Will.I.Am is certain to receive some backlash after making comments where he defended Michael Jackson and called out society over its arbitrary cancellation of people.
British publications, Mirror UK and Sky News both report that Will.I.Am said of the allegations against Jackson were unfounded. He also added,
“We live in a very, very, very, very hypocritical, double-standard, fake society, […] I can name a thousand other products that we still buy, still use, that are owned by folks that have done the most horrendous things to people, millions of them, and we don’t take their products from the market. You’re not talking about banning Bayer that made the chemicals to kill all the Jews. Imagine every country that ever had slaves, people said never travel to those countries because of what they’ve done in the past. […] Are you not supposed to do anything with anyone who ever did anything ill in the past? England, Spain, Portugal. That’s not that long ago. Are there reparations for everyone who’s done something ill? I could name a thousand more ills that are worse but we’re going to pull songs?”
Will.I.Am went on to express his distrust in what he considers to be smear campaigns of Black entertainers. He said that “Obviously, it’s money when The Beatles’ catalog Sly And The Family Stone’s catalog is still with the estate. I’m torn because that’s not the Michael Jackson I loved and will always love.”