February 9, 2010 @ 2:55 pm | Written by: J. Tinsley
Wale Faces Criticism Over New Video, "Pretty Girls"
It doesn’t take much to get the Twitter gossip wheels in motion. Such was the case with Wale’s newest video, “Pretty Girls,” sans Gucci Mane. The newest single from his debut album, Attention Deficit, was conjuring remarks that date back to as far as the Willie Lynch Theory itself. Dark skin vs. light skin. Pretty vs. ugly. And one of underlying themes from the classic movie, “School Daze.”
The majority of the debate swirled diversity, or lack thereof, of young ladies in the video (some even question the quality of their appearance). While backlash from the video was clearly evident, Wale, himself, defended his newest visual.
PS. I didn’t pick the girls for the video..only the contest winner..so with all the “where are the dark girls” BS…keep it.. – Wale
I feel like I’m in “school daze” right now…I understand SOME of the frustration because I was too..but we could only use who we had… – Wale
@Exxit21 there were all diff shapes sizes and colors 2nd of all Gucci verse is on the video, ppl like u make me laff, just say anythng – Wale
In a sense, Wale was basically put in between a rock and a hard place. It’s essentially impossible to satisfy everyone. And to his credit, there were different shades and sizes of women at various points throughout the video. Still, when naming a song “Pretty Girls,” it’s pretty much expected by viewing public that they’re going to see a wide variety of women. You know, a la Jay-Z in “Girls, Girls, Girls.”
To ease the racial skinist tension, Wale released a second video, “My Sweetie,” directed by Tabi Boney. Definitely more pigment in this one.
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JetsFool
February 10, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
Wow. Is this all people care about? It’s a video, get over it. EVERYTHING has to do with racistm now. I know I’m white and will probably get people mad for saying this but where I live it;’s the black people being racist or taking offense to every little thing. It’s horrible.
J. Tinsley
February 11, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Hey, it’s way of the world. Not saying it’s right, but unfortunately, it’s how things operate.
TCH
February 25, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
Wale is an idiot and just does what the rest of these clowns do. He makes excuses. It’s not a coincidence that all the girls in the videos are either latinas or extremely lightskinned. Now I don’t discriminate. But when there’s a clear bias, c’mon now. Contest winners? The boy sounds so stupid. An artist don’t always casts the girls for his videos. Granted…But it’s the same result all the time? While he makes these weak excuses, maybe he can make another one for not being hot out there with a Lady Gaga feature. You actually bombed after having her on your record? Get all the lightskinned girls you can get while it last bozo….
TCH
February 25, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
And to JetsFool, I’m always intrigued by that comment “every little thing”. Though people may overreact like everyone else, I’m sure they don’t every time over “every little thing”. Being on the other side of the fence sometimes make you feel like you may understand until you’re in the same predicament or a close friend of yours which will make you watch how you address certain topics. Funny you didn’t state where you lived… I wonder why…