When I did a recent interview with Vibe magazine I asked, “Why can’t I get the cover? This is a magazine I love. If there’s one magazine that I’d want to be on the cover of, it’s Vibe.” Their response was they don’t have white artists on the cover; that the only white artist they’ve had on the cover was Eminem. I guess if that’s what it is, it is what it is. And I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman.
I won’t use the word “racism.” I will say it’s a tough — but rewarding — fight. I look at Mary J. Blige, somebody who has had only a few pop hits and yet has changed culture, generated new sounds and inspired leagues of artists. She’s now a worldwide phenomenon. And it’s because of what she stood for; she never gave up. She kept making great music, pouring her heart out to people.
You can’t always expect people to be as color-blind or open-minded as you want. What you can do is keep giving your heart and soul, like Bob Marley did. His music became so overwhelmingly loving; it was a relentless love in a sense. Keep beating them down with love and they can’t stop you. Source
Although Eminem isn't the only white artist to cover Vibe, Justin Timberlake covered the magazine back in 2002, but I have to ask if the situation was placed on a black artist, wouldn't the response be very different. Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the NAACP would be knocking on the magazine's door before the news spread good, but when the situation is placed on a white artist the response is pretty much non-existent. Plus considering some of the crappy artists that Vibe have put on the cover recently, Robin would definitely be a step up.
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