When the officials at the Grammys announced that Jennifer Lopez would do a tribute to Motown, many on social media expressed concerns. But some decided to give Lopez a chance after Motown legend Smokey Robinson came to her defense days before the big event.
Be that as it may, the actual performance caused a stir, as Lopez added her own twist to the legacy of Motown. Lopez performed a medley of songs, such as “Dancing in the Street” and “Please Mr. Postman,” with a slew of dancers in tow.
Although Lopez dazzled with her dance routines and glittery skirts, the overall performance lacked the soul and depth made popular by Motown artists such as The Temptations, The Jackson 5, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder.
During and after Lopez’s performance, Black Twitter shared its collective displeasure.
The irony of the very sexy J.Lo Motown revue is that Berry Gordy had the women of Motown tame their sexy so as to not fall into the Jezebel, highly sexed trope which White America places black women in! So they could have NEVER given a performance like that, ladies at all times!
— bevysmith (@bevysmith) February 11, 2019
Watching Grammys…there are SO many Motown artists who are alive and well, so why aren’t these artists performing in the Motown tribute? Just wondering….🙌🏽
— Felicia Middlebrooks (@FeliciaConnects) February 11, 2019
Sorry. I’m not letting that Motown tribute go. It was horrible, the antithesis to everything Motown ever represented. It was a Black— people and culture— label that promoted Black talent— people and culture— with class and dignity AND SOUL!!!! #grammys
— Demetria L. Lucas (@demetriallucas) February 11, 2019
“Girl why they got J. Lo up here doing the Motown tribute” #Grammys pic.twitter.com/tsp5GmlOuD
— Dragon Fly Jones (@_muziq_) February 11, 2019
This is the worst Black History Month ever. First, all these white people in GD blackface, and now we can’t find one actual black face to do the Motown tribute!?!!! Rewind this whole month and start over. #grammys
— Demetria L. Lucas (@demetriallucas) February 11, 2019
When J-Lo started to salsa during the Motown tribute #Grammys pic.twitter.com/0CdpNemesn
— Kyle J. Ruggs (@K_Ruggs) February 11, 2019
J Lo dancing, all those dancers and theatrics that’s not MOTOWN. I don’t care what anyone says. The Grammys could’ve found a better artist(s) to do that tribute
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) February 11, 2019
Overheard — “That was the Whole Foods Motown Review..” 🤣🤣
— El Viejo Ebro (@oldmanebro) February 11, 2019
