On April 6, Fatou, a member of BLACKSWAN, shared a series of tweets addressing the importance of acknowledging the contributions of Black artists to the music industry. While she did not name anyone directly, many fans interpreted her words as a response to the recent racism controversy surrounding the K-pop group KISS OF LIFE.
The controversy erupted when KISS OF LIFE was criticized for making gestures and wearing outfits that seemed to mock Black artists during a live broadcast celebrating member Julie’s birthday. Despite issuing an apology, the group faced ongoing backlash, with many feeling the apology was insufficient.
Fatou’s tweets emphasized that a genuine apology to Black people should involve a direct address to the community, not just superficial gestures. She urged, “If you want to apologize to us Black people, make sure you address us. Don’t use everything we’ve created, run with it, and then act clueless.” These comments were widely seen as a subtle critique of KISS OF LIFE, especially in light of their controversial actions, despite K-pop’s heavy influence from Afro-pop music.
Fatou further expressed her frustration, writing, “We’ve gone through this circus before, and I hope it’s the last time, so please do the right thing. It’s not gonna kill you.” She also boldly stated, “Know that you would be nothing without Black/Afro music, so please respect the people behind it and the culture.”
Her message was clear: those in the music industry must acknowledge and respect Black culture, rather than taking from it without understanding its significance. She encouraged her followers to “research” Black music and culture, believing that doing so would lead to a deeper appreciation and love for it.
Fans rallied behind Fatou, applauding her for standing firm on such an important issue while staying true to her roots. Many admired her courage to address racism in the industry and her commitment to ensuring Black culture is properly respected and valued.