This is a subset of "Yes: Note" - return to full list
This song is admissible; it has no problematic lyrics or message. Megan Trainor (the original performer of this song) and other non-Black performers have been criticized for the use of AAE/ "blaccent"/ cultural appropriation; performers should be careful not to mimic this (e.g., “d” sound for “th”).
Stolen Language: The Strange Case Of Meghan Trainor's Blaccent | video: “Blackfishing” | video: historical and modern blaccent
As Kara Brown notes in Jezebel, “Some people find this idea [white person “sounding Black”] hard to decipher, likely because it involves a calculus that is mostly instinctive, and accepting this criticism as legitimate means having to believe Black people who know that something in the milk ain’t quite clean. … The success of artists like Macklemore, Iggy Azalea and Sam Smith are clear indicators that there is a whole audience of White people who want to listen to and enjoy black music without the black people.”
Ensembles are encouraged to familiarize themselves with and discuss the history of White performers benefiting from the efforts of Black and other marginalized creators.
Please see the AAE & Cultural Appropriation document for additional details, videos, and references (with a section specific to Meghan Trainor).
Songs with this Note
Reevaluation: Mar 2, 2022: change from YES to YES: Note
Medley with this Song: Happy / All About That Bass medley
Reevaluation: Mar 2, 2022: change from YES to YES: Note
Reevaluation: Sep 16, 2023 - change from YES to YES: Note