Coldplay is performing for the Halftime Show at this year’s Superbowl. What’s even more exciting about their performance is that Beyoncé will be joining them.
Coldplay and Beyoncé joined forces and created a song together. The collaborated song “Hymn for the Weekend” was part of the tracklisting for Coldplay’s album "A Head Full of Dreams," released last year.
Naturally, when a popular group and a popular singer release a new song together, a music video comes next.
The “Hymn for the Weekend” music video takes place in what people are saying are the “slums” of India. People are asking why the music video taking place in such an impoverished area. For starters, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Westerners and people from around the world are not exposed to the poor parts of the world. We are ignorant to the fact that beautiful countries also have the poorer parts.
Commenters on the video are saying how they appreciated that the artists showcased the impoverished parts of their country more. As one commenter, Faris Abdulla said, “Coldplay aren't showing only the poor part of our society. They're showing the beauty of our culture, even if those children aren't the richest in terms of money, they are certainly some of the richest in spirit.”
And I agree. The children in the music video are celebrating. Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, is seen interacting with the children and adults of the town. In fact, they are participating and celebrating Holi, which is the festival of colors.
The biggest complaint about this music video is that Coldplay and Beyoncé are culturally appropriating India and its beautiful culture.
I’m sure it could look and seem like that from the video. Beyoncé’s hands decorated with henna tattoos. She is wearing traditional Indian jewelry. Some people may even be offended by her clothing choices—it has been westernized. Either way, there would have been comments and criticisms if she wore a legitimate, traditional Indian clothing. The clothing choices would have been perceived as respect for a wonderful culture, or disrespect and a symbol of cultural appropriation.
The video is a celebration. People are having a good time and enjoying themselves. Coldplay performs for townspeople as everyone dances. People are celebrating their culture and their pride in their country.
The video closes out with “Coldplay” written in Hindi. From the various comments on the video, many people enjoyed and appreciated this.
So, is this video truly a form of cultural appropriation?
Watch for yourself.
