The Academy Awards aimed for diversity and representation this year, but managed to massively bungle the music selection for when introducing several people of color during Sunday night’s ceremony.
For the first time in history, the 94th annual awards show was produced by an all-Black team that was helmed by “Girls Trip” producer Will Packer, but that didn’t prevent ceremony from taking “a real step backwards” when making song choices.
The show’s first offense was when 2021 Oscar winners Daniel Kaluuya and singer H.E.R., who are both Black, stepped on stage to present Best Supporting Actress and Toto’s “Africa” played in the background.
Twitter users instantly went insane over the gaffe. “And the Oscar for “Absolute Worst Time to Play ‘Africa’ by Toto” goes to… THE OSCARS,” said one viewer.
“Who the hell picked “Africa” as the song for Daniel and H.E.R. walking up, that seems like the easiest choice to not make,” remarked another. “Why didn’t they use a song By H.E.R.?” Questioned a fan.
To add insult to injury, the Academy Awards chose to play Madonna’s “appropriated” 1987 hit “La Isla Bonita,” when latina “Encanto” actress Stephanie Beatriz was introducing the film’s best song nominee.
“Pretty sure them playing “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna to introduce Stephanie Beatriz is a hate crime or an act of white feminist aggression. Idk, it doesn’t sit right with me. Like, just play an actual Latinx song not an appropriated one,” one person complained.
“La Isla Bonita to introduce Encanto??? Lazy AND befuddling I just…” Another sighed.
“After Africa and La Isla Bonita the Oscars are going to play Wang Chung when Youn Yuh-jung walks out aren’t they,” one viewer snarked.
Thankfully the rest of the show remained inoffensive… Until Will Smith smacked Chris Rock onstage for making a “G.I. Jane” joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
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