤ October 12, 2015

    Lol i tried

  27. ann October 12, 2015

    ahh can we talk about how white rnb artist alissa cara is gettn so much airplay on top 100 BB im hearing that song in places you wouldnt normally. Thats the kinda racial issue i waant to hear the black heavy hitters speak on more. This trend? i hope labels wont go too far in their belief that non black appearing skin tones sell more and to heck with everyone else!

  28. Dee October 13, 2015

    You can’t change your beautiful blackness however the package as the girl always ready to take off your clothes package doesn’t help. I respect what you are trying to do however.

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