On Instagram, Peter Fox responded to the accusations of cultural appropriation about “Zukunft Pink” (feat. Inéz). You can read his message here.
Some (prominent) critics had previously complained that the track made too natural use of South African music, especially the Amapiano genre. The critical posts by journalist Malcolm Ụzọma Ohanwe on “Future Pink” received particular attention.
Fox comments on the criticism
Fox wrote in an Instagram story that he was of course aware of the use of Amapiano elements. He then referred to his press release and the credits of the music video, in which he explains his musical inspirations and names various artists. He also never marketed his single as something “brand new”.
After his public positioning, Fox later telephoned journalist Ohanwe. Ohanwe posted: “I had a very nice phone call with Peter Fox and we will definitely talk publicly about the whole topic (…).”
The original allegations of cultural appropriation
Above all, Ohanwe criticized the Berliner’s natural handling of Amapiano influences on Twitter and Instagram: “Peter Fox has a new song that copies Amapiano sound 1 to 1 from South Africa. The song is very good, but it would be even better if he mentioned all the innovators and originals from the (South) African music scene in interviews and the campaign for his new album.”
He continued: “Don’t get me wrong. Seed and Peter Fox are kings of cultural appropri-slay-tion because the songs are just phenomenal. I’ll still be streaming and dancing, but feel free to hear the people who invented it.”
Ohanwe’s post, which repeatedly addresses racism in his work, has been liked more than 10,500 times on Instagram.