Entertainment
Gary Owen’s response to Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical threat to white comedians talking about black women draws stern warning from fans
After last 12 months’s defeat to Drake on “Not Like Us,” rapper Kendrick Lamar caused one other storm with the surprise release of his latest album, “GNX.”
The 12-track project, which landed without warning on November 22, caused a storm not just for its good lyricism, but in addition for its sharp commentary on cultural dynamics.
One line specifically from the opening track “Wacced Out Murals” caused controversy: “Don’t let any white comedian talk about a black woman, it’s the law.”
A line from the album’s opening song caused a wave of shock on the Internet. While some thought it was directed at white comedian Andrew Schulz, who has been heavily criticized for his controversial comments about black women, fellow white comedian Gary Owen decided to join the conversation.
Owen, who has been touring with Black comedians because the Nineteen Nineties (including performing popular stand-up specials on BET’s “Comic View”) and has 4 Black children, posted a photograph on his Instagram he wrote“If this is the law, that makes me a criminal.”
This daring move gave the impression of a giant mistake for the “Ride Along” actor, who publicly admitted to cheating on his black ex-wife, allegedly together with his recent black wife, Brianna Johnson. Even today, he talks a lot about his ex-wife, Kenya Duke, during a few of his comedy sketches that she asked him to stop mentioning her.
Likewise, a lot of his 2.1 million fans didn’t feel it.
“Gary, sit down. This is not for you,” one person wrote of their comments section, while one other warned: “Hold carefully lol.”
A 3rd comment read: “You’re too comfortable.”
Two others said: “And this is why you all should stop giving away all these free tickets. Too comfortable in spaces and conversations where he doesn’t belong” and “Yes, I should have kept that in the draft.”
Some tried to distract from the warmth by saying, “He’s talking about Andrew Schulz, you’re good.” Another joked: “You have the get out of jail free card, Gary, however the damage has already been done.
It is unclear whether Owen knew about Schulz’s story and was almost canceled.
In July, Schulz hosted James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu’s podcast “Shxtsngigs” on his show “Flagrant.”
The group joked about the so-called “black girl effect,” during which black women supposedly “light up” their white boyfriends by improving their style. Schulz went further, joking that black women “complain” and are “stressful.”
Kendrick Lamar criticizes Andrew Schulz in recent song because he made fun of Black Women:
– “Don’t let a white comedian talk about black women” pic.twitter.com/fhUgSHjrVb
— Fear Gator 🔥 (@FearGator) November 22, 2024
Talking about white boys’ recent hairstyles, he said, “they’re shaving their hair because it’s starting to fall out because he’s so stressed out being around this black girl who complains all the time.”
Duncan and Dawodu laughed together before the white comedian continued his joke: “They grow beards because they need a pillow after they get hit. I feel the black girl effect could also be a protective instinct.
Since not one of the Black hosts corrected him or laughed, they were met with a barrage of backlash that forced them to apologize.
Black women around the globe were expected to get up and defend them. Other popular names resembling ESPN host Ryan Clark have weighed in on the controversy.
Clark was quick to dismiss Schulz and stated that perhaps his connections to people like Charlamagne Tha God made him feel “too comfortable.”
Addressing the difficulty on “The Pivot” podcast, he said he didn’t care whether it was a giant deal for Duncan and Dawodu to meet the “Flagrant” host. He also explained the Black woman’s experience and why the joke wasn’t funny.
I’m unsure what a black woman experiences @andrewschulz it had, however it wasn’t the true “black girl effect”. Insulting black women and describing them as whiny and aggressive isn’t only unfaithful. This is disrespectful. Worse yet, James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu allowed him… pic.twitter.com/2gQQRPSCYd
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 19, 2024
It seems that is why the “Not Like Us” rapper’s bars just hit the mark.
“GNX” is a conversation that celebrates Lamar’s unparalleled artistry, but in addition opens a dialogue about cultural boundaries, responsibility and respect.
It’s unclear whether Schulz will address the criticism, but one thing is obvious to fans: Kendrick Lamar doesn’t just make music — he speaks out and challenges anyone who says something. Owen might want to take his fans’ suggestion to watch out – this is similar man who almost ended Drake’s profession.