Iggy Azalea responds to accusations of blackfishing in new video: "All I've done is try a hair color" (2024)

Iggy Azalea has once again found herself in controversy, as people on the internet have accused the rapper of “blackfishing” in a new music video.

  • READ MORE:A new list of the ‘top 50 worst rappers’ has gone viral and sparked debate

On Friday (July 2), Azalea unveiled her video for new song ‘I Am The Stripclub’. In one scene in the video, she appears in the back of a truck wearing a long, black wig flanked by dancers.

When screenshots of the scene began to circulate on Twitter, users pointed out her darker skin complexion and accused her of “blackfishing”, which essentially means to alter one’s looks in a way that makes them appear Black or of mixed race.

BLACKFISHING 👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾 https://t.co/Y0J3jc3aeO

— No Context Dr.Umar (@nocontextdrumar) July 4, 2021

And again, the way industries normalize blackfishing is wild AF. https://t.co/h2kkotmJBn

— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) July 3, 2021

Advertisem*nt

Why can't white women just be white? https://t.co/167LoHSsr3

— Queen Thicktoria, Esq. (Paid Advertisem*nt) (@VeeCeeMurphy76) July 2, 2021

y’all tellin me this the same person pic.twitter.com/5bae1k7zWk

— A̵̮̟̩͚͉͚̪͚͊̌̄̅̐̄͘͠ͅ (@notcoolalexis) July 2, 2021

Recommended

Azalea has since defended her look in the music video, calling the blackfishing claims “ridiculous and baseless”.

“I can’t care about something that ridiculous and baseless,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I’m wearing a shade 6 in Armani foundation, it’s the same shade I’ve worn for the last 3 years. It’s the same shade in every music video since ‘Sally Walker’. Suddenly I wear a black wig in a club scene & it’s an issue.”

I can’t care about something that ridiculous and baseless.
I’m wearing a shade 6 in armarni foundation, it’s the same shade I’ve worn for the last 3 years.
It’s the same shade in every music video since sally Walker.
Suddenly I wear a black wig in a club scene & its an issue.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 3, 2021

Advertisem*nt

She later pointed out the exact shade of makeup she claims to be wearing in the clip, while also pointing out that the lighting was dim because the scene in question was a “club scene”.

This is the color I wear, it’s on the arm color of a tan white person.
I’m not wearing crazy dark makeup at ALL.
Everyone in the club scene looks darker, it’s a club scene!
I’m sick of ppl trying to twist my words or make sh*t a problem when all I’ve done is try a hair color. pic.twitter.com/CGQIOQiWGD

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 3, 2021

She then went on to said the accusation comes from people trying to “create sh*t outta nothing online”.

“…maybe the internet could watch my music video and see for themselves instead of tryna dog me because a random page I have nothing to do with posted an edit?” she wrote.

“Leave me be, I don’t bother anyone, ppl stay tryna create sh*t outta nothing online. Just BORED.”

Or maybe the internet could watch my music video and see for themselves instead of tryna dog me because a random page I have nothing to do with posted an edit? Leave me be, I don’t bother anyone, ppl stay tryna create sh*t outta nothing online.
Just BORED.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 3, 2021

Azalea then offered some parting words for both her fans and her critics.

To everyone showing me love:
Thankyou for dedicating your day to me & helping me promote,
I love you!

To everyone showing me hate:
Thankyou for dedicating your day to me & helping me promote,
I love you!

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) July 4, 2021

Earlier this year, Azalea hit out at both YouTube and the Grammy Awards following the release of recent collaboration with Tyga, ‘Sip It’.

Azalea claimed that YouTube wouldn’t promote the video by recommending it to users or adding it to the platform’s trending charts because of the video’s content.

“I’m really disappointed because I’m indie and I depend on things like that for streaming,” Azalea wrote.

“I sent my video in to their staff a week prior and they told me it was perfect, no issues. I don’t really feel like it’s fair, and I really wish someone at YouTube would resolve it.”

She then took aim at the Grammy Awards for being “rigged as f*ck”. Azalea herself earned four nominations at the Grammys back in 2015.

“Y’all know that now and collectively agree but forget that the whole [music] biz is ran by the same mfs planning THAT event… so why don’t you believe the whole industry is the same way…”

Iggy Azalea responds to accusations of blackfishing in new video: "All I've done is try a hair color" (2024)

FAQs

Iggy Azalea responds to accusations of blackfishing in new video: "All I've done is try a hair color"? ›

"I'm sick of ppl trying to twist my words or make sh*t a problem when all I've done is try a hair color." I can't care about something that ridiculous and baseless. I'm wearing a shade 6 in armarni foundation, it's the same shade I've worn for the last 3 years.

Did Iggy Azalea blackfish? ›

Azalea herself has taken to social media to deny the blackfishing claims, calling them “ridiculous and baseless” and saying she's wearing the same foundation in the scene that she's appeared in for three years. “I can't care about something that ridiculous and baseless.

What is Iggy Azalea's ethnicity? ›

Azalea claims partial Aboriginal ancestry, stating, "My family came to Australia on the First Fleet. My family's been in that country for a long time, over 100 years. If your family's lived in Australia for a long time, everyone has a little bit of [Aboriginal blood].

Who has been accused of blackfishing? ›

Blackfishing is a term used when a white person tries to make themselves look Black. It usually involves dark spray tans, makeup, and different hairstyles synonymous with Black culture. Stars like Iggy Azalea and Jesy Nelson have been accused of promoting racially ambiguous images.

What cosmetic surgery has Iggy had? ›

Iggy Azalea's Breast Augmentation

The artist, known for her music bold fashion choices, and distinctive looks, has undergone breast augmentation, a procedure she has openly spoken about.

Why does Iggy Azalea look so different? ›

Not Iggy Azalea. In 2016, the Australian-born rapper openly admitted to having a nose job. “I wanted to change my nose because I didn't grow up with a bump on it—that happened when I got smashed in the face with a soccer ball when I was 16. Now I feel like my nose looks the way it's supposed to look.

What is Iggy mixed with? ›

The Pretty Girls hitmaker took to Twitter to reveal she had received the results from her DNA analysis and has discovered her "ancestry is a mix of Scandinavian, Asian".

Who is Iggy Azalea's baby daddy? ›

Francesca Gariano is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022.

What condition does Iggy Azalea have? ›

Australian-born pop star Iggy Azalea has recently been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a painful condition that occurs when your jaw becomes misaligned. She has been experiencing pain in her jaw and facial muscles due to the condition.

Why is Iggy Azalea not popular anymore? ›

Iggy Azalea was a source of cultural discomfort — articles about cultural appropriation and new-age blackface were commonplace. Her racially insensitive lyrics — she's referred to herself as a runaway slave master — were spotlighted as evidence for her cloaked racism. Black women in particular were vocal.

Why did Ti drop Iggy? ›

In an interview earlier this week with Power 105.1′s “The Breakfast Club,” T.I. elaborated on his “blunder” comment, noting that Iggy had “potential” and “was meant to be great.” The issue, he said, was that “when she found out white people liked her and she didn't really need black people to like her anymore, she ...

What happened to Iggy Azalea's face? ›

Not Iggy Azalea. In 2016, the Australian-born rapper openly admitted to having a nose job. “I wanted to change my nose because I didn't grow up with a bump on it—that happened when I got smashed in the face with a soccer ball when I was 16. Now I feel like my nose looks the way it's supposed to look.

Why did Netflix remove Blackfish? ›

Some, like the Hollywood Reporter, claim the documentary is being removed to make room for newer shows and movies. Others claim that the documentary falsely stated that the interviewees in the movie were inexperienced in Killer Whale training, as most primarily worked with other animals.

Who was behind Blackfish? ›

Blackfish is a 2013 American documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. It concerns Tilikum, an orca held by SeaWorld and the controversy over captive orcas.

What has happened to Tilikum since Blackfish? ›

Tilikum died from a bacterial lung infection on January 6, 2017 after months of battling illnesses. He suffered in captivity for 33 years, but many of his descendants still live and perform for crowds at SeaWorld parks.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6107

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.