Comedian Lilly Singh Upsets Jamaican Twitter With Dancehall Inspired Skit
Popular Canadian YouTuber, talk-show host and comedian Lilly Singh apparently crossed the line with one of her latest spoofs. Among many talents, Lilly has a demonstrated knack for not just singing but also rapping and now we’re seeing somewhat of a skill for deejaying.
In a recent post, the comedian is seen doing a “remake” to dancehall artiste Ding Dong’s 2006 track Badman Forward, Badman Pullup on both her Instagram and Twitter pages, however the followers over on the latter weren’t so receiving of her presentation.
One enraged commenter especially went on a cyclic reproach, knocking the comedian for her sampling on the dancehall tune. “There’s something to be said about someone who has been constantly called out for their drawing on Afro- and Indo-Caribbean culture and continues to do this same tone deaf sh– all the time. Like this is real scary behaviour,” said Twitter user Sharine Taylor.
Further adding that like Singh, many non-Caribbean persons exploit the culture and achieve great returns in ways the people of those countries haven’t been able to. Then getting a little ugly, referred to the comedian as “toughback 31-year old” and urged her to ‘find a personality that doesn’t involve being a duppybat and using the creative cultural capital in the Caribbean for likes, retweets and shares.”
Others chimed in to call out Lilly for ineffectually appropriating the genre, and also questioned her connection with the culture, well knowing of the answer to stress her ineligibility to remake the track.
Dancehall artiste Bambi released Bad Gal Pull Up as a reply to Ding Dong’s hit song in 2006, which one user said was the “actual female counteraction”.
Many more insisted that she stop and delete the post.
Interestingly over on Instagram, things were a bit more positive for Lilly.
One of the first persons to commend the popular YouTuber for her rendition was none other than Ding Dong himself.
He flooded his mention with fire and hand praising emojis. “Reeeeemixxxxxxxxx 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽”.
There was a completely different tropical wind blowing over on her Instagram page.
Other comments read: “Nuff love frm Jamaica”, “Pull it up!!!🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 One more time!!!!!! Jamaica to di worl’!!!!!” and “Wicked rendition of a true dance hall song!!! Big up Lilly!!!! I am from Jamaica and loving it!!!👏👏😊.”
Lilly says her Badman Forward, Badman Pullup remake was a positive message to her fellow sisters in different walks of life. She captioned the tribute “This one is for my sisters around the world. No matter your colour, shape, size, orientation, preferences, abilities or style… BADGYALL PULL UP!!!”
Back on Twitter, she responded to the immediate backlash saying, “Popcorn is the most important meal of the day”.
Popcorn is the most important meal of the day.
— Lilly (@Lilly) April 27, 2020
She went on to add that the song is one of her favorite old school dancehall tunes and one that would make her ‘mash it up on the dance floor’ back in her younger days. She also cited Ding Dong as the original creator of the track and brought attention to the dancehall genre, urging everyone to ‘be sure to peep that too!”
Singh is apparently a fan of Jamaican culture and has done several comedic pieces also to platform her patois speaking skills but the lingo is pretty off.
Watch her Badman Forward, Badman Pullup remake below.
A classic dancehall tune! Badman Forward remake and this time it’s for the ladies.
No matter your size, shape, colour, orientation, preferences or style, this one is for you sister.
Tag every badgyal you know! ❤️ #GirlLove pic.twitter.com/7vJEQAPWfn
— Lilly (@Lilly) April 27, 2020