surfjamyoyo

What are your thoughts on cultural appropriation in music? For example, Tune-Yards includes a lot of west African and Haitian drum rhythms in her indie rock projects, but she actually spent a lot of time in those areas and thoroughly understands the cultural significance, even going as far to teach her audiences about them. Or Vampire Weekend, who have cited Central African, specifically Congolese, influences in their music. Should music be a melting pot, and should people be allowed to borrow from music cultures not their own? Or should people be more reverent towards other cultures’ musical practices and refrain from doing so either in certain circumstances or all circumstances? I know it’s not necessarily that black-and-white, but I’d like to hear some of your thoughts on the topic as it seems to have become a bigger deal at least in the US.

Do you think Frank Ocean's "Endless" would have been perceived and/or reviewed better if it were marketed as an outtakes EP? (And maybe if it cut Device Control as well)