Criticism Archives - Rolling Out

Tyra Banks has vowed to fight the “oppression” of the fashion and beauty industry. The 46-year-old supermodel called out some of the criticism she’s received for her appearance over the years in a candid video but admitted she’s realized that her beauty isn’t “defined” by anyone else. In a video titled “The UpriXing Begins” to promote her…

Black people are arguably the world’s most discriminating and merciless people when it comes to critiquing hair and wigs, especially bad ones. Evidence of that first came to this reporter when former teen gymnast Gabby Douglas was busy breaking barriers and making history during the 2012 Olympics, yet the only thing most Twitter users could…

Disney d23 Expo

White filmmaker Terry Gilliam joined other renowned directors in slamming Marvel movies, but he was particularly harsh on the record-breaking Black Panther motion picture, calling it “utter bulls—.” Much like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, Gilliam believes Marvel movies are taking up too much space and are produced far too frequently in Hollywood. “I…

CHI-RAQ is being criticized for what some feel is an insensitive and exploitative take on the issues currently facing the city of Chicago. Wesley Snipes, who stars as veteran gang leader Cyclops, has heard the critics. But Snipes dismisses the criticisms.

Eminem and controversy go together like Chris Brown and arrest warrants, so it’s not a huge surprise that the hip-hop star managed to raise the ire of a lot of people with his Veteran’s Day performance this week.

Rapper Young Chop spoke to Forbez DVD about the Interscope’s decision to let Chief Keef walk; criticizing the label for not giving the rapper a chance to fully meet the requirements of the deal.

Easily one of the most talked about music videos of the year across all genres, Nicki Minaj’s clip for her monster single “Anaconda” almost made the Internet explode when released back in August. Public opinion of the video split along two lines: Some felt she felt exploited herself with all booty gyrating (and lap dancing),…

Both Don Lemon and Charles Barkley conveniently ignore the fact that their dismissal of black people of a certain social background as “ghetto” and “ignorant” is just as detrimental as being called “not black enough.”

Iggy Azalea has been criticized for her co-opting of “Dirty South” American hip-hop slang and affectations, when the Australian-born rapper obviously has a different cultural background.

Braxton’s had the singles and “Stacy Sippin'” with Raheem DeVaughn all over the Web, but she got a different kind of attention a couple of weeks ago after she performed at Howard University

Rah Digga had some choice words for Iggy Azalea. During a recent interview with ThisIs50, Rah criticized Azalea for not being herself on her records.

Speaking with VladTV, Tiny praised Iggy Azalea for her ability to appropriate a southern black accent when she raps–despite being a white girl from Australia.

Following rumors that surfaced of rapper Young Thug threatening to shoot a transgender in Atlanta and accusations that he was a notorious gay-basher, the hip-hop star posted a video on Instagram that has the public asking questions. More than the clip, the caption that was included is what has tongues wagging.

Rapper Snoop Dogg debuted a new alter-ego this weekend on Instagram, a white character named “Todd.” In a series of Instagram posts, Snoop–as “Todd”–promoted a site called WhitePeopleConnect.com and listed his hobbies as crocheting and paintball.

Iggy Azalea’s questionable lyrics and faux Dirty South accent have come under scrutiny from those who believe she’s a culture thief. But in speaking with Complex, T.I. made it clear that he has no tolerance for the Iggy hate.

This week, country(?) pop star Taylor Swift premiered the video for her new single “Shake It Off,” the leadoff for her latest album 1989. The video features Swift in a variety of aesthetics, including rocking a baseball cap and ghetto blaster boombox while b-boys (that look like Abercrombie models) breakdance around her.

Public Enemy frontman Chuck D has been vocal in his criticism of mainstream urban radio in the past, but over the last several days, the rapper/speaker has taken aim at New York City’s Hot 97 in the wake of last week’s Summer Jam concert.

Pastor Jamal H. Bryant, of the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, kick-started a firestorm of controversy by quoting a Chris Brown hook during a sermon.

Hot 97’s music director, Karlie Hustle, explains why Hot 97 critics should check themselves

XXL has released its “20 Greatest Female Rappers of All Time’ list, and it doesn’t appear that the most popular publication in hip-hop takes its subject all that seriously. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a greatest female rappers list isn’t afforded the same attention to detail that other hip-hop lists seem to receive; but fans would probably at least hope that a publication with as lofty a reputation as XXL takes the time to put real effort and thought into compiling a showcase for all of the dope female emcees that have shaped the genre.