Black Girls Rock 2019 Hosted By Niecy Nash - Red Carpet NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 25: India.Arie attends Black Girls Rock 2019 Hosted By Niecy Nash at NJPAC on August 25, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET) Celebrities Visit SiriusXM NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 04: Jack Harlow visits SiriusXM's "Morning Mash Up" at the SiriusXM Studios on May 04, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Jack Harlow got a family tree lesson during his recent appearance on Hot 97’s show Ebro In The Morning. The artist went viral after learning Brandy and Ray J are siblings while playing a ’90s R&B guessing game. Reactions to the moment varied from shock to disappointment and even cookout invitation jokes. India Arie caught the interview and seemed less than amused in a series of posts made to her Insta Story.
“Just because you make Black [music] doesn’t mean you know Black culture,” India wrote. “If u don’t know Brandy’s voice when you hear it …WHO EVEN ARE YOU?”
For context, Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez played Brandy’s hit 1999 song Angel In Disguise. Jack initially guessed the voice belonged to the late Aaliyah, but the hosts quickly shut down his answer before dropping additional hints.
Peter said, “Her brother is the reason why many people are famous.” Ebro followed up with, “Her brother had an amazing sex tape.” At this point, Jack responded, “Who’s Ray J’s sister?” As the show hosts laughed, Jack carried a clueless facial expression. After he confirmed the relationship between Brandy and Ray J, he declared, “nobody’s ever told me that in my life.”
India Arie continued to hammer her point about making Black culture vs. knowing the culture. She pivoted to Jack not recognizing Brandy’s voice–and by extension her influence on the music industry. India also highlighted Brandy being reduced to being Ray J’s sister, rather than the iconic singer and actress she’s culturally known as.
“When an actual musician! Who makes Black MUSIC! Deduces one of the industries’ MOST IMPORTANT VOICES! @brandy to Ray J’s SISTER? who is famous (mostly) for his proximity to Kim Kardashian,” India wrote.
India spoke on Brandy’s musical influence to close her critiques.
“And WE HEAR @brandy influence Eh-VER-REE-WHERE! PLENTY of non-Black singers (ask them). Even MALE singers. AND PEOPLE KNOW RAY J BETTER? the sh*ts STUPID. STUPID,” India wrote.
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