Benny Blanco's Spanish Album Sparks Cultural Appropriation Row
The producer's first Spanish-language album, Hermoso, features 8 tracks with Latin artists, but critics accuse him of using Latin culture for his own benefit
Benny Blanco has released his first Spanish-language album, Hermoso, which features a wide range of Latin and Spanish-language artists. The album, which marks Blanco's fourth studio project overall, includes 8 tracks, including 'Te Olvido (La La)' with Selena Gomez and Becky G.
The album has sparked controversy over cultural appropriation, with some critics accusing Blanco of using Latin culture for his own benefit. Blanco has collaborated with Latin artists such as Netón Vega and Grupo Frontera in the past, but some have questioned his decision to release a Spanish-language album given his non-Latin background.
Blanco was born Benjamin Levin and has an Ashkenazi Jewish background. He chose his stage name 'Benny Blanco' because he was studying Spanish at the time and thought it sounded cool. The album Hermoso includes a mix of música mexicana, cumbia, and reggaeton folded into Blanco's pop-focused sound.
## What's at stake The controversy surrounding Hermoso comes at a time when Latinos in the US are facing challenges due to the Trump administration's immigration policy. Some critics have pointed out that Blanco's release of the album, and his decision to adopt a Latin persona, can be seen as insensitive to the struggles of the Latin community.
## Background Benny Blanco has been a influential figure in the music industry for years, having worked with artists such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber. His decision to release a Spanish-language album marks a deliberate expansion of his musical world. However, the controversy surrounding Hermoso raises questions about cultural appropriation and the responsibility of artists to be sensitive to the cultures they draw from.
The album's release has sparked a debate on social media, with some defending Blanco's right to explore different cultures and others accusing him of profiting from Latin culture without properly understanding or respecting it. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Blanco will respond to the criticism and whether the album will be successful despite the controversy.
