‘Shop Around’ singer Smokey Robinson wasn’t kidding around when he weighed in on the barrage of reports slamming the Recording Academy for selecting Jennifer Lopez as one of the stars set to tribute Motown at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards (February 10).
As we reported here, Twitter erupted at news the ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ singer was onboard to pay homage the iconic record label with some questioning why “more talented African American artists” were passed up in favor of Lopez.
When quizzed on his thoughts about the hoop-la, Robinson – who penned some of the label’s most memorable hits – didn’t bite his tongue, level branding some of the critics as ‘stupid.’ Hear it from him inside:
“I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset,” he told our friends at Variety. “I think anyone is upset is stupid. Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?”
Robinson is among the names who’ll be performing alongside Lopez during the tribute. In addition to saying Lopez’s credibility for the honor is due to her “growing up in her Hispanic neighborhood,” the 78-year-old was sure to end by saying:
“Motown was music for everybody. Everybody,” he repeated.
Until she sings his songs all flat and off key!!??♂️
Agree, she’s not a vocalist she’s a performer
THis geriatric trick has been pacified and programmed to say this for may years just like Ms Gladice Knight and Diana Ross etc from that era. Theyre apart of the industry wheels so of course theyre not going to speak out against the fake lame Grammys…. He is one foot away from the nursing home so his opinion holds no weight… Meh
Sadly, you may have a point. They come from a generation that never dared speak out against the establishment for fear of a career backlash, so its all they know how to do. This has nothing to do with JLo being Hispanic; it has everything to do with her not being a vocalist. She wouldn’t even be able to handle Diana Ross’s thin vocals in a tribute.
Calling people stupid I’s a bit much considering most supported his now faltering career
Well he’s not exactly lying about people being stupid, especially this current generation.
Now faltering career? Smoky is a LEGEND with damn near 60 years under his belt. What’s your fav doing????
faltering career….you do realize he is cemented in history books and is already a legend. His career speaks for itself, he doesn’t have to lift another finger to write anything else.
Senile.
jennifer queen lopez wil slay as always 😉
Why these h*** mad though ?
His agreement is because he has an old Hispanic wife.
Smokeys wife is black not Hispanic
He doesn’t date, marry or deal with black, soulful women in his personal life. Wh
Individuals who spend increased time with non-black people SHOULD NEVER BE QUIZZED in issues that directly target or affect black people. He & Lionel Richie BOTH are so out of touch with the ground level black experience. ITS DISGUSTING!!
All of Smokeys wives have been black.
Like he didn’t spend the biggest years of his career writing and working around the clock with black soulful women? I think he knows what he’s talking about. Jennifer will do just great. I’ve never had a problem with her singing and I listen to a big variety of artists.
Black people can be so racist.
Compared to what, white people? Lol ?
Well, he sounded like he was coming from a place of race and her being able to sing the songs not being a black woman … he missed the memo! People are complaining because she cannot sing, but thats okay because she can sing/lipsync his songs all day, she is going to have no wind machine and 8 sound breakdown to save her or high heeled timberland boots.
As for the Grammy committee, i hope they expect another year of low viewer numbers.
A perfect example of a black man with no pride or dignity, its black history month celebrating an era of black music that was nothing short of amazing you don’t get a Latin chick with no vocal ability to do that!!! Considering the shambles that is the show this year with all the big black names not even performing or attending because of constant disrespect he needs to STFU
I don’t care what he says when you think MoTown you don’t think Jlo period end of story. All of them should know that for The Grammys it is about viewers and with so many people dropping out they need people and Jlo fits the bill another award show who does not acknowledge her but uses her to their benefit. But I guess anything for press that she does not need.
Love him for this! He’s great and so is she! Haters gon hate!! 3LW
You go on my Jlo shut theses people up
He’s missing point. People want diversity and different representation! That’s why Emma Stone and Scarlet Johansson and other actors got backlash for playing nonwhite roles. People want change it’s why Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians did so well, it was something different. Honor Motowns legacy accordingly by giving unknown color artist a chance to shine.
Please explain how Jennifer’s part doesn’t represent diversity. Latin culture is a big part of who she is and her influence crosses all genres and reaches people from all walks of life. She is a person of color and she doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
This is about one of the only intelligent comments here. Like, so many people complaining JLo isn’t black are the same people who want to knock Puerto Ricans for not recognizing their African heritage. Then they complain when others do and include them. So, which is it? Wake the f* up, people! They part of the African diaspora. She is bringing the diversity. ?
THE STUPID PART IS THAT WE DO T KNOW IF SHES SINGJNG OR NOT!! She may just be saying a poem smh
fd
Has anyone ever seen JLO’s Celia Cruz tribute from a couple of years back? One of the best tributes I have ever seen. I have no doubt this will be the same. People who are saying she doesn’t have the talent to pull this off need to go check that out now.
I’m with the intelligent ones.
He a uncle Tom…. Everybody knows that everybody
Jennifer who dic did you suck??????? We know your a ho. Was it smokys
He’s 100 percent correct
It is stupid of you to really think anyone care about your opinion!! You had too much plastic surgery, you look terrible!!! Did JLO pay someone to be apart of Motown? Smokey was putting his hands all over her, she allowed it. Was that rehearsed? YOU’RE IGNORANT FOR CALLING PEOPLE STUPID!!!