Due For Cancellation: Charlamagne Tha God
The phrase “culture vulture” has become all the rage in the last few years. This is how urbandictionary.com defines it:
It’s most often used to describe non-black people mimicking key elements of black culture for profit without paying proper respect to the originator(s). But what about when it is someone from the black community using their platform in a detrimental way? That certainly seems to be the case with the Breakfast Club’s Charlamagne the God, and it has become much clearer in the last few years.
Most recently, his show brought on Soulja Boy during his press run. I admit that Soulja isn’t the most eloquent guy, but his motive has been genuine. He revolutionized the ways in which artists can promote themselves online without the formal representation of labels. He notes how he was often criticized for those methods while today’s acts are hailed while just following his blueprint. Soulja is looking for more credit and trust in his new gaming console. Charlamagne isn’t here for that.
He downplayed the validity of Soulja Boy’s console, called his watch fake, implied that he was on drugs and had an STD all before plugging his novel. This behavior isn’t uncommon. The Breakfast Club has almost become a mandatory stop for black entertainers looking to tell the world about their latest work. They have listeners, but it doesn’t come without persistent heckling from the show’s key host. They will field a few legitimate questions, but the bulk of the interviews focus on the most controversial and nonsensical topics. Personally, I had to stop watching a long time ago as I just couldn’t respect Charlamagne’s methods.
This all started when Monique asked people to boycott Netflix. There’s nuance to that request, but it amounted to her feeling that they didn’t value her career and her achievements enough in negotiations for an exclusive comedy special. She cited Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle in her complaint and referenced the disparity in their contract offers as both racist and sexist. Those comedians all made millions of dollars on their Netflix deals, while Monique was reportedly offered roughly $250,000 and the inability to tour for a set period.
This prompted Charlemagne to choose Monique as his “Donkey of the Day”. It’s a daily segment where he chooses one person whom he vehemently disagrees with and deems a fool for their actions, or a “donkey”, complete with sound effects. That title got back to Monique who came on the Breakfast Club one morning to set the record straight.
When Monique respectfully asked Charlamagne why he deemed her donkey of the day, he replied that it was all financial and numerical. He acknowledged her talent and legend but felt it had been too long since she put out popular material. He also implied that she was using real issues for her own self benefit. Then Monique cut deep.
“You don’t know the history of this business that you’re in and you sit behind this microphone and you try to be the guru of black culture. I’m gonna need you to know the history of us before you try to label us”
She cited Wanda Sykes and Viola Davis as other black female entertainers voicing the same concerns. Monique spoke with kindness, class, and logic and Charlamagne and his minions pelted her with talk of counteroffers, metrics, and rumors. The three hosts of color never even considered the minority point of view. They couldn’t bring themselves to admit that the silly segment had real ramifications and hurt someone with good intentions. Charlamagne, the author of a book championing the black cause never came to Monique’s defense. He instead doubled down on his previous ignorant statements.
Monique had to remind him of the importance of his platform and that the things he says in jest appear to much of the masses as truth, but he wouldn’t relent.
The antics on his show all run counter to the admiration that he showed Kim Kardashian on the Bill Simmons podcast in late 2018:
Charlamagne was deferential. He spoke highly of Kim’s past and early plans for her career. He never mentioned her lack of discernable talent, her socialite status, or that she’s built popularity through the (mostly rich and black) men she’s dated. So, praise is not beyond him, he just struggles to show it to the urban community of entertainers that his show and brand profit from. he couldn’t advocate for a black comedian/actress seeking fair compensation or a rapper starting a new business venture.
The media does have certain responsibilities and sometimes tough conversations need to be had. But I think all of that can be done without making a mockery of the interviewee, and that point goes double for a man that claims to be in favor of the people that he so regularly satirizes. If that’s not a culture vulture, then I don’t know what is.