Controversy Surrounding Wenner Sparks Outrage and Apology as Spike Lee Teases Upcoming Colin Kaepernick Docuseries
In a recent interview at the New Yorker Festival, filmmaker Spike Lee expressed his frustration over the Wenner controversy, which has caused outrage in the music industry. Jann Wenner, the co-founder of Rolling Stone, faced backlash after stating that no female or Black artists were articulate enough to be included in his collection, titled The Masters. This comment by Wenner highlighted the ongoing issue of overlooking the genius and skill of Black and minority artists.
During the New Yorker Festival talk, Lee emphasized the significance of acknowledging the contributions of Black, brown, and colored artists. He criticized Wenner’s explanation for the omissions, particularly his use of the term articulate, suggesting that this was what angered him the most. Lee went on to question why artists like Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis were included in Wenner’s collection, even though they didn’t invent rock ‘n’ roll.
Wenner’s response to the backlash came in an interview with The New York Times. He claimed that the selection process for his collection was intuitive over the years and based on his personal interest and love for certain artists. Wenner stated that the exclusion of female and Black performers was not deliberate but rather due to his perception that they were not as articulate on an intellectual level. However, he did acknowledge that his remarks diminished the contributions and impact of Black and women artists.
Following the interview, Wenner was removed from the board of directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, and he issued an apology for his comments. He clarified that his collection of interviews was not meant to represent the whole of music and its diverse originators but rather to reflect the highlights of his career. He expressed his deep admiration and appreciation for a wide range of artists and accepted the consequences of his poorly chosen words.
In other news, Spike Lee shared some details about his upcoming Colin Kaepernick docuseries during the interview with New Yorker editor David Remnick. Lee revealed that the project is a five-part series and is taking a long time to complete because the story keeps evolving. He already has hundreds of hours of footage, including interviews with Remnick. The series will feature Kaepernick telling his own life story, from his childhood as the mixed-race son of white adoptive parents to his success in football and the controversy surrounding his exit from the NFL.
The Kaepernick docuseries was announced in February 2022 as part of a first-look deal between Kaepernick and ESPN parent company Disney. It aims to provide Kaepernick’s first-person account of his life, his activism, and his experiences with racism and police brutality. Spike Lee is directing and producing the series, which is expected to shed light on Kaepernick’s journey and inspire discussions on important social issues.
The Wenner controversy has highlighted the ongoing struggle for recognition and representation of Black and minority artists in the music industry. It serves as a reminder of the need to celebrate and promote the diverse voices and talents that have shaped the world of music. Meanwhile, anticipation continues to build for Spike Lee’s Colin Kaepernick docuseries, which promises to provide a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the former NFL quarterback’s life and activism.
