Lorde, the New Zealand-born singer and the youngest person to top the U.S. pop charts in 25 years, is facing allegations of racism over the lyrics to her hit song "Royals."
The 16-year-old, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, rails against the fact that "every song" these days is about gold teeth, luxury cars and the like.
In response, Veronica Bayetti Flores, an influential blogger, wrote a searing post last week on feministing (dot) com, calling the song "deeply racist."
"Because we all know who she's thinking when we're talking gold teeth, Cristal and Maybachs," she writes. "So why s--t on black folks? Why s--t on rappers?
"Why aren't we critiquing wealth by taking hits at golf or polo or Central Park East?"
Lorde fans fired back at Bayetti Flores early and often over this critique.
A common refrain? That the blogger is the arrogant, ignorant one for interpreting a song by a New Zealand teen through the lens of American race relations.
"I realize not everything in this world is an instrument of oppression," wrote one New Zealand journalist in defense of Lorde and in response to Flores.
"And not everything in this world should be viewed through the lens of Americans, particularly when it comes to race and cultures of other countries."
Bayette Flores stood by her post amid the barrage of criticism, while a spokesman for Lorde's record label said she no comment on the controversy.
Read Lorde's "Royals" lyrics for yourself below ...
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I'm not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no postcode envy
But every song's like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody's like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair.
And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood,
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.
My friends and I we've cracked the code.
We count our dollars on the train to the party.
And everyone who knows us knows that we're fine with this,
We didn't come for money.
But every song's like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom.
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody's like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair
And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.
Ooh ooh oh
We're bigger than we ever dreamed,
And I'm in love with being queen.
Ooh ooh oh
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair.
And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.
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