Unsurprisingly, many fans pointed out the singer’s problematic conflation of ‘rappers’ with BIack people and people of colour. It’s not clear who made the criticism Del Rey was responding to, or whether the statement was entirely pre-emptive. My dearest friends have been from all over the place, so before you make comments again about a WOC/POC issue, I’m not the one storming the capital, I’m literally changing the world by putting my life and thoughts and love out there on the table 24 seven.
She added: “My best friends are rappers, my boyfriends have been rappers. In 11 years working I have always been extremely inclusive without even trying to.” Del Rey continued by naming four of her friends – “Valerie from Del Rio Mexico, my dearest friend Alex and my gorgeous friend Dakota Rain as well as my sweetheart Tatiana” – adding: “We are all a beautiful mix of everything – some more than others which is visible and celebrated in everything I do.
