A Burger King ad featuring R&B star Mary J. Blige singing about fried chicken wraps has been pulled, the Associated Press reports. Though the commercial has been criticized by some in the black community for being stereotypical, the fast food chain claims it has hit a snag with music licensing for the ad – which borrows the melody of Blige’s song “Don’t Mind” – and hopes to have it “back on the air soon.”
Regardless of whether or not the advertisement remains on television, it has gone viral and has appeared on several popular blogs, including Madame Noire, which posted the video along with a sharp “open letter” to Blige accusing her of “utter buffoonery.”
“This harmonizing about chicken is a move I would associate with someone whose glory days were far behind them,” writes Madame Noire contributor Renay Alize. “You still have so much more to contribute to the arts and entertainment game that there was no reason for you to stoop to stereotypes. And I know what you’re thinking, everybody across the world loves chicken. It’s true, most people get down with the poultry; but as a black woman, singing passionately about chicken is not the move!”
You can watch Blige’s Burger King ad below.