
Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty
Last week, there were rumblings that Jennifer Lopez would be performing during a Motown tribute. In the Black year of 2019, during the 61st celebration of the Grammy Awards. The news spread far and wide and Black folks were fiery in their dissension. But when the Grammys released their list of performers on their website, J. Lo’s name was conveniently left off the list, so we assumed that it was a lie to start drama or that someone had come to their senses and realized that a White-presenting Puerto Rican woman shouldn’t honor a record label that was about excellence in Black artistry and entrepreneurship.
But we were wrong. And last night, Jenny from the block took the stage to honor legends who could have easily performed themselves.
Check it out below.
#JLo is very talented.
But she ain’t #Motown. #GRAMMYs #CBShttps://t.co/ZWoh1mvNQw
— insecure Al (@insecure_al) February 11, 2019
That just wasn’t it.
And as expected the backlash poured in. Interestingly enough though, there was one Motown legend, who didn’t seem to take issue with J. Lo’s performance…at all. And that was Smokey Robinson, who helped Alicia Keys to introduce J. Lo’s nearly 7-minute medley. In an interview with Variety, Robinson said anyone who took issue with J. Lo’s performance is “stupid.”
“I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset,” he said. “I think anyone who is upset is stupid.”
Robinson claimed that Motown music is “for everybody.”
“Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?” Smokey asked.
Well, that’s one opinion. But based on the reaction from more than a few other people, Robison was in the minority. See what other folks had to say about Lopez on the following pages.
I tell you what, I bet Gina Rodriguez LOVED that JLo Motown performance.
— Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) February 11, 2019
J Lo dancing, all those dancers and theatrics that’s not MOTOWN. I don’t care what anyone says. The Grammys could’ve found a better artist(s) to do that tribute
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) February 11, 2019
I like J Lo a lot, but this ain’t it. Don’t @ me.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) February 11, 2019
Watching Yolanda, Fantasia, and Andra perform made me even more confused as to why J. Lo did Motown tribute
— alex medina (@mrmedina) February 11, 2019
Understanding the history of Motown means knowing it was a symbol of Black agency in a time when Black creativity was being stolen.
This is why, in the most cursed #BHM in modern history, proline are upset about J. Lo doing the tribute.
— brittany packnett cunningham does not do remixes. (@MsPackyetti) February 11, 2019
Y’all: Why JLO doing a Motown tribute?
JLO: pic.twitter.com/K1pLIkPNwN— J.B. (@JustJameis) February 11, 2019
Barry Gordy was all of us when J Lo was performing. pic.twitter.com/sqUyBH0MuP
— ig: keisean (@Keisean) February 11, 2019
YALL GAVE JLO LIKE A WHOLE TEN MINUTES TO DISRESPECT MOTOWN BUT THE ARETHA TRIBUTE WAS ONE SONG!?!!!!!??! pic.twitter.com/zCWdpWgtmQ
— pajammy'd down (@hihellogbyebruh) February 11, 2019
i still can’t believe jlo is doin the motown tribute when so many people are alive and capable pic.twitter.com/fG5lrsgItZ
— jenny⁷ (@ilsan_mp3) February 11, 2019
🤣🤣🤣 RT @Glamazontyomi: Lmmfaooo omg my Mom’s Reaction to JLo doing the Motown Tribute 💀💀💀 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/vuFHeU7i8E
— Piscean Poet (@AbstractPoet) February 11, 2019