Game show criticized after man uses blackface and says n-word as he imitates Kendrick Lamar
Topics: Film and TV, Entertainment, Racism, Viral, Music, Kendrick Lamar
Dominic Smithers
Featured Image Credit: Przewodnik TV
Topics: Film and TV, Entertainment, Racism, Viral, Music, Kendrick Lamar
A game show has been criticized after one of its contestants used blackface to imitate Kendrick Lamar.
The controversial series Your Face Sounds Familiar has received a huge backlash over Kuba Szmajkowski's recent performance on the show.
The popstar appeared alongside a bunch of other artists to perform songs by some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Ed Sheeran.
However, while most people are pretty appalled by blackface, Szmajkowski obviously thought it was fine, using it to completely change his appearance for the performance.
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In footage that's been shared widely on social media, he can be seen doing a rendition of 'Humble', from Lamar's 2017 album Damn.
In the clip, Szmajkowski is seen in blackface and surrounded by dancers while he performs.
And if that wasn't bad enough, he is then heard dropping the N-word throughout.
Szmajkowski impressed that much with his turn that he actually won on the night, too.
The popstar also shared some behind-the-scenes footage from the series.
In one video, he's seen getting into character, sitting in the makeup chair as he transforms into Lamar.
Understandably, the footage has sent shockwaves around the world, with fans utterly disgusted that he was allowed to do this and that the show's producers condoned it.
Taking to social media, one stunned critic said: "Kendrick needs to file the nastiest copyright suit of all time. I’m talking not even able to say his name no more on some Voldemort s**t."
Another commented: "Modern blackface doesn’t have to be a caricature with literal black paint, big nose and big red lips.
"What that show allowed was black face, and it doesn’t matter if they meant to be disrespectful, if 'that’s what the show’s about'. They made a white guy into kendrick and let him say the nword."
"What made them think it’s okay to put blackface Kendrick, Drake, and Kanye on Polish television and allow them to say the n-word?" asked a third.
While someone else added: "Meanwhile, in Poland, #blackface and racial slurs win you a talent competition!"
And Szmajkowski wasn't the only one who used blackface for their performance, Polish actor Pola Gonciarz did the same for Beyoncé.
Previously, the show was called out by lots of people after allowing other contestants to do the same while imitating Kanye West and Drake.
UNILAD has contacted Przewodnik TV for comment.