Miley Cyrus Posts Heartfelt Instagram Message Following Backlash About Hip-Hop Culture

Musician Miley Cyrus has never shied away from controversy, with her music and public image often pushing boundaries in a variety of ways. A recent interview with Billboard, however, has made her the target of criticism about the ways in which she has used black culture to earn fame, but now has turned her back on that very same culture.

The statements that caused the controversy started with the topic of folk singer Melanie Safka, who Cyrus performed with in 2015. The singer said Safka had influenced, while also adding, “

“But I also love that new Kendrick [Lamar] song [“Humble”]: ‘Show me somethin’ natural like a*s with some stretch marks.’ I love that because it’s not ‘Come sit on my d**k, suck on my c**k.’ I can’t listen to that anymore. That’s what pushed me out of the hip-hop scene a little. It was too much ‘Lamborghini, got my Rolex, got a girl on my c**k’—I am so not that.”

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In response to music with misogynist lyrics, many critics on social media were quick to remind Cyrus how much hip-hop culture had clearly influenced previous albums and aesthetics, making her remarks sound hypocritical.

In 2013, Cyrus came under fire for using black dancers during a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The singer reflected on those issues, revealing, “That became a thing, where people said I was taking advantage of black culture, and with [Bangerz collaborator] Mike [WiLL Made-It]—what the f**k?”

She added, “That wasn’t true. Those were the dancers I liked!”

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The singer responded to the outcry on social media, attempting to explain that her words were taken out of context and misconstrued her actual points.

The post read, “When articles are read it isn’t always considered that for hours I’ve spoken with a journalist about my life , where my heart is, my perspective at that time, and the next step in my career. Unfortunately only a portion of that interview makes it to print, & A lot of the time publications like to focus on the most sensationalized part of the conversation. So, to be clear I respect ALL artists who speak their truth and appreciate ALL genres of music (country , pop , alternative …. but in this particular interview I was asked about rap).”

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The singer continued, “I have always and will continue to love and celebrate hip hop as I’ve collaborated with some of the very best! At this point in my life I am expanding personally/musically and gravitating more towards uplifting, conscious rap! As I get older I understand the effect music has on the world & Seeing where we are today I feel the younger generation needs to hear positive powerful lyrics! I am proud to be an artist with out borders and thankful for the opportunity to explore so many different styles/sounds! I hope my words (sung or spoken) always encourage others to LOVE…. Laugh…. Live fully…. to be there for one another… to unify, and to fight for what’s right (human , animal , or environmental ) Sending peace to all! Look forward to sharing my new tunes with you soon! -MC.”

The Instagram posts came after a long respite from social media, focusing more on her personal life, family, and boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth.

It had been two months without a single post on Instagram when the singer returned to promote the new interview, mentioning in the caption that it was a “brand new start.”

The 24-year-old went on to post a series of more modest photos than what fans had grown accustomed to seeing, possibly implying that she was aiming to leave her more wilder antics behind in favor of returning to her more wholesome roots.

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[H/T PEOPLE]