British Singer Estelle Sparks Outrage with Blackface Clip in her Latest Video for New Single

Singer Estelle sparks controversy with blackface clip in latest video for her new single, "Freak." Fans express outrage online.

Is it okay for a black person to appear in blackface? Well, British singer-rapper Estelle thinks it's silly for her to defend herself over her latest video in which she appears in blackface. According to MTV, she has returned with a new single, "Freak," from her forthcoming album, All of Me. The song's video, which shows Estelle wearing black makeup on her face and body, has raised eyebrows and sparked outrage among some of her fans online.

She told MTV News on Monday, "Those comments were the first thing I saw after we released the video trailer." "It's like, 'Are you joking?" The lyrics of the song reportedly address people releasing their individuality and the clip features Estelle in a variety of different looks, including black body paint. The director, Nabil Elderkin, said the clip was meant to be in fun.

Estelle said she and the director are longtime friends and he understands that her creative vision is "coming from a place of art versus just trying to be different." She also declined to address the online chatter directly. "I think they need to wait to see the clip. I could defend myself, but it's just silly," Estelle said of the comments. "I'm black, so how do I do blackface? Missy did the same thing [with her video] "She's a Bitch." I refuse to defend it, I didn't put any white ring around my mouth — never that." Estelle said the "Freak" video will hit the web this week and her album will hits shelves this summer. Source: MTV News

Estelle pretty much sums up the real reason for the blackface -- to sell albums and in the case of blackface of long ago, to entertain at our expense, and yes, make money. I don't know who Estelle is and I can't remember even hearing any of her music on the radio, but at what price do celebrities continue to push the envelope and insult their fans in the process? Blackface isn't art, it was meant to denigrate blacks.