Was 2021 the year of blackfishing? Left, right and centre we continue to see non-Black celebrities appropriating Black culture and using it for capital gain.

So lets talk about ‘blaccents’ the impersonation of Black speech and tone. Australian rapper Iggy Azaela may spring to mind, her summer hit ‘I am the strip club’ video drew a lot of criticism, which sees her in a dark wig and tanned skin, playing a striking resemblance to Cardi B in the 2019 grammys. Azaela has routinely come under fire for blackfishing since her 2013 debut, she told Complex magazine:

“If you’re mad about [me rapping] and you’re a black person then start a rap career and give it a go, too. I’m not taking anyone’s spot, so make yourself a mixtape. Or maybe if you’re black, start singing like a country singer and be a white person. I don’t know. Why is it such a big deal?"

Her failure to acknowledge her musical and style influences, and instead trivialising the issue by suggesting black people try country singing completely disregards black culture, and the roots of hip-hop and rap which literally formed underneath white supremacy.

Awkwafina is another celebrity to have recently found themselves receiving backlash after their nomination for an NAACP Image Award for her voiceover work in Raya and the Last Dragon. Many people have spoken out against her nomination, citing her blaccent -

"Awkwafina getting recognition from the NAACP for Raya even though she's done a horrible blaccent in 80% of her work and won't even acknowledge she's wrong for it"

"Out of all the awards, I would think the NAACP Image Awards would be the last one to nominate someone like Awkwafina, who thinks it is ok to make a minstrel out of Black people for a living"


Blackfishing and using blaccents is a detrimental way of embodying Blackness without the racism, discrimination and negative experiences of Black people. It reinforces stereotypes but allows white people to benefit from palatable parts of Black identity, without having to endure the systemic oppression that shapes it and still enjoy the privileges of being white.


While Black culture has and always will inspire mainstream fashion, music and culture it’s important to honour the routes of where the inspiration came from. If you’re making capital gain from someone else's culture, it needs to be acknowledged.

✅ What can you and your team do? ✅

1) Be Conscious:

Ignorance isn’t bliss. We can't keep apologising, as the saying goes "actions speak louder than words". It's always best to think about what you’re doing and who it may impact before acting. Ask yourself questions such as 'Am I perpetuating a stereotype that might hurt those who belong to this culture or race? ' 

2) Don’t Borrow What You Don’t Understand: 

Good intentions alone are not enough. Similar to the above you can ask yourself questions like 'Do I understand the significance of my actions? Am I imitating another race or culture? Am I perpetuating a stereotype and hurting people who belong to this race or culture?

3) Educate Yourself: 

This is especially true for white cultures, that have claimed certain foods, dances, figures of speech, music and looks that originated elsewhere. It’s important we educate ourselves on this fact. Take the time out to review history and acknowledge the meaning behind the aesthetics and culture you are engaging in. Having this knowledge will inform our actions.