
If you like intergenerational pop queen collabs, you may love Gwen Stefani teaming up with Saweetie on the upbeat “Slow Clap,” but the video has rekindled accusations of cultural appropriation that have dogged Gwen for years.
The video is directed by Sophie Muller, who has been working with Gwen since the 1990s, including the classic No Doubt videos “Don’t Speak,” “Excuse Me Mr.,” “Sunday Morning,” “Live in the Tragic Kingdom,” “Oi to the World,” “Bathwater,” “Underneath It All,” “Rock Steady Live,” “Settle Down,” “Push and Shove,” and personal fave “Simple Kind of Life“:
Even without the political controversy, a lot of people are probably not going to like “Slow Clap” because it feels a bit focus-grouped, but Gwen has earned the right to embrace her mom pop throne. And like a lot of moms, she might be a little out of touch with the times. At least she is uplifting Saweetie. What do you think? Good clean fun? Corporate dreck? Cultural appropriation? Maybe a mix?
Image: YouTube / Gwen Stefani