The Summertime Sadness artist, Lana Del Rey revealed the track-list and album art for the upcoming album named Chemtrails Over The Country Club on Sunday. A few minutes into the announcement, the singer was criticised for her choice of artwork that she has been already defending.
"There's always turmoil and upheaval and in the midst of it- there's always beautiful music too," Del Rey captioned the post of her album artwork. "Introducing my new album Chemtrails Over The Country Club."
In a now-deleted post, the songstress had shared her thoughts about women of colour in her album-cover for better interpretation and also defended her “inclusive” approach to diversity while denoting her former blow-back over her take on female artists.
"I also want to say that with everything going on this year! And no this was not intended-these are my best friends, since you are asking today. And damn! As it happens when it comes to my amazing friends and this cover yes there are people of colour on this records picture and that's all I'll say about that but thank you," she wrote.
"My beautiful friend Valerie from Del Rio Mexico, my dearest friend Alex and my gorgeous friend Dakota Rain as well as my sweetheart Tatiana. these are my friends this is my life. We are all a beautiful mix of everything- some more than others which is visible and celebrated in everything I do," she wrote, in reference to the women who can be seen on the album cover.
"In 11 years working I have always been extremely inclusive without even trying to. My best friends are rappers, my boyfriends have been rappers," the singer added. "My dearest friends have been from all over the place, so before you make comments again about a WOC/POC issue, I'm not the one storming the capital, I'm literally changing the world by putting my life and thoughts and love out there on table 24/7. Respect it."
Many took the issue to social media with Del Rey's complete statement, particularly that the singer seemingly allied rappers with people of colour (POC).
comes off angry also, she equated rappers to black people which was ......racist
— jj (@thatqueerjana) January 11, 2021
One user tweeted in response, "Comes off angry also, she equated rappers to black people which was ......racist," later she continued, "Actual piece of nothing statement, what was it for, it was an 'I’m not racist statement' that nobody asked for"
actual piece of nothing statement, what was it for, it was an “i’m not racist statement” that nobody asked for
— jj (@thatqueerjana) January 11, 2021
Lana Del Rey really used the failed coup to promote her album..... pic.twitter.com/QtjPLWvafH
— kate bush's husband (@airbagged) January 10, 2021
Another voiced their frustration that the singer "really used the failed coup to promote her album"
The Born to Die artist is undoubtedly no stranger to striking controversy — in 2020, Del Rey apologised in quarrels concerning fellow female artists like Kehlani, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ